Volunteer Fair set for Saturday at Buffalo Mall

Organizations and groups that could use a few good volunteers will be on the lookout from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Buffalo Mall for the first RSVP+ Volunteer Fair in Jamestown.

“There’s a lot of people who want to do something, but don’t know how to start,” said Deb Lee, project specialist with RSVP+. “That’s what this is all about — helping some of the agencies that need people.”

About 15 agencies will have booths at the Volunteer Fair, each needing volunteers for tasks ranging from caring for dogs to helping fold mail and assisting with children’s activities.

RSVP+ itself, for example, needs volunteers to deliver meals to homebound people, which can take just an hour a week on a regular basis.

Other organizations need volunteers for specific projects or tasks. Volunteers might work alone or in groups, with animals, children, adults or elderly people.

Jamestown Regional Medical Center uses volunteers to staff its gift shop, front desk and surgery desk. The YMCA needs volunteers for lots of children’s activities.

People who love animals might volunteer to foster a rescue dog with Prairie Paws or spend time working with animals at the James River Humane Society.

Volunteers attach strings to race tags for the Runnin O’ the Green, and Fort Seward is looking for people willing to help hoist its giant flag up each day.

People of all ages are welcome to volunteer, and RSVP+ isn’t restricted to senior citizens, either.

“It’s not just seniors who’re looking for things to do. There’s lots of family things they can do,” Lee said, and church, youth or service groups can find things to do together too.

Volunteering allows people to do good in their community, to make a difference, feel involved, make friends and develop new skills, according to RSVP+.

“It’s amazing how many careers you can start through volunteering,” Lee said.

Sun reporter Kari Lucin can be

reached at 701-952-8453

or by email at

klucin@jamestownsun.com

Tags: news, volunteers, event