Local holiday markets often benefit charities and community organizations. As Reverend Tamalyn L. Kralman of Bellingham’s Alternative Holiday Market describes, “Many people have become aware that large corporations may not be the way they want to spend their holiday dollars. They want to shop in more responsible ways, buying gifts that will not only delight the gift recipient, but will, perhaps, save a life.” All of the Alternative Holiday Market’s proceeds go directly to local and international charities and non-profits such as Amnesty International, the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center, and Whatcom PFLAG. Your gifts could “save a threatened whale or bison or support a woman starting her own business in Chile. Whatever the shopper chooses, he or she will know that the money is changing the world in a dramatic way,” Kralman says. To enter
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the multi-faith market, shoppers need only bring a new and clean pair of socks for those in need in Whatcom County. Adding a little fun to the shopping experience, Animals for Natural Ther-
Katy Borden of Artist Services explains, “Allied Arts of Whatcom County’s vision is to enliven and promote the artistic identity within our community and make our region an arts destination and
“Many people have become aware that large corporations may not be the way they want to spend their holiday dollars. They want to shop in more responsible ways, buying gifts that will not only delight the gift recipient, but -Rev. Tamalyn L. Kralman will, perhaps, save a life.” apy will bring ponies and chickens to play and interact with shoppers. If you want your holiday shopping to directly benefit local art and artists, look no further than the 35th Annual Allied Arts Holiday Festival of the Arts.
creative, vibrant place to live….[The Holiday Festival] gives our artists a place to exhibit and sell their work, by being a free event it makes the arts accessible to everyone in our community and it fosters the buy local mentality of our community.”