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Catching That Local Spirit
Written By: Stephanie Edwards - Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce | Issue: July 2023
The Community Volunteer & Resources Expo, held June 7 at the Village Green Commons in Cashiers, proved to be a vital resource for the entire community.
When organizers envisioned the Cashiers Community Volunteer & Resources Expo, they knew how important it was to the health and local spirit of the entire Plateau.
“Cashiers and Highlands are among some of the most giving and philanthropic communities,” explained Big Brothers Big Sisters Danielle Hernandez about the First Citizens Bank-sponsored gathering. “We have some of the best opportunities to not only Get Connected with ways to give back but to Get Connected with services available to the community as well. This free event will be open to the general public from Cashiers and Highlands, Macon County, Jackson County, and other neighboring counties. If someone wants to find resources available in the community, this will be the place to visit. If they’re seeking to donate their most precious gift, their time, there are going to be plenty of organizations willing to take them up on their offer.”
But there were added benefits to the groups that were participating, courtesy of First Citizens Wealth Management. In addition to participating in the Expo, they could also attend a non-profit seminar tackling the challenges of enriching relationships with donors and boards, as well as economic challenges and smart financial practices for nonprofits. The seminar would take a hard look at donor retention across generational differences and provide opportunities for questions.
All of that planning paid off, and all of those lofty expectations were met when the Expo was staged on June 7 on the Village Green.
In all, nearly 100 people showed up to take in the presentations, represented by 31 non-profit organizations in Jackson, Macon, and Transylvania counties.
Hernandez was elated at the response. “Volunteers are the salt of the earth,” she said. “Their gift of time provides opportunities to our communities, which help fill needs, provide support, and create relationships between services and people.”
The 2023 Community Volunteer & Resources Expo was organized and hosted by local nonprofit leaders across Cashiers and Highlands: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Village Green. We are humbled by the collaboration with First Citizens Wealth Management for sponsoring the entire event in support of all community members and the Missions of our local nonprofits.
