2006 Volunteer of The Month Winners

The Office of
Volunteer Services
links citizens with opportunities to share their time with city government. The office recruits, places, tracks and recognizes volunteers for their efforts.

2006 Volunteer of the Month

December Volunteer of the Month

Ian White

Ian White, December Volunteer of the Month, moved to Columbia for a job at the University. He has made a tremendous commitment to Columbia’s youth in many programs with the Parks & Rec. Department, programs like the Blue Thunder Track Club. Blue Thunder, beginning in mid-April, is a track club for youngsters age 3 to 14 who are taught running, jumping, throwing and team skills. Ian says, “These programs serve as a great source of self-esteem for the kids - self-esteem through personal achievement, positive encouragement, good health, and by forming friendships. These kids will then contribute to their community and beyond”.

Ian says “First and foremost, for me, volunteering has been about creating opportunities for the kids. It’s never easy. The trick is remembering what the most important things are and making sure that we give the best of our time and energy to those things." Camren Cross, Recreation Specialist with the Columbia Parks & Recreation Department says, “Ian is simply awesome. SIMPLY AWESOME.”

Article by volunteer Nancy Summers

November Volunteer of the Month

Ernie Lee

Ernie Lee is a wonderful liaison between the community and the Police Department. Lee volunteers two hours each Wednesday as a Columbia Police Volunteer, saying, “This is what you must do when you volunteer, discipline yourself, set aside a time and be there.”

Lee’s favorite part of volunteering is preparing city warrants for the officers by beat, and reviewing larceny reports. He started volunteering after participating in the Citizen’s Police Academy.

Lee also alerts neighbors, by calling or sending post cards, of larcenies and crime in their area and to remind them to be careful. Lee says, “Being a public safety volunteer is fun because it helps make a better community.”

“Take valuables out of your car or put them in a less conspicuous part of the vehicle, and always lock your car and be safe,” Lee says and reminds us, “Purses are the most common valuable stolen.”

Lee’s schedule is busy, yet he keeps his obligation and is always there to help the community. The City of Columbia wishes to thank Ernie Lee for his commitment to public safety.

Article by volunteer Nancy Summers

October Volunteer of the Month

Rhonda Hafner

Our October volunteer of the month, Rhonda Hafner, volunteers for Columbia’s Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA).

Rhonda has been key to the success and growth of the Columbia Festival of the Arts. OCA Festival Coordinator, Kay McCarthy says “Rhonda’s steady leadership and dedication represents that of every volunteer who gives their time to provide our community with the September arts celebration for the past 15 years.”

In 2001 Rhonda supervised the largest on-site installation ever to be on the festival grounds, giving more than 30 hours of time during the festival weekend alone.

Rhonda attends monthly meetings from February through September and, as the Visual Arts co-chair, concludes with a full weekend of work during the Festival. Her effort to provide hospitality and a pleasant experience for visual artists has repeatedly been commended by the artists themselves.

Each year the festival is powered with more than 800 volunteer hours.

Article written by volunteer Nancy Summers

September Volunteer of the Month

Larry Barringhaus

Trees are an essential part of Columbia and require maintenance throughout the year to keep them healthy. This is where the help of TreeKeepers volunteers like Larry Barringhaus, our September Volunteer of the Month, is needed.

A recruitment article, announcing the annual TreeKeepers training sessions, caught Barringhaus’s attention in 2004. He saw this as an opportunity to give back to Columbia and signed up to become a TreeKeeper. Today Barringhaus, and many other TreeKeepers, play a vital role in keeping Columbia's park and trail trees attractive. TreeKeepers work includes trimming, pruning, mulching, and planting trees.

Barringhaus also plays an important role in the city’s Adopt-A-Spot Beautification program by turning the water to beds in the spring and off in the fall. This prevents freezing weather from busting water lines.

Barringhaus, married for 35 years to wife Connie, has always been interested in trees. “I enjoy working with trees, have the time now and am physically capable of doing this type of volunteer work” he says, “There are no negative aspects of doing this for my community.”

Article written by volunteer Timothy Rowland

August Volunteer of the Month

Terry Barney

Anyone who regularly runs, walks, or rides their bicycles on Columbia's trails has probably seen Volunteer of the Month Terry Barney along the trail.

