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MOUNDSVILLE – Local nonprofits are strengthening their networks to create more volunteer opportunities in Marshall County.
The Marshall County Family Resource Network has partnered with Williams Energy to host the area’s inaugural volunteer fair, to be held Thursday, March 31 at Grand Vue Park’s banquet hall.
According to Stacie Dei, executive director of the FRN, 20 local organizations, either based in Marshall County or serving Marshall County residents, will be present at the event to find volunteers, explain their missions to the community and explain current initiatives.
The fair, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the banquet hall. Organizations will be on hand to share details of their work in the community, needs and how locals can get involved with their missions. From 10-11:30 a.m. county high school students will attend to learn about volunteer opportunities for teens. Williams employees will follow from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The FRN will also distribute a volunteer resource guide with contact information and requirements at the fair to represent organizations unable to attend.
“I think there are a lot of generous people who give a lot to their community,” Dei said. “This is just a way to better connect the needs and the people who would like to help meet them.”
Participating nonprofits include Appalachian Outreach, the Blue and Gold Christian Center, CASA for Children, Catholic Charities Neighborhood Center, Cockayne Farmstead, Coordinated Council for Independent Living, Crittenton Services, Fostoria Glass Museum, the Gabriel Project of West Virginia, Grand Vue Park, Helping Heroes, House of the Carpenter, the FRN, Mountain State Parent-Child Adolescent Network, National Youth Advocate Program, the Sanford Center, Seeing Hand Association, Sexual Assault Help Center, West Virginia University Extension and the Young Women’s Christian Association.
“At Williams, we have a long history of supporting volunteer efforts in the communities where we not only work, but also live,” Leigh McIntosh, strategic outreach at Williams Energy, said. “Volunteering also helps develop teamwork and people skills, while strengthening relationships among colleagues and across the community.”
Rose Hart, founder of Appalachian Outreach, Inc said she chose to represent her organization at the fair to create connections with interested volunteers and other local organizations.
AOI gathers and transports donated materials to poverty and disaster stricken areas of the mountain state. Hart started the organization in 2001 after hearing news of a devastating flood. The nonprofit has since driven about 400,000 miles to deliver nearly 3,000 tons of goods to more than 91,000 in 30 counties throughout the state and one in Kentucky.
Hart said the organization hopes to meet various volunteer needs at the fair, which include drivers, lifting heavy boxes and more.
She added the organization also needs help preparing for their annual fundraiser, slated for April 17 at St. Jude Hall in Glen Dale.
“None of us as organizations can do everything on our own, we have to operate as a network,” Hart said. “This is one way to have some time to talk together about what we can do for the common good…We have to be here for each other.”
Mary Baird, a part-time worker at the AOI storehouse in Moundsville, started her work with the organization for a community service requirement and eventually was hired on to the team.
“I love the fact that they take their time to get this together to be able to send down state to the people in need because they don’t have things like salvation army or goodwill. If there’s a fire or a flood, at least they have someone like Rose that’s able to help them out and give them a fresh start,” Baird said. “I would encourage anyone to volunteer, it’s very rewarding.”
Organizers from Cameron’s Blue and Gold Christian Center will also be present at the fair. According to co-founder Robin Richardson, the center-a collaboration among several local churches-opened 14 years ago to give local children, ages kindergarten through sixth grade, with meals and entertainment after school daily.
Volunteers also run a thrift store to fund the center. Richardson added the center is in need of volunteers who are willing to help with activities for teens, which are currently in development.
“Our problem being here in Cameron we don’t have a whole lot to draw from,” Richardson said. “In the beginning we actually wanted to start a teen program, but we couldn’t get enough help. What we’d really like is someone who is willing to work with teenagers, rather than only small children.”