West Dundee church hosts benefit Fair Trade Sale

Submitted by St. Catherine of Siena

St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Dundee will hold its sixth annual Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Sale offering Christmas gift items from Third World countries. Proceeds will benefit local individuals and families in the community who are in most need.

The Fair Trade Sale will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25, in the church narthex, 845 W. Main St., West Dundee. Everyone is invited to attend the event.

“We are pleased to offer a wide variety of unique gift items, including chocolates, chocolate Advent calendars, jewelry, Christmas décor, handmade baskets, children’s toys and musical instruments, and religious articles available for purchase from over 20 different countries,” said Deacon Hank Schmalen, coordinator of the event.

“New items this year are available from Limitless Horizons lxil, a non-profit organization,” added Schmalen. “Their mission is to create opportunities for the indigenous youth, women, and families of Chajul, Guatemala to develop the academic and professional skills needed to effect change in their lives and community”.

“Purchasing a gift during our sale is a chain reaction that benefits the recipient, a Third World country individual, and ultimately a local person or family in need. It is a gift that gives three times.”

Catholic Relief Services, in conjunction with SERV International, provides Fair Trade items from Third World countries. The product makers and/or growers receive a fair price for the sale of their products. All of the proceeds made by the sale at St. Catherine of Siena Church will support people in the local community who are in need.

Members of St. Catherine’s Spirit, the church’s social justice ministry, have organized the sale. It coincides with this year’s focus of charitable outreach for the parish. For information, call Debbie Schmalen at (847) 426-7326.