Terry's Park Patrol duties include being a visible presence on the trails and providing a sense of safety for trail users. Patrollers alert Parks & Recreation of potential safety issues or trail maintenance needs. Terry, employed with the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service, has been part of the Park Patrol since its inception a decade ago and patrols city trails eight to 10 hours per week. “I like to give a little back to the city and the community at the same time,” he says.

A bicyclist as well as a runner, Terry finds his time spent on the trails enjoyable. People are not always going to have someone in authority in the area when they are needed, Terry points out, and a Park Patroller often serves to discourage would-be troublemakers.

He says “The most rewarding part of the job is meeting interesting people on Columbia's trails, everyone from senior citizens to members of the MU track team or cross-country team. It's a great way to have fun and stay healthy and do something constructive at the same time.” Terry states, “You can't beat it!”

Article written by volunteer Timothy Rowland

July Volunteer of the Month

Fun City Youth Academy

Many Missourians walk the MKT to enjoy the fresh air and scenery. Few likely are aware of the work done each year by the FUN CITY Youth Academy (FCYA).

Since 1970 FCYA has provided culturally rich programs for low-to-medium income Columbia families to facilitate academic achievement and community involvement. One such program is the Saturday Academy, a 4-H Community Service Club that fulfills seven yearly service projects.

One project is the Flat Branch Creek cleanup along the MKT. More than one-hundred kids and supervising adults, remove trash from the stream. “One thing we try to teach the children is how to give back to the community,” says Barbara Walker, executive director and Saturday Academy principal. “That helps them become well-rounded and productive citizens of Columbia, The cleanup projects are hard work but, after spending a day at the creek both working and playing, the kids come back wet, muddy, proud, and happy.”

The work done by the Saturday Academy makes this well-traveled area of Columbia cleaner and more beautiful. The City of Columbia expresses our thanks to Barbara Walker and the kids at FUN CITY Youth Academy for their contributions to our community.

Article by volunteer Timothy Rowland

June Volunteer of the Month

Jim Berry

It doesn’t take long after talking with Jim Berry to notice his pleasant disposition and friendly demeanor. Ask any City of Columbia’s Parks and Recreation department staff and they will say the same thing, he is noted for always having a smile on his face.

Jim is a volunteer for the Older Americans Klub (OAK), a social program for people 50 and older. He takes care of the Parkade Center pool hall, cleans tables and floor, and keeps the pool balls and sticks in good shape. He also keeps track of who uses the pool hall and who participates in the monthly pool tournaments. Jim has been a Parks and Recreation volunteer for the past three years and is known for his reliability.

A Boone County native, Jim and his wife Lenora currently live in Fulton and have four sons and one daughter. He served in an artillery unit during the Korean War, and has worked a number of jobs including construction, farming, truck driving, and as a mechanic.

At age 74, Jim still serves his community. “I enjoy doing this,” he says about his volunteering, “because it helps other people and also gives them something to do.” The City of Columbia extends our thanks to Jim for his contributions and willingness to serve our community.

Article by volunteer Timothy Rowland

May Volunteer of the Month

Golden K Kiwanis

The Golden K Kiwanis, our April Volunteers of the Month, have been an integral part of Cleanup Columbia for the past nine years. Their duties include serving lunch to several hundred volunteers and helping distribute bags and gloves to volunteers before the event.

If you were part of Cleanup Columbia on April 8, you saw firsthand one of the many ways in which the Golden K Kiwanis serve our community. Many Golden K members are also Columbia Police Volunteers, improving public safety in our community.

Golden K members eagerly sign up to serve lunch on Cleanup Columbia day as one way to serve the community during the year,” said Roger Mitchell, Golden K Community Service Committee member.

Since the club began in 1985, Golden K Kiwanians have shared hundreds of hours reading to children at day care centers, helping at the food bank, picking up litter, and raising funds for local charities. Golden K was the recipient of the 2005 Group HERO Award presented each year to outstanding community volunteers.

The City of Columbia expresses our gratitude for this fine group of volunteers.

By Debra Hardin

April Volunteer of the Month

Vanessa Porter

Often it takes someone with a cheerful smile and helpful spirit to make a difference. And it is possible to serve a worthy cause in a useful way without a huge commitment of time or money. This is where volunteering plays a vital role in the process. There are many ways to contribute and Vanessa Porter has found her niche.

