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The Hudson County Volunteer Expo at The Landmark Loew's Jersey Theater has been very successful in the past.

(Journal File Photo)

Hudson County residents who are searching for community service and volunteering opportunities will have a chance to connect with organizations representing a wide range of community-oriented causes during the sixth annual Hudson County Volunteer Expo today.

The expo will be in the lobby of The Landmark Loew's Jersey Theatre at 54 Journal Square in Jersey City, from 2 to 8 p.m.

Joanne Smith, the expo coordinator, said she created the annual volunteer expo program in 2009 to provide an effective way to connect as many people as possible to potential volunteering opportunities that best suit their interests.

Smith also hoped to provide a convenient forum for volunteering organizations to spread the word about their work and recruit potential volunteer candidates, she said.

"There are a lot of great people throughout Hudson County who may want to find out about volunteering opportunities," Smith said.

In addition, the Loew's is an ideal place for the expo because it's easily accessible by public transportation, and also because of the extensive volunteer work that has been involved in the theater's renovation over the years, Smith said.

"Volunteers have made it possible for the Loew's to undergo a miraculous transformation from dusty, dirty hovel into a shining palace," she said. "What has been done is thanks in very large part to the cadre of remarkable volunteers who work tirelessly to renovate, maintain and operate the building and programming at the Loew's."

During the expo, participating organizations meet and greet potential volunteers and provide information about their services. Some organizations use videos and photos to explain and promote their work and causes and help recruit volunteers, but most spread the word through the personal conversations during the event, she said.

Each year, roughly 50 agencies representing causes that range from HIV/AIDS prevention to services for at-risk youth, seniors, and the homeless to animal rescue and environmental advocacy attend the expo.

The expos have also attracted between 500 and 600 volunteers annually over the past couple of years, she said.

"It's all about exploring volunteering options," Smith said. "I want people to be able to explore volunteering options so they can see if any of them spark their interest."

The expo is free for both the recruiting agencies and community members looking for opportunities, and anyone can participate regardless of experience, Smith said.

"It's equally valuable for people who never volunteered before but may want to try it out as it is for more experienced volunteers," she said.