COLUMBIA, Mo. – For any company or organization, the ability to give back to their local community is a crucial part of their day-to-day operations. Mizzou Athletics is no different, as they continue to work with several local groups in the Columbia area.
Every year, local residents will see Mizzou student-athletes and members of coaching staffs from numerous Mizzou sports programs making a positive impact in the community. While they may not gain as much attention as their student-athlete counterparts, staff members from Mizzou Athletics have also continually made their presence known around mid-Missouri.
Recently, individuals from Mizzou Athletics’ strategic communications office aided in two exciting community service projects. Beginning with the departments’ new “Adopt-A-Spot” location off Forum and Nifong in Columbia, staff members have made it a priority this summer to help beautify their newly appointed spot.
“It was such a great opportunity to head outside the office, and make a positive impact on behalf of Mizzou Athletics,” said assistant director of strategic communications Jenny Dewar. “We spent about an hour picking out weeds, cleaning up trash and making our Adopt-A-Spot look better than ever. I know everyone is looking forward to making this location look as great as possible all year long!”
Leading the charge in Mizzou Athletics’ new Adopt-A-Spot location is Lindsey Miller from the Tiger Scholarship Fund. Entering her seventh year inside TSF, Miller serves as the Director of Development in annual giving for her respective department.
As a former graduate from the University of Missouri in 2004, Miller has built a special connection with the Columbia community and knows the importance of giving back to the area she has grown to love.
“Maintaining something like an Adopt-A-Spot might appear small, but it can truly make a big impact inside a community like Columbia,” said Miller. “Mizzou Athletics will continue to make our presence known inside the area, and we look forward to helping out this city for years to come!”
Another organization that Mizzou Athletics continues to build a positive relationship with is Missouri Meals on Wheels. The Columbia Meals on Wheels location has been supporting the local community for over 40 years and relies heavily on aid from volunteers such as Mizzou Athletics staff members.
Meals on Wheels of Columbia strives to assist individuals with problems related to nutrition and health, by providing delivery of a hot nutritious meal to home-bound people of any age, people with limited ability or incentive to shop or cook, and people recovering from recent hospitalization regardless of their ability to pay.
JoNetta Weaver, Executive Director of Columbia Meals on Wheels, leads the training program for all new volunteers of the program. Between 100 and 120 meals are delivered each day throughout the area every Monday through Friday. Needless to say, the ability to have passionate and dedicated volunteers for the program is key for Weaver and the rest of her staff.
“Meals on Wheels is highly dependent on volunteers to deliver hot meals to senior citizens in Columbia,” said Weaver. “It is so rewarding when a group of working adults join together to drive once a week. Recently Mizzou Athletics came as a group to be trained and then share a route on Tuesdays. It’s a great example of collaboration between a business and a non-profit!”
Mizzou Athletics has been a mainstay in countless number of local Columbia organizations. This has included associations with Granny’s House, Boone County Master Gardner, Walk to End Alzheimer’s, United Way, Central Missouri Humane Society, Special Olympics of Missouri, Rainbow House, and Crossing Kids.
For more information on volunteer opportunities with Columbia Meals on Wheels, please visit their website at http://www.mealsonwheelscolumbia.org/ or contact JoNetta Weaver at mowheels@gmail.com.
Stay tuned to MUTigers.com throughout the summer and upcoming school year for more exclusive content. You can also follow Mizzou Athletics on Twitter @MUTigersDotCom
Source: http://www.mutigers.com/genrel/070214aag.html
