Volunteer Fair to showcase local nonprofits in need of help

The Volunteer Opportunities Fair will offer a one-stop shop for those looking to make a difference.

By The Daily World • October 17, 2017 3:30 am
Courtesy photo Cathy Carter’s dog Tilly sits with a young girl reading at the Festival in the Park in September. Carter and Tilly volunteer with Canine Reading Buddies of Grays Harbor, one of 29 organizations participating in the 19th annual Volunteer Opportunities Fair on Saturday.
Courtesy photo Cathy Carter’s dog Tilly sits with a young girl reading at the Festival in the Park in September. Carter and Tilly volunteer with Canine Reading Buddies of Grays Harbor, one of 29 organizations participating in the 19th annual Volunteer Opportunities Fair on Saturday.

Ever wanted to volunteer your time and talents, but didn’t know where to go?

This Saturday, on National Make a Difference Day, the 19th annual Grays Harbor Volunteer Opportunities Fair will offer a one-stop shop from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Aberdeen Eagles, 208 W. Market St.

Twenty-nine local nonprofit organizations that depend on volunteers will be represented at this event. They will answer questions and offer pamphlets that explain what they do and how folks can help. Visitors can sign up to volunteer with them on the spot, or just take home the information for consideration.

Students who need community service hours for graduation or adults who are looking for fun and interesting ways to give back to their community will find many options. There’s something for those who like working with adults, children, animals or anything else. And volunteers can choose how often to help out:daily, weekly, monthly or even just for a one-time project.

It’s taking plenty of volunteer work to put this event together, too. The Aberdeen Eagles are donating use of the space. Angela Endres created the posters, and Rayonier Inc. made the signs for new participants. Megan Hill is helping with room setup and ensuring the nonprofit representatives get to their radio interviews. Stafford Creek Corrections Center’s Inside/Out Group and Dawn Taylor print the Volunteer Opportunities brochures that will be available during the fair. Within that brochure is information about 111 local organizations with their contact information and volunteer needs.

The event also will include raffles by Harbors Home Health and Hospice as well as the Citizens for Children’s Fund. Dogs from Canine Reading Buddies of Grays Harbor and Gentle Paws Hospice and Sanctuary will be there, too.

For questions or more information, contact fair coordinator Betsy Seidel at 360-533-5968.

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Here are the 29 organizations that will be represented at the fair:

7th Street Theatre

Aberdeen Museum

American Cancer Society

ARC of Grays Harbor

Beyond Survival

Boy Scouts of America Coastal Waters District

Called to Rescue

Canine Reading Buddies of Grays Harbor

Catholic Community Services-Feed the Hungry

Catholic Community Services-Volunteer Services

Citizens for Children’s Fund

Fostering Together

Gentle Paws Hospice and Sanctuary

Grays Harbor Brain Injury Support Group

Grays Harbor Civil Defense

Grays Harbor Community Hospital

Grays Harbor Court Appointed Special Advocates

Grays Harbor Special Olympics

Habitat for Humanity

Harbors Home Health and Hospice

Hoquiam Police Department Crime Watch

Hoquiam Senior Center

Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

National Alliance for Mental Illness Washington Coast

Neighborhood Watch

Parent to Parent

Play It Forward

Retired Senior and Volunteer Program

Westport Police Department Crime Watch