City of Columbia

October 2020 Volunteer of the Month – Kelsey Tang

We are pleased to honor Ziya “Kelsey” Tang as the October Volunteer of the Month. Kelsey is an international student from Hangzhou, China majoring in journalism at the University of Missouri. Kelsey quickly got involved with volunteering after arriving in Columbia. Kelsey saw volunteering as a way to give back to those in the community who were helping her assimilate to a new culture.

Whether Kelsey is educating the public about waste reduction as a trained Recycling Ambassador, helping with a Parks and Recreation event, Household Hazardous Waste collection or a litter event she finds great value in her service. “I feel involved in Columbia because of volunteering.  I think the best way to get involved in a community is to help others.” Kelsey feels when people are volunteering together “… we are united even when we haven’t know each other before.” The best part of volunteering for Kelsey is the good energy she receives from working with others to contribute to the community.

In China, most volunteers are high school and college aged volunteering earning credits for service. Kelsey has enjoyed volunteering here in Columbia where there is more community involvement and a diverse age range of volunteers.

Kelsey misses her beautiful home city of Hangzhou, but is grateful for all the volunteer opportunities that have made her feel a part Columbia.