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Meet the Crew

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The Heart of Our River Community

Meet the crew. These are the neighbors, teachers, families, retirees, students, and river lovers who make every MRR adventure possible.  These aren't just volunteers who show up and follow instructions. They're the people who know how to read the river's moods, who can back a trailer down a boat ramp in the early morning, and who somehow always know exactly which knot to tie when the wind picks up. More importantly, they're the ones who make first-time paddlers feel safe, help field trip kids spot their first bald eagle, and turn river cleanups into celebrations.  Our crew members have discovered that the best way to know the Missouri River is to work alongside it, season after season. From Columbia to Kansas City, from first-time helpers to twenty-year veterans, our crew is proof that the river brings wonderful people together. 

Upcoming Crew Training & Meetings

All meetings begin with an hour social. Location and timing will be shared in the MRR Crew News in the days leading up to the crew meeting dates below.

Stay tuned to the MRR Crew News for crew meeting updates and crew opportunities. To join the Crew Newsletter, email Alyssa Thomas (alyssa@riverrelief.org)

Upcoming Crew Meetings

  • May 28

Crew Trainings

  • TBA

MRR's Cornerstone Crew Members

The Annual Cornerstone Award is our organization’s highest honor. It recognizes a veteran River Relief crew or board member that has dedicated many years of service to the organization’s well-being. Their leadership and commitment to our mission have been essential to our success.

  • 2025 Cornerstone

    Scott Mansker

  • 2024 Cornerstone

    Drew Lemberger
  • Kory Kaufman - cornerstone recipient for 2023

    2023 Cornerstone

    Kory Kaufman

  • 2022 Cornerstone

    Anthony Petit
  • Melanie Cornerstone

    2021 Cornerstone

    Melanie Cheney

  • 2020 Cornerstone

    David "TooTall" Elsberry

  • 2019 Cornerstone

    Laurie "Ready" Ferretti

  • 2018 Cornerstone

    Patty Farrar

  • 2017 Cornerstone

    Gale Johnson

Frequently Asked Questions 

The easy answer is: just decide you want to! Email Alyssa at alyssa@riverrelief.org to join our Crew Newsletter, come to a meeting, and get to know the river in a whole new way. We'll find ways for you to help that match your interests and availability.

Perfect! That means you remember what it's like to be uncertain around water, which makes you great at helping other beginners feel safe. We'll teach you everything you need to know and pair you with experienced crew until you're confident.
Whatever you can give. Some crew members help at every event. Others join us a few times a year. The river needs all kinds of help, from weekend warriors to occasional volunteers.
We need people who can lift coolers, tie knots, and spot great blue herons. But we also need people who can welcome families to our programs, help kids get excited about exploring the water, and remember what it was like to see the Missouri River for the first time.
We get it—not everyone can make it to our meetings! While we meet in Columbia, MO, we have crew from all along the river. The crew meetings are a great way to be informed of upcoming programs and past successes, and we share that information in our newsletter as well. Crew meetings are also a time to connect with your river community: to meet fellow crew members and swap river stories!

Reach out to our Stewardship Coordinator, Alyssa Thomas, at alyssa@riverrelief.org and let them know you would like to sign up for the MRR Crew News Newsletter! We'll keep you in the flow of all our latest programs and volunteer opportunities. See you at the river!