Volunteer contributions are worth more than words can say

It has been several weeks since I last visited with you. It is time to get back and hopefully I will get this weekly column accomplished again. Readers and members of my family have encouraged me to start writing my column again. It is easy to keep postponing doing so.

This is not volunteer week or anything like that, when a special time is established to pay tribute to volunteers, but working with volunteers was an important part of my extension career. The 4-H program depends to volunteers and I have worked with many great volunteers. The program would not operate without them. They benefit area youth in many ways. Many of them carry out a major commitment and worked hard at their efforts. As a matter of fact, as a professional, it was difficult to keep up with some of those great volunteers.

In recent weeks, I have given thought to what the many volunteers are doing.

Some of the same people are volunteers in different programs and organizations, while some of us do not do anything toward volunteering.

Perhaps what really got me to thinking more about the contributions of volunteers is the tremendous improvement volunteers made to the cattle barn at the youth fair.

They contributed a great amount of skill and time in the task. After the task was done, it looked great and will be of great service to the fair and the community, a professional job.

Another improvement that took place at the fairgrounds was the expansion, remodeling, and improvement of the pop shack. Galen Gazaway led this project, working with other volunteers. That was also a great project and added much to the youth fair.

There were other things done to make the fairgrounds look more attractive. It was a great job by volunteers to get ready for the fair.

It doesn't end there. Many volunteers are involved with the fair in a number of capacities.

As I have mentioned, the volunteers for the fair caused me to think of all the things and the ways volunteers help in our community. I can list a few of these, and you can add others.

For instance those great folks who are hospital auxiliary are of great benefit to patients and families.

There was a report recently given to the hospital board of the number of hours they contribute as volunteers. When putting a money value on their hours, it is a great sum. Not only that, but they make large contributions to the hospital as result of their gift shop that is operated by the auxiliary.

A large number of volunteers donate their time and skills for the Bushwhacker Museum. Many of these volunteers are highly dedicated, which you will find with volunteers every where.

The scouting program depends on volunteers and young people benefit as result.

An example of the volunteer effort in action is seen in the adults who went to the Boy Scout camp. These adults took off from their work and spent time with the boys. This is all most unbelievable when you hear who some of these individuals are. They were willing to contribute their valuable time.

Community Council Performing Arts people continue to amaze me. Their volunteers have done great things and coninue to do it. Developing the Fox Play House is no easy task, but yet adds much to the community. At the last performance, there was a large number for the cast. There are also volunteers who work in the background, doing such things as setting up the stage and clean up.

We do not want to forget the churches. Each one have volunteers serving in different ways such as Sunday School teachers, board members and many other ways. A good example of the volunteer efforts are the Vacation Bible Schools that were held in the community. Each project took a number of volunteers to create a high level of success.

An important organization that uses a large number of volunteers is Habitat for Humanity. They not only use volunteers to build homes, but use volunteers to raise funds and in other ways.

One event that was impressive with a large number of volunteers and the success they had was the Relay for Life. That event involved a large number of volunteers and these people also raise a great amount of money to fight cancer.

Service clubs and other community organizations also accomplish many things as a result of volunteers.

The chamber of commerce depends on the help of volunteers and there are several who give a helping hand.

At the Missouri State Fair, the Missouri Cattlemen's Association has a place where they feed people with beef and raise money to promote beef, the Beef House. Not only do Vernon County people volunteer to do things in the home area, but there were several from the Vernon County Cattlemen's Association working at the Beef House.

Again, they were giving of their time as well as transporting themselves to the fair to volunteer for their cause. I saw many volunteers from other places doing things a the fair as well. These are only a few ways volunteers are making a major contributions. At present there are people raising funds in and around Nevada, gathering supplies to help with the storm disaster area. There are those making trips to provide help to the area.

Contributions made by volunteers to our society is considerable. A great amount of thanks go to all of the volunteers for the many things that is done.

There is no way to place a true dollar value on the service that is provided -- we count on all of these folks.