Community Partnership of the Ozarks (CPO) has renamed its Springfield Tool Library, the Laverne Schell Tool Library in honor of the late Laverne Schell, a beloved and dedicated volunteer who was committed to CPO and its mission to create resilient children, healthy families, and strong neighborhoods and communities. CPO hosted a renaming dedication with Laverne’s family on Nov. 26, 2024 at the O’Reilly Center for Hope, 1518 E. Dale.
The Tool Library, located at the Center for Hope works like a traditional library but lends tools instead of books. It’s a great resource for people who need home repair or gardening tools but can’t afford them or don’t have the storage space.
Schell, who retired from AmeriPride Services after 43 years, discovered CPO through Springfield’s Give 5 program, a free “civic matchmaking” program that connects retirees with meaningful volunteer opportunities. Schell immediately connected with CPO as a trusted leader for solving issues and devoted much of his time to volunteering. This included building the much-needed original Tool Library shed that was used to store tools and equipment for the program.
After Schell’s passing in July 2024, CPO wanted to honor the time, commitment and passion that Laverne gave to CPO.
“Laverne was special. He fell in love with the work we do at CPO and took our mission to heart. He spent countless hours volunteering his time and his talents and became a part of our CPO family. He made a difference and will be missed by many. This is just a small way to honor his exemplary commitment to making our community better,” said CPO President/CEO Janet Dankert.
AMPROD partnership
Thanks to a partnership with Strafford company AMPROD, the Tool Library now has someone to inspect and repair its equipment.
AMPROD provides complete engineered enclosure, shelter and cabinet solutions for the telecommunications, data storage and electrical utilities industries.
Darren Jungwirth, AMPROD’s maintenance manager and a U.S. Navy veteran, has a natural knack for fixing things. So, when the opportunity arose to volunteer at CPO’s Laverne Schell Tool Library, it was a perfect fit.
Tiffani Claussen, president and CEO of AMPROD, saw an opportunity to connect the skills and resources of the AMPROD team with CPO’s mission. She facilitated Darren’s volunteer work at the Tool Library, where he now dedicates time each month to inspect and repair the equipment. He ensures everything is in working order, replacing spark plugs, fixing power tools, and making any necessary repairs.
When Darren came across two old push mowers in need of serious repair, he realized they were beyond saving. Instead of simply discarding them, he decided to go above and beyond: he purchased two new mowers for the library and donated the old ones to a local man with disabilities who repairs old mowers for income.
“I spent 25 years of my life (in the Navy) seeing a lot of human tragedy. I just want to help where I can and to give back when I’m able,” Jungwirth said.
AMPROD actively supports community engagement, offering employees the opportunity to volunteer during work hours.
“I’m incredibly proud of Darren and our whole team. This is exactly what we are trying to accomplish – going outside our walls to make connections and to give back. So, when I see these things happen, it’s very rewarding,” Claussen said.
To learn more about the Tool Library, visit CPOzarks.org. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit the Get Involved section of the website.