Nonprofits connect with community at Care Fair

MOSES LAKE — Representatives from 15 local nonprofit organizations filled the Youth Dynamics building Saturday to raise awareness and recruit volunteers. The second annual Care Fair was sponsored by Care Moses Lake, and founder Michaelle Boetger said the goal is to help make connections.

“Our mission is to help out other nonprofits in our community, and also promote giving back. That’s really what we’re trying to do here,” Boetger said.

Attendees could find information about workforce training and service clubs, volunteer opportunities helping build houses or organizing a community celebration, learn about services available to people facing domestic abuse or needing healthcare, among others.

“We’ve got something like 50-plus nonprofits in Moses Lake, and all of them need help of some sort,” Boetger said. “So whether people could give their time — which, they can all use (volunteer) time — or if they could give financially and support them. So it’s really what you want to do.”

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake Coordinator Rebecca Mabius said she wanted to get the word out. Habitat for Humanity has some programs that are relatively new to Moses Lake, she said, and people who might benefit don’t always know about them.

The next Habitat for Humanity house is on track for 2024, she said. In addition, she had information on Habitat’s “Brush with Kindness” program, which works to help people with home repairs. Habitat for Humanity also offers a program to help senior citizens stay in their homes.

“Things that help support the community just as much as a home build does,” she said.

Jacob Gama was part of the crew manning the table for SkillSource, which has a program to help young people finish their high school diploma or earn a GED, and provides help with job training for qualifying young people.

Care Fair and similar events are a way to recruit people directly, he said, but they also make secondary connections. People come by who don’t need SkillSource services, he said, but they know someone who might benefit.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin provided information on its two clubhouses and other programs for children. The Moses Lake Kiwanis Club was recruiting members. The Central Basin Community Concert Association has been around for almost 70 years, but CBCCA volunteer Caren Courtright said there are people who don’t know it presents four concerts per year.

“We’re trying to spread awareness,” she said.

Boetger said the Care Fair is designed to highlight some of the opportunities available to people looking for ways to support their community.

“No matter what your passion is - maybe people feel passionate about youth, kids in our community, or animals or the arts, there’s something for everybody to give back,” she said. “It just makes our community that much better.”

Cheryl Schweizer may be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.