VAC's unique programs are designed to address unmet needs in our community, giving low-income people the opportunity to gain independence, overcome crisis, meet their basic needs, and improve their quality of life. VAC also provides volunteer information, training, and recognition, encouraging our community to respond to social problems and community issues.

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Support VAC!

Join us for the seventh annual Spring Into Action dinner, awards ceremony and auction!

The Club at Old Hawthorne,
Wednesday, May 28
5:30 p.m.

Roger Wilson will host the evening of awards and a live auction while guests enjoy a wonderful dinner. This year Susan Gowin will receive the Hazel Riback Award for service to the Voluntary Action Center. Susan is a dedicated and active VAC volunteer, and has served for years on our Board of Directors, including four years as president. Dan Scotten will receive the Outstanding Community Service Award. He is recognized throughout Columbia as a person always willing to lend a hand. We will also be introducing a new award this year, the Heart of VAC Award, which we are pleased to present to Dan Schuppan and Billy Sapp for their generous support of our annual Christmas Family program.

In addition to honoring these wonderful people, guests will have the opportunity to support VAC's programs and services by bidding on auction items donated by local businesses.

Old Hawthorne is the place to be on May 28! The food will be superb, the auction fun, and four remarkable people will be honored for their generosity, service, and involvement in our community. For more information, to purchase tickets, or to discuss corporate sponsorship options, call Voluntary Action Center at 874-2273.

Posted at 5/08/2008 HERO Award Winners Announced!

The 7th annual HERO Awards reception was held on Tuesday, April 29, recognizing all 42 individuals and groups nominated for the awards, and announcing the three winners for 2008!

The winner in the Group Category is the P.E.T. Project – Personal Energy Transportation. P.E.T. Project volunteers have built more than 10,000 three-wheeled, hand-cranked carts for people in 63 countries who have lost the use of their legs due to landmines, polio, birth injury, leprosy, poor nutrition and even crocodile bites. Cart recipients have previously crawled on the ground or relied on someone else to carry them. The P.E.T Project volunteers truly understand and recognize how to help persons in need.

The winner in the Youth category is Dylan Conn. Within a four-year time span, Dylan has volunteered for 112 local volunteer projects, groups and organizations. His volunteer service totals 362 hours. He originally became involved in many youth-based community events to meet new people, but helping those less fortunate has become a driving force within the heart of this young man. A few of the groups who have benefited from Dylan’s services include March of Dimes, True/False Film Festival, VAC’s Lunch in the Park, Art in the Park, Humane Society, West Junior and Hickman High School clubs and Show Me State Games. Dylan has established a strong firm foundation of civic mindedness and the makings of a lifelong volunteer.

The winner in the Individual Category is Bill Klett. By volunteering for Boone Hospital Home Care Hospice, Bill uses his love of life, positive attitude, enthusiasm, dedication, encouragement, and compassionate listening skills to help terminally ill individuals and to provide support to their families. Bill had first-hand experience with this need when his wife was sick with cancer. He has now been able to use his understanding to help others through their stressful and painful experiences. With his constant availability and unexpected hugs, Bill knows how to give his heart to volunteerism by putting others first. Bill is a true HERO to many people in the Columbia community and it is without hesitation that Bill was honored for his noble efforts to bring comfort to so many.

Congratulations to all the 2008 HERO award nominees and winners!

Posted at 5/01/2008 HERO Awards Reception

On Tuesday, April 29, 2008, VAC and the Columbia Daily Tribune will be hosting a reception to honor all the 2008 HERO Award nominees, and to announce the 2008 winners!

This year we received 25 individual, 3 youth, and 14 group nominations, and a panel of independent community leaders has chosen a winner in each category. Each nominee will receive a keepsake award, and the winners will each receive a $500 check for the organization where they volunteer their time.

Attendees will enjoy appetizers, dessert, and musical entertainment by pianist Todd Pederson and a Stephens College music student. For more information or for reservations, please contact the Voluntary Action Center. Reservations must be received by April 22nd.

Posted at 4/16/2008 VAC Newsletter

VAC's April/May 2008 newsletter is now available! It provides lots of great information about upcoming community events, VAC events, and volunteer opportunities. To see VAC's older newsletters, or our Annual Report, visit our Documents & Publications page.

Posted at 4/01/2008 Hickman High School Charity Bazaar

Hickman High School will be sponsoring a Spring Charity Bazaar Fundraiser

Saturday, April 5th 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
HHS Commons - West Entrance.
1104 N. Providence

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Voluntary Action Center and McCambridge Center

Posted at 3/11/2008 Boone County Agency Volunteer Count

VAC recently completed an informal survey of local agencies to tabulate the number of Boone County volunteers utilized by these agencies in 2007.
A total of 104 agencies responded, reporting that:

74, 427 volunteers donated a total of 2,411,995 hours to these agencies in 2007, which amounts to over $45,273,146 of economic impact to Boone County!

These agencies could not have completed all the vital work they do in the community without the help and time of these wonderful volunteers.

Thank you Boone County Volunteers!

Posted at 3/11/2008 Directory of Community Services

VAC is currently updating our Directory of Community Services for Boone County!

If your agency would like to be included in this Directory, or if you need to update your current entry, please contact VAC at 874-2273, or projdir@vacmo.org. Agency entries in the Directory are free.

We hope to have the fully updated directory ready for distribution this fall.

Posted at 3/03/2008 May 2007 June 2007 October 2007 January 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008