Women Score a Triple
To spread Christmas cheer while making a positive impact globally and locally, the women of Davidsonville United Methodist Church teamed with Ten Thousand Villages for the church’s third annual Alternative Christmas Market. The Pennsylvania-based non-profit helps artisans in developing countries sell their crafts world-wide.
“The products sold were all handmade by people in developing countries,” said Davidsonville’s Patricia Caine. “They earn a fair wage and are able to support their families. We keep 10 percent of the profit and donate that money to charity. It was a win-win.”
The profit made by the church group will be donated to Arden House, Anne Arundel County’s only emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence.
Market coordinator Mary Conklin, who brought the concept with her from the West Coast, said the Davidsonville United Methodist Church Women are particularly interested in helping other women. Most of the artisans who sell their products through Ten Thousand Villages are women.
2019 was the Alternative Christmas Markets’ most successful year yet. More than $10,800 in merchandise sold during the two-day event, November 16 and 17, including jewelry from India, Christmas ornaments from Vietnam, baskets from Bangladesh and woolen mittens and scarves from Peru, as well as cookie and soup mixes.
“We are already making plans for next year,” Conklin said.
Mark your calendars for November 2020 and prepare to change the world while you shop.