Wanted: Volunteers in Johnson County
Johnson County truly appreciates volunteers. The just-concluded Best Times readers’ survey indicated 81% of respondents had an interest or even a strong interest in local volunteer opportunities.
Nine Johnson County departments/agencies annually rely on volunteers to provide a wide range of services/programs to benefit residents of all ages. Volunteers serve as mentors for veterans, help victims of abuse, become storm spotters, reshelve books and staff book sales or special events.
Johnson County Aging and Human Services always has a need for volunteers for its Home-Delivered Meals and Catch-a-Ride programs; for providing free unbiased health insurance counseling to help older adults understand their Medicare options; and hosting food drives to stock the food pantry shelves at the Gardner, Lenexa and Mission offices.
Volunteers can help clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Johnson County Development Supports, and with many activities at Johnson County Library, Johnson County Park and Recreation District and Johnson County Museum.
Volunteers are needed to plant a community garden, to protect the environment and support green initiatives by the Department of Health and Environment, and to become a vital part in the many programs and activities at the K-State Extension Service.
The list goes on.
Volunteering is a never-ending story. Opportunities are always present as long-time or current volunteers lose interest, move, grow older or face health challenges.
Based on 2025 data, Kansas is ranked 5th in the nation for formal volunteering through organizations. According to Volunteering and Civic Life in America research, approximately 903,000 Kansans participate in volunteer activities.
In 2025, 8,561 volunteers in Johnson County provided slightly more than 369,000 hours of community service to county government. Based on the national standard of a volunteer hour being worth $34.79, the volunteer work has a value of more than $12.8 million. A final report on JoCo volunteerism will be announced in April in celebration of National Volunteer Month and National Volunteer Week (April 19-25) with a 2026 theme of “Shining a Light on the People and Causes that Inspire Us to Serve.”
Some local volunteers and their worthwhile causes are showcased in this issue. All volunteers deserve our praise and thanks for what they do in helping others and their community service to county government and the Johnson County community.
April provides an opportunity to thank volunteers for giving so generously of themselves to meet the needs of our communities. National Volunteer Month/Week is also designed to raise awareness about the ever-growing need for increased volunteer efforts, and the fulfillment experienced by those who volunteer. It’s a never-ending gratitude.
Lend a helping hand in 2026.
Volunteer!
Staffing food pantries
Dave and Barb Dukes
Dave and Barb Dukes have been food pantry volunteers at the Lenexa office since 2020. Collectively, they have served nearly 800 volunteer hours.
The pantry, along with sites in Gardner and Mission, are operated by Johnson County Aging and Human Services. The pantries provide supplemental food and hygiene products. In 2025, 1,188 households were served by nine volunteers contributing 749 hours of community service.
“We like helping other people. We realize how blessed we are and we are reminded not to take it for granted.” – Barb Dukes
“This is one of a few volunteer jobs that we do. Barb volunteers with Jewish Family Services in their food pantry, and I also volunteer with Harvesters back-snack program delivering to 10 different schools across three school districts.” – Dave Dukes
Volunteering has many rewards for the couple who have been married 47 years. Both get as much as they give – and sometimes more.
“It depends on the day, a lot of times, we get to be the bright spot in someone’s day. Dave enjoys joking with them.” – Barb Dukes
“I do,” – David Dukes, admitting to being a jokester. “I am always trying to get them to take the sardines. I really like developing a rapport with them.”
In 2025, 827 volunteers provided 42,084 hours of community service to activities and programs by Aging and Human Services, including its Home-Delivered Meals program (page 13). To learn more about the Johnson County food pantries visit: jocogov.org/ahsfoodpantry.
Providing Library services
Beth Longmoor and Linn Speak
Linn Speak, right, has been connected to Johnson County Library all her life. She began volunteering at the Library in 2016 after retiring. Inspired by the welcoming Cedar Roe Branch Library community, she now serves at multiple library locations and helps patrons find books and resources.
“People sometimes come to the Library distracted or feeling down. I love helping them find something to turn their day around. So often, people are looking for kindness and connection, and I am glad to be in a situation and place that I can help create that sense of community.” — Linn Speak
Beth Longmoor, left, started volunteering in 2020 by distributing free COVID testing kits at Johnson County Library. She assists with special events like the Writers Conference, handling mailings, data entry and event hospitality.
