Editor, Times-Union:
As a former president of the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club and a long-time member of service clubs, I’ve seen a lot of people come and go. Folks join for all kinds of reasons —networking, a good laugh over breakfast, or just to be part of the community. And while those are all wonderful benefits, too often, they miss out on the greater good of what it really means to be in a service club: to serve.
A recent study (you may have seen it) suggests that joining a service club can have positive effects on a person’s psychological well-being. It’s true. There’s something deeply rewarding about being part of something bigger than yourself. But, in my experience, the true transformation happens when you go beyond showing up to the meetings and actually roll up your sleeves to serve.
C.S. Lewis once made a powerful analogy in “The Weight of Glory” about a child who is content making mud pies in a slum because he doesn’t know what it’s like to have a holiday at the sea. Many people join service clubs for the “mud pies” of networking and camaraderie — those are great, don’t get me wrong — but there’s a whole ocean of joy waiting for you when you begin to actively serve others.
The real impact of being part of a service club isn’t in the meetings, the coffee, or the handshakes; it’s in the difference you make when you serve the youth of our community, support those in need, or fundraise for projects that change lives. That’s where the magic happens.
If you’re considering joining a service club, or maybe you’re already part of one, I encourage you to dive deeper. Don’t stop at the surface benefits. Step into the joy of serving others. Because when you do, you’ll find that the connections, the laughs, and the community become even more meaningful. And in return, you’ll discover a greater sense of purpose, satisfaction, and — yes — a psychological lift that no study could ever fully capture.
Warsaw needs people who want to serve. There’s a place for you in our community to make a real impact. Join a service club. Serve. The world needs you.
Sincerely,
Chris Plack
Former President, Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club
Warsaw, via email