Get a jump on holiday shopping this weekend and help kids in Tampa at the same time

November 4, 6:03 PMTampa Community Service ExaminerGerri Kramer

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Get your shopping shoes on
AP Photo

Get your shopping shoes on. Starting Friday and continuing through the weekend, you can browse the Junior League of Tampa's Holiday Gift Market and leave feeling good for two reasons--you got your holiday shopping done early and you helped the Tampa community. The Junior League of Tampa considers this annual event its primary fundraiser, with 100% of the net proceeds funding community projects in the Tampa area involving foster care, children's basic needs, and education and literacy.

Dozens of specialty merchants from across the country set up shop at the Holiday Gift Market, so you can find just about anything on your shopping list, including clothing, jewelry, gourmet food, art, and, of course, toys. And if the shopping doesn't entertain you, the Junior League has other forms of entertainment lined up to keep you in a holiday mood, including Santa, performances by local groups, wine tastings and cooking demonstrations.

Last year's event broke the League's attendance records, attracting more than 7,000 shoppers and raising more than $90,000. The money went to the Glazer Children's Museum, Mary Lee's House, Food 4 Kids and other Junior League projects.

The Holiday Gift Market is being held in the Entertainment Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds. You can buy a ticket at the door for $5.  Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, go to www.JLTampa.org.

AP Photo Credit: http://www.examiner.com/ShowPhoto.cfm?filename=b2317af3-a61f-43b4-ab7e-17117a6e2f38.jpg&use=pquery