Spokane Valley ‘Strolling lunch’ event highlights nonprofits

The Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting “Stories of Good Will,” an expo-style event featuring more than 40 nonprofit organizations that will highlight their missions and share volunteer opportunities.

The free event is scheduled for Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CenterPlace Regional Event Center. It will include “a strolling lunch” with tasting stations throughout the event and a cocoa stand. The chamber will also be accepting donations for Toys for Tots.

The event will feature nonprofit organizations American Childhood Cancer, ARC of Spokane, Because There is Hope, Care Packages from Alli, Center for Justice, CHAS Health, Children FIRST, Children’s Home Society of WA, Communities in Schools, Daybreak, Elevations, Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington, Greater Spokane Meals on Wheels, HUB Sports Center, JAKT Foundation, Junior Achievement, NAOMI, Northwest Business Development Association, Morning Star Foster Care, Project ID, SCOPE, SCRAPS, SNAP, Spokane County United Way, Spokane Housing Ventures, Spokane Symphony, Spokane Valley Chamber Foundation, Spokane Valley Partners, Sun City Church, The Oaks Classical Christian Academy, Union Gospel Mission, Valleyfest, Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery and Wishing Star.

“We wanted to get as many nonprofits highlighted as we possibly could to talk about their stories,” said Janet Dixon, spokeswoman for the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce. “We are really trying to get the public to come. This event gives you a chance to come in, meet with nonprofits and say, ‘I think I understand what you do.’ ”

The event – sponsored by BECU, Inland Power and Light Co., and GESA Credit Union – provides attendees an opportunity to speak with nonprofit representatives to learn more about them, what their funding goes toward and potential volunteer opportunities.

“In the season of giving, sometimes you get really busy and you kind of forget the wonderful things happening in our community,” said Dixon. “It’s just incredible what (the nonprofits) do here. I don’t know what we would do here in Spokane without these great, incredible people.”