Meet the organizations “Doing Good” in Sudbury!
Join us at the Community Info Fair!
- Have you just moved into Sudbury and want to learn about the Town?
- Do you want to involve your children and teens in community service?
- Are you an empty-nester or recent retiree looking for ways to give back and get involved in your community?
- Would you like to support neighbors in need?
- Would you like to find friends with common interests, share a skill or learn a new one?
- OR simply have fun?
You are sure to find answers to all these questions and more at the Community Info Fair on Saturday, September 21st between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm at the Goodnow Library.
This family-friendly afternoon is a rare chance for residents to meet the people behind Sudbury’s Nonprofits, Community Groups and Town Departments, find out what they do, how they do it and to learn more about their programs, services, membership and volunteer opportunities. These folks are giving their time, energy, and expertise to make Sudbury better in a myriad of ways. More than 40 of these “doing good” organizations have signed up to exhibit at the Fair. Wherever your interests lie, one of these groups will suit you and all will welcome your participation.
Do you want to support people in need?
Sudbury has several organizations including Gifts of Hope Unlimited (GOHU), HOPEsudbury, and the new Sudbury Neighbor Brigade (to name just a few) which focus on bringing the community together and helping our most vulnerable neighbors. GOHU’s Nalini Goyal sees the Community Info Fair as an opportunity to spread the word about their mission and the pervasive nature of domestic violence. “It exists across race, religion, culture and class” she notes, “and it is prevalent in affluent suburbs like Sudbury.”
Do you care deeply about environmental protection?
Many groups such as the Friends of Assabet River NWR, Sustainable Sudbury and Sudbury Valley Trustees provide yeoman service preserving the town’s precious natural assets. Neela de Zoysa who is active in promoting the town’s natural areas notes, “Sudbury has some special opportunities such as the Eastern Massachusetts Visitors’ center of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and high-quality habitat both for recreation such as bird watching, hiking, canoeing and for wetland protection and biodiversity conservation.”
Do you enjoy civic engagement, the arts or local history?
The Sudbury League of Women Voters provides civic education and informative forums on cross-cutting issues that impact society. The Sudbury Art Association, the Thursday Garden Club and the Sudbury Garden Club, among others, create opportunities for people from all walks of life to build friendships and beautify the town. The Sudbury Historical Society (SHS) and the Wayside Inn promote and celebrate our rich local history.
SHS Director Sally Hild is looking forward to exhibiting at the Fair. “We hope that people will stop by the SHS booth to learn about what we do, including our latest project to build the Sudbury History Center.” The SHS booth, she reveals, will feature a kids’ craft that children can take home and a special surprise for grown-ups, too.
Perhaps you are interested in supporting town activities?
There are a range of opportunities to participate -- from the Medical Reserve Corps to the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) -- as well as a variety of “friends” groups that support the Senior Center, the Library and other town entities.
Does your passion lie in education, youth development, social justice, recreation, social activities, animals, or disabilities?
Yes, there’s an organization for that, too!
The Goodnow Library, which relies on and values community support, is graciously hosting the event. Library Director Esme Green says, “This is a unique opportunity to bring the community together to share information, catch up with neighbors (or meet new ones), and bond over shared interests that benefit the community. You may even find your next great read while you are at it.” The Library is fortunate to have two great groups of community supporters: the Goodnow Library Foundation and the Friends of the Goodnow Library.
Also hosting the event is “Sudbury Doing Good,” the informal affinity group organized by the Sudbury Foundation. Since 2013, representatives from local nonprofits and community groups have met twice a year over coffee and muffins to report on their current activities and to share their ideas, experiences and expertise. They leave each session energized and inspired by their collective efforts. “The idea for the Community Info Fair emerged from these gatherings,” says Marilyn Martino, executive director of the Sudbury Foundation. “The group wanted to shine a light on their good work and invite others in the community to join in.”
“Nonprofits and community groups are an integral part of Sudbury,” says Goyal, a regular attendee of the nonprofit get-togethers. “They encourage community engagement and philanthropy. Organizations like GOHU rely on the tremendous outpouring of support they get from the community.”
Hild, also a coffee regular and one of several Fair organizers, explains, “We strongly believe that when community groups work together they create a stronger, better community. We hope that people will come out and attend the Community Info Fair and will leave with a greater sense of our 01776 community spirit.”
For a complete list of organizations exhibiting at the Community Info Fair, go to: sudburyfoundation.org. For more information about the Fair, visit us on Facebook: @SudburyDoingGood or contact brunner@sudburyfoundation.org.