Over 50 government, charitable and nonprofit organizations will participate in Spring Volunteer Fairs this month in Meridian and Caldwell.
“With unemployment rising in a stagnant economy, volunteerism is becoming an outlet for many idled workers looking for ways to keep their existing skills sharp, learn new skills and meet new people who may put them on to job opportunities,” said Tim Leigh, the assistant manager of the Department of Labor’s Boise office and one of the fairs’ organizers. “The economy is crimping nonprofit operations the same as it is private business, and the nonprofits are seeing this pool of potential volunteers as a real asset.”
The fairs on May 16 run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Meridian School District Service Center, 1303 Central Drive, and concurrently at the Caldwell Armory, 1200 S. Kimball. Both fairs are sponsored by the Idaho Department of Labor, the Southwest Idaho Directors of Volunteer Services, the Idaho Nonprofit Center and the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism.
Among the organizations participating in the fairs are Terry Reilly Health Services, the Red Cross, the Cancer Society, World Relief, the Wings of Charity air transport provider, the Ride for Joy therapeutic equestrian program, the Boise Watershed Environmental Education Center, A New Beginning Adoption Agency, the Idaho Food Bank, the Boise Art Museum, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Ada County, Interfaith Sanctuary housing services, the Living Independent Network, the Idaho Youth Ranch and Experience Works, which helps low-income seniors find jobs.
More information on the Spring Volunteer Fairs is online at labor.idaho.gov or available by telephone at 332-3575 ext. 3424 for the Meridian event and 364-7781 ext. 3296 for Caldwell event.