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The Downtown Optimist Club was selected as Volunteer of the Month because of their work over the last three years with the “Homes for Computers” program. The program is a joint effort between the City of Columbia, the Voluntary Action Center and the Downtown Optimists. Club members clean and test surplus City computers, assist families in the use of the computers and provide their facility to store and distribute them. Each year, more than 30 families who meet eligibility requirements receive a computer.
Rick McKernan, past president says, “The Optimist Club is a microcosm of the community as a whole. The people in Columbia care and play an active role with the kids in our community. Some do it in a hands-on way and others help by supporting our tree and nut sales at holiday time.”
The Downtown Optimist Club has raised funds for Columbia youth since 1936. Proceeds from Christmas tree and nuts sales are used for activities, programs and scholarships.
Written by volunteer Donna Lester
Vanessa Melton, our November Volunteer of the month, works for the U.S. Geological Survey and Environmental Research Center in Columbia. Her passion for the environment shows in her work and her volunteer service!
A city TreeKeeper since 2005, she has helped in projects spanning from Dolomite forest restoration to trail tree pruning. She is a charter member of the Columbia Aquatic Restoration Project (C.A.R.P.) that began in March 2007. Vanessa leads two Stream Teams, at Hinkson Creek and at Cedar Creek. She is also active with the Columbia Chapter of the Audubon Society, the Native Plant Society, Hawthorne Chapter and the Master Naturalists. Vanessa also volunteers for Cleanup Columbia.
Vanessa says, "Since my youth I have enjoyed nature. When I moved to Columbia I wanted to continue that enjoyment and did so by joining environmental organizations and volunteering with the city through TreeKeepers and C.A.R.P. What better way is there to enjoy nature than by bringing nature to you and your community?"
Thanks go out to Vanessa for all the hours she devotes to Columbia’s environmental programs.Written by volunteer Donna Lester
Sherry Borcherding grew up in Texas and relocated to Columbia in 1970. She is a retired Occupational Therapist and currently teaches a class at the University of Missouri. Sherry is the mother of two children, Steven and Kristen.
Sherry wanted to provide help following Hurricane Katrina, but didn't have training. Since then she has become active with the Columbia/Boone County Medical Reserve Corp (MRC), the Columbia Fire Department Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and has trained with the Red Cross.
Sherry has spent the last two years as a MRC volunteer with the Columbia Boone County Health Department, where she helps with flu vaccination clinics. The MRC was organized to provide trained medical, mental health and administrative support to the community in the event of a health emergency.
The Columbia Boone County Health Department notes that volunteers, like Sherry, allow the agency to better serve the citizens of Columbia and Boone County.
Written by volunteer Donna Lester
Jennifer Bloss is being honored this month for her four years of volunteer service to the Columbia Festival of the Arts. The Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) coordinates the city’s art-related programs and services and sponsors the annual festival.
Jennifer has provided key services by being a member of the steering committee and spending three years as co-chair of the children’s art area. Marie Hunter, OCA manager, says, “What appears to be effortless, on the days of the Festival, is carefully planned and executed. Because the festival is free and open to all, Jennifer’s efforts impact thousands of festival-goers and artists that perform and display at the event.”
Jennifer volunteers on the Board of Directors for the Columbia Entertainment Co. and is the House Manager for the Maplewood Barn Community Theatre. Jennifer has always been interested in music and was involved in band and choir during her school years. Jennifer states, “It’s nice giving back to the community, meeting new people, and seeing their talents.”
Jennifer, a St. Joseph, Mo. native, came to Columbia in 2000 after transferring to the University of Missouri, where she currently works as an Academic Advisor for the College of Arts and Science. She and her husband, Jeremy, have been married five years.
Written by volunteer Donna Lester
The Columbia Police Department has had the pleasure of working with Tim Getty, the August Volunteer of the Month, for the past year. Getty helps the Columbia Police Department with many events including the Show Me State Games, the Roots, Blues and BBQ Festival, Safe Kids Day, Tons of Trucks, Citizens on Patrol and at sobriety checkpoints. His most noted contribution is the review of crime reports to help spot trends and alert the members of Business Watch.
Getty is employed with the food service division of Aramark. He and Kate, his wife of eleven years, moved to Columbia in 2004. In May of 2008 he graduated from Stephens College with a major in criminal justice. Getty credits his parents and college instructors for encouraging him to become a volunteer. In the past Getty has volunteered for the American Red Cross and provided service, in 1992, regarding Hurricane Andrew.
