Garrett County Holding First Annual Volunteer Fair
As a way of spreading the word about volunteer opportunities in the area and to get volunteers and organizations connected, Garrett County will hold its first annual volunteer fair on Saturday, September 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Garrett College gymnasium. The fair will offer a central place for participants to see what volunteer opportunities are available in the area and for organizations to meet individuals who are willing to participate in those opportunities.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 63 million people have volunteered in some way over the past year. People are obviously willing to donate their time to serve their communities. But sometimes, opportunities don’t always present themselves clearly, and those who are willing to volunteer don’t do so because they do not know there’s a need.
However, there is a great need throughout Garrett County for volunteers. Organizations, especially non-profits, typically cannot function efficiently without the help of volunteers. People may be willing to volunteer, but they need to know how to go about doing so. The volunteer fair will serve as a venue for organizations to present their volunteer needs and will act as the perfect opportunity for individuals to match their skills to the needs of local organizations.
Volunteering can offer an individual many personal benefits, such as a sense of achievement or satisfaction in helping others, but volunteers can offer organizations many benefits as well. Volunteers can aid with fundraising, clerical work, physical labor, and direct service; they can contribute time, energy, and talents toward an organization’s cause or mission; they can provide a new outlook and fresh ideas; they are typically very enthusiastic about their work; they can supplement paid staff’s work; and they can further an organization’s vision. With volunteering, everyone benefits.
In order to meet individuals who can contribute their talents and skills, organizations are encouraged to register early to be a part of the fair. The volunteer fair website, www.garrettcollege.edu/volunteer, was recently launched as a way to help organizations and volunteer participants learn more about the fair, as well as to allow organizations to register online for a table at the fair. Space is limited, and the deadline for registration for inclusion in pre-fair advertising is September 3.
The cost for organizations to attend the fair is $10 per organization. The price includes one table, two chairs, and a sign with the organization’s name. The planning committee hopes to have between 40 – 50 organizations represented at the Volunteer Fair.
More than 20 organizations have already registered to attend. These include Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI); American Red Cross, Western Potomac Chapter; Christian Crossing Thrift Shop; Deep Creek Ladies Auxiliary; Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Company; Dove Center; Garrett County Habitat for Humanity; Garrett County Humane Society; Garrett County Lighthouse, Inc.; Garrett County Memorial Hospital; Garrett Lakes Arts Festival (GLAF); Garrett Mentors, Inc; Girl Scouts Black Diamond Council; HART for Animals; Hospice of Garrett County, Inc.; Mountain Laurel Medical Center; Oakland Rotary Club; Our Town Theatre; Partners for Animal Welfare & Safety (PAWS); and Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers, Inc.
A complete listing of registered organizations that includes descriptions, volunteer special requirements, and examples of special projects for which volunteers are needed can be found on the Volunteer Fair website at www.garrettcollege.edu/volunteer. Contact information for each organization is also listed on the website. Interested persons are encouraged to visit the website often for updated information, which will be added as additional organizations register.
The volunteer fair will be open to all of Garrett County and surrounding communities, including students (middle, high, and college), adults, and retirees, and is free for all volunteer participants. A variety of advertising methods have been employed in order to ensure reaching as many volunteers as possible with news of the volunteer fair.
The Consortium of Women’s Groups began planning the volunteer fair earlier this year. The fair is sponsored by Garrett College, the Garrett County Board of Education, and local women’s organizations including GFWC Civic Club of Oakland, AAUW, Business and Professional Women (BPW), and Girl Scouts.
For additional information or to access online organization registration, persons may visit www.garrettcollege.edu/volunteer or contact Judy Carbone, director of advising, career, and transfer services at Garrett College, at 301-387-3046 or judy.carbone@garrettcollege.edu.