City of Cape Girardeau Cape Girardeau Volunteer Fair Recap
On January 15th, a Volunteer Fair was held at the Salvation Army Cape Girardeau Building. There were 20 booths from Cape, Jackson, Perryville, and Farmington in attendance, all looking for volunteers. The fair had 60 attendees, one of them being Cape Girardeau Ward 2 Council Representative Tameka Randle, who also spoke at the event about the importance of giving to your community. We also spoke with Elizabeth Shelton, Executive Director of United Way, about why giving back to your community through volunteering is important. You can view the video interview here. In case you missed it, every booth in attendance is listed here, with what kinds of volunteer work they are looking for and where to find more information.
Red Star Food Pantry
Red Star Food Pantry is a Christ-Centered Food Pantry that has served the Cape Girardeau Region since the floods of 1993. They need people to sort food, pack bags and boxes, load into cars. There are income-based programs, and programs for seniors. Find them on Facebook here.
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center
The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center is looking for volunteers to assist with education programs, taking care of the education animals, trail and garden maintenance, guest services and reception services. You can find more information here.
Crown Hospice
Crown Hospice is a Hospice Care Service in Cape Girardeau founded in 2006. They are looking for volunteers to do bedside sitting and visiting for nursing homes, clerical volunteers, filing work a couple hours every week, and even musicians to sing or play for the nursing homes. To learn more, click here.
Tiger Lilies Mentorship Program
The Central Middle School Tiger Lilies is a mentorship program committed to providing a positive environment where young ladies are empowered to discover their inner strength. The mentors work to build a positive self-image and enhance individuality while at the same time promoting post peer relationships. The Tiger Lilies are looking for people in education who specialize in fields that can help girls be well rounded. Volunteering can take place during school and after school. You can donate here and find their Facebook here.
Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri - Missouri Mentoring Partnership Program
Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri’s MMP Young Parent Program is designed to support young mothers and fathers as early as 12 up to age 23 who are pregnant and/or parenting and reside in Cape Girardeau County. They are looking for mentors who can give four hours a month of their time to go over parenting skills and foster a safe environment. For more information and to donate, click here. To volunteer, click here.
FosterAdopt Connect
FosterAdopt Connect works with children, youth, and families as they navigate the complexities of the child welfare system. They recently partnered with the Hope For One More Home For Children in Jackson. They also have a clothing closet and food pantry called Sammy's Window. FosterAdopt Connect is looking for volunteers to assist with the children's home, the clothing closet, as well as foster parents. For more information, click here.
Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland
You don't have to be a leader to volunteer for the Girl Scouts! The Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland is looking for leaders, co-leaders, chaperones, drivers, and people to assist troop meetings. For more information, click here.
AmeriCorps VISTA Program
The Americorps VISTA program is a volunteer organization aimed at fighting poverty in poor communities. They are looking for full-time volunteers. You can volunteer in any country of the United States. For more information, click here.
The Salvation Army
Emergency disaster workers, social workers, and general volunteer assistance. This includes Food pantry assistance, weekly meals, food donations, and food donation. There is even a hospitality department that serves coffee at organizations. Their website is here and their Facebook is here.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri is a mentoring program that partners with young people in their pursuit of meaningful, stable, and independent living. They are looking for caring adults who can make a year-long commitment to build relationships with youth for four hours each month. Volunteering options are flexible, ranging from one-on-one mentoring to community-based. For more information, click here.
Missouri Department of Social Services Children's Division
The Children's Division is responsible for the administration of child welfare services. The Children's Division works in partnership with families, communities, the courts and other governmental entities toward ensuring the safety, permanency, and well-being of Missouri children. They are looking for foster parents. For more information, click here.
Southeast Missouri Food Bank
SEMO Food Bank offers nutritional assistance and education to Southeast Missouri. Your donations allow us to feed struggling families throughout the area. They are looking for volunteers to pack food boxes for those in need. For more information, click here.
Hope Therapeutic Horsemanship Center
The Mission of Hope Therapeutic Horsemanship Center is to improve the quality of life for children and adults with special needs by providing horsemanship experiences in a warm, safe and compassionate environment. You don't need to know about horses to volunteer! They are looking for assistance with giving horse-riding lessons, as well as cleaning and taking care of horses. The Hope Therapeutic Horsemanship Center has locations in Perryville, Sikeston, and Farmington. To donate and learn more, visit their website here. Visit their Facebook here.
Missouri Veterans Home - Cape Girardeau
The Missouri Veterans Home Cape Girardeau location is an assisted living home for veterans. They are looking for volunteers to help with activities like bingo, poker and Yahtzee. They are also looking for Volunteers to spend quality one-on-one time with a veteran in the home. Visit their Facebook here.
Voices For Children - CASA of Southeast Missouri
A CASA volunteer is an unbiased, consistent, caring adult dedicated to taking the time to fully evaluate a child's situation and represent that child's best interest in court. The CASA Volunteer stays with the child's case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home with hope for a positive future.
They are searching for adult volunteers at least 21 years of age and can give at least four hours a month. They are also looking for nurses and teachers. To learn more, click here.
Oral Health Coalition of Southeast Missouri
The Oral Health Coalition provides dental screenings for schools and daycares. They also do fundraisers to help parents without insurance raise money for dental work. They are looking for volunteers to do paperwork, raise awareness, and assist with the dental screenings, speficially administering flouride varnish on children's teeth. To learn more information, visit their Facebook here.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is looking for Volunteers to assist with disaster relief and transporting blood products. You can also volunteer from home, work at blood drives, be a blood donor ambassador, or assist with reception. Of course, you can always donate blood as well. For more information, visit here.
United Way of Southeast Missouri
The United Way os Southeast Missouri is looking for all sorts of volunteers in all categories. One way to volunteer is to be a part of the Read to Succeed literary program. They are also looking for a new Board of Directors. Discover all of the ways you can volunteer for United Way here.
Discovery Playhouse Childrens Museum
The Discovery PLayhouse is a children's museum with 31 exhibits. They are looking for volunteers to asist with governance, building construction and design, and IT. For more information, visit their website here and contact them at info@discoveryplayhouse.org.
4H - University of Missouri
4H is looking for people with talents that they want to share with kids. Examples include woodworking, photography, music, etc. You will work with kids ages 5-18. To volunteer, contact the Cape Girardeau County youth program associate at jhphares@missouri.edu. Visit their Facebook here.
Thank you to Voices for Children, United Way of Southeast Missouri, Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri, the Salvation Army, and AmeriCorps for putting this event together!