Juniata Valley International Gifts Sale takes place from November 14 to 16

Submitted photo
Juniata Valley International Gifts Sale volunteers who helped unpack crafts and create beautiful displays in 2023.

MIFFLINTOWN — The 30th annual Juniata Valley International Gifts Sale will take place Nov. 14-16 at the Cedar Grove Brethren in Christ Church, Mifflintown. The event provides a unique opportunity for people in central Pennsylvania communities to invest in their world and be part of the fair trade story.

The International Gifts Sale offers handicrafts from various fair trade sellers.

Ten Thousand Villages, one of the world’s oldest and largest fair trade organizations, has spent more than 60 years cultivating trading relationships in which artisans receive a fair price for their work and consumers have access to distinctive handmade goods. They seek to build long-term purchasing relationships in places where skilled artisans are underemployed or unemployed, and where they have no other income options.

Women At Risk, International (WAR International) is a Michigan-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity founded to create circles of protection around those at risk. Through culturally sensitive intervention projects and value-added partnerships, they provide safe spaces to heal from abuse, human trafficking, exploitation and more. Their passion is to enable survivors to live and work with dignity and hope.

Shop with a Mission is the retail division of Heavenly Treasures: a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity. Since 1998, Heavenly Treasures has assisted refugees, single mothers, widows, the physically challenged, women and children rescued from human trafficking, orphans, the disenfranchised and many others. Every day, lives around the world are touched by the sale of crafts.

Education and More is a Christian nonprofit organization that strives to reduce poverty in rural Guatemala and provide artisans with the opportunity to earn a fair trade wage for their crafts and woven goods.

Asha Threads and Hope Chest stands for hope for the future of young women and believes in giving them a sense of worth and self-worth through fair wages and supporting educational and emotional well-being. A portion of every purchase goes back into the community to help build self-sufficiency skills, meet essential needs, and promote human trafficking awareness and prevention.

Join them for all your holiday gifting needs. The sale includes jewelry, accessories, scarves, baskets, clothing, whimsical crafts, holiday and home decor, fair trade coffee, chocolates and more. Give a unique gift that gives twice. Sometimes when you give your gift to someone else, and other times when your purchase gives value and dignity to the craftsman.

“The holidays are just around the corner and it’s time to think about Christmas,” sales organizer Linda Geissinger said. “We have new crafts for the home and kitchen that are perfect for decorating all year round (but look especially nice during the holidays). You can feel good about your purchase knowing you’re supporting global artisans who earn an essential income to support their families. When you shop fair trade, you support children all over the world. Education opens up opportunities for children in places where opportunities may be scarce. One of the principles of fair trade is to ensure that there is no child labor, so that children can stay in school and just be children. We know that investing in honest artisans breaks the generational cycle of poverty and promotes economic justice. That’s why we’ve been doing this for thirty years.”

Sales activities such as those sponsored by Cedar Grove Church owe their success to dedicated local volunteers. In Juniata County, about 40 volunteers will unpack the crafts, serve as sales associates and clean up after the event. For more information about this year’s International Gifts Sale, follow Facebook or visit the Juniata Valley International Gifts Sale website at www.JuniataInternationalGiftsSale.com.

The International Gifts Sale will be held November 14-16 at the Cedar Grove Brethren in Christ Church, Mifflintown. Hours this year are Thursday evening from 6pm to 8pm where you can sign up for a gift card to use over the next two days during the 2024 sale. Also Friday from 9am to 7pm and Saturday from 9am to 3pm. There will also be a bake sale on Friday and Saturday to help cover shipping costs.