Give 5 announces 2026 class schedule for Taney and Stone counties

Leaders of the Give 5 program in southwest Missouri are excited to announce the 2026 class schedule for Taney and Stone Counties. Training classes are free for residents of Taney and Stone counties who want to learn more about the needs in the area and connect with local nonprofits who are making a positive impact in the community. 

Thanks to Give 5 and its local sponsors, talented volunteers are trained and connected with nonprofits who need their skills. Give 5 was originally conceived as a way to address needs in the highest-need areas of Springfield, Missouri, recognizing the valuable contributions of area nonprofits but also the importance of volunteerism in helping keep the cost of making a difference manageable. 

As the program has grown to surrounding communities, so have the numbers of baby boomers retiring from the full-time workforce but still wanting to serve and use their talents. Participating nonprofits commit to making the experience meaningful by matching the interests and skill sets of potential volunteers to the needs. Volunteering also helps address the problem of social isolation, which research indicates can be as dangerous as a pack-a-day smoking habit, by providing retiree volunteers a meaningful reason to get out of their houses and connect with others. 

Each Give 5 training session meets once weekly for four weeks, as potential volunteers learn about community challenges, get to know the organizations addressing those challenges, and learn how volunteers can make an impact by giving as little as five hours per month of their time and talent; hence the name, “Give 5.” In addition to classroom learning, considerable time is also spent visiting local nonprofits, meeting their leadership and staff and seeing in person how they meet needs and fulfill their mission. 

Well over 100 graduates of the Branson/Lakes Area program are now giving back in meaningful ways to the communities where they live. Graduates of Give 5 Branson have had positive comments about their experiences: 

“We’ve lived in this area most of our lives and still learned so much at Give 5. It’s a well-run program that is great for retirees and nonprofits in our community. It’s a real win-win for everyone involved!”- Brenda & Rod Romine

“As someone who feels strongly about giving back to my community, Give 5 was a natural fit. This program is a great opportunity to discover the best way to connect your experience and skills to nonprofits making a difference in our area.” - Roxanne Amundsen

“Going through Give 5 not only educated me about resources I didn’t know existed, but being able to tour agencies and see firsthand what they do was the best way for me to find the right place to serve. I’ve been volunteering and find it very rewarding. I would recommend this program to anyone with an interest in making their community better.”- Carol McCullough

"I decided to join a Give 5 session because I've always enjoyed being involved in my community, and after my husband passed, I knew I'd have some free time on my hands. I was impressed with the program, and especially our local nonprofits. I learned not only about the important work they do, but also how they work together to serve our area. This is a great way to connect or reconnect to your community, both for newcomers and people like me who have lived here for 10 or more years."- Maureen Thoendel

Program sponsors cover the costs of meeting space, lunch and transportation for each class, meeting from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. one day a week for four weeks. This year's community sponsors are Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Ozark Mountain Legacy, Senior Age and the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.

The 2026 Branson/Lakes Area Give 5 class schedule is as follows: 

●      Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17 and 24 at the Stone County Health Department, 701 Old Wilderness Road, Reeds Spring, MO

●      Thursdays, April 9, 16, 23 and 30 at the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, 4100 Gretna Road, Branson, MO

●      Wednesdays, June 3, 10, 17 and 24 at the Stone County Health Department, 701 Old Wilderness Road, Reeds Spring, MO

●      Tuesdays, September 1,8, 15 and 22 at the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, 4100 Gretna Road, Branson, MO

There is no cost to participate, but registration is required to plan for meeting space and transportation needs. Anyone interested in more information or wanting to register for a 2026 session can contact local Give 5 administrator, Mike Rivera, at 417-334-2928 or by email at MikeRivera@OLLBranson.com.