In her TED Talk “There’s More to Life Than Being Happy,” writer Emily Esfahani Smith shares four pillars that lead to a meaningful life: Belonging, Purpose, Transcendence, and Storytelling.

She presents a surprising truth backed by research which is when we chase happiness directly, we often come up short, maybe less happy. But when we pursue meaning, happiness follows naturally.

This idea resonates deeply with me. Whether we’re on the trail together, shoveling dirt, or simply picking up trash these small acts of service for others connect us to something bigger. They ground us in community (belonging), give us a reason to show up (purpose), help us engage in nature, stepping outside ourselves (transcendence), and offer us opportunities to share our stories at the trailhead, after wrapping up hikes/rides or trail work projects (storytelling).

On any given day, our brains can easily get caught in loops of self-destruction or disconnection. Those silly things often trick us! But volunteering, showing up for a friend or your community interrupts those patterns. It reminds us: when we do things for others, we help ourselves too! We are more resilient and happier when we’re gathering together for each other!

Below you’ll find 2025 VVMTA events, Ladies Trail Crew events and the Community Pride Highway Clean up volunteer opportunity.

If you’re interested / coming, please register by clicking on the date and signing up through VolunteerHub. For the highway clean up, if you’d like to join my personal team, email me direct.

• April 23rd: VVMTA LTC Soul Dirt group mountain bike ride, 5:30-8pm Haymaker Trailhead
• April 29th: VVMTA LTC 5-8pm Eagle, Haymaker Trailhead. Eagle Bike Park
• May 3rd Community Pride Highway Cleanup on Saturday!
  This is NOT VVMTA event, email ME directly, roster is due April 30th to ERC.
• May 8th: VVMTA Spring Kick Off Party
• May 15th: VVMTA LTC 5-8pm Location TBD
• June 16th: VVMTA LTC 5-8pm Location TBD
• July 9th: VVMTA LTC Soul Dirt 5-8pm Wilderness Hike with Ellen Miller, Location TBD Sign up coming on Volunteer Hub soon!
• July 16th: VVMTA LTC 5-8pm Location TBD
• July 31st: VVMTA Summer Fundraiser
• Aug 11th: VVMTA LTC 5-8pm Upvalley, TBD
• Sept 18th: VVMTA LTC 5-8pm Upvalley, TBD, LTC Season wrap-up

Questions or Comments, please email or call me!