Volunteers make the extensive world of local nonprofits revolve. Service clubs like the Kiwanis Club of Lititz couldn't stage events like the Chocolate Walk without the assistance of outside volunteers.

"Our volunteers usually come from the Lititz community," said Louise Stickler, the volunteer coordinator for the annual Chocolate Walk. "Many come from the organizations we give money to. I think they're generally people who want to help other people. There's a lot of camaraderie. There's a lot of fun, just because of the situation."

About 20 of the Kiwanis Club of Lititz's 28 members will be helping out and performing service work at the upcoming Chocolate Walk. But the service organization needs about 100 outside volunteers to make the annual fundraiser run smoothly.

There are still volunteer opportunities available for the early-October event, and interested individuals should reach out to Stickler at 717-560-2295.

"I still have needs for afternoon shifts," said Stickler. "Volunteers usually do two- or three-hour shifts. What one person can do in three hours of volunteering can do a lot to improve the community. Baby steps bring big outcomes. We couldn't do it without outside help."

"(The volunteers) will either be knocking off tickets at the sites or helping the chocolatiers serve chocolate," continued Stickler. "Volunteers do get five free samples at sites for helping out. In the end, I always seem to make do, but it's not easy to get volunteers."

This year's edition of the Chocolate Walk, the 24th annual, will be conducted in and around the downtown Lititz business district on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants lay down donations to sample unique chocolate treats created by 30 local merchants at their places of business.

"People get very, very excited about the Chocolate Walk," said Stickler, a resident of Manheim Township. "Everyone is in a wonderful mood because it's chocolate. It's not too difficult to please people with chocolate. The vibe is always fun. The vibe is definitely positive; everybody's happy. Nothing seems to deter it."

About 2,000 participants are expected to partake in the Chocolate Walk, and the event is expected to raise $100,000 for local nonprofits that support children. Following the conclusion of the event, the Kiwanis Club of Lititz's finance committee will meet to decide how and to which nonprofits the funds will be distributed.

In the past, the Chocolate Walk has benefited organizations like the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic, Gigi's Playhouse, Power Packs Project, the Lititz Public Library, the Manheim Township Library, Special Olympics of Lancaster County, Edible Classroom, Christ's Home, St. Joseph's Children Health, Advoz: Mediation and Restorative Practices and Gaudenzia Vantage.

"It's all for charities," said Stickler. "The mission is to raise as much money as we can for younger children. The number of worthy nonprofits in Lancaster is innumerable. It's very heartwarming to see the nonprofits work with each other and help each other out. But these organizations are only a pittance of what needs to be done."

The Kiwanis Club of Lititz conducts a similar fundraiser, the Pretzel Fest, in May. Also in May, the organization hosts an annual free kids' day at Lititz Springs Park. In addition, the Kiwanis Club of Lititz participates in Lititz's National Night Out in August.

The Kiwanis Club of Lititz, which was formally established in September of 1994, meets at 6:15 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of every month at Lititz Springs Inn, 14 E. Main St., Lititz.

"The mission is to serve one child in your community at a time," said Stickler. "At the beginning, it took the club some time to search out the community and figure out what the needs were. The Chocolate Walk certainly pushed us ahead. As you do it, you find more and more organizations that need help. At this point, we've come a long way. I think we're at a good place."

For additional information, go to http://www.lititzkiwanis.org.