The Willoughby Golf Club community is serving as a model for other neighborhoods by holding an agency fair to educate members about the volunteer and charitable opportunities within Martin County.

“We invite residents to reach out and catch the spirit of giving,” said Darlene Goss, the activities director at Willoughby. “A small amount of time can make a big difference in the life of others.”

Representatives from these organizations will be attending the fair, 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 16 in the Willoughby clubhouse, to discuss volunteer opportunities (all but the Humane Society are supported in part by United Way of Martin County):

• American Red Cross, Martin County Chapter

• Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin County

• Hibiscus Children’s Center

• Hope Rural School

• Humane Society of the Treasure Coast

• Martin County Literacy Council

• The ARC of Martin County (Advocates for the Rights of the Challenged)

• The Salvation Army of Martin County

• United Way Volunteer and Community Resource Center(VCRC), which includes the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, White Doves Holiday Project, School Supplies for Students Drive, disaster services and more.

During a presentation to Directors of Volunteers in Agencies (DOVIA) on Nov. 10, Ms. Goss addressed the challenges of getting seasonal residents involved in volunteering while they are here. The United Way Volunteer and Community Resource Center coordinates DOVIA.

“We want to help residents feel that their Florida house is a home and help them feel part of the community,” she said. “Many have been volunteering where they came from, and some of the organizations here are the same. The goal of the community fair is to bring the agencies to the people and introduce them to the volunteer opportunities available here.”

Ms. Goss suggested that agencies encourage other gated and membership-based communities to hold similar fairs to help people get to know the services and opportunities available.

In addition to attempting to recruit volunteers, United Way also is reaching out to inform potential donors.

The community campaign is vital to the success of United Way of Martin County’s overall annual fund-raising campaign, as individual giving accounts for about half of the total raised each year. That’s different from many communities where workplace campaigns account for the vast majority of the annual giving. With Martin County’s high proportion of retired and seasonal residents, the balance shifts, however.

United Way has set a $2.225 million goal for this fund-raising year, based on the needs of the community.

United Way encourages even more communities to get involved. Please contact Lucy Corley at (772) 283-4800, ext. 222 or lcorley@unitedwaymartincounty.org for information.

More information about United Way of Martin County is available at www.unitedwaymartincounty.org.