After the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, Calif., Chip Cooper and his family decided to “counteract the ugliness in the world by adding some beauty to it.” From there, the family donated 750 spring bulbs and planted them along the MKT Trail for travelers to enjoy. Chip, a long time volunteer of the Parks and Recreation Department has helped coordinate and fundraise to make projects such as planting flowers along the trail a possibility. “We believe that it’s important for everyone to contribute a little bit to the community so that we’ll all enjoy a wonderful place to live (as we do in Columbia),” Chip said. “We intend to keep planting flowering plants together along the MKT and other trails for many years to come. It’s a lot of fun and we can enjoy the fruits of our labor during the annual bloom.” Chip has been volunteering for over three decades and doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. In his spare time he enjoys bike riding and avidly follows Mizzou softball and women’s basketball.
Written by volunteer Abby Holman
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