Getty said, “I enjoy volunteering for the Columbia Police Department and hope I can help increase the quality of life for the residents of Columbia.” Officer Jessie Haden Pitman notes that Getty is a living example of linking the community with its police department.
Article by volunteer Donna Llewellyn Lester
The City of Columbia recognizes Walt’s Bicycle, Fitness and Wilderness Company as July’s volunteer of the month.
Walt’s has played an important role in supporting the Kids Bicycle Safety Challenge, a community effort between the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, the Columbia Police Department, the Downtown Optimist Club and other sponsors. The annual rodeo promotes and educates children on bike safety.
“Bicycle Safety Challenges have been a traditional bike shop outreach program for years,” said Mark Binder, Walt’s service manager “as it provides one way for specialists to educate and promote safe cycling.” Binder and Sarah Ashman, Walt’s general manager, have volunteered with the Kids Bicycle Safety Challenge for seven years.
Every year since Columbia’s Kids Bicycle Safety Challenge began, Walt’s has helped with helmet fittings and checking for bike safety and mechanical problems.
Walt’s has also been an important partner in supporting the Mayor’s Challenge: Bike, Walk & Wheel Week.
When they aren’t working at Walt’s Bike Shop, Sarah volunteers on the PedNet board of directors and previously volunteered on the Friends of Rock Bridge board of directors. Mark enjoys hiking and fishing. Otherwise, the two are kept busy and have fun as new parents.
Article by volunteer Donna Lester
The City of Columbia recognizes Loretta Wilkinson as Junes’s volunteer of the month. Wilkinson, a charter member of the Columbia Hospitality Corps (CHC), has been an active member since its founding in August 2003.
CHC is sponsored by the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau, with support from the City Office of Volunteer Services and was designed to give volunteers an opportunity to greet visitors and share with them the many attractions Columbia offers. Wilkinson’s dedication to CHC has contributed greatly to the program’s ongoing success.
CHC duties include staffing the Lake of the Woods Visitors Center at least once a month to greet visitors and answers questions. Wilkinson has also volunteered at many of Columbia’s conventions and events.
“I hope to volunteer even more in the future. Whatever opportunities come along that I could be doing, I’ll find a way to do them,” said Wilkinson.
In addition to her commitment to CHC, Wilkinson spends her time with various other volunteer endeavors as well, including Missouri Department of Conservation and Mid-Missouri Barrier Free Housing; through which she has worked to make the city of Columbia more accessible for the disabled. Wilkinson also attends Columbia Medical Reserve Corps meetings and trainings to stay current with potential community needs.
The City of Columbia expresses our gratitude to Wilkinson for her volunteer service.
Article written by volunteer Lauren Kilberg
Since March of 2004, Barb Melson has been an active volunteer with the Adopt-a-Spot Beautification program. Adopters spend many hours annually maintaining, watering, mulching and planting their beds. The program aims to improve of Columbia’s appearance through the beautification of road medians and street intersections throughout the city.
Melson’s bed is in the median of Park de Ville Drive, just north of Broadway. Melson, along with the help of her husband, Bob, has dedicated approximately 300 hours toward her spot. When asked about the rewards of her volunteer experience, Melson said, “As we work, people are always stopping and thanking us for the beautiful flowers and work we do to help their neighborhood look nice.”
Melson’s volunteer efforts do not begin and stop with the Adopt-a-Spot program either. “Over the years, I have volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Girl Scouts, Boone Hospital Center and as my girls were growing up, Columbia Public Schools,” said Melson.
The hard work and dedication Melson puts into her spot has directly impacted not only those living in the surrounding neighborhood, but all those who pass through the intersection daily. The City of Columbia extends thanks to the Melson’s for their help with city beautification.
To learn about city volunteer programs contact the Office of Volunteer Services at 874-7499 or visit www.GoColumbiaMo.com.
Written by volunteer Lauren Kilberg
The City of Columbia recognizes Frank La Mantia as April’s volunteer of the month for his service to the Columbia Parks and Recreation and Adaptive Sports and Recreation programs.
La Mantia has spent the past 11 months volunteering his time as coach of the Special Olympics Bocce team. Bocce is often considered the second most popular participatory sport in the world next to soccer. It focuses on reflex, judgment, and teamwork. The game is played by rolling three-pound ball toward a smaller ball called a pallino. Players score points by rolling their ball nearest to the pallino.
La Mantia has the game of Bocce in his blood. His father was a professional player in Italy, where La Mantia lived until moving to the United States at the age of 11. La Mantia has been an active Bocce athlete since he was three years old.
