Joy Rushing retired early from a job she enjoyed so she would have more time to volunteer. This petite lady with an infectious smile has a big enthusiasm for volunteering.
After moving to Columbia, Joy noticed an ad for the Columbia Hospitality Corps and started greeting and talking to visitors at the Lake of the Woods Visitors Center. She then joined Columbia Aquatic Restoration Project because she wanted to learn about caring for wetlands. Joy also serves on the City of Columbia’s Personnel Advisory Board that assists the Human Resources Department and reviews policies and appeals.
Through the years, serving the homeless and abused has been her passion. She used to prosecute domestic violence cases in municipal court, but now she volunteers at the Mid-Missouri Assistance League and Altrusa to help women and children, and at church helping the homeless. She is a committee member looking for a new day center for the Columbia Interfaith Resource Center to better help the homeless.
Volunteering at KOPN, Joy changes pace with a ragtime show, Sundays 5-7am, and a country show, Mondays 3-5pm.
Joy encourages people to volunteer. “Try different things until you find a good fit,” she advises. “The beauty of volunteering is you can say, ‘This doesn’t work for me,’ and try something new. With so many volunteering opportunities, everyone can find something they enjoy.”
Written by volunteer Theresa Nelson
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