Be a part of the effort to support Fair Trade, and stop by the annual Gifts for a Better World holiday store to check some items off your gift list! The shop opened back in 1989, and still opens every year for about three weeks just before the holidays. The organization is an ecumenical non-profit that carries high quality Fair Trade products as well as items from other local non-profit groups. Pop in on Sunday, Dec. 2 to peruse their selection of knitwear, baskets, home décor, handbags, scarves, handmade toys and figurines, linens, and more.
Some of the non-profit vendors include NAMI Mid-Valley, an organization that supports consumers of mental health services, which is selling a variety of cards and dishcloth scrubbers; Senior Dog Rescue, which has dog beds (among other items) for sale; and Educare Africa, which is offering greeting cards, matted photographs, dresses, jewelry, books, and music.
Any profit made is donated to a local charitable organization; past recipients have included Jackson Street Youth Shelter, Mary’s River Gleaners, and Altrusa Career Closet. The organization is entirely run by volunteers, and accepts cash or check only. You can find them in the First Congregational Church at 4515 West Hills Road, where they are open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
by Mica Habarad
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