Volunteers are the Core of the Town of Moraga Spirit – Part III
By Susan Sperry Excerpt from Newsletter 2026 Q3
Part III of “Volunteerism in the Town of Moraga” highlights the volunteer groups past and present dedicated to supporting our community with time, financial contributions, and physical firsthand projects. Since its inception, Moraga has relied heavily on volunteers and clings to a philosophy of minimal government. Shunning the word “city” Moraga prefers to call itself a “town” and strives to preserve this small-community flavor. The essence of the Moraga spirit IS this sense of volunteerism.
The volunteer groups listed below serve Moraga through financial and direct support:
Moraga Women’s Society
Born out of the Moraga Newcomers’ Club in 1967, the Moraga Women’s Society (MWS) was started by the desire to create more stimulating programs to find ways to raise money for the schools, parks and recreation, and the local nonprofits. From the beginning MWS created signature events that enlivened Morga’s social life, such as the Holiday Homes Tour and Boutique which continued until 2009, the Honorary Mayor Race, raising $6,000, with Postmistress Elinor Dickenson as the first Honorary mayor. Other events included establishing the dog parade on the 4th of July; an arts and craft festival; fashion shows; Bridge-Bunco events. Funds were raised to help the Campolindo football field project and new computers; equipment for the Commons; the garden at Joaquim Moraga; the walk through California/Revolution programs at JM; refurbishing the fireside room at the Hacienda de las Flores; books/programs for the Moraga Library and many more. As service club membership began to decline nationwide, the members of MWS folded for lack of new members in 2017.
Moraga Junior Women’s Club
In the fall of 1969, eight young women met to organize a service club in Moraga which ultimately became the Moraga Junior Women’s Club (MJWC). By January 21, 1970, membership doubled and the group became a federated club with the initiation of seventeen charter members. As of Jan 2025, there were 27 members in the club. In the beginning, the Lafayette Women’s Club sponsored the Junior’s group. Back in the 70s and 80s, MJWC completed two major philanthropic projects: the creation of a Children’s Center Library Fund, more than $2,600 that was used to furnish the Children’s Room in the Moraga Library; and the planning, financing, and construction of Moraga’s first children’s park, Climbing Country. MJWC has also directed a Bicycle Safety Day, organized women’s workshops, supported alcohol and drug education in schools, and initiated CPR classes in Moraga. In 1978-1979, the Club presented a Halloween Carnival, prepared a historical tea and tour of Moraga, created a puppet show to make children “street wise,” and published a birthday party book.
The Moraga Junior Women’s Club is a philanthropic and social organization. Each year, club members provide their time and resources to host at least two large events which are open to the community: the Hometown Hoedown in the fall and the Spring Egg Hunt. These events are the major fundraisers for the beneficiary selected for the year. The proceeds of these events are donated to the selected recipient as well as to Moraga schools and local organizations chosen by the membership. Over the past three decades the Moraga Junior Women’s Club has become a highly respected community service organization.
American Association of University Women – Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette Branch
Begun in 1881, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is a national organization that advances gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. AAUW has more than 78,000 members and supporters in 800 branches across the United States and 800 college and university partners. AAUW’s strategic plan emphasizes education and training initiatives, research and advocacy for economic security policies, and identifying and breaking barriers to women in leadership. Through a committed membership, the Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette Branch of AAUW will make a positive impact on our community through advocacy, promoting education, empowering women and girls, and supporting personal and professional growth.
The Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette Branch began in Orinda in 1957 with 87 women, expanding to Moraga and Lafayette in 1966. The Branch has many active members and a large, engaged Board of Directors. Much has been accomplished in its 60+ year history.
