Looking for ways to help the Springfield community? Consider volunteering with a local organization.

April 1 marked the beginning of National Volunteer Month, established in 1991 by former President George H.W. Bush. The recognition expanded upon National Volunteer Week established in 1974 by former President Richard Nixon, but many national organizations continue to dedicate a week each April to volunteerism. 

Volunteer Ozarks is a free online platform that helps individuals interested in volunteering connect with nonprofits in Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas. The website, www.volunteerozarks.com, began in 2018 as a collaboration between KY3, United Way of the Ozarks, Community Foundation of the Ozarks, and the Drury Leadership Collaborative, formerly known as the Center for Nonprofit Leadership. Users can search through 29 categories, including opportunities related to animals, youth, hunger, and senior services. 

Jessica Hawkins, a KY3 employee who works on the website, says there’s something for everyone when it comes to volunteering. 

“A good way to start volunteering is to find something you’re passionate about,” Hawkins said. “What interests one person may not interest another, but just having a small interest in something can possibly grow once you volunteer.”

Volunteering gets college students involved in their community while also building their resume. Hawkins explained that some nonprofits on the website also offer group volunteering opportunities, which can provide student organizations ways to get involved as a team. 

Students who want to emphasize professional development with volunteering may benefit from The Network, a group affiliated with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce that connects students and young professionals ages 21-39 interested in furthering their leadership and career-related skills. Students can pay for a membership to access the group’s events, but the Network’s website, www.thenetworkspringfield.com, also provides a free list of additional organizations offering volunteer opportunities for anyone interested.

If you’d like to get involved in the Springfield community and don’t know where to start, explore these opportunities offered by organizations near Drury and downtown Springfield:

Gillioz Theatre 

• Opportunities to volunteer at events, such as ticket scanning, wristbanding, and ushering

• www.gillioztheatre.com/volunteer

Ozarks Literacy Council

• Volunteer reading tutors, classroom readers, office help, and special events

•  www.ozarksliteracy.org/volunteer

Salvation Army

• Opportunities to help with food and clothing donation sorting, office help, and kitchen assistance

• centralusa.salvationarmy.org/midland/springfieldMO/volunteer  

Springfield Community Gardens

• Help with general upkeep of gardens, including weedeating and harvesting

• www.springfieldcommunitygardens.org/get-involved  

Springfield-Greene County Libraries

• Looking primarily for gift shop volunteers, but also has opportunities for maintaining library materials, office help, and delivering books as a part of the Walking Books program

•  www.thelibrary.org/donate/volunteer.cfm   

Springfield Little Theatre

• Opportunities related to set construction, backstage roles, costume design, front of house roles, and office help

• www.springfieldlittletheatre.org/support/volunteer  

Springfield Symphony Orchestra 

• Looking primarily for concert/event volunteers, but also offers opportunities for office and stagehand help

•  www.springfieldmosymphony.org/volunteer  

The Kitchen 

• Opportunities in receiving and organizing food donations, office help, and cleaning
•  www.thekitcheninc.org/volunteer   

Veterans Coming Home Center 

• Opportunities in food service, community outreach, and other shelter roles

• www.vchcenter.org/serve