The holidays bring out the goodness in people and volunteers are more than ready to help local nonprofits. After the holidays those volunteers may find other things to keep them busy, but they are still needed at nonprofits year round, said one nonprofit executive director.
Since many people are looking to fulfill New Year’s resolutions and give back to the community by volunteering, an open house will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. today at Naper Settlement that will provide an opportunity for volunteers to learn more about a wide variety of area nonprofits.
Giving DuPage, a nonprofit that connects volunteers and donors to nonprofits, has partnered with the Naper Settlement to hold the inaugural Find Your Cause Volunteer Fair, said Kathy Blair, executive director of Giving DuPage.
“I think volunteers have become even more critical to the success of our organizations,” Blair said. “Because of the economy a lot of funding has dried up and the organizations have to do more with less. Volunteers help organizations meet their missions, they are critical.”
The volunteer fair will provide a relaxed environment where people of all ages can connect one-on-one with a variety of nonprofits, she said. Attendees can gather materials about the nonprofits, ask questions and do so in a low-pressure environment. The event will also allow potential volunteers to get the process going, since some nonprofits require applications be completed, while other nonprofits conduct background checks or require orientations.
With the Naper Settlement ready to hold its annual Bridal Expo this weekend, tables would already be in place in advance of the event, so it seemed like a great opportunity to use the space for a volunteer expo, said Donna DeFalco, Naper Settlement’s marketing and sales representative.
The event had more nonprofits seek to sign up than the number of tables available, Blair said. There will be 30 nonprofits at the event and a few are on a wait list, though Blair said she is encouraging nonprofits who may not have been able to reserve a table to attend so they may pass out materials.
A number of people interested in volunteering have contacted Blair to learn more. She said that the open house will let people drop in when it is convenient for them and they can stay as long as they want.
“This is a great time of year to get involved because the needs of agencies are ongoing,” Blair said. “At the holidays we see an abundance of people getting involved and then it drops off. The needs of nonprofits are ongoing and the need is strong.”
To learn more about the event and for a listing of the nonprofits that will be in attendance visit the Naper Settlement's event listing. The Find Your Cause Volunteer Fair will be held at Naper Settlement from 4:30 - 7 p.m. today.