[SustainableTompkins] Alternative Gift Fair Doubles its Success

[Wendy Skinner]

***Alternative Gift Fair More than Doubles its Success***

The Ithaca Alternative Gift Fair earned over $52,000 for 31 locally based charitable organizations Saturday. The donations, which go directly to each participating group, more than doubled the amount given last year.

Each year since 2004, the Fair has offered area residents an opportunity to choose charitable donations as holiday gifts. The event was held this year at the First Presbyterian Church in Ithaca, and despite the blustery winter weather, a steady stream of shoppers browsed the displays. Directors, board members, and volunteers representing each group were on hand to explain their missions and services.

"The Fair gives donors an easy way to support causes they believe in and to do their holiday shopping, as well," said Christian Nielsen, one of the event organizers. "Many come with lists of people to buy gifts for." 

Saturday's purchases ranged from $5 for a single gift to donations totaling hundreds of dollars and more. When the Fair started in 2004, 19 organizations participated and $8,000 was collected. In 2005, 22 organizations were represented and $14,000 was collected. Last year, 30 organizations earned a total of $20,000. 

Gifts at the Fair are dedicated to a specific purpose, such as a hot meal delivered to a shut-in, sponsorship for a teen to be on an after-school sports team, food for an injured animal, or supplies for a school in an impoverished or war-torn country. Shoppers can also donate money to organizations for general support. The event has the additional benefit of reducing the impact on the environment of conventional gift-giving. 

"Shoppers can still buy gifts directly from the organizations by going to the Fair website," said Nielsen. Descriptions of the gifts can be found on the Ithaca Alternative Gift Fair website at www.ithacaaltgiftfair.org. 

The Ithaca Alternative Gift Fair is sponsored by the CRESP Center for Transformative Action and Tompkins Community Action, with support from Alternatives Federal Credit Union.

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Wendy Skinner
Green  PR Services
607-277-7611