Your 285 South Holiday Guide
Where to Give + Holiday Markets & Festivals
Hi friends - lots happening this holiday season, including the Senate runoffs (more info on when and where to vote here). This is a living guide - so if I missed any markets, festivals, or resources, feel free to drop me a comment at the bottom of this post.
How to help + Resources
Coat Drive: New American Pathways is seeking new and gently used coats for refugees who have recently arrived. You can drop off coats to their office - 2300 Henderson Mill Road NE, Suite 100, Atlanta GA 30345 - on Mondays between 10am and 12pm. More info here.
ICNA Relief is also collecting winter clothes for the communities it supports. You can donate money, winter clothes, or host your own collecting circle. More details here.
Gift Drives: The Afghan American Alliance of Georgia is collecting items such as kitchenware, blankets, pillows, and vacuums for Afghan families - check out the Amazon wishlist here.
And New American Pathways is also holding a holiday gift drive to support the immigrant and refugee families they work with - Amazon wishlist here.
Holiday Toy Drives: The Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network (GAIN) is hosting a toy drive for its clients. If you’d like to start your own giving circle to support the toy drive, you can contact GAIN via Instagram. They’ll be accepting gifts through December 9th: Amazon wish list here. The Latin American Association’s annual “Spirit of Giving Event” is a toy drive for 500 Latino children - more info here and Amazon gift list here.
Seeking canvassers for the runoffs: The Council of American Islamic Relations’ Georgia chapter is hiring five canvassers to work on get out the vote efforts for the runoff elections. The position pays $20 an hour. More info here, and interested candidates can send their resumes to info@ga.cair.com with the subject line: GOTV Canvasser 22 Runoff. (Yes, I realize that was non-holiday related!)
Holiday Festival + Markets:
Alternative Gift Market: Fair trade, environmentally-sustainable items supporting refugee communities will be on sale this Saturday. Tandem Quilting Company, Aleppo Kitchen, Haiti EcoVillage, and Andes Gifts are among the vendors. Saturday, December 3rd, 10am to 3pm, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, 611 Medlock Road, Decatur, Georgia 30033. More info here and vendor info here.
Refuge Coffee Holiday Market: Check out arts, crafts, and foods from vendors originating from all over the world in Refuge Coffee’s Clarkston location. *They’re still seeking vendors btw! More info on that here* Saturday, December 3rd, 9am to 4pm, 4170 E Ponce De Leon Ave, Clarkston, Georgia. More info here.
Clarkston Holiday Tree Lighting and Festival: The City of Clarkston’s annual holiday event will feature holiday music, hot cocoa, arts and crafts, and a holiday express train through the park. Friday, December 9th, 5 to 7pm at Milam Park, 3867 Norman Rd, Clarkston, GA 30021. Details here.
Latin American Association Holiday Market: Check out “Mercado Navideno” - a holiday market featuring food and gift items from local Latino businesses. Saturday, December 10th, 10am to 4pm, 2750 Buford Hwy. NE; Atlanta, GA 30324 More info here. Interested in being a vendor? Application here.
A Taste of Christmas in the Arab World and Artist & Artisan Bazaar: The Alif Institute is hosting a bazaar featuring handmade items from local artisans, a Christmas feast with dishes unique to the Arab World, and a presentation about Christmas traditions in Arabic speaking countries. Saturday, December 17th, 12pm-6pm, at the Alif Institute, 3288 Marjan Drive, Atlanta GA 30340. More info here.
Plaza Fiesta Holiday Celebration: “Posada Navideña” is a Mexican and Central American holiday tradition featuring dancing, piñatas, and whistle blowing with religious origins - commemorating the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem (more about that here). Sunday, December 18, Plaza Fiesta, 4166 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30345. More info here.
Before I go: As I mentioned 285 South has been migrating and resettling, hence the pause. I will continue posting, but expect to see me in your inbox once a week most weeks rather than twice, as I explore different ways to keep this publication financially sustainable. I’d love to hear from you - I want to make sure 285 South is both helpful and interesting to you. Short survey here!