Helping Out

There are lots of ways to help out in Columbia.

BOONE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY is currently seeking volunteers to serve as docents at the museum or to help serve the community through other volunteer opportunities, such as volunteering at the historic Maplewood Home on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. You do not have to be a history buff — just have some time to spare. Call Deborah, 573-443-8936.

BOYS AND GIRLS TOWN OF MISSOURI is looking for volunteers for the following opportunities: help with various art projects and for religious leaders of any denominations, and to meet and speak with children. E-mail crystal.uthlaut@bgtm.org. Call Crystal Uthlaut, 573-874-8686.

BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER needs volunteers in the gift shop, admissions and the volunteer office. E-mail bshettle@bjc.org. Call Barb, 573-815-3472.

BOONE HOSPITAL HOME CARE AND HOSPICE need volunteers to provide companionship for terminally ill patients and a time of relief for caregivers of the patients. Call Mary Foster, 573-875-0555.

CENTRAL MISSOURI FOOD BANK needs help repackaging bulk food. Call Chelsea, 573-474-1020.

CITY OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC WORKS needs Household Hazardous Waste volunteers to direct traffic and dispense information at the HHW facility on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Volunteers work in 2-hour shifts (9 to 11 a.m. or 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) E-mail rrzarfas@gocolumbiamo.com. Call Rachel, 573-874-6271.

CITY OF COLUMBIA TREEKEEPERS PROGRAM is looking for participants. Following a six-session course, participants volunteer for 36 hours of City of Columbia tree projects. Call Treekeepers, 573-874-7499.

COLUMBIA/BOONE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT needs childcare volunteers twice a month to care for children while their parents attend classes. Call the Health Department, 573-874-7499.

COLUMBIA ENTERTAINMENT CO. has many volunteer opportunities for you on the stage, behind the stage or in front of the stage. E-mail cecjudyolson@mchsi.com. Call Judy Olson, 573-823-7478.

COMMUNITY HOSPICES OF AMERICA needs compassionate non-medical volunteers to provide support to terminally ill patients and respite for their caregivers and families. Call Dale, 573-443-8360.

HEART OF MISSOURI CASA is seeking volunteers to act as advocates for children in the foster care system. Volunteers generally spend 10 flexible hours a month working on their cases. E-mail heartofmissouricasa@msn.com. Call Liz, 573-442-4427.

MID-MISSOURI FURNITURE BANK needs volunteers with trucks to help pick up and deliver donated furniture on the second and fourth Saturday of each month between noon and 5 p.m. Call The Furniture Bank, 573-356-5853.

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MISSOURI has several volunteer opportunities to help with research projects, data entry, working with vertical files or other library related projects. Call Ara Kaye, 573-882-9364.

TAKE LEFTOVER FOOD from the Schnucks Deli to a local agency at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday nights. Call Sharon Bussard, 573-443-3277.

RUSK REHABILITATION CENTER needs volunteers to provide patient support, perform clerical duties or assist with community events and programs. Call Rusk Rehabilitation Center, 573-817-4672.

ST. MARY'S HEALTH CENTER in Jefferson City is seeking volunteers for a variety of positions. Areas where help is needed include the gift shop (evening and weekends); information desk/customer service (daytime); cardiac/respiratory care information desk (daytime); greeter/front lobby and emergency entrance (daytime); clinic receptionist assistant (afternoons only). For more information, go to LetHealingBegin.com. Call St. Mary's Volunteer Services Office, 573-761-7000.

PEDNET COALITION is looking for volunteers to lead Walking School Bus teams - groups of elementary age children walking to school under adult supervision. Volunteers may choose from two to five mornings per week. WSB runs Sept. 10 - Nov. 20. WSB leaders must agree to a criminal background check and attend a safety training session. E-mail Margy Tonnies at matonnies@hotmail.com. Call Margy Tonnies, 573-864-2556.

CHESTNUT FESTIVAL on Oct. 13 a the University of Missouri Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Farm in New Franklin needs volunteers. Shifts are available from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and noon - 4 p.m. E-mail Julie Rhoads at rhoadsj@missouri.edu. Call Julie Rhoads, 573-882-3234.

CENTRAL MISSOURI COMMUNITY ACTION needs more than 100 volunteers for the Columbia Half Marathon Challenge at 8 a.m. Oct. 7 in Peace Park. To register as a runner or to volunteer visit www.columbiahalfmarathonchallenge.com. Call Voluntary Action Center, 573-449-6959.

THE COLUMBIA FESTIVAL OF ARTS will need lots of volunteers the weekend of Sept. 29-30 for a variety of opportunities, including helping in children's activities, booth sitting for the artists and staffing the information booth. E-mail volunteer@GoColumbiaMO.com. Call the Columbia Festival of the Arts, 573-874-7499.