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HERMISTON — When Val Hoxie moved to Hermiston several years ago, one particular characteristic of the city stood out above the others.

“It’s such an incredibly giving community,” said Hoxie, executive director of the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce. “What struck me when I came here was how many service organizations there are in Hermiston and how many of them belong to the chamber,” she said. “Forty percent of our members are nonprofits. So, I asked myself, ‘How are we serving our nonprofits?”

The question led to the launching of the Service Organization Fair each October at the Hermiston Community Center. This year’s event takes place from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 16.

“This is my favorite event we host,” Hoxie said.

She said the event not only shines a spotlight on service organizations by giving them a forum to spread the word about the work they do, but it also lets newcomers to the community know where they can tap into.

“It gives the service organizations a platform in one big room and a chance to network together,” she said.

A total of 31 service organizations attended last year’s event. Nonprofits attending this year’s service fair will get an opportunity to meet with members of the Eastern Oregon Funders Forum, which includes the Oregon Community Foundation, the Greater Hermiston Community Foundation, the Food Family Foundation, the Wildhorse Foundation and more. The get-together will happen from 11 to noon prior to the doors opening to the public.

Hoxie said the date was moved back a day to accommodate the group. They are scheduled to be in Hermiston on Oct. 16 to meet with local nonprofits, grant seekers and collaborators to talk about the local community and identify funding opportunities.

“Cindy Middleton asked if we could move the fair to Oct. 16 so they could attend the event and meet with our local service organizations,” Hoxie said. “This is a rare and awesome opportunity to connect directly with funders who truly care about the work happening in Eastern Oregon,” Hoxie said.

The American Legion joins the fair for the first time, providing a table where attendees can sign cards of appreciation to veterans as well as residents of assisted living facilities.

And like a year ago, high school students will attend the event. Hoxie said it is important to get young people involved in service to the community.

“This gives them a chance to see what service to the community is all about,” she said. “All of these groups will need younger people coming on board and this is a great chance to make that happen.”

For more information, call the chamber at 541-567-6151.