“It’s rewarding and enjoyable. I do data entry, which helps keep my mind sharp in retirement. It’s nice to use the detailed, methodical part of my brain and to stay engaged and updated with new technology. I wanted to stay involved and connected. Volunteering gives me purpose and keeps me active.” – Beth Longmoor
In 2025, Friends of Johnson County Library had 863 volunteers who contributed 42,630 hours of service.
Mentoring veterans
Mike Ralls
Mike Ralls retired in 2015 as an Army Command Sergeant Major after 23 years of service spanning the Vietnam era through the Gulf War. Thirty-five years later, he joined the Johnson County Veterans Treatment Court program as a mentor for five years and has served as mentor coordinator since 2022.
Started in 2016, VTC is a specialized court, the first in Kansas, at the Johnson County Courthouse for selected veterans in the criminal justice system.
Mentors provide vet-to-vet support and camaraderie to engage, encourage and empower eligible veterans to change their lives.
“Mentoring veterans brought me back to what mattered most during my Army years, helping people who were struggling, needed direction or just needed someone steady in their corner. VTC gave me a way to use those experiences for something that truly mattered — supporting fellow veterans. I have learned that mentoring isn’t about fixing people — it’s about walking alongside them. VTC makes that possible, and I’m grateful to still be serving in a way that matters.” – Mike Ralls
Approximately 50 mentors have served in VTC in the past 10 years. Thirteen mentors provided more than 2,300 hours of community service in 2025.
Ralls also volunteers with Johnson County Emergency Management through its Emergency Communications Service, often called “storm spotters.” This group of trained amateur radio operators supports the National Weather Service during severe weather events. He has been a certified net controller (dispatcher) since 2022, helping coordinate communications during weather emergencies.
More information about Veterans Treatment Court and the role of a mentor is available at courts.jocogov.org/forms/VTC_Brochure.pdf.
Sharing master skills with others
Paula Dix, Mike Rafferty and Kim Handley
Volunteers at Johnson County Kansas State Extension Office serve in many ways. Paula Dix, an Extension Master Gardener since 2013, has volunteered at Johnson County Developmental Supports to share her love of gardening and expertise with residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“I help clients with special needs at JCDS find a connection with gardening through sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. I enjoy seeing the participants experience the joy plants bring while feeling successful in their community garden.” – Paula Dix
Mike Rafferty enjoys the outdoors, oversees natural resources and educates the public on environmental issues. He has been an Extension Master Naturalist since 2019 in partnering with the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.
“By working to remove invasive species as well as collecting and distributing native seeds, I help restore the biodiversity of our local woodlands at Ernie Miller Nature Center. I do this work to preserve our natural resources for future scientific discoveries and to ensure the community can enjoy the natural landscape in the park.” – Mike Rafferty
Since 2024, Kim Handley has been an Extension Master Food volunteer at Johnson County Corrections and other community nutrition initiatives. The program’s volunteers help deliver research-based food, nutrition and safety education throughout the county. One example she gives is:.
“Master Food volunteers provide a monthly nutrition education program to those in the JoCo Corrections 28-day re-entry program. I share information on how to adopt healthier eating habits and maximize their food budget. Learning these practical skills supports a successful transition into the next stage of their lives.” – Kim Handley
Volunteers also help with youth development through Extension 4-H programs; plan, plant, tend and staff the Sunset Community Garden in Olathe; participate in Family and Community Education; and volunteer with VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) during tax season. In 2025, 1,154 volunteers provided 96,205 hours of community service at these and other programs at Johnson County Kansas State Extension Office.
Delivering home meals
Larry Roos
Laurence (Larry) Roos, has been a Home-Delivered Meals program volunteer with Johnson County Aging and Human Services for three years, serving more than 400 hours delivering meals in Spring Hill.
“Volunteering for me is a continuation of a family tradition of service, with family members having served as teachers, nurses, a respiratory therapist, a firefighter, and in various roles at food kitchens. My wife and I began volunteering for Home Delivered Meals after our grandchildren became independent, leaving us with time to fill. We saw serving those in need as the perfect way to spend that time. As we delivered meals, we became deeply engaged with our recipients, coming to consider them friends. This close connection allows us to be attentive to their health needs and concerns.” –Larry Roos
In 2025, 665 volunteers in the program delivered 226,956 meals to eligible homebound residents.
