One of the greatest gifts that people can give to each other is time. Nothing can compare to the benefits reaped when individuals come together with the goal of improving and enriching the lives of others. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor shows a tremendous increase in volunteerism nationally since the September 11th attacks. This increase has been sustained for the past years, demonstrating that people value the importance of volunteering and that value system is taking root across the country.
Since 1994 the Missouri Community Service Commission (MCSC) has helped build a sense of community and volunteerism throughout the state of Missouri by encouraging volunteerism and by providing grants to local communities. The MCSC receives funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service in Washington, DC. The purpose of these funds is to enable local communities and not-for-profits to implement AmeriCorps programs in their geographical areas. AmeriCorps Members serve to address the most pressing local civic needs in their communities and neighborhoods. The MCSC is composed of fifteen to twenty-five Governor-appointed Commissioners with expertise in areas of community service and volunteerism.
Commissioners and staff work together to encourage all Missourians to give of themselves to make Missouri a better place to live for all of its residents. In our annual report, we highlight some of those efforts. Many Missourians throughout the state have helped to achieve positive results in Missouri’s communities. Whether it be the AmeriCorps Members serving their communities, or the volunteers who donate their time throughout the year and on Make a Difference Day each fourth Saturday of October or Martin Luther King Day in January, the Commission has had much success empowering individuals to “make a difference” in Missouri communities.
One of our goals for the coming year is to increase the number of volunteers to make an even greater impact throughout our state. The annual report will provide you with information on the Commission’s activities during the 2007-2008 program-year. We believe that we have positively impacted citizens in the state of Missouri, and would like to share some of our program’s success stories with you. You are welcome to contact us at any time to further discuss activities of the Commission. We hope that you will join us in future endeavors to encourage volunteerism throughout the state.
We invite you to visit our website at: www.movolunteers.org or contact us at: 573-751-7488 or toll-free at 1-877-210-7611.
Sincerely,
Angela Stiffler
Chair, Missouri Community Service Commission