So you have moved to the Snoqualmie Valley to enjoy the rural life, fresh air, an easy commute and beautiful scenery. Each day you hop on Interstate 90, head to work and then head back home to the Valley late in the day. Your involvement in the community is limited to a place to sleep, a school for your kids and a chance to attend an occasional Little League game. The question is: “Is this you?”

I’ll apologize ahead of time if I am offending someone for stereotyping the bedroom-community commuter. But if the above paragraph lights a spark and gets you involved, then I have accomplished my task.

Involvement makes Snoqualmie Valley a great community. Involvement in various civic organizations, youth activity organizations or other various clubs and organizations. It’s that involvement that helps us shape who we are. Cohesiveness creates a special place to live.

But we are in jeopardy of losing some of that cohesiveness. Many organizations are still looking for volunteers. Many are contemplating folding up entirely for lack of volunteers. Many people I know have plates that are just too full to take on any more. Our lives may appear to be going in different directions sometimes, but we all have something in common – we love where we live. So, as these organizations wrestle with a lack of volunteers or even funding, ask yourself: “Am I involved? Do I have a skill or time to contribute? Do I really care about the place I call home?”

One example of cohesiveness in recent months is the Safe Kids Task Force, the group opposing the sex-predator facility near North Bend. They are passionate about the quality of life in the Valley and want to see it protected. But wouldn’t it be great if all volunteer efforts had that same level of passion and participation?

One example of an organization contemplating its future is Snoqualmie Valley Events, the group that puts on Snoqualmie’s Railroad Days. For years a handful of people have put on an event that thousands enjoy. They are dedicated to preserving a small community festival that has gone on for more than 50 years. But they can’t do it alone.

If you are interested in getting involved in Snoqualmie’s festival, call the event line at (425) 888-0021 and ask for Diane Humes. If you would like to help sponsor the event, call (425) 830-8271 and ask for Mike Boetel. Both can be e-mailed at railroaddays@hotmail.com.

If Railroad Days is not your bag, find another volunteer organization and get involved. It’s a great way to meet your neighbors, develop friendships and continue making this a great place to live and work.