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Winchester residents packed into the Jenks Center on April 10 for the town’s first Volunteer Fair.
“On first reflection, we believe the inaugural Winchester Volunteer Fair was a great success,” said organizer Fred Yen, of the event, in an email to Winchester News. “Bringing together so many organizations that impact life in Winchester generated new ideas and potential collaborations. We even successfully recruited several new volunteers. The event also provided an opportunity for the new town manager, Chris Senior, to introduce himself to many of these groups.”
Winchester’s first Volunteer Fair at the Jenks Center on April 10 was a success, say organizers, who add next year they plan to hold the event at a time more accessible for students and working adults. WINCHESTER NEWS STAFF PHOTOS/TARA HUGHES
Yen said for the next fair, organizers are planning for a weekday evening or weekend morning in order for students and working adults to make it. This year’s event was held early in the morning on a Friday.
Yen added this year’s participating organizations were: 50 Metronorth, Arts Winchester, En Ka Society, Family Action Network, Farmers Market, Friends of Winter Pond, Gardens for Good, IndivisibleWin, Jenks Center, League of Women Voters Winchester, Literations, Winchester Meals on Wheels, Minuteman Senior Services, Network for Social Justice, Rotary Club of Winchester, Town Common Task Force, WFEE, WinCam, Winchester ABC, Winchester Community Music School, Winchester Historical Society, Winchester Hospital, Winchester News, Winchester Parents’ Inter-School Council, Winchester School of Chinese Culture, and Wright-Locke Farm.
Lauren Herrmann, who heads the Friends of Winchester Recreation and Community Services, said she enjoyed meeting people at the event.
“Personally, I spoke with at least three people who did not appear to be affiliated with any org or group,” Herrmann wrote to Winchester News. “Those were good conversations, but there was something else that may have provided even greater impact. Networking.”
Herrman said she used the opportunity to make introductions and thank the organizations that have recently supported her organization with monetary donations.
“This type of face-to-face interaction is important,” she said. “It was terrific for organization leaders to interact with the town manager, as well.”
Herrmann added the Friends of Winchester Recreation and Community Services was also promoting the May 2nd Clean-up Day.
Nell Escobar Coakley has been a journalist for more than 30 years. She is co-founder and editor-in-chief of Gotta Know Medford and editor of Winchester News. She can be reached at editor@winchesternews.org.
