In three hours, the first annual Alternative Gift Fair raised a total of $9,117.50 for 21 different nonprofit organizations Friday night.

The gift fair, held at St. Augustine Chapel, was hosted by Vanderbilt Manna Project, Presbyterian Student Fellowship and Wesley/Canterbury Fellowship.
The fair's goal was to provide an opportunity for holiday shoppers to make a donation to a non-profit organization in honor of a loved one as an alternative to buying other traditional gifts.

"Our whole group came up with the idea together. It gives people the opportunity to give a donation to a non-profit organization in honor of a holiday," said junior Hannah Dezeeuw, the student coordinator for the event.

Upon arriving at the fair, shoppers were provided with a shopping list of desired gifts for the non-profits, a program with a description of each organization and a map. The donator marked which gift and the quantity he wanted to donate, and then turn in the form at the paying desk.

"I am glad to see people that are interested and willing to help, it shows a side of Vanderbilt that is awesome," said sophomore Diana Joe.

The initial vision for the fair was to educate the public in addition to providing the community with the opportunity, which the event committee hopes to continue yearly.

"Even before the fair started on Friday, I felt like we have already completed our mission statement," DeZeeuw said.

The fair was possible thanks to the contribution of Caf?© Nona, Goldie's Deli, Kroger of Belle Meade and Green Hills, Sun Trust Bank, Vanderbilt Interfaith Council and Vanderbilt Student Government, Vanderbilt University Office of Traffic and Parking.

Martyna Stomski contributed reporting to this article.