3rd Annual Volunteer Expo Readies Community For MLK Jr. Day Of Service

RIVERHEAD, NY — In advance of the Martin Luther King, Jr Day of Service, the Heart of Riverhead Civic and Riverhead Library are slated to present the 3rd Annual Volunteer Expo.

The event will take place on Saturday, January 11 from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.

"Due to the popularity and past success, a majority of this year's local not-for-profits are returning to again with a range of interesting opportunities," organizers said. "Local residents of nearly every age and interest will easily find a way to give back to their community for a single day or on a continuing basis."

Those attending can meet and speak with representatives from the North Fork Animal Welfare League, Riverhead CAP, River and Roots Community Garden, Corchaug Repertory Theatre, the North Fork Environmental Council, the Sound Justice Initiative, Hope and Resilience Long Island, East End Arts, the Butterfly Effect Project and Surfrider Eastern Long Island.

Admission is free and all ages are invited to explore dozens of interesting volunteer opportunities to match every interest, ability and amount of time, from a single day to an ongoing commitment.

Here's a sampling of volunteer opportunities available:

- The North Fork Animal Welfare League needs volunteers to walk, train, socialize and foster the animals waiting to be adopted.

- The River and Roots Community Garden provides garden plots for local residents and sharing the bounty with the community in need. Volunteers are needed for gardening and organizational tasks.

- The Butterfly Effect Project invites individuals to help empower young members by sharing knowledge in a workshop, assisting with events and activities and more.

- Hope and Resilience Long Island is looking for help in event planning, excel skills, community outreach and graphic design to help in support of domestic violence victims.

- The North Fork Environmental Council is calling for residents interested in the care and protection of precious land and resources, promoting zero waste, water conservation, community building and more.

-The Riverhead Community Awareness Program will provide training for volunteers to teach Drug and Alcohol Prevention to the Riverhead Central School District’s 5th and 6th graders.

- The Sound Justice Initiative offers options for social media skills, career coaches, grant writers, mentors and more in their ongoing liberal arts program at the Suffolk County Jails.

- East End Arts can always use team members for the Mosaic Street Painting Festival, concerts and more special events.

- The Corchaug Repertory Theatre has opportunities back and front of stage for the multiple shows presented throughout the year.

- Surfrider Eastern Long Island asks volunteers join in to help protect beaches, coast and climate, help with water sampling, environmental campaigns and community beach clean-ups.

"This will be our third year at the Volunteer Expo. This is a proud collective commitment to local service that not only strengthens the fabric of our communities, but is a recommitment to the legacy of Dr. King, who notably stated, 'Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?'" SJI President Dr. Kerry Spooner said.