Celebrating the Season of Giving at the Takoma Park Alternative Gift Fair

The 16th annual Takoma Park Alternative Gift Fair is scheduled to take place on Dec. 6 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church.

The fair is a day where residents can make donations to local charitable organizations or pledge to support specifics services such as sponsor one Violence Prevention Outreach Session at any D.C. area middle school or donate $10 for a week of fresh, local veggies for a low-income family.

“The Alternative Gift fair is a time that we can come together as a community and express our love through gift-giving, where we can make the shopping meaningful, enjoyable, and even inspirational at the Alternative Gift Fair and its loads of fun,” Jim Baird, co-chair of Alternative Gifts of Greater Washington, Inc., wrote in an email to MyMCMedia.

Baird added that 16 organizations are participating to help people internationally, in the D.C. region and “right in Takoma Park.”

Examples of alternative gifts:

• An Ice Skating Outing for an inner-city youth;
• A bicycle collected, restored, & delivered to a qualified non-profit program;
• One month of fresh, local vegetables to a low-income family;

According to a press release, all gifts are tax-deductible and 100 percent of the money donated will be given to charities. The family-friendly event will also have a supervised Children’s Corner with a visit from Santa, cookie decorating for the home bound (delivered by Meals on Wheels), bake sale, raffle with prizes from local businesses, live music, and Serenity Corner with free seated massage.

“It is an absolutely family friendly [event]. A very warm and friendly atmosphere,” Baird wrote.

The event is sponsored by Alternative Gifts of Greater Washington, Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, Sun Trust Bank, Takoma Park Child Development Center, and Girl Scout Troop 1456.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Fair Director Mimi Iklé-Khalsa at aggw_inc@yahoo.com.

About Aline Barros

Aline Barros is a multimedia reporter and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She can be reached at Abarros@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter at @AlineBarros2.

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