Gifts that give in Central PA

The Christmas shopping season is upon us. For some, this is a joy; for others, it is a frustrating, expensive time of year. I felt a wave of relief upon discovering the South Central Pennsylvania Alternative Gift Fair.

The fair is an opportunity to make donations (varying from $10 to $250) on behalf of someone you want to give a gift to. That person will receive a card telling them about the gift.

A number of local nonprofits use the donations to meet various community needs, including a hot meal for a homeless individual, clothes for someone in need, one hour of counseling for a survivor of sexual assault, and much, much more. For an example of the shopping list, click here.

And if you can’t make it out to a fair, I am told you will be able to shop on their Web site from Nov. 16 to Dec. 15.

Two fairs will take place this year:

• The Carlisle-Mechanicsburg-Harrisburg area fair is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow, Nov. 15, at the Central Pennsylvania College Conference Center. Click here for directions or here for a map.

• The Lancaster-Elizabethtown area fair is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Farm and Home Center. Click here for directions or here for a map.

The event is hosted by The Ladies Half, a women’s giving circle that provides funds and assistance to enhance the lives of families and organizations in south-central Pennsylvania. If you’re interested in joining the group, click here. To donate funds directly to the organization, click here.

See you at the fair,
JLB