This directory provides a list of City Departments that may be in need of volunteers and a list of their programs.
Columbia Hospitality Corps: Volunteers staff the Lake of the Woods Visitors Center located in the strip mall just north of I-70 on St. Charles Road. Tasks will include greeting visitors, answering questions, providing information, and restocking brochures. Shift times will be 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. For information call 874-7499 or contact us.
Columbia Festival of the Arts: Volunteers are needed to setup, booth-sit for artists, assist in the information booth, conduct surveys and help with children’s activities. The festival is held annually the last full weekend in September. For more information call 874-6386 or KSKjella@GoColumbiaMO.com
Internship: Assist in coordinating special projects and programs such as Festival of the Arts, Arts Express Newsletter, public art programs and general office duties. For more information call 874-6386.
Community Emergency Response Teams or CERT is a program that trains citizens to help themselves, their neighbors, and the Columbia Fire Department in the event of an emergency. Classes are 16 hours in length and participants must attend the entire course to participate. No classes are on the calendar, but we would be happy to notify you of future classes. Contact: Darla Atkins, Columbia Fire Department, 874-7556.
Day Care: Provide child care for children of parents attending Health Department educational programs. Time commitment: 2-4 hours per week. For more information contact Maureen Coy at 874-7559 or MKC@GoColumbiaMO.com
Medical Reserve Corps: MRC volunteers will assist in times of disaster and help the Columbia/Boone County Health Department on public health projects. Contact Betsy Smith to learn more: ecs@GoColumbiaMo.com.
Boy Scout Eagle Scout Projects: If you're interested in doing an Eagle Scout project with the city, visit Parks & Recreation's page dedicated to helping you get started!
Bike Safety Rodeo: This annual event, normally held in May, is an interactive way to teach children bike safety. Volunteers work with the kids as they go through nine bike skills stations. For information call Dayton Grover, 874-7642.
C.A.R.P. - Columbia Aquatic Restoration Project: Volunteers attended a three week course on lake management, storm water, and aquatic plants and insects and will then share their time to plant and maintain vegetation along Columbia's streams and lakes. Projects are held on Saturday mornings in cooperation with Parks staff.
Custodial: Assist with the custodial duties of Park Management Center and recreational facilities. Volunteers are needed two times per week, April through October, and one time per week during the rest of the year. For information call 874-7201.
First Night: Volunteers are needed for children’s activities, admission button sales, and as ushers, coordinators/assistants at 10 downtown venues on December 31, 6 p.m. to midnight. Shifts vary and volunteers receive an admission button to enjoy the event. For more information call 874-7499 or e-mail volunteer@GoColumbiaMo.com.
Fitness Instructors: Instructors are needed for tennis, cardio kick boxing, aerobics, step aerobics, yoga, and any other fitness activity. Youth sports camp coaches are also needed. To find out more call 874-7460.
Fowl Shoot: Volunteers are needed to help count hoops at this annual November event held in the Sports Armory. Hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Call 874-7499 to volunteer.
Heritage Festival: Volunteers are needed for a number of tasks at the annual Heritage Festival held annually in September. Set-up, children’s activities, survey takers are needed each year. Call 874-7499 or volunteer@GoColumbiaMO.com
Kids Triathlon & Duathlon: Volunteer timekeepers, course-helpers and registration assistants are needed for both the Triathlon, held in June, and Duathlon, held in October. To get involved contact Dayton Grover 874-7642 or dqg@GoColumbiaMO.com
Mid-Missouri Youth Mirror: Volunteer to help with this publication that features the youth of Columbia. Youth provide the articles, photos, and artwork for the Youth Mirror, a program of Community Recreation. Learn more by calling 874-6378.
Paquin Towers assistants: Volunteers can assist residents of Paquin Towers by helping with the Walking program or helping residents on an individual basis with their grocery shopping or other tasks. Great opportunity for college students! There are also opportunities to assist in the office. E-mail Sarah Bowman to volunteer or call 874-6335.
