Volunteer programs

Springfield’s volunteer hotspots

LAUREN JOHNS tunity can apply to work during “Brew Staff Reporter at the Zoo.” @lje2017 “We need people who can serve beer, times,” Edwards said. “For individuals, we would need them to collect trash, serve food, guide foot traf

Through volunteering, students get to actively help their fic (and) help extra vendors who may community while keeping up with the requirements of scholarbe on-site,” said Chelsea Hoover, special ships and extracurriculars. Whether you’re looking for a one-time events and volunteer coordinator for the activity or a greater commitment, Springfield has an abundance Zoo. “I don’t have a system in place for of opportunities. signing off on hours, but I will be flexGreene County Parks need me to.”

Greene County Parks accommodates a wide range of facil The Dickerson Park Zoo typically ities and locations, including sports facilities, pools, gardens and offers unpaid internships for students over 75 miles of trails. Most of the volunteer work caters to over the summer, aimed more towards larger groups, rather than individuals, according to officer Jenpostgraduates, according to Pamela ny Edwards of the Greene County Park Board. Price, conservation education director “It’s easier to formulate a group once or one person several for the Zoo. ible in doing what I can for students who fill out an application and do a background check for many of Eden Village (The Gathering the opportunities we have.” Tree) Greene County Parks partners with Springfield Botanical According to their website, Eden Gardens, where volunteer work ranges from working in the Village prides themselves in creating Eden Village is a tiny home community on Division Street. Botanical Center Building to mulching, weeding and planting relationships and a community with the in the gardens. disabled and homeless. The organization If running and biking trails are more your speed, Ozark was founded in the fall of 2010, when members of a small church The best part of this volunteer experience is building relaGreenways hosts volunteer days to clear paths of trash and denoticed the steadily-growing concentration of homeless people tionships with others, Ewens said. bris. in downtown Springfield and wanted to take action. “The children are always such a joy to spend time with wheth For larger groups like sororities and fraternities, Miracle “This organization helps the homeless population of Springer that be playing house, playing on the playground or even League, a special program designed for individuals with disfield by providing them with beautiful communities and homes holding one of the babies for hours,” Ewens said. “FAC is always abilities, is applicable. Each athlete is given a buddy and they to live in,” said Connor Ewens, senior music/vocal-choral maa blast.” play baseball. jor and co-president of MSU’s Bear Service Team. “The leaders Despite volunteering most of his time with Eden Village and “Big groups come to sponsor their team, wearing matching in charge of this project are so passionate about what they do Foster Adopt Connect, Ewens wants to give credit to all charities uniforms and partnering up with players to help them as needed,” and their passion is absolutely contagious, especially once you’re in the area. Edwards said. “I dare you to go and not want to come back. It’s able to interact with and meet the wonderful people who live in “There are a large amount of amazing programs you can tons of fun.” the communities they have created.” volunteer with in Springfield that are just as deserving as the The Springfield Parks Board is also partnered with the Dick As stated by the website, the causes of homelessness cannot organizations I chose to discuss,” Ewens said. erson Park Zoo. be addressed until fundamental needs are taken care of, like Those 21 and older who want a one-time volunteer opporfood, clothing and shelter. Campus and Community Gardens “My time spent with Eden Village startCampus Gardens are run by Missouri State’s Sustainability ed with helping them paint the community Commission and Student Government Association, making them center at their first location,” Ewens said. conveniently located and tied directly into the campus programs. “I fell in love with the people and with the According to their website, the gardens provide fresh produce mission and have continued to come back to students and members of the community. Clubs and organiand help through things like gardening, zations are encouraged to participate and earn service hours. To cleaning and whatever tasks they need done learn more, contact CampusGarden@Missouristate.edu. in order to create a beautiful living comFor another off-campus option, look into Springfield Com munity for their community members.” munity Gardens. They have 19 gardens listed on the website in the Greene County area and are working to support new farmers. Foster Adopt Connect “I have a strong passion for the environment and living in According to their website, Foster Adopt harmony with it, and community gardens does a great job showConnect has over 20 years of experience casing and educating volunteers about this,” said graduate stuworking in Missouri Foster Care, working dent Kenya Reeves, former president of MSU’s Green Student to create brighter futures for the neglected. Alliance. “Campus Gardens also does a great job with this, and “Foster Adopt Connect is another great gives a lot of students opportunities to help in their garden, as organization that’s not as well known and well as donating most of their harvest to people in need in the is in constant need of help and volunteers,” community. They partner up with several food banks throughout Ewens said. “This is essentially a support Springfield.” and informational group for foster families Students interested in learning about more volunteer oppor in Springfield. The group (Bear Service tunities can contact United Way. Team) often collaborates with meets once “They are an umbrella organization that helps advocate and Photos by Brenna Lumley/THE STANDARD a month and we volunteers are able to spend raise money for lots of organizations across the United States, The Dickerson Park Zoo is a 15-minute drive northwest of campus. time with their amazing kids while their and they have an office here in the Ozarks that can help you,” guardians have a meeting.” Edwards said.