Grateful for our Volunteers

Love Columbia matches the time, skills and resources of community members with the needs of neighbors to enhance community-wide well-being. We help our neighbors improve their finances, housing and careers by providing coaching, classes and a wide range of practical services and supportive relationships. Our volunteers help Love Columbia serve the whole person and engage the whole community. Volunteers who offer help are enriched and changed just as much, if not more, than those who receive help.

Each year we engage around 400 volunteers and hope to continue growing. In this issue, you will read about some of the ways they serve and what they have to say about their experience. Love Columbia could not be more thankful for our amazing volunteer team!

Hands-On Impact at the Love Seat

Cameron Flatt, Love Seat Furniture Bank volunteer, reflected on his three year volunteer experience.

“Love Columbia is such an excellent place to volunteer. So many of us care but don’t know how to help. You can know for sure you are making a tangible change, putting someone on a better path. I come away feeling refreshed."

“You can also know your efforts are multiplied because your contribution is added together with what others bring," Cameron shared. "The outcome is greater than the sum of the parts. If you were doing it on your own you would be struggling to help.”

Karla Rumpf (right) currently volunteers weekly at the Love Seat with her sister LuAnn McClure (left). Karla has settled into this role after first volunteering with our Jobs4Life program and preparing transitional homes between families.

"Although these volunteer activities are very different, I have come away from all of them with such positive feelings," Karla said.

"These feelings come from working with a team of others who have the same goal, to help people who deserve to be cared for and valued. Love Columbia is such a special place, that works hard to reach out to the those who need encouragement, guidance and a helping hand. The most important thing people find there is in the name, 'Love.'”

Retiree, Dick Madsen has been repairing furniture for the Love Seat for over five years. He puts his love of restoration and carpentry skills to work, to turn unusable items into beautiful home furnishings.

Financial Breakthroughs through Coaching Matchups

Money management ripples through our community thanks to over 100 volunteer coaches. Here are two of their stories.

Burt and Barbara Miller had been involved in the benevolence ministry of their church for many years, but felt something was missing because so many of their clients were repeatedly needing assistance. They were drawn to Love Columbia’s Extra Mile financial coaching program as it was proactive rather than reactive.

“The Extra Mile format provided an opportunity to help people over the long term. It is a tool that can help people better control their financial resources and minimize those ‘my house is on fire’ moments. The program helps the client establish a set of money planning and spending habits that will show them how to make their money work for them and help them achieve financial security.”

Shannon Wilson, one of Burt and Barbara’s clients shared, “Burt and Barbara are a dynamic duo. I am personally grateful to them for sharing their insight and wisdom. They encouraged me to learn new things and to focus to find different perspectives. They have been transparent, consistent, and patient. They listen to me and are walking with me on my journey to freedom from debt. I consider them my friends and I love them to life."



Burt and Barbara encourage others to volunteer, “We have found the Extra Mile program meaningful and a good fit for our skill set and interests. Our clients have sharpened our skill set by sharing their experiences and providing knowledge about other financial aid opportunities and life experiences."

"You do not need to be a certified financial planner to show people how to develop planning and spending habits, to track how they spend every penny they earn, and to establish a spending plan based on their income. If you have the heart of a volunteer, contact Love Columbia’s volunteer coordinator, explain your skill set, and Love Columbia will find a place where you can bring a measure of peace and joy not only into your life but also other people’s lives.”

Drew Smith, Columbia Market President for First State Community Bank, is a career banker and self proclaimed financial nerd. His involvement with Love Columbia began several years ago through First State’s support of our organization and the encouragement of friends who served on our board. Drew’s wife, Tory Smith, rappelled The Tiger Hotel for Love Columbia’s Over The Edge fundraiser a couple of years ago and Drew supported our inaugural golf tournament last Spring.

In February, Drew took the plunge to become an Extra Mile financial coach and soon started coaching. “When we have a strong financial compass, we sometimes take for granted that others have the same depth of understanding or knowledge to handle basic financial needs," Drew said. "To be able to share experiences and provide guidance has a direct impact on an individual’s quality of life in a positive way.”

“I had two clients who were so excited about becoming homeowners, but they were struggling with budgeting," Sherry Wyss, Love Columbia Financial Coach and Certified HUD Counselor, said. "I knew Drew would be the perfect coach to help them in the Extra Mile program to overcome this challenge. Reading their weekly reports, I can see their dreams taking shape.”

Drew said about his experience,  “The sincere appreciation that I felt from the clients was incredible and I truly felt like the time together mattered.” He encourages others to give coaching a try, “If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to volunteer, Love Columbia checks all the boxes for meaningful and impactful service. You will walk away better as a result!”

Welcoming New Volunteers

Lisa, Love Columbia Career Coach, led two trainings in November for new volunteer career coaches. We’re excited to see the positive impact they’ll make on the lives of our Columbia neighbors.

Looking to get involved with coaching at Love Columbia? Connect with us at volunteer@lovecolumbia.org

Diana Buckner retired a year ago after over 40 years in administration at Daniel Boone Regional Library. She serves on our lobby welcome team and will start career coaching soon. 

“I heard about the good work of Love Columbia through my church and in the community and felt it would be a good place for me to serve,” Diana said. We are excited about the expertise she will bring!

Celebrating Volunteer Impact Award

Love Columbia is honored to announce our amazing volunteer transportation coach, Howdy Matheny, has received the 2024 Impact Como Award for Most Impactful Volunteer!

Howdy's dedication to helping others is truly inspiring. "I am one person, but I have a great village that helps me," he said in an interview with COMO Magazine.