April 2, 2026, by Seward Folly Staff
April marks Volunteer Recognition Month across the United States. It is a time set aside to honor the dedication of those who give their time to strengthen our communities. The entire month is dedicated to celebrating volunteers, with Volunteer Recognition Day on April 20 and National Volunteer Week falling in the third week of April. There’s plenty to recognize here in Seward and Moose Pass.
According to the IRS database, Seward is home to 79 nonprofits and religious organizations. Most of these rely entirely on volunteers to keep things running. In fact, many do their work without a paid director. The impact is easy to see: from safety to recreation, volunteers are everywhere.
Many of Seward’s biggest events wouldn’t be possible without volunteers. The recent Alaska Tsunami Ocean Sciences Bowl brought in 16 high school teams from across Alaska, and it took about as many volunteers, many Seward locals, to make it happen.
March 29, 2026, Tsunami Bowl Winning Teams. Photo by Jennifer Elhard
Then there’s the Mount Marathon Race, which can attract more than 10,000 people, more than twice the town’s population. The race alone needs over 300 volunteers. Without all that help, these events just couldn’t happen.
Our fire departments, Seward Volunteer Fire Department, Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Lowell Point Volunteer Fire Department, and the Seward Volunteer Ambulance Corps are staffed by neighbors who step up when help is needed most.
March 21, 2026, Volunteers are readying for the Firefighter 1 Test.
But it goes beyond emergency services. Much of our entertainment, recreation, and spiritual life depends on local volunteers.
Dec. 2, 2025, photos from the Seward Arts Council Facebook.
The Seward Arts Council, an umbrella for the Seward Community Band, Winter Movie Nights, Poetry Festival, Mural Society, Artists in Schools, Changing Tides Theatrics, and First Fridays, exists because people choose to give their time. Volunteers maintain and groom our trails, thanks to groups like the Seward Iditarod Trail Blazers, the Seward Nordic Ski Club, and the Moose Pass Sportsman Club. Our churches count on volunteers for everything from playing piano to reading scripture.
Service organizations such as the Seward Rotary Club, the American Legion, and the Seward Senior Center continue the tradition of neighbors helping neighbors. The list keeps growing: anyone who serves on a board or lends a hand during a snowstorm is part of Seward’s volunteer fabric.
Rotary congratulates new members.
Images from the Chamber of Commerce, SCF, and Seward Senior Center Facebook pages.
This April, The Seward Folly will be highlighting some of the individuals who form the backbone of our community’s volunteer network. We’ll be reporting on the winners of the Chamber of Commerce 2026 Seward Community Awards, the recipients of the 2026 Seward Community Foundation Grant Awards, and the history of the Seward Arts Council.
Why do so many people in Seward and Moose Pass volunteer?
According to a 2021 national longitudinal study conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps, volunteers often report being motivated by a desire to help the environment and learn new things. Many seek reflection, spiritual fulfillment, and the chance to build social connections (Grese, Kaplan, Ryan, & Buxton, “Psychological Benefits of Volunteering in Stewardship Programs”). As one organization puts it, “It’s about creating connections, finding purpose, and being part of something bigger than yourself” (HumanKind, Why Volunteer). Another perspective: “Perhaps the main reason why volunteering is important is that it helps other people who are in need. Put simply, it makes the world a better place” (Habitat for Humanity Charlotte Region, The Importance of Volunteering).
The numbers back it up. Alaska ranks 5th in the nation for volunteerism, with 148,537 formal volunteers providing five million hours of service through organizations, which is a contribution valued at nearly $299 million (AmeriCorps & U.S. Census Bureau, Volunteering and Civic Life in America, 2023). More than a quarter of Alaskans formally volunteer, but nearly everyone, 98.9%, talks with or spends time with friends and family, and 55% help their neighbors informally.
Closer to home, data from Fraser, J. (2025) “Measuring Gross Happiness in Seward 2024” (Alaska SeaLife Center), shows that 40% of Seward residents volunteer monthly, 11% every three months, and only 17% never volunteer. Charitable giving follows a similar pattern: 90% of Seward residents reported donating to charity.
As Volunteer Recognition Month continues, we thank everyone who gives their time and energy to make Seward and Moose Pass better places to live. Whether you’re fighting fires, helping with events, leading a trail crew, or simply helping a neighbor, you’re the reason our community thrives.
Remember to check the April editions of The Folly each Thursday for volunteer highlights.
Leave a Reply