“Personally, I derive great satisfaction from lifting some of the burden of food insecurity from the lives of so many people, and I will continue to do so for as long as I am able.” – Larry Roos
More information about the Home-Delivered Meals program at Aging and Human Services is available by calling 913-715-8861.
Showing raptors & showcasing talent
Bill Araujo is shown at the re-cent winter solstice program at the Ernie Miller Nature Center.
Bill Araujo, who will celebrate his 80th birthday in June, started as a parttime facilitator in 2007 for the Johnson County Park and Recreation District at TimberRidge Adventure Center, Olathe.
The following year, he began volunteering at Ernie Miller Nature Center, Olathe, in glove training the Great Horned Owl.
“I love presenting nature programs to all ages, working with the animals, especially the raptors, and helping with training others. Working with Ernie Miller’s very creative staff keeps me young.” – Bill Araujo
Each of JCPRD’s five departments, including Administrative Services, Culture, Parks and Golf Courses, Recreation, and Safety and Outdoor Education use volunteers to help keep facilities and programs running smoothly and to serve the Johnson County community to its fullest.
Volunteers greet guests. Some play an instrument. Others work with plants, drive a golf ball, run or care for animals.
“It’s the people. JCPRD is first class in all areas. The guests of all ages I come in contact with really seem to appreciate what we do by their constant words of thanks and smiles.” – Bill Araujo
Jenny Hines
Jenny Hines, 62, has volunteered at the Theatre in the Park program since 2021. She has participated as a singer and dancer in five outdoor shows in Shawnee Mission Park and one indoor show at the Arts & Heritage Center in Overland Park. In addition to acting, she regularly ushers for TIP’s indoor shows.
Her favorite role was playing Dorothy/Dottie in “Halftime: Gotta Dance” five years ago. That appearance was the first time she performed on stage since graduating from college in 1985.
“I really love all of the shows, but ‘How to Succeed in Business’ is a favorite!” – Jenny Hines
The 2026 TIP outdoor season begins May 22. “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” is scheduled from July 24 to Aug. 1. Hines plans to audition for a role. More information about TIP is available at theatreinthepark.org.
“The best people are with JCPRD. I took 36 years off acting, but now the kids have moved out, the pets have died and I’ve returned to the stage!” – Jenny Hines
In 2025, 3,961 volunteers provided 146,488 hours of community service to various JCPRD programs, events and activities, including Theatre in the Park.
Assisting law enforcement
Dean and Sarah Borchardt
Dean and Sarah Borchardt, who recently celebrated their 60th anniversary, have volunteered at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office for 11 years.
“During that time, we have helped train the new deputies. We help by doing different scenarios, from domestic violence, to sitting in a car and getting arrested for speeding, careless driving and many more, and the car never moves. We also help with filing and repairing the uniforms that the inmates at the jail damage. If there is a parade and the Sheriff Office is involved, we will be road guards.” – Dean and Sarah Borchardt
All volunteers come from the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy spanning 13 weeks with one 3-hour class each week.
“You will learn everything there is to know about how the department operates. This includes the classroom, doing a ride-along with a deputy. You will also go to the shooting range and take part in the driving course. After you complete all of this, you can now volunteer. There is not a finer group of men and women to be found anywhere. It is truly an honor to be allowed to work with them.” – the Borchardts
Volunteers are also used for mail couriers, scanning and shredding documents and maintaining records. In 2025, 25 volunteers provided 721.5 community hours of public service to the Sheriff’s Office. Application for the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy is accessible at jocogov.jotform.com/232925385669067.
Cooking with juveniles
Gloria Burk
Gloria Burk, who recently celebrated her 85th birthday, has volunteered at the Johnson County Department of Corrections since 2013.
“I coordinate a team of eight volunteers from Blue Valley Church. Two volunteers rotate each Saturday to meet with interested youth from JDC (Juvenile Detention Center). We help them cook a simple meal which they enjoy preparing and then eating. We call our session Cooking with the King. We teach basic cooking skills while we enjoy getting acquainted with and encouraging these young people. We then share a simple Christian lesson and encourage them to share prayer requests. We enjoy our time with these youth and appreciate the opportunity to do so. We feel blessed and hope they feel encouraged.” – Gloria Burk
Volunteers complement departmental services by providing additional support and encouragement that strengthens client progress and supports a successful transition back into the community.
In 2025, 156 volunteers provided 3,505 hours of community service to the department’s programs.