The gift of humanity

More News Standoff ends in arrest Snake River sediment slowing Write-in sheriff elected Unwanted horse problem grows Man plans to use wind power Island Park water cost to rise Man arraigned in 2003 slayings Lottery kickoff hampered Qwest to cut Montana rates Woman sentenced for 13th DUI Books needed for annual sale Family history workshops set ISU nurses score high 'Living Legends' to perform ID man to power home with wind Sports Johnson inches closer to title ISU volleyball deserves kudos Century runner makes nationals

 

By Debbie Bryce

dbryce@journalnet.com

POCATELLO -- The Alternative Gift Market is way to give the gift of humanity.

More than 30 local, national and international non-profit groups will be set up at the fair and shoppers are asked to make contributions to humanitarian efforts instead of buying gifts this holiday season, said organizer Shannon Ansley.

With each donation, gift-givers receive a card with information about the project, which becomes the gift for the recipient.

The market, which is being hosted this year by the First Congregational United Church of Christ, will include the Ten Thousand Villages Craft Fair.

Ten Thousand Villages works with over 100 artisan groups in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Items from the organization will be on sale during the gift fair.

Ansley said the fair is in cooperation with Alternative Gifts International. The group, based in Wichita, KS., hosts gift fairs throughout the U.S. and also awards grant money at the end of the year.

Last year, Aid for Friends and the Idaho Food Bank split a $10,000 grant from Alternative Gift Fair international.

Executive Director Roy Lacey said the money provided about $50,000 worth of food for the agencies served by the Idaho Food Bank.

The Food Bank will be at the gift fair Saturday and Lacey hopes to meet last year's fundraising mark.

"We're having a tough economics time right now," he said. "If we can break even on our fundraisers this year, we'll be happy."

Ansley said Pocatello's Alternative Gift Fair raised more than $25,000 in 2007.

In spite of the current economic crisis, she said a 10,000 Village Craft Fair recently held in Twin Falls, actually raised more money this year.

"Maybe people are thinking about spending their money more purposely," Ansley said.

This year, the Alternative Gift Market features 32 alternative humanitarian and environmental projects. Each display describes a local, national or international humanitarian project, such as dental care for Sudanese refugees, neonatal training in Romania, and hope for HIV/AIDS families in Thailand.

Along with Aid for Friends and the Idaho Food Bank, other local groups participating in the fair include, the Pocatello Free Clinic, Habitat for Humanity, Project Hope and Alternative Spring Break on the Idaho State University campus.

To sponsor a booth, please call Ansley at 232-1538 or Carol Stirling at 233-8208. For more information, go to www.alternativegifts.org and www.tenthousandvillages.com.

Nov. 15 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

 

Current Rating: 0 of 0 votes!

Rate File: Select Rating: * ** *** ****

Reader Comments

Submit a Comment

Commenting Rules

Report a Comment