The Living Gift Market wants you to rethink your Christmas shopping list this year. Yes, you could buy your aunt another scarf or your friend a really nice candle, but wouldn't the spirit of the season really be expressed better by helping a needy child get access to healthy food, providing after school tutoring for a kid facing academic difficulties, or by purchasing building supplies for a new Habitat for Humanity house. People in our community need your help this Christmas season, and the Living Gift Market makes it easy and fun to help.
This year's market will be held Friday, December 4, 2015 from 5 - 8 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 200 E. Marion Street, Shelby, NC. Twenty-two local non-profits will be on hand to offer donation opportunities in honor or remembrance of your friends and family.
To get you in the Christmas spirit, local musicians, musical groups and church choirs are slated to provide holiday entertainment out Washington Street, which will be closed for the event. Shopping will be inside, along with hot cocoa and goodies for shoppers who need to warm up from their time enjoying evening festivities on the court square.
The following charities have committed to attend: Abuse Prevention Council, Apparent Project, Central UMC School Ministries, Children's Homes of Cleveland County, Cleveland County Partnership for Children, Cleveland County Rescue Mission, Communities in Schools, Community Math Academy, Dover Foundation YMCA, Farmer Foodshare - Foothills Farmers' Market, Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association, Guardian ad Litem program, Habitat for Humanity, Honduras Orphanage Outreach, Hospice of Cleveland County , Junior Charity League - Tributes for Trousers, Kairos Outside, Kid's Place Preschool, Life Enrichment Center, Salvation Army, Shepherd's Table & Food Pantry- Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, and Young Life of Cleveland County.
Shoppers can visit vendor's booths, ask questions about the nature of the non-profit, and select the charities that best reflect the passions and interests of the people on their shopping list. Donation levels start at just a few dollars, making this a perfect way to recognize any special person in your life. Shoppers will receive a card or small gift reflecting their donation to a particular group to present to their loved one.
Last year's Living Gift Market raised close to $6000 for local non-profits. The Living Gift Market would love to exceed that amount this year. Rather than add to the massive amount of knick-knacks and gadgets this Christmas, your gift giving could improve the lives of Cleveland County residents. Let's make a difference together!
Please visit the Living Gift Market page at livinggiftmarket.wordpress.com or find us on Facebook for more information. Give a gift that keeps giving!