Palmetto Parent 2009 November Issue : Page 12
other person that you thought about them, but also that you thought about doing some- thing for the community.” Tula Henson, Rector of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, said her congregation’s annual alternative gift fair encourages shoppers to challenge their traditions in a positive way. Th e fair was born of her desire and that of others in the church to give purposeful gifts. “I got to a particular age where I didn’t need any more dust collectors,”Henson said. She asked those who really wanted to give her a Christmas gift to do so by donat- ing to a charity.Now, the opportunity is extended to the community. Th is year’s fair, held in October — the event is held in Oc- tober or November each year — benefi ted a wide variety of organizations, including Kairos Prison Ministry, Heifer Interna- tional, Boggs’ charity and others. Many impact local residents, those “in the shadow of our steeple,”Henson said. “Nonprofi ts have an opportunity to set up a table to receive donations and they send out cards to the person it is in honor of,”Henson explained. “As a church,we feel like we need to be involved in the wider community. Th e church is about supporting one another in these ministries in the wider Want to know more? How can your family get involved with alterna- tive gifts this holiday season? Check out these resources: n All 4 Paws: To learn more about Creighton Boggs and her organization that has raised more than $5,000 for the Columbia Animal Mission, visit www.all4pawscharity.org. n Samaritan’s Purse: To view the gift cata- log online or learn more about Operation Christmas Child and relief and development projects around the world, visit www.samaritanspurse.org. n Ten Thousand Villages: To shop online or locate festival sales, visit www.tenthousandvillages.com n St. Timothy’s Episcopal: The church’s alterna- tive gift fair is held in October or November each year. This year’s fair has passed, but for more information, visit www.sainttimothyscolumbia.com. 12 Palmetto Parent This doll is sold by Ten Thousand Villages, a nonprofi t organization that sells items crafted by artisans around the world. The organiza- tion promotes the sale of fair trade items through its stores, local festivals and on line. www.palmettoparent.com November 2009
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