Milton nonprofits come together

Nonprofit organizations from around Milton came together March 11 at The Rookery Golf Club to network and discuss ways to collaborate to increase fundraising and volunteers.

Organized by the Milton Lions Club and the Milton Chamber of Commerce, the event brought together nonprofit representatives to meet and discuss their needs.

Wendy Coverdale of the Lions Club said the genesis of the idea was to do something for the club’s annual Friendship Night, which aims to drum up membership. But after discussions with leaders of other clubs, the Milton Lions hit on the idea of bringing other nonprofits together. Coverdale said the club reached out to the chamber for help, and a partnership was born.

Chamber Executive Director Karen Falk said, “It’s really taken off. There’s a lot of interaction taking place. And our mission, it's not just business but also community, and we have a lot of nonprofits as members. Tonight, it's important for not just members but also anyone else that has something to share.”

Among those who spoke were Milton Fire Department President Brian Reynolds, who discussed the organization’s need for new volunteers to join the ranks. Rob West of the Making A Difference Coalition pitched for vendors and educational opportunities at the organization’s upcoming Ballers Classic basketball tournament. 

Coverdale said bringing the different nonprofits together helps build contacts and fill needs. Falk said one way the chamber will continue to proliferate cooperation between nonprofits is through the chamber’s new welcome center, set to open in downtown Milton later this spring. 

“The nonprofits that want to get involved in our community, they can call us. We’re a nonprofit too,” she said.