JEFFERSON CITY – United Means of Central Missouri’s annual Days of Caring is again for its second 12 months following the COVID pandemic on Thursday.
The occasion will run by the afternoon on Friday.
Ann Bax, the president of United Means of Central Missouri, says she is anticipating a turnout of greater than 250 volunteers to help a number of native organizations with project-based service alternatives.
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“There’s actually a job for everybody,” Bax mentioned. “There’s a whole lot of portray initiatives, there’s a whole lot of out of doors initiatives. There’s placing mulch on playgrounds, gardening, weeding. There are alternatives to work with adults with disabilities, and there is alternatives to bake cookies for youngsters at Particular Studying Heart. Our brokers are very strategic in making an attempt to supply all completely different sorts of volunteer choices.”
There are over 1,200 United Methods all through the world, and Days of Caring is an initiative all through the community. Totally different United Methods do their Days of Caring at completely different occasions.
United Means of Central Missouri is partnered with 28 company associate places, together with American Pink Cross, Boys and Women Membership and the Salvation Military. There might be volunteer alternatives at round 25 of those places, primarily within the Cole County area.
United Means of Central Missouri noticed fewer volunteers at Days of Caring due to the pandemic final 12 months. That is why they launched a brand new volunteer platform, known as Volunteer Connection, final 12 months to get extra concerned.
Bax mentioned Days of Caring specifically permits volunteers to really feel extra related to those organizations.
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“It helps individuals see the interior workings of those companies. Folks could not likely perceive what Boys and Women Membership or Massive Brothers Massive Sisters does, or Salvation Military,” Bax mentioned. “This provides them a possibility to go inside these doorways and see the work of the group. So typically we hear ‘I did not know they did that’ or ‘I did not know this was occurring on the company and I used to be actually excited to get to be taught extra about it.’ Typically as soon as somebody turns into of Days of Caring Volunteer, they’re at all times a Days of Caring Volunteer.”
Days of Caring had 400 volunteer alternatives this 12 months, of which they’ve crammed about 250 spots.
“Earlier than COVID, we’d get round 300 to 340 volunteers,” Bax mentioned. “There’s nonetheless positively initiatives [this year] that we do not have sufficient volunteers for, however we have now a whole lot of nice people who find themselves going to be on the market over the following two days, serving to us get necessary work achieved.”
She mentioned she thinks staffing shortages are additionally partially a explanation for the volunteer scarcity.
“Plenty of companies are having challenges discovering employees, so permitting people from their groups to depart in the course of the day to volunteer, it could be just a little tougher,” Bax mentioned.
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Nonetheless on the identical time, these companies are additionally having hassle discovering employees, making volunteering in Bax’s eyes extra necessary now than ever.
“Actually the staffing challenges that our enterprise companions are seeing are being felt by our company companions within the nonprofit area,” Bax mentioned. “We’re all feeling that crunch of not having sufficient employees, so Days of Caring couldn’t come at a greater time.”
Although sign-ups have technically closed, individuals eager to get entangled can name the United Means Workplace at 573-636-4100 to listen to about what volunteer alternatives may nonetheless be obtainable.
A wrong-way crash on Interstate 29 near the Iowa state line in northern Missouri early Sunday killed two Kearney teenagers and injured another. The crash happened just before 7:30 a.m. when a man involved in a multi-state police chase drove the wrong way on I-29 with an unbuckled 1-year-old in the passenger seat. The chase ended near the Iowa-Missouri border when the suspect’s vehicle collided head-on with a Ford Focus carrying three 18-year-olds from Kearney.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – As Missouri transitions to a new administration, there is a lot of uncertainty about what the election results mean for contraceptive access. One non-profit says this uncertainty has led to an increase in requests for help.
Although Missourians voted to pass Amendment Three, enshrining abortion access into the state constitution, the election of an anti-abortion governor has many confused about what’s next.
That confusion has led to an increase in requests for these emergency contraceptive kits. Missouri Family Health Council sends out emergency contraceptive kits on request Before the election — Leslie Klote says there were about 19 requests a day for a kit – but following the election, requests spiked to 150 per day.
“Patients are just really afraid of just what these changes might mean for them personally,” Klote said.