Community service activities include: awarding college scholarships to local public high school senior girls and a Saint Mary’s College senior continuing to graduate school, recently awarding a grant to two Saint Mary’s College students to attend AAUW’s National Conference of College Student Women Leaders; sending 6 or 7 middle school girls to a week- long camp at Stanford University to participate in STEM related workshops and activities, with the goal of developing their confidence to stay in STEM related classes and choose a STEM career; sponsoring a 1 day STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) conference for over 200 middle school girls; adopting a Title I school in Oakland over 25 years ago and providing several reading and/or math tutors every year, staffing the school library with OML volunteers 2-3 days per week, totaling well over 50,000 volunteer hours at this school; sponsoring Start Smart and Work Smart salary negotiation workshops for college seniors and working women, to learn skills to negotiate higher salaries in support of its goal of reaching pay equity for women in the workforce; promoting inclusion and awareness for all members to create an equitable, sustainable, and inclusive membership reflective of today’s world; seeking to encourage ongoing dialogue about DEI awareness and turn these conversations into actionable goals and strategies to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in our Branch and communities.
Parent Teacher Associations
The mission of Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. The National Parent Teacher Association comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and have an influence on the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.
National Charity League
As a multi-generational philanthropic organization of mothers and daughters, the National Charity League (NCL) donates close to three million hours annually to over 6,000 charities in the United States. NCL practices philanthropy, making an active effort to promote human welfare. The vision is connecting hearts, hands, and minds so that every community thrives. The mission of the National Charity League is fostering the mother-daughter relationship through an ongoing commitment to philanthropy, culture, and leadership. There are two long-established chapters. National Charity League Acalanes Area Chapter was organized in 1991 and chartered in 1994 and incorporated in 1995 and serves Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda. The second, National Charity League Lamorinda Chapter was established in 1989 and was the 34th NCL chapter to charter nationally. It serves Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda. The newest chapter is the National Charity League Cal Blooms Chapter established in 2025 and serves the same areas. The programs empower women to succeed as confident, well-rounded contributors to society while making a positive impact in the communities they serve. Young girls learn leadership skills and what philanthropy is of most interest to them and where they would like to potentially serve.
Boys Team Charity
Beginning in 2001, Boys Team Charity, as of April 2026, consists of forty-four leagues supporting communities and developing young men into future leaders. The success of Boys Team Charity is felt not only by its members, but by those served. BTC boys realize personal growth by making a difference in others’ lives. As the co-founders said, the hope for members is “Success and Significance.” A mother in Northern California discovered BTC through a simple web search, and from there, the Pleasanton League, was born. This initiative quickly sparked similar efforts, with the Granite Bay and Lamorinda Leagues following shortly after.
Rotary Club of Moraga
The Rotary Club of Moraga was chartered in 1967 with sixteen charter members. Each of these charter members was instrumental in establishing the course Moraga Rotary would take to better its community and the world. Rotary is composed of businesspeople, parents, people committed to improving Moraga and enjoying the fellowship of others who work hard to give something back. Moraga Rotary’s mission is to “help make children better citizens of the world, through peace and understanding.” There is a strong focus on children in every service project undertaken, both domestically and abroad, and why support is given to so many youth programs, including international exchanges.
Moraga Rotary has long put education in their community at the top of its list, through annual contributions to the Brother U. Albert Rahill Moraga Rotary Endowed Scholarship Fund at St. Mary’s College currently valued at more than $103,000, ongoing financial support of the Moraga Education Foundation, and sponsorship of all Moraga Odyssey of the Mind teams as well as the Interact Club at Campolindo High School. Donations average $40,000 each year to charitable activities throughout the world. That is making dreams real for those who receive prosthetic hands, and wheelchairs, clean water, and shelter, giving them a new chance at a happier life with dignity. Supporting School Safety by working to equip schools in the Moraga School District with security cameras and medical kits for each classroom.
