Many Hands Make Light Work

Submitted by Angela Lairmore, Director | Owensville Parks and Recreation

This year marked the third annual Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Club Workday in the Owensville park system. Twenty-four students from Owensville High School and a few outside volunteers set out on October 9 to improve the parks by painting parking blocks and lines, pulling weeds, mulching beds and trees, scrubbing light poles and benches along the trail, cutting goosegrass and cleaning tee box signs. These students do a great job giving back to the community through service and good deeds each year.

The department is very thankful that Club Advisor, Hannah Fletcher, reaches out every year to coordinate the volunteer opportunities. This is an invaluable partnership that helps the small staff complete tasks that are lower priority, but have high visibility. With the current estimated value of a volunteer hour equaling $33.49, the department saved nearly $2500 during the three hours of service. In return, the workday gives the students experience doing something they may not have been introduced to in the past, gains them service hours, teaches them what it takes to upkeep the park system, and provides insight into whether the parks and recreation field might be a potential career path.

To show gratitude for the continued club support and the effort each student gives, the department wanted to do something special this year. With donations secured from five local businesses, First State Community Bank, Jefferson Bank of Missouri, Legends Bank, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of New Haven and The Maries County Bank, the department threw a pizza party after the work was complete for the students, volunteers, and staff.

While coordinating tasks, site supervisors, and supplies can be a daunting job in advance, the payoff is well worth it. In the future, be sure to look in the unobvious places for partnerships. 