At The Paramount Theater’s Third Annual Alternative Gift Fair, nonprofits will be set up around the theater to share information about their projects and mission with community members. Community members, or “shoppers”, in return can decide which nonprofit that would like to support with contributions that can be made in honor of friends and family, in lieu of a traditional holiday gift.
How the Alternative Gift Fair works: Shoppers at The Paramount’s Alternative Gift Fair will enter the Fair at no charge. Upon entering, shoppers will be given a “shopping list” with all of the nonprofits who are represented at the fair. They can stroll among the “booths” and talk to area nonprofits who will have information to share about their mission and current projects. As shoppers browse, they can match what charities they might support with the interests of the people on their gift list. Once complete, shoppers can check-out and pay for all gifts at once, eliminating any pressure to give to particular causes or groups at the individual booths. In fact, The Paramount’s anonymous checkout eliminates multiple transactions. Charities will not know who their donors are until they receive a check from The Paramount with all of their donations and a donor list after the event. A donor may also choose to remain completely anonymous.Shoppers may pay by cash, check, or credit card, and one hundred percent of all donations go to the designated charities. Once a gift is given, the shopper will be provided with a card to share with their gift recipient. The Fair will feature refreshments for the shoppers and nonprofits. As a gift to the nonprofit community, The Paramount absorbs all overhead costs, with the help of its generous community sponsors Virginia National Bank and Wendy and Jack Brown.