Community service activities include: funding and building the All-Access Children’s Playground at the Commons Park; giving 640 weekly subscriptions of Time for Kids and National Geographic Explorer magazines to every 3rd, 4th and 5th Grader in Moraga and Canyon Schools, as well as St. Anthony School in Oakland; giving two Scholarships to Camp Royal Leadership Camp; providing two Campolindo Senior Student College Scholarships; making over 300 Christmas Stockings for Every Child in Juvenile Hall; holding Track & Field Day for All Moraga Elementary School Kids; holding two Rotary E-Waste Recycling and Document Shredding Events; being a major food vendor for the OMPA Swim Meet for over 30 years, and supporting the Morage Community Faire.
Kiwanis Club of Moraga Valley
Chartered in Moraga in 1974, the primary purpose of the Kiwanis Club of Moraga Valley is to improve the quality of life for children and families worldwide by adhering to the Objects of Kiwanis International: to give primacy to the human and spiritual, rather than to the material, values of life; to encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all human relationships; to promote the adoption and application of higher social, business, and professional standards; to develop, by precept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive and serviceable citizenship; to provide a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build a better community, and to cooperate in creating and maintaining that sound public opinion and high idealism which make possible the increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism and goodwill.
Community service activities include: Daffodil planting on public streets in Moraga; partner with the Moraga Lions Club in providing food service for the 4th of July and Pear & Wine Festival at the Commons; provide volunteers to harvest the pears from the JM orchard; conduct projects at the Moraga School District campuses; provide a pumpkin carving party the week of Halloween for the children at the low income Lakeside Apartment complex; provide volunteers to assist Monument Crisis Center with food distribution from their food pantry in Concord; partner with Target (Walnut Creek) to assemble/deliver school backpacks for children of the MCC families; provide volunteers to assist Friends of the Moraga Library with annual book sales. Cash grants have gone to: MEF, AAUW, Campolindo goat barn, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano counties, Meals on Wheels, Moraga School District Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Senior.
Moraga Lions Club
Lions are men, women, and students who not only care about their community, but communities worldwide. The Moraga Lions Club mission is to “strive to ensure the quality of life for the blind and visually impaired through the development of their independence and self-confidence. Special emphasis is placed on assisting those suffering from age-related degenerative eye disease resulting in progressively failing vision. Clinics are provided for the early detection of degenerative eye diseases, rehabilitation support in the form of daily living skills and mobility training, and aftercare delivered through support groups and counseling. Recreational activities and dedicated events help boost our client’s quality of life. All services are provided free of charge in keeping with our Lions tradition.
Community service activities include: Year round pick-up and repackaging of thousands of pairs of eyeglasses for delivery to third world countries; donate to international relief efforts and support local education with two high school scholarships and four junior high achievement awards; raise funds with our annual Crab Feed; serve food and drinks at various community activities; sponsor the International Lions Peace Poster contest for hundreds for middle school students; donate hundreds of items of clothing free at the countywide Special Kids Day; participate in the statewide Lions student speaker contest; sponsor the Leo Club for Young Lions at Campolindo High School.
Moraga Asian American Club
The Moraga Asian American Club (MAAC) was formed in 2000 by a small group who recognized that Moraga is 14.4% Asians. The goal was to promote understanding; to build stronger, healthier communities, and respect for differences; build inclusion and civic involvement; enhance the appreciation for cultural diversity; to provide activities that would provide entertainment and to increase cultural resources for the diverse Lamorinda community.
Community service activities include: donation of Asian culture books to the schools and library; diversity grants to the Moraga School District; hold a Lunar New Year Celebration at Chef Chao’s for the community; provided storyteller Clara Yen to relate Asian and Asian American folk and fairy tales to the community; present a Feng Shui demonstration by Alexis Summerfield; provide grammar school entertainment by Eth-no-tec, a theatrical arts group and a Chinese Lion Dance performance; host community-wide speakers and storytellers; place different Asian country cultural displays in the Library every year for APAH Month; support the Moraga Garden Club for the Monarch Butterfly Garden; support projects aimed at increasing understanding of contributions of Asian Americans. The group has not been active since 2019.
