Wednesday, September 16, 2009

As nonprofit dollars decrease with the downturn of the economy, the University of North Carolina Wilmington is lending a helping hand with a Community Service Fair 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17 on the Campus Commons Amphitheatre.

Fifty local nonprofit groups from New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick Counties will have access to hundreds of potential student volunteers at this "Country Fair" themed event. The number of nonprofit attendees is double that of last year's event, likely because the fair comes at a time when nonprofits are struggling to survive under economic instability not experienced since the Great Depression.

According to the Nonprofit Finance Fund, only 12 percent of nonprofits anticipate breaking even financially this year and nearly 50 percent anticipate a significant dip in financial support. Volunteerism becomes especially important for the continuation of services when staffing and financial resources decrease.

The fair is one of the numerous ways the UNC Wilmington Center for Education Service (CLES) supports local community service organizations. The event will include live music, refreshments, and CLES students and campus leaders donning Southern attire and straw hats. Media are invited to take advantage of visual and photo opportunities by calling the below media contact.

Media contact:
Joy Davis, UNCW Marketing and Communications, 910.916.8603 or davisjc@uncw.edu