It wasn’t just his past experience that led La Mantia to take an interest in coaching for the Columbia Parks and Recreation program. When asked why he decided to coach, he said, “The passion I have for Bocce and the excitement of passing my knowledge and experience of the sport to others.”
According to Columbia Parks and Recreation supervisor Jody Crane, “Frank’s expertise and passion for the game would be hard to match.” As a result of his coaching dedication, two team members went on to represent Columbia Parks and Recreation, Special Olympics Missouri, and Team USA at the Special Olympics World Games in China last October. Both athletes, Harry Besleme and Bob Stephens, earned two gold medals against tough competition.
“You can tell that they were confident, they had pride, self-esteem, learned the strategy of the game and most of all they had fun,” said La Mantia about his athletes.
When he isn’t busy coaching, La Mantia runs a computer consultant company, and he and his wife own a catering and decoration business. La Mantia will continue coaching Bocce with Columbia Parks and Recreation this upcoming spring.
Written by volunteer Lauren Kilberg
Jeff Zimmerschied 
The City of Columbia recognizes Jeff Zimmerschied as March’s volunteer of the month for his service to the Columbia Public Works, Engineering, and Storm water department.
Zimmerschied, owner of the organic lawn care service The Lawn Company, has been in the business since 1999. He has also been a member of the Mid-American Green Industries Council.
The city of Columbia launched the environmentally-friendly focused lawn care program ‘Show-Me Yards and Neighborhoods’ in 2005 with Zimmerschied serving as part of the founding committee. The program’s goal was to reduce storm water pollution from entering Columbia streams. Thanks to Zimmerschied’s help, the program was an enormous success.
“Over 700 citizens have taken the 3-session classes or attended ‘Show Me Yards’ field days, which showcased beautiful local yards, gardens and rain gardens to give residents tips and ideas for how to transform their yards into the healthiest yard possible for themselves, their children and pets while still preserving water quality in our area streams and rivers,” said volunteer supervisor Mona Menezes.
Aside from helping create the program, Zimmerschied also serves as a volunteer speaker at all Show-Me Yards workshops. He has graciously donated not only his time, but his services and extensive lawn care knowledge as well.
“Jeff is one of those people who shows up early and stays late when there is work to be done at Show-Me Yards events,” said Menezes. “Because of his service, hundreds of citizens have had opportunities to tour healthy green lawns and gardens and learn more about the lawn and stream connection.”
Written by volunteer Lauren Kilberg
Dianne Drainer and Jeff Williams 
The City of Columbia recognizes M. Dianne Drainer and Jeff Williams as February’s volunteers of the month for their services as co-chairs of the visioning committee.
When not volunteering, both Drainer and Williams maintain full time jobs. Drainer is Executive Director of the Mizzou Flagship Council, while Williams serves as Director of Access and Urban Outreach through the University of Missouri.
Since the fall of 2006, Drainer and Williams have volunteered as co-chairs for the Imagine Columbia’s Future visioning project. “Jeff and Dianne played valuable roles as leaders for this challenging project,” said Paula Hertwig Hopkins, Assistant City Manager. “They will continue to do so as the ideas from the visioning project are put into action.”
Through serving as co-chairs, “we have been able to be the neutral stewards that successfully moved the process forward in a timely fashion; working with the vision committee, the hundreds of citizen volunteers, the city administration and staff, and the ACP consultants,” said Drainer.
“The Imagine Columbia’s Future project will have an impact on our city for many years,” said Hertwig Hopkins. “Strong leaders were and will continue to be vital to the success of the visioning project. Drainer and Williams have proven to be perfect for the job.”
Written by volunteer Lauren Kilberg.
Jack and Dulane Wohlman 
The City of Columbia recognizes Jack and Dulane Wohlman as December’s volunteers of the month for their services to the Public Works Volunteer Program and the City Adopt-a-Spot Program.
The Wohlmans stay extremely active after having recently retired. When not volunteering they are busy keeping in contact with their 8 granddaughters and with their son who is currently serving in Iraq.
"We feel we have been blessed over the years, and now that we are retired we felt we would like to contribute more back into the system," says Jack Wohlman. “Anytime we can give our time or effort for the benefit of others we find gratifying.”
The Wohlmans are able to do just that through the Public Works Program where they promote waste reduction and environmental cleanup. They are also actively involved with their Adopt-a-Spot on Grant Lane. They have logged over 377 hours of cleaning, gardening, and watering since beginning with the program in 2000.
As a result of their hard work and dedication, the Wohlmans have successfully improved the appearance of Columbia and through their example have encouraged others to do the same.
Written by volunteer Lauren Kilberg
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