ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) – Ithaca’s annual Alternative Gift Fair will be held both in-person and virtually this year.

The tradition invites people to make charitable donations to local non-profits as an alternative to giving holiday gifts to friends and relatives.

“It’s a great opportunity to honor friends and loved ones during the holiday season by donating to a local cause that reflects your values,” said Steven Manley of Ithaca Public Education Initiative, who is helping to organize the event. “It’s a wonderful Ithaca tradition, and I’m really glad we’ve been able to keep it going during the pandemic.”

The event is free and the public is invited to attend either in-person or virtually. The in-person event will be at the gym of the Henry St. John building at 301 South Geneva Street from 10:00 – 2:00 on November 20. Participants will be asked to wear a mask indoors. The Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services donated the space.

The fair will also be hosted virtually during the weekend of November 20-21. You can go to ithacaaltgiftfair.org to learn more.

Local non-profits that are participating include: Family Reading Partnership, Golden Opportunity (GO) Inc, The Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes, Ithaca Health Alliance, Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties, Catholic Charities of Tompkins / Tioga, SPCA of Tompkins County, Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard, Finger Lakes You Library, Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service of Tompkins County, Ithaca Public Education Initiative, Free Science Inc, Friends of the Ithaca Youth Bureau, Love Living at Home, NAMI Finger Lakes, Coalition for Healthy School Fund, Youth Farm Project, Friendship Donations Network, Educate the Children Nepal, Mayor Potencial Ithaca Welcomes Refugees, LACS Service & Social Justice Class, Advocacy Center of Tompkins County, Gayogo_hó?no' Nation School House, Kids Discover the Trail, Community Science Institute, Tompkins County Sr Citizens’ Council, Robin Fund, Friends of the Groton Public Library, Discover Cayuga Lake, Birthright of Ithaca, Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming, Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County, Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca, Hangar Theatre Company, Greater Ithaca Activities Center, No Más Lágrimas, Food Justice Projects, Community School of Music and Arts, and others