A great opportunity for getting involved, meeting new people and helping our community is coming to Grand Marais on May 31. Starting at 4 p.m., and running until 6 p.m., many local nonprofit organizations will be participating in a volunteer fair at Johnson Heritage Post. Whether your passion is the radio, the environment, nature, arts, local history, helping others, or teaching or learning new skills, there’s a volunteer opportunity waiting for you.
Cook County has a long history of active volunteerism, and volunteers put in thousands of hours during 2017 helping seniors stay in their homes, providing excellent radio programs, helping out at North House Folk School or the Art Colony, running our local food shelf, teaching fitness classes, taking care of our historical and nature centers and many other tasks. Yet, the need for volunteers continues to grow, and many of our organizations are seeking helpers.
As RSVP and Northland volunteer program coordinator through Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, I often hear people worry that they don’t have enough time for volunteering. Many options are available these days – any volunteers help out only occasionally for special events; others help out once a week or once monthly. One of the wonderful things about volunteering is its flexibility.
In addition, research on volunteering has revealed benefits for the volunteer as well: reduced stress, greater physical and mental health, connection to others, skill development, and satisfaction from contributing to the community. In fact, without a strong volunteer base, many of our local nonprofits would not be able to operate.
Participating organizations include Care Partners, Cook County Community YMCA, Cook County Historical Museum, First and Second Thrift Store, Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery, Senior Link Age Line, Superior Hiking Trail Association, Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center, Cook County Food Shelf, Cooperation Station, Grand Marais Art Colony, North House Folk School, Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center, WTIP North Shore Community Radio, Ruby’s Pantry, North Shore Health Care Center and Cook County Higher Education.
If you would like more information, call Nancy Frischmann at (218) 226-8809 or email nancy.frischmann@aeoa.org.
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