There’s no doubt about the power of volunteering. Those who do volunteer say they get something special from it. And those who benefit from their efforts do, as well.
With that in mind, Goodwill of the Finger lakes will host a Volunteer Fair at 500 S. Clinton Ave., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 27.
“We want to get our employees involved in the community and then, of course, there’s the benefits of volunteering to the individual and to the community,” says Carrie Abbott, learning manager at Goodwill of the Finger Lakes.
“Anyone interested in volunteering can come in and talk to the different organizations,” Abbott says. “We hope to get 20 to 25 organizations in for the event.
“There will be a wide variety. If you have a passion to help animals, you can do that. Or if you love to garden, you can volunteer at the community gardens in the area. If you have a passion for literacy or education, or helping at-risk youth, whatever it may be, you can have the opportunity to talk with a variety of organizations.”
With about 700 employees spread across the area, Abbott is hoping to get at least 50 to show up for the volunteer fair.
“We hope they’ll show up during lunch to learn more about volunteering opportunities,” she says.
The event is scheduled to feature a volunteer challenge to be held after the fair.
Rochester resident Bonnie Jo Warner, an information specialist in the Goodwill contact center, has been a volunteer for about 40 years. For the last few years, she has worked with teens in the Goodwill Youth Mentoring Program.
“They can be at risk for trouble,” Warner says. “Many of them have been bullied at school. There’s the mental aspect — problems they end up going in for counseling with. They may have attempted suicide, things like that.
“They come in to play games, or do school work. We talk with them. If they have problems or need someone to talk with, there are us adults there. It’s more or less letting them know, ‘There’s someone here who cares for you.’”
Warner, who is legally blind, has volunteered for years through her parish, Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church in Rochester. She brought communion to folks in a nursing home.
“It means so much to them,” she says. “It’s the same way with the kids. You can tell they appreciate it because they’ll say things, give you a hug.”
She’s sure folks will find what they need at the Volunteer Fair.
“There are so many programs out there,” she says. “We can’t always think of our ourselves. There’s a lot of need.”
