Kirkland Interfaith Network to host annual Alternative Gift Fair

The gift fair will take place on Nov. 16.

The Kirkland Interfaith Network (KIN) is hosting its annual Alternative Gift Fair once again.

The event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 16 at the Peter Kirk Community Center, 352 Kirkland Ave. in Kirkland.

KIN chair Sharon Sherrard said the gift fair has been running for well over 20 years.

The gift fair is a holiday fair to “shop” for alternative gifts, by meeting with representatives of various nonprofit organizations and learning what they do.

More than 20 organizations, both local and international, will participate in the fair. Organizations include The Sophia Way, Babies of Homelessness, Redeeming Soles, Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest, Lake Washington Schools Foundation, Kids4Peace, New Bethlehem Project, Camp Unity Eastside and Congregations for the Homeless (CFH).

Each organization will sell alternative gifts — a donation made to the organization to support its work in place of a material gift.

An alternative gift might be a new window for a house being built by Habitat for Humanity, or a financial donation to pay for the training of a hero rat for landmine removal, or a night in a shelter for a homeless family.

For each item purchased, attendees receive a gift card with an insert describing their gift, which they can give to their recipient.

“By coming to the fair and making a donation, learning about these organizations and making a donation, you’re making a difference,” Sherrard said. “You are making the world a better place, both in your community and overseas. It’s an empowering thing. It’s a gift you can feel good about giving to someone.”

For more information about KIN and the fair, visit www.kirklandinterfaith.net.