The City of Columbia offers an incredible variety of opportunities for volunteer work – the only difficulty may be choosing where to give one’s time.
Just ask Carolyn Oates, a Columbia resident since 1963. Oates is currently involved in Columbia’s First Night celebration, the Mayor’s Challenge: Bike, Walk and Wheel Week, Adopt-A-Spot Beautification and was recently named to the Mayor’s Council for Physical Fitness and Health.
Oates says that her enjoyment of the First Night festivities initially drew her to volunteering nine years ago. Since then, she has served on the First Night Board and as Board President, coordinated venues and been responsible for logistics and supplies.
Her passion for biking lead to her involvement in the Mayor’s Bike, Walk and Wheel Week, which is an annual event emphasizing active transportation. Oates has been part of the Week since 2003 and has served on the planning committee.
As a Master Gardener, Oates has spearheaded an effort to partner Master Gardeners with volunteers in the Adopt-A-Spot program to provide mentoring and educational support. She also coordinated the adoption of a bed at Broadway and Old 63 with her employer, Missouri Cancer Associates. Oates says, “Columbia is such a great place to live – it offers so many educational and cultural opportunities. I feel blessed to live here.”
Article written by volunteer Sarah Madden
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