Share Tompkins will hold its seventh Community Swap Meet on December 12th, 2009 from 4-7 p.m. at the Southside Community Center on 305 S. Plain St. in Ithaca. The holiday-themed swap is an opportunity for people to get unique gifts through sharing and bartering with their neighbors for crafts, services and other goodies. The event is co-sponsored by Southside Community Center.

The event’s goal is to meet people’s gift-giving needs locally and sustainably. No registration is required and all are welcome to participate. Visitors can expect to find one of-a-kind fabric collage sweatshirts by Lea Elleseff, hand-knitted hats and cozies by Shira Golding, hand-drawn buttons by Ari Moore and much more.

All are invited to bring crafts of all kinds, food products such as baked goods and preserves, body care items like tinctures and soaps, and used-but-in-good-condition housewares, electronics and books. Services providers such as massage therapists, music teachers and others are also welcome to attend and offer gift certificates in exchange for other services and goodies.

Shira Golding , Share Tompkins Co-Founder: “We’re really excited to partner with the Southside Community Center for our Holiday Swap. We share a common goal to strengthen community self-reliance and this seems particularly relevant during the holiday shopping season, when so many families turn to big-box stores for gifts. We’re hoping that this event draws attention to local creativity and talent and helps forge new bonds based on sharing.”

Share Tompkins was formed in May 2009 to help people share and trade goods, services and labor in Ithaca and Tompkins County. The volunteer-run group has organized sixth monthly Community Swap Meets to-date. The Share Tompkins Web site features photos and videos of events and a growing resource directory of local initiatives that help people meet their needs equitably and sustainably.

Share Tompkins is the recipient of a 2009 Sustainable Tompkins “Sign of Sustainability” Award.

Since its incorporation in 1934, the Southside Community Center, Inc., continues to affirm, empower, and foster the development of self pride among the African-American citizens of greater Ithaca. Through forums and activities in education, recreation, political and social awareness, the Southside Community Center is a community resource center. They serve as a vehicle to develop an appreciation for the contributions and presence of those peoples of African descent in the greater Ithaca community and in the larger world community.

For more information about the Holiday Swap or Share Tompkins, contact organizer Shira Golding at (607) 821-0654 or shira@shirari.com.

Visit the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=203720536936

Visit the Share Tompkins Web site: http://sharetompkins.wordpress.com.