BRUSH volunteers head for Mozingo

Northwest Missouri State University students will be on clean-up and fix-up duty at Mozingo Lake Park this weekend.

Volunteers signed up for Northwest's BRUSH program (Beautifying Residences Using Student Help) have been performing annual or bi-annual community service projects since 2004.

Usually the chores have involved repairing or painting older homes. But this fall's project will be a little different.

Amy Nally, university director of volunteer, service learning and civic engagement, said that after years of painting houses and doing landscaping for the elderly and lower-income families, BRUSH teams will work with City Hall to make improvements at Mozingo, a 3,000-acre recreation area and impoundment east of town.

"This year we are trying to spread out further into the community," Nally said. "We typically help the elderly, but we think that there can be benefits to helping the city as well."

Students crews will stain and paint five cabins and a meeting facility this Sunday.

Nally said that the program helps build relationships between Northwest students and the community they call home while in college.

Typically the fall project is the biggest of the year. BRUSH organizers also occasionally take on smaller jobs in the spring. In the past, Nally has reached out to churches and the Nodaway County Senior Center to find people in need of help.

The work usually includes painting and landscaping as well as raking, removal of yard debris and general maintenance for residents who, for a variety of reasons, have trouble doing the work themselves.

Many campus organizations, including fraternities, sororities and student clubs, help provide volunteers. Materials, equipment and supervision has often been donated by local businesses.

Last year more than 350 students signed up to help, the highest number ever. Nally expects even more people to show up this year.

Since 2004, forty-eight properties have been cleaned up and repaired through the BRUSH program.  Other projects have included Robertson-Crist park on Prather Avenue.

"There is a huge sense of satisfaction and pride in the work," Nally said. "It is a great way for the students to embed themselves in the community and be a part of it. Plus it is an opportunity for them to build leadership skills and meet people that they might not meet on a regular basis."

Anyone wishing to participate in this year's BRUSH effort can get details online at www.nwmissouri.edu/studentaffairs/volunteer/brush. Signup sheets can be submitted by organizations until 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13.

Pizza and beverages will be provided during the work day, and all volunteers will receive a T-shirt for participating. For more information, call Nally at (660) 562-1954 or email anally@nwmissouri.edu.