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Juniata Valley International Gifts Sale volunteers who helped unpack the crafts and create nice displays in 2023.

MIFFLINTOWN — The 30th annual Juniata Valley International Gift Sale will be held Nov. 14-16 at 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 become part of the fair trade story.

The International Gift Sale will offer crafts from several fair trade vendors.

Ten Thousand Villages, one of the world’s oldest and largest fair trade organizations, has spent over 60 years cultivating trade relationships where artisans receive a fair price for their work and consumers have access to distinctive artisan items. They seek to establish long-term buying relationships in places where skilled artisans are under- or unemployed and lack other income opportunities.

Women At Risk, International (WAR International) is a Michigan-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization established to create protective circles around those at risk. Through culturally sensitive, value-added intervention projects and partnerships, they provide safe places to heal from abuse, trafficking, exploitation and more. Their passion is to empower survivors to live and work with dignity and hope.

Shop with a Mission is the retail division of Heavenly Treasures: a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity. Since 1998, Heavenly Treasures has helped refugees, single mothers, widows, the physically challenged, women and children rescued from human trafficking, orphans, the disenfranchised, and many others. Lives around the world are affected every day through the sale of handicrafts.

Education and More is a non-profit Christian organization that strives to reduce poverty in rural Guatemala and provide artisans with the opportunity to earn fair trade wages for their handmade and woven crafts.

Asha Threads and Hope Chest represent hope for the future of young women and believe in empowering them with 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-support skills, meet essential needs, and promote awareness and prevention of trafficking.

Join them for all the holiday gifts. The sale includes jewelry, accessories, scarves, baskets, clothing, whimsical crafts, holiday and home decor, fair trade coffees, chocolates and more. Give a unique gift that gives twice. Once when you give someone else your gift and again when your purchase gives value and dignity to the artisan.

“The holidays are almost upon us and it’s time to start thinking about Christmas.” sales organizer Linda Geissinger said. “We have new crafts for the home and kitchen that are perfect for decorating any time of year (but look especially beautiful during the holidays). You can feel good about your purchase knowing you’re supporting global artisans who earn vital income to support their families. When you shop fair trade, you support children around the world. Education gives children opportunities in places where opportunities may be limited. One of the principles of fair trade is to ensure that there is no child labour, helping children stay in school and allowing them to just be children. We know that investing in fair trade artisans breaks the generational cycle of poverty and promotes economic justice. That’s why we’ve been doing this for 30 years.”

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

The International Gift Sale will be held November 14-16 at Cedar Grove Brethren in Christ Church, Mifflintown. This year’s hours are Thursday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm where you can sign up for a gift certificate to be used over the next two days during the 2024 sale. Also Friday from 9:00am to 7:00pm :00 and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will also be a bake sale on Friday and Saturday to help cover shipping costs.