Volunteer Programs is located in City Hall, 701 E. Broadway, fifth floor, in Community Development. We can be reached at 874-7499 or Volunteer@CoMo.gov.
Do you enjoy fun, rewarding and new experiences? Then Volunteer Columbia has just the opportunity for you!
Here’s how you can volunteer! APPLY FOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
Volunteer Information Center – SELF SCHEDULE AND LOG HOURS
Do you enjoy helping out at our Special Events and Festivals? We are looking for volunteers to join our Special Event team and agree to provide support for our many special events! Team members agree to help with three events during the calendar year. In exchange, we will provide you with a special t-shirt to wear during events and other perks and recognition along the way! Join the team!
Special Olympics is looking for volunteers to help with sports in the new year:
- Bowling-Saturdays, starting September 9 – A commitment to a sports season is NOT required. Bowling will be on Saturdays from 12-3:30 p.m. at AMF Town & Country Lanes, 1508 N. Providence. Volunteers can choose which shift they would like to work and are assigned to a lane to keep bowlers on task. Shifts are available- 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Volunteers are welcome to stay the entire time!
- Basketball will be held at New Haven Elementary School, 3301 E New Haven Rd on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. starting on November 27 until March 6.
If you are looking for an exceptional volunteer experience, please contact Jessica Sida. Volunteers must commit to the entire season and have a Class A Application on file. Learn more about Special Olympics by taking a look at their September Newsletter!
Neighborhood Park Fun Day at Lange Park, 2011 Smiley Ln–Calling all families! Set aside an evening for fun and get to know your neighbors. Variety of activities and games provided. We are looking for volunteers to help with setup/cleanup and supervise the kid’s games and craft areas from 5-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 27 The next Neighborhood Park Fun Day will be at on Wednesday, October 11 at the Downtown Optimist Park, 100 E. Forest Ave.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection –Saturday, October 7– Volunteers are needed to assist with traffic and direction and paint sorting. Shifts are available 8:00am-10:00am and 10:00am-12:00 p.m. Household Hazardous Waste is located at 1313 Lakeview. This is an ongoing opportunity the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month April through November. Self schedule or contact Jody Cook for more information.
International Festival at Auburn Hills Park-We need volunteers to help with event setup/cleanup and event support from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday, October 7.
Bear Creek Run– Albert-Oakland Park-The Bear Creek Run Half Marathon has quickly become a favorite race in Mid-Missouri. Runners and walkers have come to love the scenic course along the Bear Creek Trail. The race will take place on Saturday, October 14 starting at Albert-Oakland Park. We need volunteers to support the following positions:
Course Support: 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. , 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 8-10:30 a.m.
Finish Line: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Hinkson Clean Sweep-Saturday, October 14 (10 a.m.-12 p.m.) is a city-wide stream cleanup event where volunteers work together to clean area streams that are part of the Hinkson watershed. The result is a healthier watershed and attractive community. Volunteers are provided with mesh and trash bags. Sites are led with trained volunteers and supporting staff. Select the location appropriate for you, your family, organization or group. Everyone can participate! This event is appropriate for individuals and groups of all sizes, and people of all ages and abilities. Volunteers may choose to serve the following sites:
Bring Your Own Big Wheel~Ghosts & Goblins will be held on Saturday, October 28 at the ARC, 1701 W Ash St. This is a great event for kids to bring their fanciest Big Wheel, tricycle or other pedal powered vehicle to cruise the ARC track! We need volunteers to assist with registration and course setup/cleanup and support from 8:30-11 a.m.
Homeless Youth Awareness Month Dodgeball Tournament will be held on Saturday, November 18 at the Armory Sports Center, 701 E. Ash St. This tournament is a partnership with the Rainbow House and Columbia Parks and Recreation as a way to raise awareness about youth homelessness. Volunteers are needed to support this event by serving as referees, timers, court support, and bracket trackers for the entire tournament from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. or shifts available from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 12:15-2:30 p.m.
Do you like running? Come run with some kids through the Blue Thunder Cross Country Team! Parks and Rec is looking for assistant coaches who have a passion for running and working with youth. The assistant coach will have a chance to coach, guide and instruct the young men and women in their continuous pursuit of mastering their craft. Season starts on August 29 and runs until mid-November Practices are usually on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10-11 a.m. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, complete a background screening and commit to an entire season.
