Junior Chamber International (JCI) Vernon presents its eighth annual Alternative Gift Fair Saturday.
The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. at the Schubert Centre.
The fair offers holiday shoppers an easy way to buy gifts of charitable donations to support their favourite causes. Each participating organization offers a variety of meaningful gifts of help.
These can range from a goat in Zimbabwe to a safe ride to appointments for women in need in Vernon.
Gift donations start as low as $10. Shoppers receive cards and inserts identifying their donations to give to loved ones for Christmas.
“We are pleased to see the event grow this year with over 20 organizations participating,” said Lindsey Still, JCI Vernon Alternative Gift Fair co-chairperson.
In 2016, the fair raised more than $5,000 for local and international non-for-profit organizations.
“It’s a win-win situation,” said co-chairperson Ute Cummings. “Staying true to the spirit of this time of year and giving back to your community, while crossing people off your holiday shopping list. The perfect way to buy a gift for the person that has everything.”
Participating organizations this year include:
Community Dental Access Centre; Days for Girls Canada; Kindale Developmental Association; Nexus BC; Community Resource Centre Society; Okanagan Rail Trail Initiative; Sleeping Children Around The World (SCAW); Teens Count Too Society; Vernon Women’s Transition House Society; Zimbabwe Project Canada Society; Allan Brooks Nature Centre Society; Canadian Mental Health Association Vernon And District Branch; H.O.P.E. Outreach Okanagan; The North Okanagan Pregnancy Care Centre/Live Well Clinic; Greater Vernon Museum Society; Spec-Team FASD Assessment Society; Schubert Centre Society; Safe Motherhood Project Guatemala; Sweet Smiles Society; Upper Room Mission Society.
For more information, email jcialternativegiftfair@gmail.com.