Leg. Sanin and Walt Whitman High School host first Nonprofit Volunteer Opportunities Fair
Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station,) in partnership with Walt Whitman High School, hosted the first annual Nonprofit Volunteer Opportunities Fair on Wednesday, Nov. 20, bringing together more than 20 nonprofit organizations — including Spirit of Huntington Art Center, Splashes of Hope and Island Harvest — and over 1,000 high school students eager to give back to their community.
Students in grades 9-12 had the opportunity to explore volunteer opportunities with nonprofits spanning diverse causes, from food pantries to environmental advocacy groups. The participating organizations collectively received more than 1,000 volunteer signups, reflecting the enthusiasm and civic spirit of Suffolk County’s youth.
“Bringing together these incredible organizations and the students at Walt Whitman High School is an important step in fostering a culture of service and engagement,” said Sanin, who spearheaded the event. “I’m proud to have organized this fair as a way to connect our future leaders with the nonprofits that do such vital work in our communities. Events like this demonstrate the power of collaboration and the strength of our shared commitment to giving back.”
The fair was held in celebration of Nonprofit Volunteer Appreciation Month, which was officially designated by Legislator Sanin’s legislation, Intro. Res. No. 1463-2024. Passed unanimously by the Suffolk County Legislature on June 25, 2024, the resolution recognizes the indispensable role nonprofits and volunteers play in strengthening Suffolk County.
“This event is a perfect example of what Nonprofit Volunteer Appreciation Month is all about — shining a light on the essential work of nonprofits and inspiring others to get involved,” Sanin added. “I’m grateful to Walt Whitman High School for their partnership and to the organizations who joined us to make this fair such a success.”
