Volunteer recruitment event planned

Local residents looking for volunteer opportunities in the community are invited to attend a Dawg Days at the Park recruitment event on Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to noon in Minch Park, 111 West St., Parkesburg.

During the event, being presented by the Parkesburg Consortium of Community Leaders, attendees will be able to visit with leaders of local nonprofit organizations to discuss volunteer opportunities and ask questions.

"There are multiple service organizations and committees in Parkesburg," said Tina O'Connor, who is a member of the consortium as well as the Parkesburg Action Committee (PAC). "Many of those entities need volunteers." 

Organizations that will be represented at the event include PAC, Parkesburg Parks and Recreation Commission, the Parkesburg Free Library and the Parkesburg Lions Club, as well as the Borough of Parkesburg.

Additionally, Humble Hounds Animal Rescue, a foster-based, all-breed, no-kill animal rescue will be on hand with adoptable dogs. Founded by Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick in 2020, Humble Hounds is in need of volunteers willing to care for rescued dogs until their permanent homes can be found.

"We always need foster families," said Fitzpatrick. "All of our applications to foster or adopt are on our website, or people can email us for more information." To learn more, visit http://www.humblehounds.org or http://www.facebook.com/humblehoundsanimalrescue or email info@humblehounds.org.

Dogs are welcome at the upcoming event, and a DIY dog photo booth will be available. Karen's Pet Clips will be on hand to offer nail trimmings for a fee, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to a local charity. Pastries from the Baker's Basket will be available for purchase.

The consortium, which formed in the spring of 2023, is made up of community service organizations in the area. Its first initiative was a community engagement event held at the Keystone Valley Fire Department last April. Attendees were invited to learn about organizations and businesses in the area, as well as upcoming events. "The consortium is a group of leaders that bring those (volunteer) committees together as one," O'Connor added.

Individuals may contact O'Connor at experiencepositivetherapy@gmail.com for more information.