FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Allen County residents looking for volunteer opportunities with local nonprofits are encouraged to save the date for the 4th Annual Giving Back Fort Wayne Volunteer Fair. Hosted by current members of the Leadership Fort Wayne (LFW) class, the Fair will be held on Thursday, April 12 at Turnstone’s Plassman Athletic Center, located at 3320 North Clinton Street, from 3-7 p.m. Admission is free for prospective volunteers.
The Giving Back Fort Wayne Volunteer Fair connects everyday citizens to meaningful volunteer opportunities available in our community. Last year’s event hosted more than 60 nonprofit organizations and drew more than 500 attendees. More information about this year’s event can be found at www.facebook.com/GivingBackFort/.
The Fair is open to local nonprofit organizations looking to expand their volunteer base and increase awareness for their causes. This year, fair organizers are seeking nonprofits with a broad range of interests, including:
- Animals.
- Fitness.
- Outdoor adventures.
- Human services.
- The arts.
- History.
- Entertainment.
Volunteer opportunities include one-time experiences, committees, task forces that meet regularly, and a few openings for board members.
Online registration for nonprofits is now open via the Giving Back Fort Wayne event page on the Greater Fort Wayne Inc. website. This year, there will be a $25 booth fee for nonprofits. The fee goes toward marketing and advertising the event.
Launched in 2015 as a community action project by members of the Leadership Fort Wayne class, the project has continued with the LFW Class of 2018. This year’s community action team working to build on the legacy project’s success includes: Jennifer Bermejo, Kerry Ghent, Cigdem Gurgur, Laura Hakes, Tammy K. Harris, Chrystal Kreiger, Anne Marie Smrchek and Adrienne Wampole. Event sponsors include Turnstone, Sweetwater, Ambassador Enterprises, and Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
About Leadership Fort Wayne
For 35 years, LFW, a program of Greater Fort Wayne Inc., has been building better leaders, developing skills that prepare them to support the growth and economic goals of the community and be better employees. LFW has developed nearly 1,300 community leaders who sought to gain a better understanding of our community and their ability to drive positive change. Each year, participants learn and grow together for nine months, going “behind the headlines” for the real story behind Fort Wayne’s most valued treasures. Participants work in Community Action Teams, raising funds and creating partnerships to implement projects designed to leave a lasting impact on our community. Past projects include Operation: Riverfront, an initiative to spread awareness about possibilities for the rivers, the Giving Back Fort Wayne volunteer fair introduces citizens to nonprofits, and the city’s first Bike Share program launched in April 2016 with the City of Fort Wayne.
About Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. serves Fort Wayne and Allen County, Indiana, as its metro chamber alliance and primary point of contact for economic growth. GFW Inc. focuses on prosperity and community vibrancy through economic development, advocacy, programs and resources that support business success, leadership development, graduate retention and community engagement.
