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If you ask most Columbians, they would tell you that their schedules are anything from busy to beyond busy. But when you consider the time that Richard Craghead donates to his various activities, you wonder if some people have more hours in the day.
Craghead is the President of the Recreation Council at Paquin Towers, and in this position he works with the City of Columbia Adapted Community Recreation Program, which provides recreation opportunities for Columbia-area residents with disabilities. Craghead’s involvement with the Adapted Community Recreation Program also extends to a variety of city activities throughout the year: he volunteers his time to the outdoor movies held in the summer, the Santa hotline, Lunch in the Park at Douglass Park, the annual train show and cooking classes.
Sarah Bowman, Recreation Specialist for Columbia Parks & Recreation, said that, “Richard is willing to help with anything we ask, and will participate in any activity we’re offering.” She adds, “He will even pay the way for other residents so that they can participate if necessary – that’s how willing he is to help out.” “Richard has shown that volunteering is the best way to give back to the community,” says Bowman. Craghead has donated his time to the Adapted Community Recreation Program for ten years.
Written by volunteer Sarah G. Madden
When you ask people how they successfully quit smoking, you will probably be told that they did it with help. For more than 700 local residents, that assistance has been available from the Smoking Cessation Program at the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services. Volunteers like Corey Dye are specifically trained to counsel people in cessation and provide ways of coping with addiction.
Dye’s supervisor, Carolyn Davidson, says that the time Dye gave to the program had a measurable impact on the community: “Corey selflessly donated one day per week during summer semester 2009 and met with clients who wanted help in quitting smoking. He enabled our program to offer additional hours and serve a larger number of citizens.”
Dye is studying chemistry and hopes to work in pediatric medicine, so his volunteer work with the Smoking Cessation Program seemed a good way to get involved with an important health issue. His training emphasized counseling; it taught him to “help people identify what their smoking triggers are, and come up with creative ways to avoid them.” Dye says that his sessions with program participants would last 30 to 45 minutes, and participants would also be provided smoking patches.
Says Davidson, “Smoking is the number one preventable cause of disease and death. Corey helped bring the word and assistance to those who wanted to reduce that disease burden on themselves and their families.”
Article by volunteer Sarah G. Madden
Volunteers in Columbia work in nearly every department, and even Columbia’s finest benefit from their assistance. Columbians like Chuck Lundquist donate their time so that officers and staff can devote more time to core community services.
Lundquist first became involved after reading an article about what was then a brand new citizen’s patrol program. “I just thought it would be fun . . . and the Police Department does a wonderful job under sometimes difficult circumstances, and if I could help, I would,” said Lundquist.
Eight years later, Lundquist has stayed involved and has logged hundreds of hours each year in a variety of duties. Primarily he assists the Records Unit with its records retention process. Lundquist says that he scans and microfilms “literally tens of thousands of documents” for both the Department and the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office.
Lundquist says the Police Department also sends out weekly messages to its volunteers to ask for help in community events and enforcement efforts, such as the Show-Me Games or a DWI checkpoint, and he will often volunteer for those, too. In all, he donates about ten hours per week to the Department. When asked to describe the impact Lundquist has had on the Department, his supervisor, Sergeant Lloyd Simons, sums it up as “extremely valuable.”
Lundquist says that “I like to feel like I’m contributing, and giving back of some of the free time that I have . . . the City in general has been very appreciative, and that’s been so nice.”
Article by volunteer Sarah G. Madden
A wonderful way to mark the seasons in Columbia is through the changing colors and textures in the landscaped beds that dot the City’s intersections and right-of-ways.
The landscaping in these Adopt-A-Spot Beautification sites is all done by volunteer gardeners and is not a casual commitment. Michele Sisson-White and the Girl Scouts she leads has logged more than 670 hours to the Adopt A Spot program over the last five years.
Sisson-White is the Troop Leader for Girl Scout Troops 773, 475 and 229. She says that when she was looking for volunteer activities for the girls, “this seemed like a natural fit; the girls really have a heart for service, and I like exposing them to different ways to give back to the community.”
Debra Hardin, Program Assistant in the Office of Volunteer Services, says that their flowerbed is always “groomed and beautiful. . . adding a wonderful appeal to this intersection.” Sisson-White says that the girls in her troops range in ages 6 to 17, and they work together to create their vision of the flowerbed. Their Adopt A Spot bed is located at the southwest corner of Range Line and Big Bear. “I think the bed gets a little better every year,” noted Sisson-White.
