The 41st edition of The Alternative Christmas Fair will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 3, at University Baptist & Brethren Church, 411 S. Burrowes St. in State College.
“The Alternative Christmas Fair is a beloved local institution,” said Gail Guss, chair of the event. “Since it began in 1982, the fair has raised $909,885 for participating charities.”
Thirty local, national and international charities will participate this year. They include the Center for Alternatives in Community Justice, Centre County PAWS, the Centre County Youth Service Bureau, Centre Helps, Centre LGBTQA Support Network, CentrePeace, Centre Region Down Syndrome Society and Centre Safe.
Other participants include Centre Volunteers in Medicine, Centre Wildlife Care, Church World Service, Clearwater Conservancy of Central PA, Dyslexia Reading Center of Central PA, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Centre County, Heifer International, Hope International Services, Housing Transitions and Interfaith Human Services.
Still others: Jana Marie Foundation, Midstate Literacy Council, Out of the Cold, PA Interfaith Power and Light, PA Prison Society’s Centre County Chapter, Park Forest Preschool, Ridgeline Language Arts, RISE –Reading is Enlightening, State College Food Bank, State College Meals on Wheels, Ten Thousand Villages and Tides Program.
“There is literally a charity, or several, for everyone’s interest,” said Guss.
People come to the fair and visit the booths and displays set up by each charity. They are provided with a form where they can designate the charities they want to support and the amount they want to give to each. With one check or credit card swipe, they can do all of their year-end charitable giving.
Cards and envelopes are provided so that shoppers can designate gifts in the names of loved ones or friends.
There is also an online giving option for those who cannot come to the event on Dec. 3. The Online Alternative Christmas Fair will be open Dec. 3-17 and is found at ubbcwelcome.org/acf/.
