WILLOW AREA COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION, INC.

Willow Area Community Organization

2 weeks ago

WACO COMMUNITY MEETING AGENDA FOR 10/07/2026
WILLOW COMMUNITY CENTER 7PM

A. CALL TO ORDER
B. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES: Sept 02, 2026
F. BOARD OFFICERS’ REPORTS / ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Chair: Tryg Erickson
2. Vice-Chair: Rodney McCambridge
3. Secretary: Sophia Boufidou
4. Treasurer: Maura Shea
5. At-Large Representative 1: Open
6. At-Large Representative 2: Danielle Barve
7. At-Large Representative 3: Hannah Eison
8. At-Large Representative 4: Lindsay Cronin

G. NEW BUSINESS
1. Road Powers Proposition (Alex Strawn, Matsu Borough Planning Director)

H. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. AIDA Land Transfer Update
2. WACO Website Update

I. COMMUNITY GROUPS / CLUBS
Fire Service Area, Library, Pickle Ball, WDMA, PTA, Garden Club, WHO (Farmer’s Market), SU300, Willow Junior 100, Friends of State Parks/MatSu

J. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PERSONS TO BE HEARD
Open Forum

K. CONCENT AGENDA REPORTS

1. Carnival Committee
No news this month.
Submitted by Danielle Barve, Carnival Committee Chair & WACO At-Large-Representative

2. Youth Forum (40-acre park)
No News this month.
Submitted by Linda Oxley, Youth Forum Chair

3. CERT Community Service
· Recap of 18th Annual Mat-Su Emergency Preparedness Expo @ the Menard Sports Ctr on 9/26
Willow CERT volunteers have been participating in this important event since 2015. The CERT booth has evolved in recent years to involve CERT volunteers from the 7 Mat Su CERT teams from Glacier View from to Trapper Creek. Our volunteers provided info on safety and emergency preparedness through 2 hands-on activities for all ages, 5 Willow CERT volunteers also had supporting roles assigned by the Borough Emergency Operations Ctr staff to support the overall event.

· October 10th 10 am-3 pm- Willow Caswell Fire -Dept Open House at Station 12-6
Stop by the Willow CERT Booth.

· October 31st 5 pm- 7 pm- Willow Library Trunk or Treat
Willow CERT has again been requested to help promote safety in the parking lot for this wonderful community event

· CERT Basic training in the Su Valley in October & November
This FEMA course is required if applying to join a CERT but can also be taken for the purpose increasing your knowledge of emergency preparedness. There are two different opportunities. to take the same course.

1) The October Class will be 2 nights/week at the Upper Susitna Senior Center. The entire course is taught in person. Tuesday and Thursday evenings

from 5:30-8:30pm Oct 6th, 8th, 13th, 20th, 22nd, 27th, and 29th.

2) The November class is a “hybrid” one in Willow, where the lecture portion (with required testing) is completed on-line. It concludes with a full weekend of hands-on activities and a simulated disaster scenario demonstrating competence of skills learned.

Seating is limited and pre-registration is required for these courses.

For more information or to register please contact Talon Boeve Phone: (907)-707-3336 Email: [email protected]

Mat Su Borough Emergency/Disaster Preparedness website: ready.matsugov.us

Willow CERT FB Page: www.facebook.com/WillowCERT willowcert.wordpress.com

Contact Brenda McCain at: [email protected] / 907-355-1418

4. Willow Recycling
Things are normal and growing. An average of 60 households recycle each collection day and we seem to be filling the trailers quicker. We can always provide volunteer opportunities for those who would like to help at the Transfer Site on collection days. Contact Marian Charles 907 355 6368. Submitted by Fran Lynch

5. Lions Club :
The Willow Lions Club is currently meeting twice a month. Our next meeting is October 8th at the Willow Library Meeting Room at 7 pm. We will have a potluck on October 22nd at 5 pm at the Willow Library Meeting Room. What have we been doing?

At the School:

Skate Night- The first Skate Night at Willow Elementary School was a success. Next skate night is October 16th , starts at 5pm. This is a free family fun event that the Willow Lions Club has sponsored for numerous years. We sell pizza and drinks at cost. If you would like to help, contact a Lion.

Dictionary Project: We once again sponsored this program for Willow Elementary School. The books students receive, they use during the school year. Then, they can take them home.

In the Community:

Eye Screening at the Fair: Lions members helped with eye scr=eening at the fair. It is a free service our Lions clubs provide.

Lions Projects: We helped by supplying the materials for a ramp and deck for a local handicapped person.

Cash for Cans: Our club donates cash which benefits our local Willow Food Pantry.

Fun for Halloween: We are planning to participate in the Willow Trunk-or-Treat, and we will have the Haunted Hike and Trick-or-Treat Trail at Newman’s Park to celebrate Halloween. Dates and times will be announced in October.

Willow Lion’s Loan Closet: Does your summer company need a wheelchair, shower chair, or walker? The Willow Lions Club has medical items you can borrow. We just ask that you return them in clean and working order. Call 495-4008 for more information or to pick up items.

Willow Lions Club FB page: Willow Lion's Club ~ Contact: Sid Bertz (907-854 1570).
Submitted by Laura Thomas

6. Willow Historical and Wildlife Foundation

The Willow Historical & Wildlife Museum is now closed for the winter season. We had a successful summer with many visitors both local and from afar ~ Israel being the farthest. Thanks to all who came out to our Willow vs. Willow baseball game in May to help celebrate America's 250th birthday. Willow won!! Over the winter we encourage student classes of all ages and all schools to come and learn our Willow history. Tours for other interested groups are available as well. Please contact Jim at 907 355-4700 or Madeline at [email protected] to make arrangements for winter visitations.

Thanks to all who visited, volunteered and/or donated to the museum this summer . . . without whom there would be no museum. A special thanks to the Willow Garden Club who provided the beautiful hanging baskets at our front entry this summer. Over the winter we will be adding to, spiffing-up and re-doing some of our exhibits so plan to come and see all of the changes next spring 🙂 The Willow Historical and Wildlife Foundation (a.k.a. Willow Museum) is a 501C3 nonprofit organization run by a volunteer board of directors. We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 5:00 in the evening at the Museum. Memberships are $10 per calendar year and all are welcome to join.
Submitted by Madeline Gocke

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