Volunteers Ensure Community Spirit Shines in Jamestown/Stutsman County!

Colorful flower baskets blooming on Main Street. Good Samaritan Day. A hand-painted mural brightening up the downtown corridor…

As Jamestown/Stutsman County Development Corporation (JSDC) celebrates April’s National Volunteer Month, we’re giving a shout out to all of the community members, business owners and organizations that continue to dedicate countless hours to making our area a better place for all.

“Everywhere you look, you’ll see the signs of community spirit in our county,” said JSDC operations coordinator Jamie Czapiewski. “It’s awesome to see how much time and effort people put into volunteering to enrich the lives of our residents.”

Needs Don’t Stick to a Calendar 

The Jamestown Kiwanis Club (JKC) continues with their commitment to serving the children of the area and building up a community that helps them thrive through food drives, and special programming. And while April may be National Volunteer Month, year-round volunteering efforts are important to the JKC.

Why?  

“Because needs don’t stick to a calendar! At Jamestown Kiwanis, we’re committed to making a difference all year long,” said member Rose Spitzer. “Whether we’re flipping pancakes at our fundraiser, packing meals for Kiwanis Against Hunger, or planning an unforgettable week at Camp Rokiwan, it’s about showing up consistently for the kids and the community.”

On Good Samaritan Day, KC members lent a hand with various projects at the James River Senior Center and cleaned up around Roosevelt School. They also launched a collection drive for personal hygiene items to support B-Unique Boutique at Jamestown High school. And don’t forget to sign up for the Camp Rokiwan Summer Camp in July!

“There’s nothing better than seeing community members come together for a cause. One of my favorite annual events is our Kiwanis Against Hunger meal packaging event. It’s actually what sparked my interest in Kiwanis back in 2016, and I became a member shortly after,” said member Hayley Wolf. “It’s powerful to witness people of all ages, all abilities and backgrounds working side by side toward a shared goal: feeding hungry children and families in our community. Since the event began in 2010, Jamestown Kiwanis has packaged over 1.5 million meals. What makes this event even more special is the inclusiveness it fosters. It’s something I get to enjoy alongside my own children. They help out, participate, and experience what it means to make a difference in their community.”  

CommUNITY Spirit 

JSDC is also applauding the following for their contribution to the community:

Jamestown High School Key Club: In February, they collected more than $150 and packaged up 40 baggies of laundry soap to support the Laundry Love program for Jamestown-area residents.

BluFrog Realty’s Bingo Bash: All proceeds from the inaugural event benefitted local charities and non-profits.

Jamestown Branch of the American Association of University Women: The Annual Garden Tour, Community Block Party, countless scholarship awards… their positive impact is felt year-round!

BIO-Girls: Building up the self-esteem and confidence of the next generation of Jamestown women through life-skills curriculum, mentoring and non-competitive physical activities, teaching them that they’re Beautiful Inside and Out!  

Jamestown Chamber of Commerce: Supporting our business community in a variety of ways, from business trainings to marketing and programming resources

And who can forget the new artwork gracing First Avenue? Last year, artist Max Patzner and his wife, Bethany, put the finishing touches on their catchy 250 x 25 “Food is Fun” interactive mural on the east side of Hugo’s Family Marketplace. The vibrant, North Dakota-themed mural, a collab between Hugo’s, Jamestown Tourism, and the Jamestown Downtown Association, took 40 gallons of paint and 42 hours of work to complete, giving everyone plenty of inspiration for selfies and Instagram posts.

It Matters 

Do you have a desire to volunteer but don’t know where to start?

“Look for causes that speak to your heart. You're not alone and you're already halfway there just by wanting to make a difference. Start small. You don’t need to change the world in a day. Whether it’s one hour, one event, or one act of kindness, it matters,” said Wolf.

“Just show up. You don’t need to have a special skill or a bunch of free time. Kiwanis is full of regular folks doing what they can, when they can. Come to a meeting, chat with a member, or jump in for a one-day event. We’ve got something for everyone—from teens in Key Club to adults in Aktion Club and everything in between. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to make a difference once you take that first step,” said Spitzer.

Discover more about the community spirit of Jamestown/Stutsman County and all of our amazing volunteer organizations including Rotary, Zonta, Lions, Optimist, El Zagal Jamestown Clowns, El Zagal Jamestown Mystics, EZ Wheels and more by contacting us today!