By Khalida Sarwari
What better time to reflect on the meanings of peace, charity and compassion than during the holidays? In the spirit of promoting those virtues, the Campbell United Methodist Church is hosting a holiday peace fair to bring together a variety of social justice organizations in the South Bay.
Cosponsored by the San Jose branch of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, along with the San Jose Peace and Justice Center, the fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 1 at the church, 1675 Winchester Blvd.
Last year, the fair was held at the Willow Glen United Methodist Church. According to event coordinator Joan Goddard, the location of the fair changes every year but it has remained a South Bay event for 30 years.
The fair is an opportunity for people to become informed about different peace and justice-oriented groups in the area, Goddard said. About 20 organizations, many of them nonprofits, are participating in the event. Among them are Our Developing World, Veterans for Peace, Pesticide Alternatives, Nihonmachi Outreach Committee, International Solidarity Movement, Health Care for All California, Ethical Culture Society of Silicon Valley and the Kateri Tekakwitha Mission Fund: Guatemala.
Joan Wildermann, a Campbell resident and coordinator of the Clothesline Project, will also be in attendance to do outreach for the organization, which focuses on violence against women.
The organizations will each have a table where they will sell items that promote peace, said Goddard. They will also have information about the work that they do.
Some of the items for sale include jewelry, arts and crafts from the U.S. as well as other countries, buttons, posters, bumper stickers, T-shirts, calendars, books and educational toys and games for children, including some that are handmade. The Free Palestine Movement will sell olive oil from the Palestinian territory.
“It’s a chance to get interesting, unique gifts–gifts that are not manufactured,” said Goddard.
Parents are encouraged to bring their children. For the first time this year, organizers will have a designated area for kids that will include crafts, games and an electric train set. Starting at noon, kids will be treated to theater games and storytelling, alternating every 15 minutes.
Six entertainment groups have been invited to perform at the fair, including the San Jose Peace Chorale, Raging Grannies, Middle Eastern Women’s Dance Group and El Grito de la Cultura.
There will also be something to satisfy those with a sweet tooth: a dessert table with homemade goods.
Admission to the fair is a $2 donation. To buy tickets in advance, call the San Jose Peace and Justice Center between 4 and 7 p.m. weekdays at 408.297.2299. Children will be admitted free.