Sisson-White has volunteered with the Girl Scouts for 20 years. She also volunteers for First Night, and along with her Girl Scouts, participates in the annual litter-pickup event, Cleanup Columbia and helped with the Stream Extravaganza.
Article by volunteer Sarah G. Madden
Columbians honor the diversity of the community at one special event each year, the Columbia Values Diversity Celebration (CVDC). But Brent Lowenberg has been planning, organizing and donating for months in advance to help make the celebration a reality.
CVDC recognizes the special contributions different cultures add to our community and celebrates the life and teaching of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lowenberg has volunteered on the CVDC planning committee for three years.
What makes his work with the celebration stand out is his coordination and review of the student essay program. After a first read of the 400-500 submitted essays from Columbia’s children and youth, Lowenberg narrows them to entries to be reviewed by a committee. Staff supervisor Steve Hollis says, “It’s really not an easy decision.” His volunteer work is especially helpful because some of this essay review had previously been done by paid temporary staff. Ultimately, 40-50 essays are published in a booklet that is shared at the celebration.
Hollis says, “Lowenberg is as busy in retirement as he was working full-time at the Department of Social Services. He dedicates his entire life to helping others, and he has continued to do so in retirement with no obligation to do so.” Hollis estimated that Lowenberg donates at least 60 hours of time towards CVDC annually. Lowenberg is also the Treasurer for the Columbia Interfaith Council.
Article by volunteer Sarah G. Madden
When she started volunteering, Delores Aust saw it as an opportunity to spend more time with her two grandchildren. Now, after working with the Columbia Parks and Recreation – Special Olympics and Adaptive Recreation programs for ten years, she says she is known simply as “Grandma” to participants, parents and coaches.
Aust has been involved in many aspects of the two programs: she collects money and forms from the athletes and checks their attendance; she assists with the sporting equipment; she tracks the staff and volunteer time sheets; she supervises the Adaptive monthly dances; and she chaperones overnight trips.
These duties keep Aust busy up to two or three times a week, but the work “is so rewarding.” She says that, “it’s really just such a miracle to watch” the participants enjoying the sports that are offered.
Jody Cook, Aust’s supervisor, describes her as having an eye for detail, and a “willingness to take on any task.” Cook adds that Aust “is truly everyone’s ‘Grandma’. . . all those involved in the program know what a blessing she is.”
Aust says, “I just like to help . . . it makes me feel really good to give my time.” Her daughter also volunteers as a coach, and her grandchildren have continued their involvement as Special Olympics’ athletes.
Article by volunteer Sarah G. Madden
Every day, an average of one thousand people pass through the doors of Columbia’s Activity and Recreation Center (ARC). The ARC is a large facility with many amenities, but has maintenance challenges for the ARC staff.
That’s where Jane Collins comes in. Collins has volunteered at the ARC for the last three years, three times a week. She primarily dusts the railings and ledges on the upper level of the ARC, which she does in three-hour shifts.
Joan Smith, her supervisor at the ARC, says that Collins is a model volunteer: “She’s very dependable; she knows her job, goes to it each day, and religiously does it. She treats it like it’s her job.”
Smith says that patrons notice and appreciate Collins’ “dedication and what she does.” Many have left compliments for the cleaning job she does so diligently. “I think it’s been a really good experience for all of us,” continues Smith.
Collins has Down syndrome, and her mother says that she enjoys volunteering especially because it is important for her to stay busy. Collins also volunteers in the Columbia Catholic School lunchroom once a week.
Article by volunteer Sarah Madden
May volunteer of the month, Dalton Calcote, now a high school junior, has spent the last three years helping Columbians learn how to properly dispose of hazardous-waste materials with the Public Works Volunteer Program. Dalton volunteers with the Household Hazardous Waste collection, which provides a place to recycle batteries, paint and other materials that is unsafe for landfills.
Andrea Shelton, Dalton’s supervisor at Household Hazardous Waste, says that he has been very dedicated to the work schedule – rarely missing a day in his years of volunteering – and has become a mentor during that time. “Dalton is very friendly, very outgoing, and very helpful . . . and he’s taken ownership of his duties and has taken on a leadership role with the new volunteers.” Shelton added that Dalton spreads the word about the Household Hazardous Waste program.
