Residents will have a chance to meet with organizations in need of their services when Winter Park Library hosts its annual Community Volunteer Fair on Thursday, Oct. 5, from 3-5 p.m.
Representatives from 18 organizations will gather in the library’s Community Room to offer information on the services they provide and the volunteer opportunities they offer. According to Library Communications Coordinator Brianna Haufman, the event began in 2018 with an average of 85 residents attending each year to find ways to donate their time and expertise.
“This fair provides our community with the chance to find the causes that mean something to them,” said Winter Park Library Volunteer Coordinator Steven Morris. “Many of the causes are in the fields of education, healthcare and sustainability.”
Among the participants is the City of Winter Park Sustainability Division. Volunteers can assist with litter cleanups and tree plantings in city parks, shoreline restoration projects on Winter Park lakes, and habitat restoration in natural areas.
“We have participated in the library’s volunteer fair in the past and we partner with them on several workshops and some of our events,” City of Winter Park Sustainability Specialist Mia Brady told the32789.
For those interested in education and childcare, Winter Park Day Nursery offers applicants, ages 16 and older, the opportunity to work alongside students and classroom instructors.
“We have a couple of volunteers who we initially met at the library volunteer event and have stayed with us for several years,” said Winter Park Day Nursery Executive Director Ali DeMaria. “One moved into the volunteer role of board member and another works with our kitchen manager, Ms. Shirley.”
Aside from hosting the event, the library is also hoping to enlist volunteers to assist with programs and services. “We currently have 184 volunteers with our longest-term volunteer serving over 27 years,” said Haufman.
For more information on the Community Volunteer Fair and the full list of participating organizations, visit the event page on the Winter Park Library website.