The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Carthage, Jasper County

Discussion

November 1, 2009

Jo Ellis: Volunteer oportunities abound in Carthage

CARTHAGE, Mo. — I always try to at least skim the comic section each day.

Not only is it good for a few smiles or chuckles, it’s reaffirming that we all share the same faults and foibles — and we can still laugh at ourselves.

One day last month, I noticed that many of the comics were focusing on a single subject: volunteerism. I’ve since learned that we are right in between Make a Difference Day (Oct. 24) and National Family Volunteer Day (Nov. 21), which set me thinking about the many volunteer opportunities we have in Carthage.

Here, in no particular order, are just a few of them.

The Carthage Crisis Center for the homeless or stranded “definitely” needs volunteers, said Brian Bisbee, director. “We can use older teens all the way up to people who are 96, and I am not sure I wouldn’t accept a 97-year-old,” he joked. Volunteers may assist with job transportation, the phone desk, clerical work, cleaning, working with children who are living there, and mentoring clients, day or night.

Help is especially needed for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Day dinners the center serves to those in the community who are without benefit of close family. People may contact Marilyn Bisbee, volunteer coordinator, to help.

Tish Bentlage, director of the Carthage Humane Society, said she needs volunteers “whenever,” but especially in the winter months when teen volunteers are busy with school. People are needed to adopt foster animals until they can be permanently settled, “or just come in and walk them because dogs get tired of sitting in their pens,” she said.

The mobile adoption program needs volunteers to take animals to pet stores and other locations to show them. Volunteers also help with laundry, and as soon as the new grooming tub is plumbed, they can bathe the dogs. Someone to answer phones gives the staff members extra time for their duties.

At St. Luke’s Nursing Center, volunteers can provide one-on-one time by reading or watching a movie with patients or taking them outside for fresh air. Director Sue Joslen said bringing kids or grandkids for a visit energizes the patients. “They love kids,” she said.

Pets that are well-behaved and on a leash also are welcome. Playing Wii is a popular new activity to share with patients. “They love the bowling game,” Joslen said. Stacy Bennett is the volunteer contact person.

Crosslines Ministries of Carthage needs around 100 volunteers a month just to take care of the donated clothing store. Belle Lown, director, said people are needed to check customers in and out of the store, and also to sort and clean clothes, and keep the display racks full. Volunteers are needed from 8 a.m. to noon weekdays.

The Can Do Senior Center can always use volunteers to help deliver Meals on Wheels and to help around the center. Volunteers lead an exercise class every Wednesday and Friday. People who like working with seniors may contact Scott Teegardin to volunteer.

Or, “do it outdoors” with the Kellogg Lake Nature Center and Preserve. A work day was held last week to remove debris left by recent flooding. Another will be held soon. Gardener types are needed to prune, weed, mulch and generally assist the city parks department in maintaining the park. The contact person is Chad Reed, president.

At McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital, many volunteers are used to greet people and direct them to where they need to go, or to help with valet parking. The hospital auxiliary has raised thousands of dollars to pay for equipment through its gift shop that is staffed entirely by volunteers. Watch for the annual luncheon and gift sale, coming soon, and a new cookbook next spring. To volunteer for these jobs, people may contact Shala Rogler or Beth Simmons at the McCune-Brooks Health Care Foundation.

Stone’s Throw Dinner Theatre, artCentral and the Powers Museum are worthwhile cultural organizations that depend on lots of volunteer help.

The list could go on and on, but I’m sure you get the idea. The opportunity is out there, just waiting for you to volunteer.

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Carthage, Jasper County
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