2007 Economic Impact Awards Charitable Organization Honoree: Council of Churches of the Ozarks

When Council of Churches of the Ozarks was formed in 1969, the list of nonprofits in the Springfield area was a short one.

Today, there are 350 nonprofits in Greene County alone, said David Hockensmith, the council's executive director.

"A huge challenge ... is the incredible proliferation of not-for-profits," he said. "They are just growing like kudzu."

Despite the trend, Council of Churches remains strong, serving some 100,000 people in more than 50 Missouri counties.

The brunt of the council's impact, however, has been in southwest and south-central Missouri, where its nine operating agencies are concentrated.

Operating agencies under the council are the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Therapeutic Riding of the Ozarks, Child Care Food Program, Child Care Resource & Referral, Families for Children, Connections Handyman Services, Crosslines, Daybreak Adult Day Care and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

Council of Churches is a collaborative effort among Springfield area congregations and affiliate organizations that boasts an annual budget of $5.3 million.

Using a conservative multiplier of three, Hockensmith estimates the council's larger economic impact each year is about $15 million.

In any given year, he said, the council oversees about 2,000 volunteers who donate a total of 250,000 volunteer hours.

"Our Retired & Senior Volunteer Program is part of a national corporation for volunteer service," Hockensmith said.

"It deploys an awful lot of volunteers. You'll find those people in hospitals, libraries, nursing homes."

Last year, RSVP significantly expanded a Reading Buddy program that pairs volunteers with students at 30 area schools, Hockensmith said.

The volunteers read to children and serve as positive adult role models for the youngsters.

Therapeutic Riding of the Ozarks also made major strides last year.

The program, which allows disabled children to hone their horse-riding skills, was reaccredited through the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association and added an equestrian drill team called the Easy Riders through a new sponsorship.

The council's far-reaching impact is a testament to its collaborative spirit, Hockensmith said.

"One of the ways we leverage our ministries is we are involved in 37 identifiable collaborations in the community," he said. "For organizations to really invest themselves collaboratively is to give up some of their identity."

The council, which raised more than $850,000 in 2006, relies heavily on fund-raising events including its annual golf tournament.

The most recent tournament - held May 18 at Rivercut Golf Course - raised $34,500 for the council, breaking a 14-year record.

The tournament's business sponsors generate between 10 percent to 20 percent of the event's total proceeds, said Donna J. Jones, the organiztion's director of church relations.

Sixty businesses were cash sponsors, and 65 others made in-kind contributions for prizes and drawings at this year's tournament, Jones said.

"We developed some wonderful partnerships," she said, noting that planning already has begun for next year's tournament.

Council of Churches of the Ozarks

Address: 627 N. Glenstone Ave., P.O. Box 2947, Springfield, MO 65808

Phone: (417) 862-3586

Web site: www.ccozarks.org

Employees: 55

2006 Budget: $5.3 million[[In-content Ad]]