SAVMA Volunteer Fair

Vendors speak to the public about their program at a booth at the SAVMA Volunteer Fair 2021

The SAVMA Volunteer Fair is an annual local recognition and recruitment event hosted during Global Volunteer Month and National Volunteer Appreciation Week (the third full week in April).

SAVMA invites community members out to celebrate volunteerism and learn from local nonprofit and volunteer hosting organizations about their volunteer positions. Volunteer appreciations gifts will be available for current volunteers while supplies last.

The event has grown every year with more community members and volunteer hosting organizations participating. In 2024, there were over 700 people in attendance. Since the event occurs during the Points of Light Global Volunteer Appreciation Month, there is plenty of opportunity to promote the volunteer opportunities leading up to the event, so organizations should register as soon as possible.

SAVMA Volunteer Fair Details

  • Location: Reid Park Zoo
  • Date: April 23, 2026
  • Gates Open to the Public: 4:30PM
  • Closing: 6:30PM

Activities

This event is part of Global Volunteer Month.

  • Live music
  • Crafts booth
  • Zoo carousel (free)
  • Food and drinks (open for purchase)
  • Animal encounters

Volunteer Engagers and Organizations

SAVMA exists to support your needs as a professional and to give you the tools you need to support your organization. This event provides a unique setting for informal volunteer recognition with live entertainment,  interactive booths, animal encounters, and plenty of family-friendly photo opportunities, creating memorable moments. Organizations that engage volunteers, including nonprofits, hospices, and government entities, are all invited to register for a booth (requires Program Committee approval).

Register for a booth here>>>>>>> 

Volunteers

Welcome! Thank you for your service. If you are not yet a volunteer, thank you for your consideration. Here are a few insider tips and questions to make the most of your time with us and to get you thinking about your volunteer posting.

  1. Grab a map at the event. We change the map up until the last minute, so get it at the door.
  2. Bring address labels if you plan on filling out contact information for lots of groups. They will have prizes!
  3. Be sure you have special address labels that include your email address and phone number. You should have a set anyway; it is always worth having one. They are good for kids’ forms, doctor forms, wedding forms, raffles, and the list goes on.
  4. Understand what type of volunteer opportunity you want before you start. Regular, episodic, one-time, project-based?
  5. Are you interested in group volunteering or youth volunteering? This is a special request. Write a note so the volunteer manager can follow up on your information.
  6. Do some values match with your own? Sure, you may want to rock the baby, but what if that baby is at a spotted frog rescue and you are anti-frog? We all hope you aren’t, but you should know the organization’s values before you commit to volunteering.
  7. How will you fit volunteering in your current schedule?
  8. More than 50 booths of volunteer opportunities provide a lot of options.

SAVMA Volunteer Fair