LINCOLN COUNTY – Volunteering has always been a signature mark of society. While still vitally important though, it has changed over time and may be coming more of a way for people to bond.

From a conventional, long-term commitment to a more adaptable and flexible approach with alternative choices such as shorter times, skillbased volunteer positions, and even virtually volunteering that works around job, family, and school schedules.

“Volunteers are the most important part of a nonprofit. Without volunteers, there would not be enough funds to pay employees to do what volunteers do out of the kindness of their hearts,” said Lindsey Kelley, growth coordinator for the Lincoln County Council on Aging (LCCOA).

In fact, Kelley herself started out as a volunteer before being hired as an employee for the organization.

Volunteerism is central to LCCOA so much so that in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the staff and board voted to stay open each day in order to continue providing meal and community connectedness.

“LCCOA was praised by United Way of Greater St Louis for being the only meal program they knew of in the state of Missouri that didn’t stop delivering meals. Not one day. When United Way asked ‘how we were able to accomplish this’, it was simple to put in one word, volunteers,” Kelley said.

But it’s not just LCCOA that finds value in its volunteers.

The Key Youth Center counts on volunteers, especially respite care ones to assist with the daily operations. Volunteer Coordinator Brooke Coleman says those who give of their time “play a crucial role” in proper operation of the organization regarding staff support and resident mentorship.

While respite care is not the only type of volunteerism The Key welcomes, their work is crucial.

At the basic level, a respite volunteer will give staff breaks and help provide a welcoming and safe environment.

Gradually, as volunteers learn the ropes, they often become mentors providing guidance and support to residents.

Last year, according to Coleman, a volunteer was onboarded who found the nonprofit on social media by chance and had no prior knowledge of The Key. However, the mission of the organization struck a chord with the volunteer.

Coleman says what made this volunteer truly exceptional is his commitment to be there and “he doesn’t just show up, he shows up for our residents” and “consistently demonstrates the power of human connection.”

“Since joining us, he has become a beloved member of our organization,” Coleman said. “Our residents quickly gravitated toward him, and it didn’t take long for him to become a familiar face and a trusted presence. In fact, the residents admire him so much that they invited him to spend Thanksgiving Day with them — a gesture that speaks volumes about the bond they’ve all formed. True to his nature, he accepted…He meets them where they are, offering his time, attention, and understanding without judgment.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of volunteering dropped from 2012 at 5.8 percent to 2022 at 4.2 percent. But there was growth for female volunteers from 4.1 percent in 2021 to 5.1 percent in 2022.

Per the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of hours a person volunteers has seen a decline. Also, the Bureau noted the biggest gains in volunteering between 2021 and 2023 were with millennials, ages 27-42 and virtually volunteering has been gaining traction.

P reviously, volunteering has consisted of a set number of hours and a specific role typically with a food pantry or some other type of institution. But with changing times, volunteerism has morphed into more than just a good deed. Volunteering creates a skill set of leadership, a sense of purpose, and forms bonds.

At NorthRoad Community Church in Moscow Mills, “volunteers are the heartbeat.” NorthKids has more than 300 people that are dedicated volunteers and each weekend fill close to 150 volunteer positions. In addition, there is a First Impressions team with over 100 people that fills more than 50 positions every weekend.

“We could not do what we do every weekend without them…It connects them to a community of like-minded individuals where new friendships can be formed and existing friendships strengthened. Volunteering also provides a place for creativity and collaboration, allows people to see things through a new perspective and can be very rewarding,” said Jen Richards, Children’s Director.

The responsibilities for First Impressions volunteers consist of being the first faces to members, visitors, and guests entering the building as well as answering questions.

With NorthKids, volunteers serve in many ways including tech and sound, safety, greeting families, leading small groups, rocking babies, teaching Bible stories, preparing small group materials, and more. NorthKids volunteers are of all ages ranging from middle school students to older adults and serves children from birth to age 5.

Additionally, the church has five services and volunteers are generally serving during one of the service times. According to Richards, the most significant way the organization adds volunteers is by having current ones bring them to the church.

“We have an amazing team and God provides what we need every weekend, but, I would not ever consider our team completely full. The ministry is continually growing. I am so thankful for every single volunteer and gladly welcome new volunteers that wish to serve with us,” she said.

For the Lincoln County Health Department, volunteers are both medical and non-medical. It houses the Missouri Region C North Medical Reserve Corps (MRC-N) and currently has 40 volunteers encompassing Lincoln, Pike, and Warren counties.

The volunteers provide aid to their community in times of catastrophe. Such disasters according to Sarah Valenza, public information specialist, can include the pandemic and flooding.

“MRC-N also can be activated for community events where volunteers can staff a first-aid tent, manage parking, provide radio communications, and staff information tables,” Valenza said. “Additionally MRC-N volunteers train on a variety of scenarios and participate in emergency response drills so when an emergency strikes actual response activities are effective and efficient.”

Valenza says that during the pandemic, MRC-N volunteers were critical as they were “supplementing local health department activities.”

For instance, nurses volunteered their time to give vaccines at the fairgrounds. In addition, she says volunteers are needed from a variety of backgrounds and almost half of volunteers are nonclinical.

“As we learned after the COVID-19 pandemic, social interaction is important for our health,” she said. “Social isolation puts us at risk for mental health and physical health conditions. Volunteering is good not only for individuals, but communities as well. The greatest strengths of a community might be its people and their relationships they share with each other.”