On Dec. 14 at 4 p.m., the Montezuma County Office of Emergency Management and Montezuma Leadership Network will host the first Community Involvement Expo to help spotlight organizations in need of volunteers and provide opportunities for those who wish to give back to their community.
“Involve yourself in the community where you live and work” is the slogan for the event, which will take place at the Montezuma County Annex at 107 N. Chestnut St. in Cortez.
According to organizers, the goal of the event is to “introduce our community to the many nonprofits and service organizations in this area.”
Montezuma County Public Information Coordinator Vicki Shaffer told The Journal that volunteer numbers have gone down drastically since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the event is being organized with the hopes of helping bolster volunteer numbers while matching volunteers with organizations doing work that matches the person’s interests.
“Newcomers and even longtime residents often do not know what volunteer opportunities are available in our area. They have interests and passions but do not know where to look for organizations that align with them. This event will serve as a matchmaker for those who have the time, energy, and desire to help, with the nonprofit or service organization that speaks to their passion or interest,” organizers said in their news release.
Shaffer said if the event goes well this year, they will try to make it an annual event, noting the importance of nonprofit and service organizations in the community.
“We’re very excited to promote this event to not only showcase those agencies within the county who do so much for the community but to also help them recruit more volunteers. We see this becoming an annual event,” Shaffer said.
At the event, the participating organizations will be able to showcase what they offer and the services they provide. All nonprofits and service organizations are invited to attend. At the end of the event, there will be a drawing for a $500 donation to a participating organization.
“Nonprofit and service organizations are the lifeblood of any community, but they are especially vital in a small rural area like ours. They support kids and adults, animals, food security, recreation, emergency response, housing and so much more. They are run by dedicated volunteers and staff who always need new people to support the mission vision and purpose of their organization,” organizers said.
Organizations interested in participating can sign up at https://bit.ly/3QEAgZn. Tables will be provided for those who participate.
The event is open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to come and meet those who run the organizations that provide valuable services to our community.
There will also be snacks and door prizes.
Organizations can begin setting up their tables at 1:30 p.m. and the pre-event for the Leadership Montezuma Class will begin at 2:30 p.m. A “recruiting volunteers” workshop will begin for participating organizations at 3:30 p.m., and the event will open to the public from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Questions and requests for more information can be sent to info@montezumaleadershipnetwork.org or jspratlen@co.montezuma.co.us.
