Years ago, when I lived in Montreal, the city would come alive once a year, with everyone getting out and moving. Since 1971, Canadians have been joining the ParticipACTION movement to promote physical activity, strengthen their health and well-being. The idea was simple: instead of staying home and passively participating in sports by watching athletes compete on TV, we all went out to actively participate in sports of our choice.

In that spirit, I would like to invite you all to participate in the activities of the Polish community. There is a lot going on, but without the active participation of many members of our community, it will be very hard to sustain our organizations.

So, visit the Polish Cultural Center. If you like what you find there, join the Polish Home Association. If you have leadership skills, consider volunteering or even joining the board of directors or board of trustees.

Attend the Polish Festival every July at the Seattle Center, or even better, join the team of volunteers.

Attend the Seattle Polish Film Festival. You’ll have a chance to see the latest and best Polish movies, and meet famous actors, directors, and producers in person.

If you have a business or want to start one, join the Polish American Chamber. You’ll have an opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs, engage in local business activities, and connect with Polish entrepreneurs who want to do business with the US.

Active participation, like PARTICIPACTION, and particularly volunteering, offers a lot of benefits. You meet people, learn or hone new skills, and experience the immense satisfaction of giving.

Bohdan Raciborski, Editor