Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, April 24, 2008 Want to volunteer in your community? Get ideas at expo Saturday By Gale Fiege Herald Writer Families are the focus of the eighth annual Snohomish County Volunteer Expo on Saturday at the Everett Mall. With its theme of "get connected to your community," the expo kicks off National Volunteer Week and is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1402 SE Everett Mall Way. More than 50 nonprofit organizations and agencies will be on hand to recruit volunteers of all ages. Potential volunteers will be able to shop around for opportunities in which to help out in their communities. Those who attend can learn about short-term volunteer work, online volunteering and long-term, one-on-one volunteering. An opportunity book, listing all the agencies and descriptions of their volunteer needs, will be available at the expo's information table. Expo passports also will be at the information table and attendees can win prizes if they fill their passport by visiting 10 different agencies located throughout the mall. Special activities that focus on family volunteering are scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the center court of the mall. Volunteer Olivia Burley will be on hand to talk about opportunities for families to volunteer together. The Clay Martin Puppet Theater performs at 11 a.m. and a story time is set for 1 p.m. During these events, children will be encouraged to make a habit of helping others through volunteering. Most people who volunteer hope to make a difference and connect with their communities, said Karen Schaeffer, interim director of the Volunteer Center at United Way of Snohomish County. "For me, it's the great feeling I get knowing that I've helped improve someone's life," Schaeffer said. "Whatever a person's reason for volunteering, our communities are vastly better off and every resident benefits from the hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours donated by the people of Snohomish County." The Volunteer Expo is sponsored by United Way, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Catholic Community Services, Boeing Retired Employees, Eagle Wings DisAbility Ministries and the mall. More information is available by calling Schaeffer at 425-374-5534.

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