Volunteer Organizations that Make Moraga Better
By Susan Sperry Excerpt from Newsletter 2026 Q2
Volunteers are the Core of the Town of Moraga
Community Emergency Response Team
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own, and their actions can be effective. In 1993 The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) decided to make the concept and program available to communities nationwide. The Emergency Management Institute (EMI), in cooperation with the Los Angeles Fire Department, expanded the CERT materials to make them applicable to all hazards. In January 2002, CERT became part of the Citizen Corps, a unifying structure to link a variety of related volunteer activities to expand a community’s resources for crime prevention and emergency response. In January 2004, all 50 states, three territories and six foreign countries were using the CERT training program. Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective. Contact person: Dennis Rein, Prescribed Fire Program Manager (925-258-4529).
Moraga Garden Club
The idea for the Moraga Garden Club (MGC) was germinated by several transplanted women around a kitchen table in 1970. A non-profit organization, MGC has been a resource for all levels of garden enthusiasts ever since. The focus is to create and maintain visual beauty throughout Moraga, to contribute to civic participation and conservation, and education. MGC takes care of various areas in Town, sections of the Commons, the Perennial Garden at the Hacienda de la Flores, a large triangle intersecting Rheem Blvd., the Library urn and four others on Country Club Drive. Recognizing the serious and rapid decline of monarch butterflies, the Moraga Garden Club spearheaded building a Monarch Habitat and Demonstration Garden at Rancho Laguna Park in 2021. Contact person: Elizabeth Lee- eleernc3@gmail.com, 925-216-2260.
Rescue 1 Foundation
Founded in 1977, the mission of the Rescue 1 Foundation is to receive and administer donations to enhance public safety by providing advanced medical and safety equipment, supplies and educational services for the Moraga-Orinda Fire District. The Rescue 1 Foundation has provided supplies, training, and equipment thanks to community donations. Such equipment includes the Ambulance Decontamination Fogger, Stryker Gurney, DJI Inspire 2 Drone, Kubota RTV X1100, and Stokes Litter Tie-In System. To learn more about the Rescue 1 Foundation, please visit their website at www.rescue1foundation.org. Contact person: Board president Rob Schroeder at robschroeder@me.com.
Friends of the Moraga Library
The Friends of the Moraga Library (Friends) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving library services in Moraga, formed in 1967. The Friends provide the library with books, magazines, DVDs and CDs, furniture, and equipment; also sponsoring community programs and events. The Friends Book Shop is open most days during library open hours when volunteers are available. Volunteer opportunities include membership, newsletter, publicity, book sorting, book sales, and serving on the Board. Membership forms are available at the library or can be sent by contacting FOML94556@gmail.com Contact person: Sally Whittaker 925-376-5133.
Moraga Community Foundation
The Moraga Community Foundation (MCF), formed in 2015, is a philanthropic organization. Its mission is to collaborate with the community to build a vibrant future for Moraga. Toward that end, the Moraga Community Foundation is committed to identifying and pursuing significant projects that it believes will benefit the community both in the short and long term. In July of 2023, the Foundation completed the Moraga Common’s Enhancement campaign for the procurement and delivery of a new public restroom building to the Commons and other needed improvements to the park. Past projects included the Community Watch Campaign which raised funds for the Moraga Police Department for the purchase of license plate reading police cameras for solving crimes. In addition, the Foundation invested heavily in the Rheem Theatre and re-opened it for a year with a goal of preserving the Theatre as a focal point for local family entertainment. The Foundation encourages community members to bring to it ideas regarding other significant projects that will help improve this Town. The mission is to create a sense of a Moraga community by enhancing recreational, cultural, and educational activities while improving the park facilities in the Town of Moraga. Contact person: Dave Trotter 925-876-1503. info@moragacommunityfoundation.org.
