Want to make a difference and work shoulder-to-shoulder with like-minded people?
The first annual Community Connections Volunteer Fair will be held Saturday, April 5 at Tofino Community Hall.
A buffet of volunteer opportunities will be served up, thanks to (volunteers) who are members of the West Coast chapter of Leadership Vancouver Island.
“We are coordinating a one-day event to connect local organizations with potential volunteers and to showcase our awesome community groups,†said Lily Burke, who is helping organize the event with other LVI members.
To participate or learn more email community.connections@seaviewcable.net
Some 33 organizations from around the West Coast were signed up for the event by Tuesday, and more are welcome prior to the event. The most important thing is that the group has a volunteer component, Burke said.
“Come to the fair and learn about the great work going on in this area and how you can get involved,†said Burke.
This is a free public event and there will be free transportation services available. Free snacks, beverages and door prizes will be provided as well.
There is a suggested $10 fee for organizations to help support this event, but a snack or beverage contribution can be made in its place, said Burke.
“We do not want to create any barriers to participation because we recognize that table participants are already donating their time,†she said.
Burke said the group was inspired by reading a Westerly News editorial declaring 2014 the Year of the West Coast Volunteer.
“With the leadership program, we’re supposed to identify a need in the community and work on a project that will alleviate the need or address it. The Westerly articles came out around the time we were planning for the project, so it came up as a need in the community,†she said.
The group has partnered with the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust on the project, which coincides with the kickoff of National Volunteer Week.
“They work with all the communities in the area, and they seemed to be the best fit for us,†Burke said.
Local businesses and restaurants have been helping with food donations and door prizes for the event.
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