<!--StartFragment-->

 The first Alternative Gift Fair, sponsored by Vanderbilt's Manna Project, Presbyterian Student Fellowship and Wesley/Canterbury Fellowship, will be held from 3-6 p.m.  Friday in St. Augustine's Chapel at Vanderbilt University.  The fair is open to the public.

 The Alternative Gift Fair will offer the opportunity to donate a meaningful gift in someone's honor or to purchase a unique, fair trade item for a holiday present to help someone in need.

For example, purchase a flock of chickens from Heifer Project to help end hunger in a family across the globe or purchase a book from Book 'em to promote child literacy in the Nashville area. 

Event planner Hannah DeZeeuw says  “a lot of us have everything that we need this Christmas, and rather than giving a gift that a person already has, you can purchase a gift in someone's else's honor for somebody who needs it.”

 The goal of the gift fair is to educate people about gift giving and to give them an opportunity to participate.

Also, De Zeeuw wants "the Nashville community to be involved with the Vanderbilt Community." Representatives from all of the organizations will also be available to talk about how you can further help.

 Twenty two organizations will be offering gifts for sale. Some of them includeHeart Strings, Pajama Program, STAND (Students Advocating for Non-Violence in Darfur), Luke 14:12, Manna Project International, One Laptop Per Child, Rejoice Ministries, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, Thistle Farms of Magdalene House and more. 

 The fair will feature live musical entertainment by Leslie McClure, ACTION!, local singer/songwriter Joel and a Vanderbilt string quartet.  There will be free food and numerous door prizes.

 Free parking is available in the Highland Avenue entrance of the 25th Avenue garage.  

If you need additional information, contact Nina Myers at (865) 387-3924 or e-mail nina.c.myers@vanderbilt.edu.

-- KOBI ANKUMAH, Hustler staff writer