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Font Resize Brook Stockberger/Sun-News Business Editor Posted: 01/15/2012 11:59:52 AM MSTLAS CRUCES - Next month, nonprofit organizations and home-based businesses have a chance to set up a booth and meet with the public to spread the word about themselves and even make some money.
The Las Cruces Showcase for nonprofits and home-based businesses is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 4 at the Las Cruces Convention Center, the same day and location as the 2012 Healthy U Expo. The event, sponsored by the Las Cruces Sun-News, provides free booth space for nonprofits and plans to pair them up with a home-based business.
Nonprofits or home-based businesses that want to participate can contact Helping Hands Events, which is coordinating the showcase. Call (575) 541-5427 or send an e-mail to diane@helpinghandsevents.com. The deadline to sign up is Jan. 20.
"When they partner, they'll have one big booth together," said Heidi Melendrez, advertising director with the Sun-News. "The business will sell whatever they're selling that day and give 10 percent of their proceeds to the nonprofit that they're partnered with. If they don't have anything to sell, they have to give a minimum of $50 to the nonprofit."
Booth space is free for nonprofits that participate and the cost of home-based businesses is $50 in addition to what they give to the nonprofit. The deadline to register is Jan. 20. The nonprofits and businesses will be paired by the organizers unless a nonprofit and business request to be paired together.
"We're also giving $250 cash prize to the
booth with the best booth décor," Melendrez said. "It's really another donation to the nonprofit."Some organizations and businesses that have already signed up include the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary, the Green Chamber of Commerce, the Boys and Girls Club of Las Cruces, Project Linus and others.
April Anaya, the chief professional officer with the Boys and Girls Club, said nonprofits are always looking to present themselves to the community and the showcase provides another opportunity.
"You never know (who you're going to meet)," Anaya said. She said that groups might even build a relationship with a new donor. "Even if it's not money, just goods and time too. We're always looking for volunteers."
The fact the event is twined with the Healthy U Expo also provides another opportunity.
"A lot of people realize some of what the Boys and Girls Club does, but they may not know that we promote a healthy lifestyle for our members. We promote physical fitness and nutrition."
Susan Stoltzfus with Project Linus - which collects new, homemade blankets and distributes them to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies and other places - said she looks forward to the event.
"It's a wonderful opportunity to have exposure and let people know about us," Stoltzfus said.
Brook Stockberger can be reached at (575) 541-5457
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