GET INVOLVED
Cleanup Columbia is Saturday, with volunteers working throughout the morning. Bags and gloves are provided. This is a great volunteer event for individuals and groups of all sizes, types and ages. After trash pickup, volunteers are invited to lunch at Twin Lakes Recreation Area. Contact the city of Columbia Volunteer Programs at 874-7499.
GRO, Grass Roots Organizing, is looking for volunteers to collect signatures on its initiatives to raise minimum wage to $8.25 and cap payday loan interest rate loans down from the current 1,950 percent limit. Training provided. Contact Rachel at 443-4476 or Rachel@gromo.org.
The Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture needs volunteers at the Urban Farm, 1209 Smith St., from 4 to 6 p.m. every Thursday. More information is available at www.ColumbiaUrbanAg.org.
Art in the Park is looking for volunteers to help assist with the festival over the weekend of June 1 through 3. Various roles are available. Sign up at www.artintheparkcolumbia.org/volunteerform.html.
Heart of Missouri Court Appointed Special Advocates needs volunteers at least 21 years of age to serve as advocates for foster children. CASAs give 10 to 12 hours each month over a two-year period to advocate, investigate, monitor and facilitate on behalf of abused or neglected children who are in the custody of the state. Intensive training is provided, making the volunteer a non-attorney officer of the court. Training begins April 26, but an interview is required beforehand. Contact Terrie at heartofmissouricasa@hotmail.com or 442-4670 for more information.
Blue Thunder Track Club seeks consistent, positive role models for sprints assistant coach, race-walk coach, middle-distance coach and possibly others to lead youths ages 7 to 18 interested in competing and improving their skills. Experience in events is preferred but not required. Contact Camren Cross at 874-6378 or cdcross@gocolumbiamo.com.


I don't think they are as aware of it upstate as they are downstate," said Paul Virginia, co-partner of Western New York Check Services LLC on Fillmore Avenue. The battle marks the most significant effort in recent years to bring payday lending or