CRESTVIEW — Organizers of the Community Organizations Showcase hope that people who complain, “There’s nothing to do around here” were among the event’s more than 100 attendees.
PHOTOS: See photos of the Community Organizations Showcase>>
After the success of the Friends of the Crestview Library’s Aug. 1 gathering of non-profit clubs, organizations, associations, fraternal groups, civic and public organizations, the group will make it an annual event.
The showcase was an eclectic mix of local scouts, genealogists, hikers, radio hams, Rotarians, Kiwanians, Lions, Toastmasters, poets, history buffs, international hosts, dog lovers, gardeners, house builders and senior and health advocates.
“Sometimes it’s really hard to find different groups,” Friends member Rae Schwartz said. “This was an opportunity for people to come see many of them and compare for themselves and see what would suit what they’d like to do.”
Even the showcase’s organizers were surprised by the diversity of involvement opportunities in North Okaloosa County.
“People just loved it,” member Dot Moxcey said. “People were going back and forth and people were saying, ‘We do this’ and ‘We do that’ and handing out literature. I have never seen some of these organizations.”
While clubs and organizations exhibited in the library meeting room, government and public services hosted information tables in the lobby and main room, where the Friends of the Library also hosted refreshments.
Exhibitors included Florida Department of Education Vocational Rehabilitation, Florida Elder Services, the Epilepsy Foundation, Seniors Against Crime, the county health department, and the Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections, which registered new voters,
Organizers said in addition to attracting new members and supporters, organizations became familiar with what other groups had to offer.
For example, some attendees were surprised to discover the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints offers free family genealogical research.
“It changes lives,” Elder Glade Wall said. “Family history helps us connect with the past and it helps our future. When children know about their ancestors conquering challenges, it gives them courage and hope to do the same in their lives.”
For exhibitor April Meier, representing the Crestview Bark Park dog park, the event was a chance to recruit new members.
“I got a couple new volunteers, so it was worth it,” Meier said. “The more volunteers we have, the easier it is to get the word out. We had a lot of people interested in it.”
“I think there is a real need for (the showcase), especially as we have so many new people coming to town every year, just to see what we have to offer,” Schwartz said.
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AT THE SHOWCASE
Exhibitors at the Friends of the Crestview Library’s Aug. 1 community organizations showcase included:
Baker Block Museum/North Okaloosa Historical Association, Habitat for Humanity, Main Street Crestview Association, Toastmasters Club, Epilepsy Foundation, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Family Heritage, North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club, Crestview Area Sister City Program, Poetry and Music Jam, Rotary Club, Lions Club, Dogwood Garden Club, Kiwanis Club, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Crestview Woman’s Club, Crestview Bark Park, Farm Bureau, and Florida Trail Association
Government services included The Florida Department of Elder Services, Florida Department of Education, Okaloosa County Health Department, Seniors Against Crime, Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections, and University of West Florida Small Business Development Center
Exhibitors at the Friends of the Crestview Library’s Aug. 1 community organizations showcase included:
Baker Block Museum/North Okaloosa Historical Association, Habitat for Humanity, Main Street Crestview Association, Toastmasters Club, Epilepsy Foundation, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Family Heritage, North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club, Crestview Area Sister City Program, Poetry and Music Jam, Rotary Club, Lions Club, Dogwood Garden Club, Kiwanis Club, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Crestview Woman’s Club, Crestview Bark Park, Farm Bureau, and Florida Trail Association
Government services included The Florida Department of Elder Services, Florida Department of Education, Okaloosa County Health Department, Seniors Against Crime, Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections, and University of West Florida Small Business Development Center
AT THE SHOWCASE
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview organization showcase: the 'There's nothing to do here' antidote (PHOTOS, VIDEO)