Porter works at a MU sorority house and has a maintenance job, but in spite of her busy schedule she takes time to help the Public Works Department. Porter contributes to our environment by handing out pencils and whistles that promotes recycling to the kids in her neighborhood and distributes recycling information to her neighbors and family members. She demonstrates the advantages of recycling by making envelopes out of old calendars and salvaging envelopes and other paper items. These items can then be used by the Public Works Department.

Porter’s enthusiasm has made an impact on the people around her. “We have come to depend on Vanessa’s cheerful willingness to help even when the job is tedious,” Christine Gardener, assistant to the recycling program observes. Porter’s dedication and commitment have made her Volunteer of the Month.

Article by volunteer Timothy Rowland

March Volunteer of the Month

Anne, Paul and Kurt Heine

Volunteering is a family affair for Paul, Anne and Kurt Heine. Over the past few years, the Heine family has donated their time and talents to a number of city programs, including Park Patrol, Cleanup Columbia, First Night and the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). Their outstanding level of commitment stems from a deep affection for Columbia and a willingness to serve others.

“We really enjoy volunteering for the City of Columbia,” says Anne. “It’s so fun to be involved and so great to make our town a fun place to live. We also enjoy the family bonding time that these volunteer opportunities provide.”

Besides all their other activities, Paula and Anne were among the first volunteers on the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). CERT volunteers are trained to assist the Columbia Fire Department during emergencies, such as natural disasters or search and rescue operations. Kurt has participated in Columbia’s Youth in Action program, which allows kids ages 12-15 to volunteer. Heine family members have also served as volunteers during the Special Olympics.

The Office of Volunteer Services wishes to thank Paul, Anne and Kurt for all their hard work. Your commitment has helped make Columbia a wonderful place to live.

Article by volunteer Isaac Larson

February Volunteer of the Month

David Kubiak

If you’ve spent time on Columbia’s extensive trail system, then you have probably seen David Kubiak. To date, David has logged more than 450 hours on the trails as a Park Patroller for the Office of Volunteer Services.

Park Patrollers are trained volunteers who assist the Columbia Police Department with ensuring the safety of trail users. Clad in brightly-colored uniforms and equipped with cellular phones, Park Patrollers help deter crime by providing a visible presence on the trail. They also report potential safety hazards (such as washed out trail sections and damaged signs) to the Parks and Recreation Department.

David has shown a high level of dedication during his time with the Park Patrol Program. Earlier this year, he used his training as a Registered Nurse to organize and teach a CPR course for city volunteers. A total of seventeen people attended the course.

“I thought the best way to ensure support for the parks would be to help make them safer for everybody,” says David. “The Park Patrol is a good way to achieve that end. Our trails are a beautiful testament to the city’s commitment to its citizens.”

The City of Columbia wishes to thank David Kubiak for volunteering as a Park Patroller.

Article by volunteer Isaac Larson

January Volunteer of the Month

Sam Bergin

You may not know Sam Bergin personally, but you’ve probably seen his contribution to the protection of Columbia’s natural environment. Together with other members of Boy Scout Troop 233, Sam helped install nearly 400 warning decals on Columbia’s storm drains in an effort to educate the public about the danger polluted stormwater runoff poses to area streams. The blue-and-green decals read “DUMP NO WASTE…DRAINS TO STREAM” and are a part of a city initiative to ensure stormwater runoff does not contain harmful pollutants. Columbia’s Public Works Department hopes the permanent decals will serve as a visual reminder to residents to do their part in protecting the local environment.

Sam, now a senior at Rock Bride High School, believes the decals will make a difference. “I enjoyed the work and I can see how it benefits the community when I drive through town,” he says. “Runoff becomes polluted from oil and stays in the neighborhood and can kill fish and animals.”

Besides installing the decals, Sam and his fellow Boy Scouts also went door-to-door explaining to residents how to dispose of household hazardous waste properly. In all, Sam and Troop 233 logged over 75 hours in volunteer time for the Public Works Department.

The City of Columbia wishes to thank Sam Bergin for his work with the Public Works Department. His efforts have helped keep Columbia’s streams clean.

Article by volunteer Isaac Larson