In an effort to bring the community together during the state’s stay-at-home order, local leaders are turning tax day into All Caring Together and Serving (ACTS) day.
Missouri tax day has been moved to July 15 rather than the original date of April 15 while communities deal with COVID-19.
Area leaders are now working to turn April 15 into ACTS day.
On this day, area residents are encouraged to participate in any of five programs going on, most of which can be done from home and all of which can be done while social distancing.
Residents can sign up to make wellness check calls to members of the community. As part of this program, volunteers regularly contact neighbors — mostly those who are elderly — to talk to them and see how they’re doing.
Volunteers can sign up either by contacting Jennifer Rosener of Butler County RSVP at 573-686-8624 or at deliver-hope.com.
Many have taken up making masks during their free time. The Centers for Disease Control currently recommends wearing a mask or fabric face cover when around other people, but people can also donate these homemade masks to those on the frontline.
Butler County Emergency Management Director Robbie Myers said those who have made spare masks and wish to donate them can call or text 573-714-5328 and volunteers will pick them up from your doorstep.
Residents are also encouraged to donate in other ways. Organizations such as churches and charities are working on ways to help the community during this challenging time. Local officials are encouraging those who are able to give back to these groups.
Another aspect of ACTS day, Myers said, is that officials are encouraging people to spend time during the day filling out the 2020 census. Census numbers impact emergency response to natural disasters.
Myers said Butler County is currently behind the state’s average response rate of 46.1%. Responses can be made at 2020census.gov or by calling 844-330-2020.
All four of these are projects residents can do from home, but they can also take a drive to donate. A drive-through donation center will be set up in the Three Rivers College parking lot from 3-7 p.m. on April 15.
Suggested donations include non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, paper products, hygiene items, pet food, fabric and elastic for making masks.