The value of

volunteers

The police need reserve officers. The school board can't muster an election. The fire department could use some new faces. And youth baseball needs umpires.

In short, a community is only as good as the people who are willing to volunteer, and right now just about every agency, sports group and emergency service in the greater Columbia Falls are could use some free help.

Think of it not as just serving your community but serving your country. Without volunteers, homes would burn, kids wouldn't be coached, festivals would cease to exist and charities would extinguish.

We know many of you are very busy raising families. We also know that many of you have raised your kids and are retired and semi-retired.

So the next time you see a notice in this newspaper from a group that needs help, please consider it. You just might make a new friend, learn a new skill or, better yet, you just might make a difference in the community you live in.