In an effort to raise awareness about the many nonprofit service organizations Southern Utah has to offer, area churches are rallying together again to put on the fifth annual Community Services Expo, Saturday at Vernon Worthen Park.

"I believe it tears down walls between one another," said Alice Larson, board member for the expo. "We can do things outside the church and meet all walks of faith and do things not for the church body, but for the public."

This year's expo will feature about 30 nonprofit groups, including American Cancer Society, Dove Center, Hope Pregnancy Care Center, Disabled American Veterans, Backpacks for Kids, Angels for Animals, the Vegetarian Society of Utah and more.

Those in attendance can gather information from any or all of the nonprofit organizations' booths, be entered into a drawing to win prizes like a bicycle, restaurant gift certificates and even a three-minute shopping spree at Lin's, while enjoying the entertainment and activities centered around family and kids.

A bounce house, climbing wall, obstacle course, jousting, bungee run, music by DJ Lex, even hot air balloon rides- weather permitting- will be available, and a portion of the money raised from the activities and a variety of food booths will be donated to the nonprofit organizations.

Additionally, those behind the Community Services Expo have been raising donations from various businesses in the community and all of that money will be divided between the nonprofit agencies.

Last year the expo raised just less than $300 for each of 24 participants. This year, coordinators hope to raise $10,000 to divide between the nonprofit participants.

"Whatever money we are able to raise, we give to these service organizations," said Tom Lamb, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Public Affairs Council chairman.

"The fundraising effort has been a little more challenging this year because a lot of businesses are facing tough times, but the exposure the nonprofits can gain at the expo will hopefully balance it out," Lamb said.

As the wife of Pastor Bernie Larson of New Covenant Christian Center, Alice Larson has been involved with the expo for several years. For her, the best part is the opportunity to promote organizations that might not always be in the spotlight, but that offer important services in the community.

"That's part of our mission statement," Alice Larson said. "To increase awareness of the nonprofit organizations by working together and sharing the love we have for God and for one another."

For Jimi Kestin, senior pastor with Solomon's Porch Foursquare Christian Fellowship, working with the Community Services Expo is a tremendous opportunity to build bridges" between members of different faiths and the community as a whole.

You don't see that everywhere," Kestin said of this area's spirit of community." It's one of the shining stars that makes this area such a great place to live."

The Community Services Expo will take place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Vernon Worthen Park. Admission is free. Costs for activities vary. For more information log onto www.communityexposgu.com.

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Sunday October 19th, 2008 - The Spectrum

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ST. GEORGE - Community members looking for services or places to volunteer milled around Vernon Worthen Park at the fifth annual Community Services Expo on Saturday.

The expo included 27 501-C3 non-profit organizations and 11 churches, whose members manned booths providing information about services.

"The churches and non-profits work together for this community event," said Bernie Larson, a board member for the expo and pastor at the New Covenant Christian Center.

Larson said the board raises money before the event for the community service organizations that come to the expo.

Last year, the board was able to give each organization more than $300, Larson said.

Donations are down this year, but Larson said there were still many generous people and businesses that were able to contribute.

Sandie Divan, president of the board for the Community Center Expo, said all the money generated by the board will be divided and given to the non-profit organizations, which ranged from the Job Corps to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Churches also had the opportunity to fundraise for their own efforts or for the community service programs at the expo.

Divan said Saturday had been the expo's "best year yet" for participation.

Couples, families and singles attended the event, including St. George resident, Victoria Groom.

"I like to come here and look at some of the booths," Groom said.

Groom said she has benefited from some of the services, including the Learning Center.

She also turned to the Hope Pregnancy Center for support when her baby was born premature.

Groom said the event is a great way to socialize with friends and see which agencies and churches are involved in the community.

Jared Davis was also at the Community Service Expo with his family.

"My wife saw this advertised, so we thought we'd go check it out," Divan said.

Divan said he thought there was a lot of good information at the event.

Members from the St. George Community Church were selling cotton candy and ice cream at the expo for the non-profit organizations.

"We're a part of the community, that's why we're here," said Tom Vincent, church member and booth organizer.

Vincent said he thought the expo went well and was satisfied with the number of people that attended the event.

"It's nice for churches to get together and contribute to the community," he said