Churchgoers and local community members arrived at the University Baptist and Brethren Church, 411 S. Burrowes St., yesterday morning for the Alternative Christmas Fair, which raises nearly $20,000 for charity each year.

The fair is "alternative" because it shies away from the traditional gift-giving practices that have become a standard part of Christmas, fair co-chairwoman Ann Jones said.

The fair hosts 21 nonprofit organizations with information booths that teach people about their missions' projects. People who come to the fair can donate to charities if they wish and give the donations as gifts this holiday season, Jones said.

Upon making a donation, customers receive Christmas cards that are hand-addressed by volunteer calligraphers.

"This way," Jones said, "a person can open a nice card that says that a gift has been given in their name."

Joe Loomis, a representative of The Heifer Project, which aims to help end world hunger by giving livestock to poor families in underprivileged countries, said donations are often more useful than most traditional Christmas gifts.

"That's why it's better to give than to receive," he said.

Heifer has sent livestock to developing countries and taught families how to care for the animals they have received. The livestock serves as food and income for the families, Loomis said.

Loomis said a single cow could provide milk for a struggling family.

"This is a good gift because it's a gift that keeps on giving," said Lucy Loomis, his wife. "It makes communities self-sufficient. You're giving them not just a cup, but a cow."

The Heifer Project raised $4,000 last year. One cow costs $500, but any amount is accepted toward the cow's purchase. A flock of chicks, which can supply up to 200 eggs per year, can be sent to a family in need for as little as $20, Loomis said. One egg supplies all the protein a child needs in one day.

The fair began at the University Baptist and Brethren Church 25 years ago because members felt alternative gifts were important at Christmas, Jones said. Since then, six other churches in different states have started similar drives.

Christy Zabrodski, Tri-County Habitat for Humanity development director, said her organization raised between $2,000 and $3,000 last year.

Habitat members gave donors a price guide so they could see exactly what materials their money would buy for a new house.

"One pound of nails costs only $2; it takes about 50 pounds of nails to build a house," Zabrodski said. "It's good for people to know where their money is going and that the products get shipped out within just a few weeks."

The Penn State Habitat for Humanity chapter is building a house in Philipsburg, the second project since members built a house in Port Matilda in 2002-03, Zabrodski said.

Zabrodski also said that in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Habitat is busy with many new rebuilding projects this holiday season.

"Giving unselfishly to those in need is what I think Christmas and this fair are all about," Jones said. "It makes people feel good to give gifts like these."