05/07/2026
Last week, we had the incredible honor of hosting our "Shine a Light on Healing" Volunteer Appreciation event. It was a beautiful afternoon filled with gratitude, shared memories, and a room that held over 272 years of combined volunteer experience!
Since our founding, volunteers have been the driving force behind our growth and impact. They are the reason we can provide 24/7 crisis hotline support, offer comfort kits at local hospitals, and ensure that all our services remain completely free of charge. Last year alone, this collective effort allowed us to serve over 2,000 unique individuals.
A few special highlights from the evening:
✨ We honored our vital community partners: Mercy SANE Program, Cox Health SANE Program, Greene County Circuit Clerk’s Office, and the Professional Answering Service. Your collaboration makes our work possible.
✨ We announced a very special renaming! In honor of her 44 years of professional service to victims in southwest Missouri, our annual award is now officially the Paula Tindell Volunteer Victim Advocate of the Year Award. Your impact continues to shape this work in ways that are felt every day.
✨ We proudly presented the very first Paula Tindell Award to Amy Hoffman! Since joining us in 2025, Amy has contributed over 400 hours on the crisis line, providing compassionate intervention and support. Congratulations, Amy, and thank you for your extraordinary commitment!
To every past and present volunteer, board member, and event committee member: Thank you. We cannot fulfill our mission to help victims move from trauma and tragedy to hope and healing without you. As we look to the future, we invite you to stay involved, whether through upcoming events, mentoring new volunteers, or sharing your experiences with others in our community. Your continued commitment helps us build on our Legacy of Healing and our Future of Hope! ❤️