By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
Gadsden State Community College is hosting Nonprofit Day on Tuesday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the One Stop Center on the East Broad Street campus in Gadsden.
The event is part of GSCC’s celebration of National Community College Month.
“Gadsden State is a firm believer in the word ‘community’ and has always believed in the value of community service and the importance of giving back,” said Pam Clough, director of continuing education and co-organizer of Gadsden State’s Community College Month events. “Nonprofit Day is being held to celebrate and promote awareness of Etowah County’s nonprofit organizations, the work they do and the communities they serve.”
Attending organizations include United Way, The Love Center, Catholic Center of Concern, Lakeside Hospice, Way of the Cross, Head Start, Habitat for Humanity, Etowah Pregnancy Center, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, Second Chance and more.
Nonprofit Day is an opportunity for organizations to attract people who are thinking about volunteering or those who are already volunteering but want to see what opportunities are available.
“Nonprofit Day provides a fun and relaxed environment where community members, employees and students can gather information about local non-profit services,” Clough said. “We want to raise public awareness of the missions of our local nonprofit agencies.”
Habitat for Humanity is using the opportunity to “promote awareness for Habitat’s mission, promote the Dragon Boat Festival that all monies raised goes towards building another house in this area and provide information to individuals for applying for housing.”
Many of the organizations are hoping to appeal to possible volunteers.
“We are hoping to get more volunteers in the Etowah County area,” said Bit Thomaston of Lakeside Hospice, a faith-based hospice that covers eight counties.
Others are hoping to spread the organization’s specific mission. For example, The Love Center is hoping to let the public know that they are more than just a homeless shelter.
“We are able to let them stay until they get back on their feet,” said Nancy Smith.
Smith also said that the center is able to help families with children.
All organizations seem keen to let people in the Gadsden area know the services they can provide.
“We just want to get the message out about what we do,” said Tammy Harris of Etowah Pregnancy Center, a crisis pregnancy center where mothers-to-be can receive support.
“The main thing we are looking to get is more volunteers and some publicity,” said James Adams of Gadsden Head Start, which provides free head start to low-income families. “We must be the best-kept secret in Gadsden.”