Recreation Leaders: Lead community recreation activities at various locations. Activities include music, arts & crafts, cheerleading, baton twirling, pottery making, tae kwon-do, women's health, modeling, etc. Assist in activities involving individuals with disabilities, Special Olympians, senior citizens, and inter-generational activities. Time commitment: flexible. For information call 874-7499.
Santa Hotline: Volunteers take gift requests on the phone from area children posing as Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves. This is a great event for groups and individuals. This event is held on either the first or second Saturday each December from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Shifts are two hours with three people per shift, with the last shift being 3 hours.
Sports Officials: Officials for adult and youth softball, baseball, and basketball are needed. To get involved call 874-7706.
Swim Instructor: Parks & Recreation is looking for responsible adults and youth (at least 10 years old) to assist with swim instruction. Aides will be paired with a certified instructor to instruct young swimmers. If you would like to volunteer call 874-7467.
Special Olympics: Special Olympics provide year-round training and athletic competition in a variety of sports for people with disabilities. Contact the Office of Volunteer Services to get involved. Our calendar will also include upcoming Special Olympics activities. Read more about Special Olympics. Special Olympic opportunities for training, competition and tournaments are offered through these programs. To volunteer contact Jody Crane of the Parks and Recreation Department on JFCRANE@GoColumbiaMO.com or 874-7312. It is helpful for volunteers to have a sports background as you will be interacting with the athletes during practices. Programs offered are Aquatics, January through May; Bocce, Tennis and Track & Field, March through May; Softball, May through August; Golf, June through August; Volleyball, Soccer, July through October; Bowling, August through December; and Basketball, November through March.
Adapted Youth program: The Adapted Youth program provides activities similar to Special Olympics for children younger than 18 years of age. For more information call 874-7312.
Tiger Night of Fun: This annual event is held inside the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse on Halloween night. Volunteer groups provide activities to 6th grade and younger children. Individual help is also needed. Contact Janel at 874-7467 or JLT@GoColumbiaMO.com
Tons of Trucks: This annual April event needs general volunteers, who will be assigned duties as needed. Call Erin Carrillo at 874-6341 or e-mail EDCARRIL@GoColumbiaMo.com to help.
TreeKeepers: Volunteers are taught about tree identification, care and maintenance in an annual 6-week, one night a week course. In exchange, volunteers agree to donate 36 hours of volunteer service toward City of Columbia tree projects. For information and an application call 874-7499 or e-mail volunteer@GoColumbiaMO.com
Cadets: Cadets provide assistance to police officers in non-enforcement activities, allowing the officers to concentrate on enforcement activities. For information on how to apply contact Officer Jay Bramblett at 874-7405.
Columbia Police Volunteers: Community volunteers become an extension of the police department by conducting vehicular patrols. Volunteers must be 18 years old, undergo a criminal background check and participate in the Citizens Police Academy. For more information please call Officer Jessie Haden at 874-7448 or e-mail JFH@GoColumbiaMO.com
Neighborhood Watch: Citizens are trained to be the eyes and ears of their neighborhood. Volunteers are needed to start Neighborhood Watch groups and to participate in existing groups. The Police Department is also looking for volunteers for the Neighborhood Watch Volunteer Corps to assist with revitalization efforts and communicate with block captains. To find out more call the Crime Prevention Unit at 874-7405.
Neighborhood Watch Volunteer Corps uses volunteers to help with administrative duties of the program, including contacting block captains with information. This position requires an ongoing commitment. Contact Office Mike Hayes at 874-7658 or mehayes@GoColumbiaMo.com.
Reserve Officer: Columbia Police Reserves act in some capacity as a full time Columbia Police Officer. Services include responding to 911 calls and staffing special events. Reserves work directly with Columbia Police Officers in enforcement activities. Requires the same training as a full time Columbia Police Officer.
