Community organizations

Community groups make our towns better places to live. Groups like the Lions Club, Rotary International, Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) bring people together to help others. These groups do more than just meet up - they work hard to make life better for everyone.

These groups all want to improve people's lives. The Lions Club works around the world to help with vision problems, disaster relief, and programs for young people. They collect money to pay for eye tests for kids, clean up neighborhoods, and teach people what to do in emergencies. Rotary Club members believe in "Service Above Self." They use what they know from their jobs to help with projects in their towns and around the world. They give money to students for college, work on getting clean water to people who need it, and support art and education programs.

Although less well-known, the Elks Lodge also focuses on helping others, especially families and veterans. They give people a place to meet friends, but they also pay for programs like college money for students and help for veterans. The VFW supports people who served in the military. Members speak up for veterans' rights and help military members and their families when they have problems.

Moose Lodges are part of a group that mixes fun activities with helping others. They support Mooseheart, a place where children in need can live and go to school, and Moosehaven, a community for older people. In their own towns, they plan events, help schools, and support families who are struggling.

These groups are special because they bring people together. They do different things, but they all help people connect. In Mat-Su's close-knit but spread-out towns, these groups do important work. They organize food drives during holidays, help build homes people can afford, and put on fun events like parades. All this happens because local people care and work together.

Joining these groups is easy. Most have websites or social media where you can find when they meet and how to join. If you like meeting people in person, you can just show up at an event or meeting to learn more. You don't need special skills or tons of free time. You just need to want to help and be part of your community.

Being in a community group gives you more than just pride in your town. These groups help people make friends when they might feel alone. If you're new to Mat-Su, want to meet people, or just want to do something that matters, these groups can welcome you. Members also learn and grow. You might get better at speaking to groups, learn new skills, or make friends who can help you.

Some people join groups like the VFW or Elks and connect with others who share similar backgrounds, like military service or family traditions. Others join the Lions or Rotary and get to work on projects that help people locally or even around the world. The friendships made in these groups can be just as important as the work they do.

All these groups want new members. They need people who want to talk about making changes, neighbors who will give their time to fix real problems, and people who see what Mat-Su could become. Joining isn't just about helping out—it's about being part of something that has made communities better for many years. Think about reaching out to groups like the Lions, Rotary, Elks, Moose, VFW, or others in your area.

Christian M. Hartley is a 40-year Alaskan resident with over 25 years of public safety experience and public service. He runs a freelance business, Big Lake Writer, from home in Big Lake that he shares with his wife of 19 years and their three teenage sons.