Volunteers desperately needed at Tri-Cities nonprofits. Here’s how to help

If you are looking for an opportunity to volunteer in the Tri-Cities, 18 local nonprofits would like to meet you.

A Community Volunteer Fair has been organized by Chaplaincy Health Care at C3 Tri-Cities church, 150 Gage Blvd., Richland, Wash., from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4.

Many Tri-Cities nonprofits saw a steep decline in volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“But now, many of our organizations are back to being fully operational without COVID restrictions, and we are in desperate need of volunteers to continue the good work non-profits do for our community,” said Tara Divers, Chaplaincy’s director of philanthropy.

Chaplaincy needs volunteers to support hospice patients, provide administrative support, help at its Repeat Boutique Thrift Stores, and facilitate grief support groups for children and teens at Cork’s Place.

Other nonprofits that will be at the volunteer fair include the Alzheimer’s Association, Catholic Charities, Communities in Schools, Domestic Violence Services of Benton and Franklin Counties, First Washington, Forge, Fosterful, Girl Scouts, Master Gardner Program of WSU, Meals on Wheels, Safe Harbor, SARC, The Rude Mechanicals, Tri-Cities Diversity and Inclusion Council, and Tumbleweed Music Festival.

Those who cannot attend the fair can check volunteertricities.org, a website of the United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties, for opportunities to volunteer.

This story was originally published August 2, 2022 at 5:00 AM.