The Haiti Challenge: Family Christian Customers to Fund Haitian Orphanage During Thanksgiving Weekend

"Jesus calls us to look after orphans. Together, let's do this!" -- New York Times No. 1 Bestselling Author, Karen Kingsbury

Contact: Christy Lynn Wilson, 770-401-9842, cwilson@demoss.com

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Nov. 27, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Thanksgiving weekend officially begins the Christmas shopping frenzy for millions of Americans. But "Black Friday" is taking on a sunnier hue in Family Christian stores across America. That's because America's largest Christian specialty retail chain will be donating 100 percent of its earnings from its customers' purchases over the three-day weekend to build a neonatal orphanage in Haiti. In addition, Family Christian will match dollar-for-dollar all additional donations made during The Haiti Challenge.

"Here in America, we have so much to be thankful for," said New York Times No. 1 best-selling author Karen Kingsbury, ambassador for The Haiti Challenge. "I can think of no better way to express gratitude than by providing for the needs of orphans."

Kingsbury and her husband Don, who have adopted three of their five sons from Haiti, have a special affection for the impoverished nation.

"Haiti is still recovering from the 2010 earthquake that ravaged the already-destitute nation," said Kingsbury. "As in any crisis, many of those most gravely affected were the most vulnerable -- infants and children. This Thanksgiving weekend, Family Christian and its customers will be telling these children that they are not forgotten, they are not abandoned and they are not without hope."

Family Christian made the decision one year ago to donate 100 percent of its earnings to fund Christian ministry and causes. The Haiti Challenge is the first time that the Christian retailer will dedicate all of its earnings raised over a given time period to a single worthy cause.

"It is exciting to consider what Family Christian customers can do when they pull together for a common goal," said Cliff Bartow, president and CEO of Family Christian. "Family has always been at the heart of Family Christian. That's why it is so important to us and to our customers to do what we can to provide for those who do not have families of their own."

Direct donations to the Haiti challenge can be made online at FamilyChristian.com/Haiti or by visiting any Family Christian store during Thanksgiving weekend.

Family Christian is a first-of-its-kind retail chain that offers Bibles, books, videos, music, and gifts to those seeking Christian encouragement and spiritual growth. Giving away 100 percent of earnings to support Christian organizations and causes, Family Christian operates a growth-oriented business model so that its charitable donations can increase as earnings increase.