STATE COLLEGE — For Cynthia Carpenter, the Alternative Christmas Fair “is warm joy in a season of giving.”
Carpenter is in her second year as co-chair of the fair, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at the University Baptist and Brethren Church, 411 S. Burrowes St.
The fair links 26 nonprofits with shoppers interested in giving the gift of a charitable contribution. Last year the fair raised nearly $40,000 in three hours, with all of the money going to participating organizations.
“The Alternative Christmas Fair brings the true meaning of Christmas, the selfless gift of giving,” Carpenter said. “The season typically becomes commercialized, but the Alternative Christmas Fair refocuses my thinking to what people truly need. When I give a gift of a contribution the receiver is very appreciative knowing that their gift is helping others.”
The nonprofits that benefit range from local organizations to international ones with local chapters. The organizations serve diverse needs, from medical to the environment to animals to social justice, said Jean H. Yeatman, publicity chair of the fair.
“These are charities that are making a difference,” Yeatman said. “It’s an opportunity for outreach for them to explain to the public what they’re all about.”
Among the organizations new to the fair this year is Out of the Cold, a coalition of Centre County faith congregations that provide homeless people with overnight shelter and nourishment during the cold weather months. The congregations take turns hosting the shelter and providing meals.
Others new to the fair are the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund and the Centre LGBTQA Support Network.
Another participating nonprofit, the United Nations Association of Centre County, will be promoting the ShelterBox disaster relief project. The boxes offer relief in the form of equipment and materials that bring shelter and warmth to people made homeless by a disaster.
The boxes include a tent designed to withstand extreme temperatures, high winds and heavy rain. They also include thermal blankets, insulated ground sheets, water purification equipment, a wood-burning or multi-fuel stove, basic tools and a children’s pack with drawing books, crayons and pens.
Shoppers at the fair can speak with representatives of the participating nonprofits and choose to which organization or organizations they wish to donate.
The fair also gives the organizations a chance to network with each other and with attendees.
“I like how making charitable donations is a traditional part of Christmas and many other religious holidays,” Yeatman said. “In addition, Alternative Christmas Fair shoppers can explore many volunteer opportunities by talking with the nonprofit representatives. If someone is deliberating a New Year’s resolution, involvement in the local chapter of an effective charity can be positive work towards a brighter future.”
The nonprofits participating in this year’s Alternative Christmas Fair are: Alternatives in Community Justice, Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund, Bridge of Hope, Centre County PAWS, Centre LGBTQA Support Network, Centre Volunteers in Medicine, Centre Wildlife Care, CentrePeace, Church World Service, ClearWater Conservancy, Habitat for Humanity, Heifer Project, Hope International Services, House of Care, Housing Transitions, Interfaith Human Services, Meals on Wheels, Mid-State Literacy Council, Out of the Cold, Park Forest Preschool, Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light, State College Food Bank, Tides,
United Nations Association of Centre County,
Youth Service Bureau and Centre County Women’s Resource Center.
The event also includes a children’s fair, with proceeds going to Save the Children, and a bake sale and lunch, with proceeds going toward the costs of publicity for the fair.
The church, which now has about 350 members, started the fair in 1982.
Those who cannot attend the fair may still give a gift after obtaining a form by calling (814) 237-2708 or by emailing office@ubbcwelcome.org.
Money is distributed to the organizations near the end of December.
For more information, visit the fair’s Facebook page by searching on Alternative Christmas Fair UBBC.