Moraga Education Foundation
The Moraga Education Foundation (MEF), founded in 1981, raises funds to preserve and enhance educational opportunities for all students attending Moraga public schools through a broad-based community effort. It is believed that together, the entire community can build a better future for our children, consistent with the educational goals of the Moraga School District and Campolindo High School. Contact person: Heather Davis and Ana Moon, MEF@moragaeducation, org. 925-376-0934.
Moraga Park Foundation
Prior to the incorporation of Moraga in 1974, there was a Parks and Recreation Authority. After incorporation, William Penn Mott, an Orinda resident and then the Director of the California Park Service, advised that a Park and Recreation Foundation be formed to fund charitable purposes. Consequently, The Moraga Park and Recreation Foundation was founded in 1976, modeled after the California Park Foundation. There were seven board members, all Moraga residents. The mission is to create a sense of a Moraga community by enhancing recreational, cultural, and educational activities while improving the park facilities in the Town of Moraga. The name was shortened to Moraga Park Foundation in 2009.Contact person: Matt Brobak, President.
Moraga Historical Society
The Moraga Historical Society (MHS) was established in 1965 to gather and preserve knowledge about the history of the land grant Rancho Laguna de los Palos Colorados, land now occupied by the town of Moraga and portions of the cities of Orinda and Lafayette. The Rancho was a land grant of 13,316 acres which was awarded to Joaquin Moraga and his cousin, Juan Bernal, by the Mexican government in 1841. Moraga was the grandson of Jose Joaquin Moraga, who was second in command in the De Anza expedition, and was also noted as the founder of the San Francisco Presidio. The Moraga History Center, located in the Moraga Library building, contains the collections of artifacts, photos, books, and vertical files about the town of Moraga. The Society has published a hardcover book, Moraga’s Pride, and supported a soft bound book Images of America: Moraga which cover the history of the Rancho. Contact person: Susan Sperry 925-819-0489 or ranchsusan@aol.com or moragahistory.org.
Moraga Citizens Network
Founded in 2006, the Moraga Citizens Network (MCN), is a non-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to encouraging civic, recreational, and community engagement in the Town of Moraga. By providing non-partisan information on events, opportunities, and issues, it promotes and fosters awareness, participation, and a sense of belonging to all who reside or work in the Town or visit the Moraga community. This is accomplished by writing and sending out the MCN Link 2 times per month to well over 2100 subscribers with ways to participate; by having an active social media presence through Facebook and Instagram; by promoting and inviting people to the State of the Town Luncheon; by taking the lead in forming the Citizen of the Year committee that honors outstanding people who have made significant contributions to our town. https://moragacitizensnetwork.org. Contact person: Ellen Beans 925-878-8314.
Art in Public Spaces
Art in Public Spaces (APSC) founded in 2005, mission is to bring the arts to Moraga. This could be in the form of sculpture, painting, poetry, video, pottery, murals, dance, or music. The Committee’s goal is to put a spotlight on the arts, making the arts an everyday experience. Additionally, the Committee’s role is to review and recommend the selection and acceptance of loaned or donated artwork to the Town Council, and review and make recommendations to the Town Council on the deaccession or removal of artwork. APSC consists of five members appointed by the Town Council and includes a non-voting liaison from the Town Council. The remaining members are residents of Moraga. Check out: moraga.ca.us/265/Art-in-Public-Spaces-Committee, Chair Holly Hartz 510-813-4472.
Moraga iKind
The Moraga iKind “mission is to promote kindness and courtesy, to foster courage and bravery, based on the belief that empathy and inclusion constitute the foundation on which community is built.” Moraga iKind was formed by Wendell Baker while he served as a scoutmaster, former superintendent of the Moraga School District Bruce Burns, and Eric Andresen in 2012. iKind encourages students to “Be an Upstander” when it comes to bullying by urging them to: “refuse to be a bystander; lend a hand; alert an adult; stop spreading hurtful messages; speak up; be a friend; respect differences; use welcoming language; listen to others; and encourage discussions.” For more information visit: www.moragaikind.org or email Baker at: Wendell@able-baker.com. Contact person: Wendell Baker.
