City Volunteer Program reports a successful 2025

During the City's 2025 fiscal year, volunteers contributed 32,764 hours of service, valued at over $1.1 million.

That number represents a slight increase of 1.7% compared to last year. The City of Columbia Volunteer Programs staff reports that approximately 7,000 residents volunteered during the year.

The three City departments where volunteers provide the most service are Parks and Recreation, Housing and Neighborhood Services, and Utilities.

Volunteers help keep our City clean and looking good.

More than 7,800 bags of litter were collected from streets, parks and streams. Volunteers play a crucial role in promoting recycling and composting. They maintain Adopt-A-Spots in medians and street intersections, keep our parks safe and well-maintained, and assist with City-sponsored events.

Other highlights included completing the first year of Love Your Block, a Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation program designed to support neighborhoods in central and northeast Columbia, and celebrating 25 years of Youth In Action, a volunteer program for young people aged 12-15.

The 2026 theme for the Volunteer Program is "Join our Volunteer Family." Volunteering is a great way to make new connections with other residents and City staff, while making a valuable contribution to the community.

To learn more, visit Volunteer Programs or email [email protected].