PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Dozens of nonprofit organizations and volunteers come together for a day of introductions and education Friday at a volunteer fair at the Berkshire Innovation Center.

For many nonprofits in the state, volunteers are a crucial part of keeping things running smoothly to deliver services to communities.

After about three years of navigating virtual and socially distanced events, The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires and Berkshire United Way are happy to be back hosting an in-person event.

The organizations said they are proud to be part of a community where so many people want to give their time to organizations who essentially run on volunteer work.

“It’s a matchmaking event is what it is," Berkshire United Way President & CEO of  Tom Bernard said. "It’s creating energy, it’s creating opportunity and it’s not an accident that we are having this one here in the Innovation Center, because nonprofits are absolutely part of the innovation economy for all kinds of reasons.”

“We have 1,000 nonprofits in Berkshire County and many of them run on volunteers," Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires Executive Director Liana Toscanini said. "We’re all under-resourced. We don’t have money. We don’t have manpower. So, volunteers, who often also become donors, end up being really important to the organization.”

As part of the event Friday, nonprofits received information on how to attract and engage volunteers, while attendees got tips on how to find the right fit for their volunteer efforts.

The Nonprofit Center and Berkshire United Way are encouraging anyone interested in volunteering to check out their websites and learn how to get involved.