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The kits contain two doses of a contraceptive pill, condoms, lubricant and information on different reproductive care resources in Missouri. They can be requested online through Missouri Family Health Council’s website. The kits are sent in the mail in unmarked envelopes.
Governor-elect Mike Kehoe previously told us he would respect the results of the election — but still focus his efforts on abortion alternatives.
Many of those alternatives can be found at pregnancy centers, like Coalition Life in St. Louis. Brian Westbrook with Coalition Life says Amendment Three was unnecessary.
“There are safety nets for women here in the state of Missouri,” Westbrook said. “We didn’t need Amendment Three or any amendment to give them the safeguards.”
In addition to abortion, Amendment Three does protect access to other forms of birth control. But even with that, Klote says the future of reproductive care is uncertain going into next year.
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“I think there’s a lot of fear and uncertainty with the changes that are happening both at the federal and state level,” Klote said.
Amendment Three is set to go into effect Dec. 5. Planned Parenthood has filed a lawsuit to lift Missouri’s abortion ban, that has a hearing set for Dec. 4.
Which Missouri high school athlete had the best week?
Each week, SBLive scours the state for the top fall sports performers, from football to cross country to volleyball from all contests in the week of Nov. 11-16. That included the state championships in boys swimming and diving this past weekend.
Congrats to Parkway North football star Messiah Smith, who ran away as the leading vote-getter with 61% of the votes towin SBLive‘s Missouri Athlete of the Week for Nov. 4-Nov. 9.
During a 42-20 win over Fort Zumwalt East, the senior ran for 140 yards on 14 carries. That pushed his career total to 3,494, becoming the all-time leader for the Vikings. The late Aaron O’Neal held the previous mark with 3,491 yards.
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Scroll down, read up on the nominees and cast your vote for your winner in the poll at the bottom of the page. Voting closes Sunday, Nov. 24 at 11:59 p.m. Central time. Winners are announced in next week’s athlete of the week feature. Email all future nominees to swanson@scorebooklive.com
MISSOURI ATHLETE OF THE WEEK NOMINEES
Porter Allen, Liberty North boys soccer
For the first time in school history, the Eagles are headed to the state semifinals. The sophomore had the game-winner in overtime on Saturday, a 3-2 win over Rock Bridge.
Andrew Baklanov, Rockhurst boys swimming and diving
The senior won a pair of state championships for the Hawklets in the Class 2 finals on Saturday. He won the 100-yard backstroke and the 200-meter individual medley, where he set a new meet record with a time of 1:46.69.
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Tyler Bax, Blair Oaks football
He had four total touchdowns in the first half, with three passing and one on the ground — and also had more than 100 yards rushing in the first quarters — in a 42-6 win over Boonville in a battle of top-10 ranked teams.
Brody Blatt, Parkway Central boys swimming and diving
The junior was on two winning relay teams — 200 and 400 freestyle — and was the runner-up in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle in the Class 1 finals. That helped the Colts win a third straight-team title.
Austin Chu, Clayton boys swimming and diving
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The freshman won the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard individual medley at the Class 1 finals for the Greyhounds on Saturday.
Trey Clervi, Rock Bridge boys swimming and diving
The senior repeated as the 100-yard breaststroke championship and set a school record in the race in the prelims. He was second in the 200-yard individual medley — also a school record — and was on the 200-yard medley relay and 200-yard freestyle relay that was all-state with a top-8 finish.
Connor Dunker, SLUH boys swimming and diving
The junior won the 200-yard freestyle and was on the winning 400-yard freestyle relay. He also two medals for the Jr. Bills by taking third in the 500-yard freestyle and on the 200-yard freestyle relay.
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Brian Gould, MICDS football
The Army pledge had 2 passing touchdowns, 2 rushing touchdowns, 252 yards rushing, 151 yards passing, 3 tackles and 1 interception on defense in 38-14 win over Hazelwood East on Friday.
Deacon Gutshall, Platte County boys swimming and diving
Twice at the MSHSAA State Swimming finals, he broke the school record in the 500-yard freestyle, first at 4:34.93 in the prelims and then at 4:34.70 in the finals, taking third.
