[Press Release] : City of Columbia volunteer numbers increased in fiscal year 2009

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2009

CONTACT: Leigh Britt 
Neighborhood Services Manager
(573) 874-7504

City of Columbia volunteer numbers increased in fiscal year
2009		
						
	(COLUMBIA, MO) - Volunteers shared 47,387 hours of service with
the city of Columbia during the 2009 fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2008, through
Sept. 30, 2009) according to a report shared with City Council at the
Dec. 7 meeting. This is the greatest number of hours logged by
volunteers since the city began tracking hours in 1997 and a 9.4 percent
increase from the previous year. 
	Based on the national value of an hour of volunteer service,
$20.25, time given by volunteers is valued at $959,586.75. The city’s
Volunteer Program’s staff estimates that more than 6,000 residents
volunteered during FY09 and nearly 750 individuals and groups contacted
the city with an interest in volunteering, also up 5 percent from FY08.

	“We are so thankful for the time and energy citizens share
with the city every day,” said Leigh Britt, manager of the city’s
Office of Neighborhood Services. “Volunteers support nearly every city
department and help us with many tasks, including assisting at special
events, working in our parks, supporting public safety efforts and
helping with administrative tasks.”	
	The increase in volunteer hours is attributed to several
programs in the Public Works and Parks & Recreation departments, as well
as the addition of new Adopt-A-Spot Beautification beds and a successful
Cleanup Columbia, a city-wide trash pick up event. 
	In addition to these volunteer efforts, city staff estimates
that at meetings alone members of City Council shared 1,313 hours and
those on boards and commissions gave more than 4,076. 
	With the city’s 2010 fiscal year, volunteer programs became a
division of the new Office of Neighborhood Services. Beginning in
January, the program will be housed at 3601 S. Providence Road. To find
out more about volunteering with the city, call 874-7499 or visit
www.GoColumbiaMo.com/Volunteer.


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