For decades the All Saints Pasadena Alternative Christmas Market (ACM) has reclaimed the Christmas story by offering an alternative to the consumer frenzy that has overtaken the Christmas season.
In the spirit of making God’s love tangible, the ACM brings together non-profit organizations that address social issues on a local, national, and international level to give you the opportunity to participate in socially conscious gift giving. The gifts you buy for your loved ones will help kids visit their incarcerated parents, gang members get back on track, homeless and abused women, kids in foster care, and many others.
The Market has raised between $25,000 to $35,000 annually for these organizations, and has more importantly raised our social consciousness. This year’s market will be on Sunday, December 9, from 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in Sweetland Hall and the Guild Room. Mama’s Tamales will be available for purchase on the lawn.
ACM co-chair Sharyn Delahousie says, “The Alternative Christmas Market tries to capture the true spirit of Christmas—while taking us out of our usual comfort zone and beyond our borders—to provide an opportunity, with a different kind of Christmas shopping, that will positively impact those who are in need at the same time.”
The list of participants is a who’s who of local, national and international organizations—including Homeboy Industries, Habitat for Humanity, Doctors Without Borders—and you can make donations and receive unique greeting cards to give as gifts, or make purchases from a wide variety of socially-conscious and fair trade items.
Here is what parish member Jane Wallace shares about her experience with the ACM:
I became involved with Alternative Christmas Market (ACM) several years ago through
my friend and fellow Habitat for Humanity volunteer, who has been co-chair of this event
for several years. I enjoy helping out with this activity because I feel it reflects the true
spirit of Christmas and the Holiday season — that of giving to others in a meaningful
and joyful way by supporting those organizations that are really committed to social
justice, peace and the enrichment of the lives of people locally and throughout the world.
It is a really fun and busy day! I particularly enjoy the beautiful and unique gifts and the
holiday cards that are offered, the festive atmosphere and the enthusiasm of all the
volunteers! This is the place where I love to do my holiday shopping and am grateful to
be a part of it every year.
Click here for this year’s ACM Catalogue.
Click here for this year’s ACM Shopping List.
For more information contact Ada Ramirez at aramirez@allsaints-pas.org or 626.583.2734
