Representatives from more than 20 local organizations manned booths at the Simcoe Rec Center on Wednesday for Volunteer Fair 2024.
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“We have a lot of need in our community and volunteers make a huge difference,” said organizer Jessica Martin, co-chair of the Network of Volunteer Administrators that ensures safety and best practices for volunteers. “If you’re looking for something to do, some experiences to build, there are lots of places that would love to have you.”
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“This is a great opportunity today to meet with people, and everyone attending today obviously has a heart for volunteering, engaging with community, giving back and providing help in some way,” said Eric Haverkamp, chair of the board at Church Out Serving. “We already have close to 200 volunteers, but we have so many opportunities for volunteering.”
Church Out Serving utilizes volunteers to help a variety of projects including their community gardens, a furniture program to repurpose gently used household basics for families in need, helping in the kitchen for their meal program, and assisting at Riversyde 83, a new cafe-based community center in downtown Simcoe.
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“We certainly need more volunteers because we’re a fast-growing charity that is constantly adding and expanding programs. We are completely volunteer run and rely on (them).”
Haverkamp said that while a lot of agencies and organizations experienced a decline in volunteerism during the pandemic, Church Out Serving increased their ranks and programs to address the needs of the community.
“I think this fair is great because you can get all the information from the different organizations,” said Elsie McConnell of Port Dover. “But you also get the contacts and an explanation of the volunteer work they want you to do.”
McConnell attended the fair with her husband Glenn and grandson Marcus Moffatt.
“I need my 40 hours of volunteer work,” said the 14-year-old student in Grade 9 at Simcoe Composite School. “I liked the different opportunities I could have.”
Moffatt said the information booths for the Salvation Army, Lighthouse Festival, and the Simcoe Lions Club appealed to him.
“It’s a really good opportunity for students,” McConnell said. “He didn’t even know about the Salvation Army, Lighthouse Festival, and Habitat for Humanity.”
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