5 minute read
2024 WCA Volunteer Expo
Giving back to our community
By Susan Pittelman, WCA Publicity Coordinator
WCA held its signature “Community Volunteer Expo” on Wednesday, Jan. 31. This annual event, which was first held in January 2018, was created in response to WCA’s strong belief in giving back to our community. WCA President Patti Boochever explained, “WCA is not a fundraising organization, and we wanted to find a way to help nonprofit agencies in our community. WCA Board Member Linda Simon had the idea of holding a Volunteer Expo. The goal of the Expo is to introduce WCA members to local nonprofit agencies that rely on volunteers to carry out their missions.”
This year, members had the opportunity to meet representatives from 24 agencies who shared information about their agency as well as the types of volunteer positions available.
The old adage “When you need something done, ask a busy person” certainly applies to WCA members! Although members are busy planning and participating in the myriad of activities that WCA offers, many women are committed to tikkun olam – making the world a better place by helping others. More than 100 members came to the Volunteer Expo to learn about the agencies and the opportunities to extend their volunteer service within the Greater Naples community.
Super-organized and energetic WCA Board Member Linda Hyde chaired the 2024 Expo with the assistance of talented board members Ann Cowen, Robin Mintz and Susan Pittelman. Several WCA volunteers helped as well as JFGN Facilities Assistant Pat Pastorius. Our heartfelt thanks to each of you as well as to WCA NextGen member Erika Schwartz of “Poppin Up with Erika,” who generously donated the colorful balloons.
Hyde said, “After the event, several agencies contacted me to express their appreciation to WCA for hosting the event and providing them with the opportunity to get new volunteers.” She also noted that seven of the agency representatives were WCA members. In fact, many WCA members already work closely with these agencies. For example, for the second year, WCA’s Foodies have served hot and hearty meals at Café of Life, whose mission includes helping the working poor in Bonita Springs, once a month, November through March. This project for WCA Foodies was conceived after Hurricane Ian by Foodies Chair, Lea Bendes, and assisted in its inception by Jane Shaw. This year, it is cochaired by Harriet Berneman and Peggy Brown.
Maya Angelou challenged us, “You shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.” WCA members have taken that to heart, and our community is so much the better for it.
2024 WCA VOLUNTEER EXPO PARTICIPATING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL • Best Buddies • Bikes for Tykes • Café of Life • Champions for Learning • Collier County Guardian Ad Litem Program • Conservancy of SWFL • Eva’s Closet Foundation • Florida Lions Eye Clinic • Grace Place for Children and Families • The Guadalupe Center • Humane Society Naples • The Immokalee Foundation • Interfaith Alliance • Jewish Federation of Greater Naples • Lighthouse for Blindness & Vision Loss • Literacy Volunteers of Collier County • Naples Art District • Neighborhood Health Clinic • Naples Therapeutic Riding Center • Pace Center for Girls • Planned Parenthood • STARability Foundation • Youth Haven
