Fair offers mid-Missouri volunteer options
Published Aug. 31, 2007
MU emphasized community service and dealt with the heat at the 16th Annual Celebration of Service Volunteer Fair on Wednesday.
"I think it was our hottest year," Volunteer Action Center Executive Director Cindy Mustard said.
The Volunteer Action Center provides opportunities to volunteer and directs support for the community and co-sponsored the event with the University YMCA.
Fifty-three of the anticipated 57 organizations set up booths in Lowry Mall.
Most organizations recruited between 10 and 40 students, Mustard said. The University YMCA reported 30 students recruited and the American Red Cross Mid-Missouri Chapter talked with 75 interested people. Although she had no official count, Mustard said the center handed out 150 of its volunteer directories.
Mike Odneal, executive director for the Red Cross in Boone County, said he thought it was a very good event.
"There were a lot of booths and opportunities for students to see," he said.
Both Odneal and University YMCA Executive Director Julie Alexander have positive opinions of student volunteers. Students in general have much energy and have a much to give, Alexander said. Odneal said past MU volunteers had been creative, technologically knowledgeable go-getters.
Odneal said he doesn't see differences between student and adult volunteers beyond skill sets.
"If someone is a volunteer and of a volunteer mindset, there's no difference between students and adults," he said. "Their hearts and their minds are in the right place no matter what the age."
Odneal also discussed the benefits of volunteerism and said there were both personal and professional benefits.
"Personally, students get a great opportunity to find what they are good at," he said. "Professionally, it's great for a resume. It shows students are actively engaged in areas that are important."
Mustard said the community benefits, as well.
"It's an awareness of what the students have to offer," she said. "(The organizations) really appreciate the support students give."
Mustard said that in future career fairs, she would like to put up signs at either end of Lowry Mall to inform students.
Mustard said other organizations that attended included Boone County Family Resources, Columbia Public Schools and the MU Asian Affairs Center.
Mustard said there were some first-time attendees of the event, including the Rusk Rehabilitation Center and Columbia Safe Kids Coalition.