HERMISTON, Ore.-The Hermiston Chamber of Commerce’s third-annual Service Organization Fair was held at the Hermiston Community Center on the afternoon of October 16.
“Thank you to all our incredible service organizations-thank you for everything you do to lift up this community,” said Val Hoxie, Executive Director of the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce.
Organizations in attendance enjoyed lunch and had the opportunity to network and meet with representatives from the Eastern Oregon Funders Forum (EOFF), a network of local and statewide funders working to connect people and resources to funding opportunities.
“It’s said it takes three years for an event to really take root,” said Hoxie. “We’re up to 50 nonprofits from 30 last year, and the new interactive parts of the fair this year have been great.”
Attendees of the Service Organization Fair enjoyed interactive exhibits, including the opportunity to write a letter to a veteran or member of the military through American Legion Post 37, put together patient care packages or get a flu shot from Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS), and enjoy a pop-up book fair from Altrusa International of Hermiston.
“It’s important to come together and recognize the service organizations in our community,” said Amelia Boyd, with GSHCS Community Health and Outreach. “There’s lots of volunteer opportunities available through Good Shepherd, people can even perform an act of service while they’re here by putting together a patient care kit.”
The Service Organization Fair was an opportunity for organizations to inform the public about their services and resources, while connecting with the community and recruiting volunteers.
“I’m kind of blown away by the amount of support Hermiston shows and how much they want to help others and the different organizations here with what they’re doing,” said Kayci Kofford, with Hands and Feet, an organization that provides support services for foster parents.
According to Hoxie, 35 percent of the Hermiston Chamber’s members are nonprofits, and the organization fair is a way to represent them, while providing a valuable networking opportunity.
“What I love about this event is that we’re able to make so many connections and contacts, we’re taking in as much information as we give out,” said Joe Hodge with Smart Reading, a children’s literacy nonprofit.
Nonprofits and service organizations in attendance at the fair included Made to Thrive, Cason’s Place, the Pacific Northwest Veterans Alliance, the Kiwanis Club, the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation, and many more.
“As a nonprofit that provides services, it’s really wonderful to be able to come together in one place with other organizations to showcase the resources available in our community,” said Bryn Hill, the STEP Center Community Integration Liaison with Horizon Project.
More information on the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce and a list of its nonprofit members is available online.