The Health Support Group is a brand new program looking for volunteer group leaders. Volunteers must be 21 years old and older, energetic, consistent, caring and have a passion for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Sessions will be held the first and second Tuesday of each month from 6-7 p.m. at the Armory, 701 E. Ash Street beginning August. For more information, contact Camren Cross.
Litter Pick Up Leaders help us engage other volunteers in caring for our environment! Tasks include bringing supplies (provided by the City), checking in volunteers, providing basic instructions, and helping them have a great cleanup!
Park Pacers is a brand new program with Parks and Rec! We are looking for volunteers with a good energy and can work well with others to serve as leaders of this new walking group program. The group will meet from 6-7 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month at Indian Hills Park, 5009 Aztec Blvd, and on the second and fourth Thursdays at Auburn Hills Park, 5101 Derby Ridge Dr. If you are interested in becoming a group leader, please contact Caleb Floyd.
Columbia Parks & Recreation Community Recreation Program has several volunteer opportunities including:
- We are looking for piano instructors and guitar instructors!!
- Foreign Language Instructors: Share your foreign language skills with children and/or adults – 3 program choices available, great opportunity to change someone’s life! E-mail Mary Dewey to volunteer or call 817-5077. This activity will continue again in the fall. You do not have to be an expert, just willing to teach (instructional materials are provided) and confident.
- The Armory Science Klub (ASK) is looking for a teacher to work with young scientists. Projects may include: making volcanoes, discovering chemical reactions, launching rockets, etc. Experiments will vary each session.
- Volunteers are needed to help with the Lil Lady Bulldogs Cheer & Dance Group
- The Sho-Me Sho-Stoppers are looking for dance instructors! If you have the skills and energy for this amazing opportunity, contact Mary Dewey with Community Recreation in Parks & Recreation.
- Hoppers Double Dutch Team is looking for a Double Dutch instructor! If you enjoy double dutch/jump rope then contact Mary Dewey to find out how to get started!
Share YOUR special skill through Community Recreation! If you have a talent or passion that you’d like to share with kids, teens, adults or seniors/boomers but don’t see it listed here, let us know! Contact us to share your idea.
Getabout Columbia a project of Columbia Parks & Recreation has opportunities for Trail Ride Leaders and Education Campaign Assistants.
The City’s Volunteer Program and the Public Works Stormwater Education Program are partnering on a volunteer program to allow residents to adopt a rain garden
Graffiti Removal: Neighborhoods and individuals are invited to adopt public areas that are frequently tagged with graffiti.
Opportunity in Cultural Affairs: Help us measure the impact of the arts by serving as a Survey Collector for our Arts & Economic Prosperity Study. There will be opportunities throughout the year. Read the position description. To learn more, contact Sarah Dresser in the Office of Cultural Affairs.
Student/Internship projects: We have a variety of semester (or longer!) projects ideal for students including sidewalk snow removal and recycling education. Contact us to learn more!
Board & Commission Openings – There are many great ways to serve our City!
Office of Neighborhood Services
View our Event Calendar to see the many opportunities for volunteers.
Complete a volunteer application, you can fill it out online, or print out and mail it to us. Our address is Volunteer Programs, City of Columbia, P.O. Box 6015, Columbia, MO 65205.
Office Location Information:
We are located at 701 E. Broadway, in City Hall. We are part of the Office of Neighborhood Services, in the Community Development Department. Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Because we have a small staff we recommend calling before you make a trip to our office. We look forward to your visit!
Volunteer Guide for new and existing volunteers
What is Volunteer Columbia?
Volunteer Columbia connects citizens who want to serve with city staff and departments who have opportunities to help! The mission of the City’s Volunteer Programs is to provide valuable opportunities to build community while volunteering in city government.
Why Volunteer?
As a volunteer, you become a partner with Volunteer Columbia to implement programs that benefit you, your neighbor and the community as a whole! At the same time you can meet new people, explore new careers, stay active after retirement, or spend quality time with your family. Best yet — you’re helping others and making a difference in your community.
The City offers innovative volunteer opportunities that foster personal growth, development and satisfaction. The City will work to find a volunteer assignment that will fit both the talents and the time you want to share.
If you are interested in other volunteer opportunities with the city, e-mail us at Volunteer@CoMo.gov or call 874-7499. Volunteer opportunities exist in every department and together we’ll find the right one for you.
View Budget Information for this Department.
Volunteer Columbia!
City of Columbia
Community Development Department
Office of Neighborhood Services ~ Volunteer Programs
P.O. Box 6015
701 E. Broadway – 5th floor
Columbia, MO 65205
(573) 874-7499
9-20-17