Alternative Christmas Market

It’s an “Alternative Christmas Market,” and it will be at the Congregational United Church of Christ at 1511 Nicolet Boulevard near the lake. (But it’s not a fund-raiser for the church, because ALL the money raised goes outside the church.)

The event runs from 9:00 to 1:30 on Sunday, in November/December.

There will be some unique imported handicrafts, gourmet consumables, and other gifts in lots of price ranges.  These are of the “fair trade” variety, and that means that the producer of each item receives a more equitable proportion of that item’s selling price.  (In other words, it’s not the sweat shop type of labor that exploits the poorest of workers.)

Besides the take-home gift merchandise, there will be a selection of “symbolic gifts,” which could be for the people on your Christmas list who just don’t need more “stuff.”  The idea is to give on behalf of people who have too much “stuff” – to people who actually have extremely little.  There are attractive cards for each gift that you can give to the family member or friend on whose behalf the donation is being made.

Examples of the symbolic gifts include:

*** Local:

• Building supplies for a local Habitat for Humanity home.
• Help for struggling families from our Fox Valley LEAVEN agency.
• Assistance for therapy or family counseling from the Samaritan Counseling Center.
• Aid for needy kids from the Neenah Menasha Emergency Society.
• Equipment for the Kids Kart Club, a local organization designed to help adolescents stay in school.

*** International

• Farm animals from Heifer International
• Nutrition rehabilitation care for malnourished children
• School supplies for needy students
• Hygiene kits for disaster victims
• Health center visits for refugee children

Also: People who have lived a while around Neenah Menasha know about the church’s famous home made donuts.  They’ll be served hot and fresh from 9:00 to 1:30 with coffee or juice, and they’ll also be available for take out.