Westminster College's Alternative Gift Market has the highest average number of shoppers for any collegiate location in the nation, according to Alternative Gifts International (AGI).

In addition, Westminster's Market is the third-longest running and has raised the third-highest average in contributions, behind Davidson College and Yale University. Westminster's Alternative Gift Market has operated for the past four years.

Alternative Gift Markets were started in 1980 by Harriet Pritchard, director of Christian education at Pasadena (Calif.) Presbyterian Church, as a way to provide affordable, meaningful, alternative gifts for children to purchase for their families at Christmas. The money raised supported established international non-profit development and relief agencies. In 2003, Alternative Gift Markets became AGI.

AGI sponsored the Young Peace Builders conference, the first national conference of college and university Alternative Gift Market coordinators, at the retreat center of the Archdiocese of Chicago May 29-31. Representing Westminster College at the conference was Carey Anne M. LaSor, assistant to the Westminster College chaplain and coordinator of Westminster's Young Presbyterian Scholars Program (YPS).

"The markets, held in schools, churches, and service clubs throughout the U.S. and Canada, are known as 'supermarkets for the poor and the planet,' and are venues for fair trade," LaSor explained. "Shoppers coming to a gift market learn about projects and agencies worldwide whose work supports the poor and the environment. Markets are held to 'give away' global awareness and education, as well as to provide real benefit to people living in poverty, by purchasing shares in agencies already doing the work."

"Westminster's gift market is run entirely by students in the Young Presbyterian Scholars Program," LaSor added. "This year's market will be Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. in the McKelvey Campus Center. In addition to the YPS students, student organizations such as the Newman Club, Habitat for Humanity, Sierra Student Coalition, and Amnesty International are expected to participate."

Westminster's gift market also includes products from The Silk Road, a fair trade market in New Wilmington, operated by Wendy Farmerie, a 1991 Westminster alumna.

Contact LaSor at (724) 946-7365 or e-mail meyerca@westminster.edu for more information about Westminster's gift market. More information about AGI and the projects it represents is available at www.alternativegifts.org. 

Casey Anne M. LaSor (back row, third from left)

Alternative Gifts International

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