Helping Out

There are lots of ways to help out in Columbia.

STREAM EXTRAVAGANZA AT FLAT BRANCH needs volunteers from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays (Sept. 6, 13, 20 and 27) during the Twilight Festivals to help educate the public about water quality. E-mail volunteer@GoColumbiaMO.com. Call Voluntary Action Center, 573-449-6959.

TWILIGHT FESTIVAL needs volunteers for a variety of duties during the September festivals. Volunteers are needed from 5:30-9 p.m. Sept. 6, 13, 20 and 27. E-mail info@discoverthedistrict.com. Call Erika Kubsch, 573-442-6816.

HERITAGE FESTIVAL AT NIFONG PARK needs lots of volunteers the weekend of Sept. 15-16 to help with children's activities, parking cars, etc. Shifts are 2 hours and 45 minutes. E-mail volunteer@GoColumbiaMO.com. Call the Heritage Festival, 573-874-7499.

EXPRESS SCRIPTS MS BIKE RIDE needs volunteers anytime between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sept. 8-9 at Midway Expo Center. Volunteer positions include registration, rest stops, site closing, bike check, bike walkers, communication/HAM radio, parking, meals, medical volunteers (MDs/RNs/EMTs), serving refreshments and finish line. E-mail emily.jokerst@gatewaymssociety.org. Call Emily, 314-446-4182.

COLUMBIA/BOONE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT needs volunteers on Mondays Aug. 13-Sept. 10 to help with Comenzando Bien, a Spanish health promotion class. Fluency in Spanish would be helpful. Hours are 5- 8 p.m. Volunteers will help with child care and other duties. A background check will be required. E-mail volunteer@gocolumbiamo.com. Call Voluntary Action Center, 573-449-6959.

ROOTS 'N BLUES 'N BBQ FESTIVAL on September 7 and 8 will require as many as 1,000 volunteers to work security, help with parking and at souvenir tents, act as runners, etc. For more information, e-mail volunteers@rootsnbluesnbbq.com. Call Voluntary Action Center, 573-449-6959.

HARRY S. TRUMAN MEMORIAL VETERANS' HOSPITAL needs volunteers to provide support to patients and families. For all information on how to help, email nathan.witt2@va.gov. Call Nathan Witt, 573-814-6405.

CENTRAL MISSOURI HUMANE SOCIETY needs volunteers on Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to noon for the "Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound" program. Call The Humane Society, 573-443-3893.

CAMP HICKORY HILL needs volunteers to help with facility maintenance and for clerical/office work such as typing, filing, newsletters and mailings. E-mail camphickoryhill@yahoo.com. Call Ken Luraas, 573-289-6792.

COLUMBIA FARMER'S MARKET at Ash and Clinkscales needs volunteers from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday mornings to help at the information booth and for other volunteer opportunities. E-mail Victoria at informationcafe@yahoo.com. Call Victoria, 573-447-0220.

AMERICAN RED CROSS needs instructors to be part of a lifesaving team. Instructors train local individuals to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergency situations as an American Red Cross Instructor. Positions are available to teach CPR and First Aid, babysitting, disaster preparedness presentations and to help with general educational activities. Weekday, evening and weekend positions available. Training is provided and a minimum time commitment is required. E-mail jwiecken@redcross-boone.org. Call Julie, 573-445-9411.

PERSONAL ENERGY TRANSPORTATION enables people who are leg-handicapped to live a life of pride, hope, comfort and productivity by providing them with mobility. The majority of the gifts of mobility have been the three-wheeled, hand-cranked wheelchairs now affectionately called "PETS." The PET project is not wed to just a particular model or machine. If you have welding, metalworking, or woodworking skills volunteer to build parts. You may also send your tax deductible donation to: PET MO-Columbia 1914 Heriford Rd. Columbia, MO 65202. Call Personal Energy Transportation, 573-866-7877.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS has volunteer opportunities this summer with Special Olympics Softball from 6 to 8 p.m. at Again Street Park on Mondays for youth/women and on Tuesdays for Team and Men's. Volunteers are also needed at Shepard Elementary on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. for Special Olympics Tennis. Special Olympics Golf needs volunteers from 6 to 8 p.m. at L.A. Nickell Golf Course. To volunteer, email Jody Crane at jfcrane@gocolumbiamo.com. Call Jody Crane, 573-874-7312.