Expo matches agencies and volunteers

By Katherine Schiffner

Herald Writer

LYNNWOOD — Maria Fox came to Alderwood Mall on Saturday to shop, but ended up taking home information about how she could help save a life.

Fox paused to pick up brochures about donating bone marrow and blood to Puget Sound Blood Center, one of 30 volunteer-based agencies in Snohomish County that participated in the 2002 Volunteer Expo at the mall.

"I wouldn’t have done this if I didn’t see this while walking around," Fox said. "But I’m very interested in donating bone marrow, and I’m glad they had this here."

The Volunteer Expo, which included schools, community organizations and nonprofit agencies, drew dozens of shoppers who wandered through rows of colorful displays.

Wiley, a lovable German shepherd mix up for adoption, drew plenty of attention to the Everett Animal Shelter’s table.

"We’re always looking for volunteers," Robert Witham, 55, of Everett told anyone who stopped by.

Witham, who volunteers once a week at the shelter, said he enjoys working with dogs, especially since his own died last year.

"I’ve been getting my dog fix," he said while petting Wiley. "Volunteering at the shelter has been really good for me. I even go down on some days I’m not volunteering."

Mardell Moore, the volunteer coordinator for the Snohomish County Center for Battered Women, said volunteers often learn skills in addition to providing assistance. She said volunteers at the center learn about domestic violence, as well as counseling and listening skills.

"Volunteering is an opportunity to give a piece of yourself, and in that giving you receive so much," she said. "I get a lot of joy, and I think the people who volunteer with us get a lot of joy."

Kae Friesen, 45, of Everett said she spent a month at the battered women’s shelter five years ago and now volunteers for the agency.

Giving back "is probably one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my life," she said.

Jennifer Robertson, 48, of Stanwood said she came to the expo to get information for herself and her husband.

"My husband would be a great for that," she said as she stopped at the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office table.

She and several volunteer-based organizations said they have noticed an increased interest in giving back to the community since Sept. 11.

"People are realizing that life’s short and we should be doing good things with our time," she said.

In addition to the Volunteer Expo, information about local volunteer opportunities can be found on a Web site created by the United Way Volunteer Center.

Visit www.uwsc.org and click on volunteer for dozens of opportunities to help in Snohomish County.

You can call Herald Writer Katherine Schiffner at 425-339-3436 or send e-mail to schiffner@heraldnet.com.

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