Providence Christian Academy Serves Other With 'Giving Market'

From Providence Christian Academy: Students, parents and staff at Providence Christian Academy participated in a unique on campus shopping experience today called “The Giving Market.” The event gave shoppers the opportunity to purchase gifts for their family and friends, while also benefit organizations helping people in need.

Providence created the Giving Market to emphasize with its students the importance of giving to others and to raise awareness of organizations that are making a real difference in people’s lives and sharing the love of Christ locally and around the world.

Now in its second year, the event featured a number of ministry vendors selling all types of items including clothing, bags, artwork and jewelry, many of which were handmade by local refugees earning money for their family. The proceeds from the merchandise sales go directly to work being done by these organizations that are helping the poor, providing job training and meeting other needs in the community. By the end of the day, shoppers had spent more than $20,000 on gift items supporting these efforts.

“It’s easy to get swept up in receiving rather than giving gifts during the Christmas season, especially for young people,” said Dr. Sean Chapman, the Head of School at Providence. “We want our students to be aware of the needs of others and intentional about helping them. The Giving Market is a great opportunity to do both.”

This year’s Giving Market featured 11 vendors including Draw Near to Hymn, Fresh Harvest, Heart for Africa, Intertwined Candles, The Joy Market, Peace of Thread, Presencia, Proskuneo School of the Arts, Refuge Coffee Company, Refugee Sewing Society, and Samaritan’s Purse.

Providence, which includes kindergarten through 12th grade, provides many service opportunities to its students throughout the year. In just the past few weeks, elementary and middle school students collected thousands of food items for the Lilburn Co-Op, a team of high school students served the poor in Jamaica and student athletes volunteered with Operation Christmas Child packing boxes for children overseas.

Image Courtesy of Providence Christian Academy