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 Natural Awakenings Lancaster-Berks

Choose Meaning-Filled Items for Holiday Giving at Gifts That Give Hope, Lancaster’s Alternative Gift Fair

Oct 30, 2016 11:14PM ● By Gisele Rinaldi Siebold

The ninth annual Gifts that Give Hope alternative gift fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., December 10, at the Farm and Home Center (Penn State Cooperative Extension), in Lancaster. At the event, attendees can purchase gifts that support the work of charitable organizations and give back to the local, regional and international community. The gift fair inspires attendees to make meaningful holiday purchases by choosing meaning-filled gifts that count toward restoring dignity and hope. Local food and beverage items will also be available for purchase. 

 

This years 30 non-profit participants support both local and global organizations that empower women, children and men to not only survive, but thrive. The charitable causes include, but are not limited to: ending childhood malnutrition with sustainable solutions for hunger; fostering community peacemaking; providing the tools, animals and education to make a sustainable income; helping teenage boys in challenging environments to dream and achieve their goals with respect, dignity and encouragement; restoring women from human trafficking; helping first-time parents succeed; and more. 

 

Gifts benefit the work of the following organizations: Heifer International, HOPE International, Power Packs Project, Nurse Family Partnership, The Forgotten Initiative, World Bicycle Relief and Center for Community Peacemaking, just to name a few. 

 

The Marketplace, which features fair-trade items and items made locally by social enterprise employees, encourages the pairing of a fair-trade gift with an alternative gift. Vendors include Light on a Hill Candles, Revolution leather products,Global Baby Steps hand-knit baby clothing, Divine ChocolateHandz On! clothing and gift bags, Bead for Life jewelry, Stroopies authentic Dutch Stroopwafles,Upohar ethnic cuisine and much more. 

 

All purchases go toward making a difference, alleviating suffering and speaking up for justice on behalf of vulnerable people here in the U.S. and around the world. People can also connect with like-minded individuals and learn about volunteer opportunities and other initiatives to combat poverty, end hunger and fight child abuse and human trafficking/exploitation. 

 

To celebrate Human Rights Day, held annually on December 10 since 1948, there will be hands-on activities for all ages, and the chance to win a free copy of thebookWe Are All Born Free: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures, published by Amnesty International. 

 

Admission: Free. Location: 1383 Arcadia Dr., Lancaster.For more information, call 717-201-9157, emailLancasterGiftFair@gmail.comor visit GiftsThatGiveHope.org/Lancaster. 

 

Gisele Rinaldi Siebold is a contributing writer toNatural Awakenings Lancaster-Berks edition. Connect with her at[email protected].