Tuesday afternoon at the Hermiston Community Center was the very picture of connecting and networking as nonprofits, service clubs and would-be volunteers gathered for Hermiston’s first-ever Volunteer Fair.
“We’re here talking about what we do,” said Hermiston Lions Club member Charlie Clupny, who was able to snag two new volunteers within the event’s first hour.
Sherry Aubray, a volunteer with the Agape House, was there for the same reason.
“We’re getting the word out that Agape House is here – and that’s important,” Aubray said.
Approximately 20 organizations set up booths on Tuesday and passed out literature and spoke with those looking to give their time to a worthy cause, like Al Logan of Hermiston.
“I’m retired and seem to have a lot of time on my hands,” Logan said. “This looks like the place to be for people like me.”
Clupny has been a member of the Lions Club for more than 15 years. The Hermiston chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this year. The club commits itself to projects throughout the area, including awarding four $2,000 college scholarships to local students. Other efforts include conducting sight screenings for every student in the greater Hermiston area and providing $200 vision and hearing grants to income-qualified individuals.
Aubray said the Agape House and Martha’s House, both run by the Eastern Oregon Mission, are in need of more volunteers. Agape House averages about 30 volunteers who put in a combined 140-160 hours each month.
Volunteers are needed to pack food boxes and backpacks, drive a forklift and truck, as well as paint. Martha’s House has about 10 rooms that need painting. Aubray said she hoped to have a few more volunteers by the end of the day.
Representatives from Stepping Stones Alliance in Hermiston were also at Tuesday’s fair. Stepping Stones is a nonprofit organization that provides shelter, basic needs and support for people experiencing homelessness in Umatilla County.
“We’ve had about 20 people stop by and ask questions,” said Cindi Jorgensen, sleep center coordinator for Stepping Stones. “We’re here looking for volunteers, but we’re also here to spread the word about what we do and how we do it.”
Executive Director Jesalyn Cole said it takes a lot of volunteers to keep Stepping Stones open.
“I have to fill 60 volunteer shifts a month to run our operation,” said Cole. “We have 20 regular volunteers. I would like to have more so when people are gone, those volunteer spots are easier to fill.”
Those interested in serving on a city committee stopped by the city of Hermiston’s booth where City Manager Byron Smith, City Councilor Jackie Linton and City Recorder Lily Alarcon-Strong shared information about how to volunteer with the city.
The city depends on volunteers to fill its nine standing committees ranging from the Budget Committee to the Hispanic Advisory Board and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
“We’ve had quite a few people stop by,” Smith said, adding that there are always vacancies on some of the committees.
Val Hoxie, executive director of the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce, was happy with how the day went.
“I feel really encouraged by the turnout,” Hoxie said. “It solidifies my thoughts I had from the start that this was something that was needed. I’m so happy to see people talking and connecting.”
Hoxie said the idea for a volunteer fair came to her about seven months ago.
“I’ve talked to a number of people who are retired and didn’t know where to plug into the community,” Hoxie said. She recalled one elderly woman who came to her office. She was caring for her husband who was in the early stages of dementia. The woman told Hoxie she was desperate to find some volunteer opportunities for she and her husband.
“She started crying,” Hoxie said. “They had just moved here and didn’t know where to turn.”
Hoxie was also excited to see the other end of the age spectrum show up on Tuesday. A couple of busloads of students from Hermiston High School attended the event. Hoxie said the students were engaged and visited each booth.
“We worry about who we are going to pass the torch to,” said Hoxie. “A lot of volunteers are older. What are we doing to get the younger generation involved.”
Hoxie said she already is thinking of next year’s fair.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “I want it to be even bigger next year.”