Graham Henderson, Liberty boys swimming and diving
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The freshman was second in the 100-yard backstroke; 50-freestyle and was on a 200-yard freestyle relay that was second and a 200-medley relay that was third — which broke the school record with a time of 1:33.95.
Jaxon Hicks, Liberty football
In a 28-7 win over Blue Springs South, he scored a pair of touchdowns and ran for 280 yards to help the Blue Jays lock up their first district title since 2005.
Josh Imhoff, Rock Bridge boys soccer
The junior had a goal and an added an assist in a 2-1 win over Blue Springs in the Class 4 District 7 championship game on Monday. It was a third straight district title for the Bruins.
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Palmer Keith, Platte County boys swimming and diving
In his final trip to state, the senior broke the school record in the 100-yard breaststroke (58.32) and in the 200-yard individual medley (1:54.19.) for the Pirates.
Rocco Marriott, Platte County football
The 6-foot-3 junior threw four touchdowns and ran for another to help the Pirates stay undefeated and win the Class 5 District 8 title on Friday against St. Pius X (Kansas City). He was 6-for-11 passing for 225 yards.
Brayden Matheney, Hallsville football
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After losing the final four games of the regular season, Matheny guided the Indians to three straight district wins to take the title. In a 37-35 win over Moberly on Friday, he threw for 345 yards and 3 touchdowns and added two more scores on the ground.
Preston McCracken, Republic football
The junior, a Missouri State baseball pledge, ran for 304 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-10 win over Branson in the Class 5 District 6 finals.
Dylan Rebura, Nixa football
The running back finished with 6 touchdowns and 234 yards on the ground to help the Eagles beat Joplin, 48-21, in the Class 6 District 5 title game.
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Noah Reeves, Lee’s Summit boys swimming and diving
The senior set a new state record in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 20.20 during the Class 2 finals on Friday. The Florida Atlantic signee was the runner-up in the 100-yard breaststroke and was part of two all-state relay teams — the 200-yard medley and 400-yard freestyle.
Mariano Rodriguez, Lafayette County football
The senior did a little bit of everything in the Huskers’ 82-41 win over Father Tolton Catholic in the Class 2 District 3 final. He had 4 rushing touchdowns, 1 passing touchdown and also added a fumble return for a score.
Jalen Ruble, Warrensburg football
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In a 38-35 win over Pleasant Hill, in the Class 4 District 7 finals, the sophomore defensive back had two interceptions.
Whitaker Steward, Kearney boys swimming and diving
The junior set the 200-yard freestyle Class 1 record with a time of 1:38.36 in winning the title. He added a title in the 500-yard freestyle. Steward was on two all-state relay teams as well for the Bulldogs.
Isaac Stinson, Hallsville football
The 6-foot-4 target had a big game to help the Indians win their straight game to lock up the Class 3 District 3 title with a 37-35 win over Moberly. He had 15 catches for 186 yards, 3 touchdowns and 3 2-point conversion catches.
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Phineas Theall, Cape Girardeau Central boys swimming and diving
The senior won a pair of Class 1 titles — the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly — at the state meet. He broke the Class 1 record time in the butterfly.
Max Van Stone, Chaminade College Prep boys swimming and diving
He repeated as the Class 2 diving championship by scoring 507.25 points — winning by more than 70 points. He joined Ron Hobbs (1988, 1990) as a two-time diving champion for the Red Devils.
Landon Weber, De Smet boys soccer
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The senior had the lone goal in the Class 4 District 2 championship game on Nov. 16 to beat CBC. Then, in a 4-2 playoff win against Lindbergh on Saturday, he had another goal.
Tobias White, Battle boys swimming and diving
The sophomore set a school record in both the 50-yard freestyle (22.13) and the 100-yard breaststroke (1:00.94) in the Class 1 finals on Saturday for the Spartans. He was all-state in both events.
Gage Wright, Grain Valley boys swimming and diving
The Eagles had two of the top three finishers in the Class 1 diving finals. Wright won the title with a score of 409.15 points in his three rounds of competition. He’s the school’s first champion in this sport.
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Editor’s Note: Our Athlete of the Week feature and corresponding poll are intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. However, we do not allow votes that are generated by script, macro or other automated means. Athletes who receive votes generated by script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified
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