The 2013 Nonprofit Expo, which took place Sunday at the Hilton UF Conference Center, taught people about local nonprofit organizations and opportunities to better the community.
Armed with Kit Kat bars and Reese’s, Ashlynn Davis and her mother, Carlarta Baskin, told passers-by about the Pink Wish Foundation.
With a purple bow in her hair, Ashlynn, 9, explained to attendees how the organization improves the lives of young women and girls in school through different programs.
Baskin said it was their first time at the expo.
“We have met a lot of people,” she said. “It has been a great networking opportunity.”
Attendees learned about volunteer opportunities from about 27 organizations, including Haven Hospice, No More Homeless Pets and Cinema Verde.
Kari Brill, director of business and program development at the Nonprofit Center of North Central Florida, said she was excited about the amount of people who showed up.
“The people attending are very passionate and are taking the time to volunteer,” she said. “There have been a ton of students.”
Maddie Camp, a 21-year-old UF sociology senior, said she went to the expo to look for a chance to volunteer.
After walking from table to table, she said Habitat for Humanity was the first organization she noticed but wanted to explore other options.
“I’m excited to learn more about all of them,” she said.
With the success of the expo, Brill said she would like to hold the event every January as a way to educate the public about local nonprofits.
“There’s a ton of great organizations that people can learn about,” she said, “and we want to bring awareness to them.”
