Sean Dengler.

With the wrapping up of the Urbandale 4th of July celebration and the largest community event in Urbandale, it is a committee I have enjoyed being on. It matters because my participation in this event as the parade director would not have happened if not for Clutier Fun Days (now the Bohemian Plum Festival and Clutier Fun Day), the Traer Winding Stairs Festival, and Club Dysart’s 4th of July.

All those events played an integral part in my childhood as I saw the value in what these community events do for the community. These events, which typically have low-cost activities, provide a chance for every community member to take part. I also saw the value in volunteerism, watching my grandpa volunteer and personally helping at the Lions Club tent. When I first moved to Urbandale, I did not feel connected with the community. By volunteering to serve in this community, it allowed me to make long-lasting connections which have helped me on personal and professional fronts.

While Traer, Clutier, and Dysart are on a smaller scale, they are equally important. To those volunteering today and the thankless work you do and the endless number of questions you receive – despite the information being clearly posted somewhere on the interweb – you are very much appreciated. While you may not inspire every single person to volunteer, you will inspire someone to volunteer when they are older. This was my experience, and this is because of those who helped raise me at home and in the community. What I do is an extension of the experiences and investments others made in me.

Thank you to all the volunteers who put on the Traer, Clutier, Dysart, and other Tama County festivals! Giving up your time to help the community is unbelievably valuable and welcome – and there can never be too many volunteers! Any helping hand is truly an opportunity to benefit the community.

When you see those kids win Bingo or ride the rides while experiencing the joy of life, remember the role you played. The reason all these people came together for this community is in no small part because of you. This is meant for past, present, and future volunteers. By creating these opportunities, you lay the foundation for those behind you to inherit a better place and to volunteer. Keeping volunteering and helping. Your community needs you, and more importantly, it will be wonderful.

Trust me, I know from experience.

Sean Dengler is a writer, comedian, now-retired beginning farmer, and host of the Pandaring Talk podcast who grew up on a farm between Traer and Dysart. You can reach him at sean.h.dengler@gmail.com.