Crime Blockers: Join neighbors to reduce crime in their neighborhood. Volunteers participate as map and sign aides, on the speaker's bureau, as a telephone caller, office assistant, computer clerk and board of directors. Time commitment: flexible. Call the Crime Prevention Unit at 874-7405.
Adopt A Spot Litter Control: This clean-up program is designed for groups or individuals who want to help keep Columbia clean. Adopters pick up trash along a street or in a park and are asked to commit to a minimum of four pickups over one year. One-time litter control projects are also available.
Compost Trainer: Teach others about composting so they can help the environment, too. You will be trained to lead workshops held in the spring and fall.
Graffiti Removal: Groups and individuals are needed to remove graffiti from public property including light boxes, street light poles, and parking meters particularly in the downtown. Projects can be arranged through the Office of Volunteer Services who will provide you with instructions and supplies.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Aide: Volunteers greet citizens, answer questions about the materials being delivered. Collection days are held on the first and third Saturdays of the month, April through November, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mulch Site Assistants: Mulch site volunteers greet people, direct traffic, and distribute information on City waste reduction programs during free mulch days. They help monitor the two mulch sites for litter. Volunteers may work flexible two hour shifts.
Vermi Composting: Public Works is looking for volunteers interested in introducing children and their teachers to worm composting. Volunteers are needed to deliver and collect the bins. The schedule would be flexible, mostly weekday mornings.For information on any Public Works - Solid Waste volunteer opportunity contact Rosemary to learn more: 874-6271 or pw-volunteer@GoColumbiaMo.com
Stream Cleanups: Each
spring and fall, volunteers spend time on Columbia's
streams, sprucing up the banks and removing trash
from the stream bed. No experience necessary! Volunteers
and groups are needed to clean streams for approximately
two hours, flexible days and hours. Supplies are
provided. Contact Mona
Menezes or call her at 817-6447.
"Dump No Waste...Drains
to Streams" Decals:
Groups or individuals may volunteer to place
colorful blue and green decals on local storm drains
as a
reminder that whatever goes into a storm drain comes
out in a stream. No experience necessary. Supplies
and directions are provided. You may apply as many
or as few decals as you want. Related informational
doorhangers are also provided. Contact Mona
Menezes or call her at 817-6447
Adopt-A-Spot Beautification: Individuals or groups volunteer to care for city landscaping in beds throughout Columbia. A four-year commitment is required. Volunteers can adopt an existing bed or propose a new site. Responsibilities include weeding, watering, mulching, and planting annual flowers in the spot.
Cleanup Columbia: This annual springtime city-wide cleanup is perfect for groups, churches, businesses or individuals. Watch for more details...and mark your calendar for Saturday, April 12, 2008.
Mayor’s Challenge: Bike, Walk, Wheel Week: This annual May event challenges Columbia area residents to walk, wheel or bike to their destination at least once a week. Volunteers are needed to operate breakfast stations throughout Columbia for participants. To learn more, check our web site in the spring or call 874-7499.
Park Patrol: Park & trail volunteers are needed to monitor our trails during daylight hours to help keep them clean, safe, and in good repair. Volunteers must be 18 years of age, pass a criminal history review and attend a two hour training session. Call 874-7499 or email: volunteer@GoColumbiaMo.com.
Photographer: Volunteer photographers are used to record our events. We supply a disk to transfer digital photos onto, or a camera and film if necessary, and you take the photos. Opportunities are ongoing and held throughout the year.
Publication Assistant: Help write, design and produce publications to market city programs. Hours are flexible--work on an as needed basis. Target locations appropriate for distribution of City program material, and distribute that information to those locations. Time commitment: flexible.
Youth In Action: This summer volunteer program, designed for kids ages 12 to 15, gives youth an opportunity to assist with a number of activities within the city and community. City staff organize and oversee all projects.
For information on any Office of Volunteer Services opportunity contact us at 874-7499 or volunteer@GoColumbiaMO.com. You may also contact us about any volunteer opportunity listed in this directory and we would be glad to assist you.
Updated 12/12/2007
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