By Mandy Bourgeois | Published Sunday, November 1, 2009
Often, people who want to volunteer are unsure of what organization best fits their time and talents, said Megan Brock, volunteer coordinator with IntegraCare Hospice.
"I have met people who are ready and willing to volunteer in some capacity, they just don't feel like hospice is what they want to do," Brock said. "I think there's a lack of education and knowledge for those who want to volunteer but don't know what they want to do."
To facilitate volunteering, Brock organized a volunteer fair, inviting organizations to set up booths and provide information to potential volunteers.
The fair will be 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at Weatherford College in Decatur.
The fair comes at a crucial time as volunteers are needed even as businesses are cutting jobs.
"I have noticed a steady decline in willing volunteers over the last six, seven months. It's the same everywhere," said Brock, who recruits volunteers over a seven-county area. "I started talking to other organizations in Decatur, and it has been a struggle for everyone.
"Volunteers are the heart and soul of an organization. Without volunteers, it's difficult, sometimes impossible to keep an organization going. Some organizations use only volunteers."
Local organizations expected to be at the fair include CASA, Solaris Hospice, IntegraCare Hospice, American Red Cross, Wise County Domestic Violence Task Force, Wise Choices Pregnancy Resource Center, Texas Volunteers, Voices Advocating for Children, Meals on Wheels, Wise Hope Shelter and Wise Area Relief Mission.
"I hope that the people of Wise County will come out and visit the individual booths and see what the needs are," Brock said. "A lot of the organizations don't require a lot of time. I hope they can come out and find something that works with them. With the economy the way it is, we have to work together to keep each other going."
