In an effort to teach young people about the importance and value of local and global community giving, Youth²– Youth Helping Youth will be hosting its third annual Community Giving Fair to be held on Saturday, November 19^th, 2011 from 10-3 pm, at the United Methodist Church, 175 Fifth Ave, Saratoga Springs.

Walking side by side with your child, the alternative holiday market will provide shoppers with the opportunity to make donations to their favorite community organization that works to help everyone throughout the year. You can give a gift in honor of a loved one that keeps on giving. You can give a financial contribution or have your child donate in-kind items such as a blanket to the Backstretch Employee Service Team or socks for the Domestic Violence shelter. Please refer to www.youthsquared.org to locate items that each agency could use.

This year the event will include a “Youth Challenge: Calling All Kids” grant stimulation effort. Young people who are Saratoga County residents, age 22 and younger can think of a way that they want to improve the world and write a grant proposal to realize their dream. Youth²– Youth Helping Youth which will award $1500 in grant awards on the day of the Community Giving Fair. You can get a group of kids together as part of your school or college club, community organization, church or synagogue youth group, to come up with an idea that will serve other youth in your local community or in the world. There will be an informational meeting about how to secure these monies on Wednesday, October 12^th at 7 pm. in the Glasby Room of Saratoga Springs Library and the grant deadline will be on November 12^th.

The Community Giving Fair will provide a fun and engaging forum that empowers youth to make a difference by encouraging them to think about social change, to participate in social action and to donate to the agencies or groups of their choice. This year we are hoping to involve more youth efforts in our circle of groups participating. Youth groups that are interested in having a table at the Fair please contact Beverly Lazar Davis at

Participating agencies, Saratoga county Children’s Committee, Franklin Community Center, Domestic Violence, Uganda Relief Club, Backstretch Employee Service Team, Ballston Spa Community Center, Help the World, The Giving Circle and others will directly benefit from increased public awareness and financial and gift/in-kind donations. Fair trade holiday gifts will also be available by Mango Tree Imports. There is no cost to participate. Local agencies and youth organizations that would like to participate can contact Beverly Lazar Davis at to secure a space at the event.

We will create a festive mood with live music, bake sale and light lunch, Stone Soup, raffle items, Social Action tables offering ways for youth to make “Good Health Kits” for our community, activities for kids to use small change for big change, a Volunteer Match table and an alternative giving person, “Pockets”, handing out ideas on community service. The Saratoga Performing Youth Artists (SPYA) may contribute a pertinent theatrical event again this year.

Youth²– Youth Helping Youth is a Field of Interest Fund formed under the guidance of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. Youth² won the 2011 Champions for Children Award in the Capital Region. Youth² engages young people to think about issues that they care about and to create volunteer, social awareness and fundraising social action local and global projects for youth and by youth. Youth² is committed to giving both financial and thoughtful support to help interested young people turn their ideas into realities.

Wish Lists

Domestic Violence Services Gift Cards $5-50 (Target, Hannaford, Price Chopper, CVS, Wal-Mart) for meds/diapers Women and children’s new underwear Kids-sized Socks Slippers Sweets School Supplies Saratoga County Children’s Committee Pajamas Toothpaste/toothbrush Shampoo Cash donations Children’s socks Children’s Books Barrettes Franklin Community Center Art and drawing sets General Gift Cards: Walmart, Target, Price Chopper Bath and Body Hygiene products CDs: rap, hip hop DVDs: new releases Nonperishable food for our emergency food pantry YouthSquared- Youth Helping Youth Buy YouthSquared T- Shirts, $10 Give donations for youth grants. Reams of colored paper. Seeds for Peace Nickels for seeds Help The World- Buy a wristband for $1. so others can have clean water to drink.  Your dollar will go toward drilling a well in Africa so children and their families will have safe drinking water.

Kids In The Kitchen- Junior League Healthy Snacks Ballston Area Community Center Gloves and winter hats for teens Borders gift cards for teens Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council Walmart Gift cards Gloves and hats Art Supplies Personal care items Nonperishable food items Backstretch Employee Service Team Blankets: (new/used) Toiletries: Shampoo, Deodorant, Toothpaste/toothbrush Duffel bags (new/used) Harriet M. West Child Advocacy Center and The Saratoga Center for the Family. Nutritional snacks: granola bars, crackers, juice boxes, etc. Gas gift cards Good Health Kits

Join us and support the organizations that take care of our community!