CURWENSVILLE – The Curwensville Presbyterian Church will be holding its first-ever “Alternative Gift Fair” Saturday, Oct. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 10 to increase its mission giving.
Alternative giving means shoppers purchase gifts that are actually donations to eight chosen charitable organizations. The gifts can be purchased from a predetermined shopping list and are represented symbolically. The shopper will receive customized gift cards that can be given to friends and family members in their honor during the holiday season.
The main idea of the “Alternative Gift Fair” is to purchase more meaningful gifts. For example, a shopper might wish to purchase a co-worker a $5 gift, such as a mug, for Christmas.
But they might decide to put it toward a more meaningful gift, such as purchasing a craft to be used at Ridgeview Elder Care, in honor of the co-worker. The shopper will receive a custom-made card to be presented to the friend and a tax deductible receipt.
The “Alternative Gift Fair” will highlight eight different organizations for mission giving. Monetary gift giving will range from $5 and up. The list includes organizations from the local, state, regional and international levels.
Curwensville Fuel Aid has been selected for allocating fuel to needy area residents as well as the Curwensville Food Pantry for providing less fortunate families with necessary healthy foods.
Ridgeview Elder Care residents will benefit through the facility’s in-house support group known as the Ridgeview Community Care Group. It supplies the residents with fellowship, holiday gifts, fun activities and games such as “Birthday Bingo.”
At the state level, Loving and Caring Group has been chosen for its mission to provide practical and spiritual renewal through ministers and counselors whom support mothers, young and old alike, and their children, with love and guidance.
The Appalachia Service Project will benefit from the fair’s regional mission. This group helps make families warmer, safer and dryer and donations will help purchase housing materials so volunteers can help people make necessary home repairs.
Globally, Heifer International has been selected because of its importance of working with communities to end hunger and poverty by providing live animals teaching them husbandry skills. In addition, Water of Life will receive funds to help provide safe drinking water to the destitute populace around the world – all while spreading the Gospel.
Lastly, gifts will be designated for Gospel for Asia so that the poorest of the poor will benefit from the help of missionaries spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Breakfast will be available at the church during both days, Oct. 6 and Nov. 10 and willbegin at 8 a.m.
To see the shopping list and to obtain more information about the fair, you can go to www.curpres.org and click on the AGF button. Also, you may contact the Curwensville Presbyterian Church office at 236-1060.