Dalton says, “I volunteer because I know that every small contribution helps to make our world a better place.” In addition to working at Household Hazardous Waste, Dalton volunteers with the Central Missouri Humane Society and has a part-time job.
Article by volunteer Sarah Madden
Cleanup Columbia, a city-wide trash pickup effort, has become an event the McCord family looks forward to each spring. Gabriella McCord and her two children, Phoenix and Ambrosia, have volunteered for the past five years.
Gabriella was first motivated to participate because she wanted to help Columbia become a little cleaner, but also because she wanted to expose her kids to “the different sides to how people take care of each other and the environment.” Phoenix, now 12, and Ambrosia, now 11, “are more excited each year, and have a better appreciation for the impact of what they’re doing . . . and it makes them more appreciative for what they have.”
The event only lasts one day, but Gabriella said it has a lasting benefit: As Columbians’ eyes are more opened to the garbage around them, they likewise become more sensitive to their environmental responsibilities. Gabriella said that she’s “grateful Columbia has such great volunteer services; it helps keep people connected and involved and aware of city happenings.”
Gabriella also volunteers with Trinity Lutheran Church and with the Unity Center of Columbia, where she organizes various community drives. Her children donate time to KOPN radio.
Article written by volunteer Sarah Madden
The City of Columbia recognizes Karis Community Church as the Volunteers of the Month or March 2009. In the fall of 2007, Karis came to the city with an idea. They were seeing an increasing amount of graffiti in central Columbia. Their church had a particular interest in central Columbia and wanted to do something about this issue.
In October 2007, Karis led the first graffiti removal cleanup day. Armed with buckets, rags, scrappers and removal solution, nearly 30 volunteers shared a Saturday morning to spruce up downtown.
Since that project, the church has led two other work days and has invited community members to help. Residents can also join in the effort to remove graffiti during Cleanup Columbia on Saturday, April 25.
Members of Karis are involved with many other service projects in the community, including support for residents of Paquin Tower, seniors served by the Boone County Council on Aging, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Rainbow House. The church has a strong interest in finding hands-on ways to make Columbia a better place.
Jen and Ben Micek have turned their passion for trees into a special family activity with their young girls.
The Miceks have been involved with the TreeKeepers program since 2006. Jen Micek said, “TreeKeepers is such a cool way to really get into the parks and find out how to identify trees, then properly plant and care for them.”
TreeKeepers receive extensive training in field and course work. In exchange, TreeKeepers agree to donate 36 hours of time to the City in various projects.
The Miceks each aim to donate about 20 hours of time per year. Jen said that she and Ben usually take turns on projects and try to bring along one of their daughters. Madeline, their four-year-old, already loves to dig holes.
Jen is also involved in Meals-on-Wheels, and the family regularly donates its time to events like the Columbia Festival of the Arts and the Kids Duathlon. Said Jen, “We love volunteering; it’s such a wonderful way to stay involved. Columbia is a great city, and we love to help out.” The Miceks are the parents of Madeline, Laura and Abigail, ages four, two and one month.
Written by volunteer Sarah Madden
When John Moreton was searching for an Eagle Scout project, the City of Columbia suggested a shelter and scorekeepers’ table in Cosmo Park. The City provided photographs of a similar structure located in Kansas City as a model, and that’s where Moreton’s design and construction took over.
Moreton’s project supervisor, Mike Snyder, Senior Parks Planner, said “John is an outstanding young man. He is detail-oriented, and I was really impressed with his use of computer software before he built the structure, and his ability to accurately plan it.” Based on the number of donated volunteer hours, the value to the City might exceed $3,140.
Not only does Moreton’s project bring much needed shelter from elements for the scorekeepers at the Antimi Baseball Complex, it’s provided an additional benefit: Another Eagle Scout has also chosen to build a second scorekeeper’s pavilion based on Moreton’s design.
Moreton is an eighth grader at Columbia Independent School. He is the son of Ann and David Moreton. Besides his involvement in Boy Scouts, he stays busy with cross country and as a soccer referee with the Columbia Parks and Recreation.
Written by volunteer Sarah G. Madden
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