The University of Central Missouri hosted a volunteer fair on Jan. 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Elliott Student Union, to inform students about opportunities to serve the Warrensburg community. While 19 volunteer organizations were represented, this article highlights four of them and provides information about their services and how one may get involved.
- UCM’s MO Volunteers
According to junior Aaron Bax, President of Communications, the primary mission of MO Volunteers is to connect students to volunteer opportunities in the campus and community. Opportunities for involvement include UCM events, such as the Martin Luther King Day of Service; Breakers, a spring break volunteer trip that is hosted by MO Volunteers; and other events that are hosted by community organizations external to UCM.
“It’s important for students to volunteer because it’s a key part of your academic life. Obviously, primarily when you come to college, you’re coming to learn. But alongside learning what your degree is, you’re learning to be a member of the community, and part of being a member of the community is volunteering. Also, it’s a great way for students to interact with each other,” said Bax.
MO Volunteers hosts biweekly meetings on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. in the Student Activities Office, which is located in the Elliott Student Union. Interested students can contact Bax at [email protected].
- Ascend Health
Ascend Health is a hospice service based in Lee’s Summit, but they service over 250 patients across Missouri, including in the Warrensburg Community. The goal of their volunteer program is to bring volunteer support to hospice patients and their families. Volunteers can spend time with patients, do community crafting projects and help with administrative support.
“It is important to understand that people need people, and we will always need people… These are not people who are just waiting at death’s door. They are people who are still living their lives and want to enjoy every moment of it,” said Volunteer Supervisor Darrelle Randol.
Before participating, volunteers must undergo an application and interview process. For more information, visit ascendhealth.com/volunteer or contact Randol at [email protected].
- Johnson County Adult Literacy Program
The Johnson Country Adult Literacy Program aims to help people improve their reading, writing, math and English-as-a second-language skills, along with test-taking skills, driver’s license tests and GED classes. They look for volunteers to help with tutoring and fundraiser events.
“I think it’s very rewarding to watch someone grow and be able to have freedoms that they didn’t have before: they pass their driver’s license, they can read the menu when they go into a restaurant, or they cannot be embarrassed, because they’ve learned something to help them through their lives. I think that it’s also very convenient, because you get to plan when you are going to meet,” said Coordinator Donna Petentler.
The program is located at 432 N. Holden St. and more information can be found at jcalp.org or [email protected].
- Johnson County Prevention Coalition
Sponsored by Recovery Lighthouse, the Johnson Country Prevention Coalition aims to prevent substance abuse among children and teenagers in the community. They seek UCM student volunteers to help advise them on how to connect with younger audiences.
“I do know how dangerous this is personally, because I lost a child to fentanyl, and I don’t want that to happen to any other family, because I saw what it did to his brothers and sisters and the impact it has outwards on friends,” said member Glenda Carmack, who is also the Office Professional for UCM’s Department of Biological and Clinical Sciences.
To get in contact or to find more information, visit or send a message to Johnson County Prevention Coalition’s Facebook account.
More Information About Volunteering
According to Central Connect, UCM’s online platform for student organizations, students who complete a minimum of 25 service hours in one academic year qualify for UCM’s “Commitment to Service Award.” If students complete 75 volunteer hours in one academic year, they will also be awarded a graduation service cord. Volunteer hours can be submitted on Central Connect, and questions can be directed to Volunteer Services in the Elliott Student Union Office of Student Activities at 660-543-4007.
