Since Mary Cooper joined the Niles Service League four years ago, the organization’s active members have dwindled from 16 to eight.

This week, Cooper and members of the women’s league are hoping to encourage signup and participation in the league during a Pizza Bash from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Front Street Pizza Pub, 510 N. Front St.

Those who attend can enjoy a free pizza bar and array of non-alcoholic beverages. While participants eat, they can learn about what the organization offers and sign up if they are interested.

“The idea of the Pizza Bash is to get folks in a comfortable setting, where they can learn about the league,” Cooper said. “Come down and get something to eat and let us tell you about it. If you decide to join, you can get a free T-shirt.”

Cooper, the president of the Niles Service League, said that while the club is in good financial standing, more members are needed to fully accomplish its scope of helping the community. Cooper attributed the loss of members to more adults having greater work and family commitments, making it harder for them to have time to participate in a service organization.

“It’s not the organization at all,” Cooper said. “It is just that people are busy.”

The organization also used to have more corporate support, which helped to sponsor members. Cooper said the club hopes to reach out to several corporations to encourage this again.

The NSL was originally founded in 1934 with the intent to support the welfare of local children. Today, the organization continues this mission through its work with the Niles, Brandywine and Buchanan schools. With the help of school liaisons, the organization is able to identify and provide children in need with free eye glasses and winter clothing.

It also tackles a number of other projects aimed at helping the community, including providing Christmas gifts for local families who need the help.  Members also assist with Meals on Wheels, the Salvation Army and host a number of well-known fundraisers, such as the “5K Color Fun Run,” to name a few.

Cooper said she fears that losing members could eventually force the organization to disband.

Cooper was encouraged to join four years ago because she wanted to contribute to a local organization and see the efforts and results of banding together to help the community, she said.

In her four years serving the organization, Cooper has seen just that. She recalled one winter when members were able to help a young boy get a warm winter jacket, after school officials spotted him braving the cold with only a sweatshirt for outer warmth.

“Here was child who didn’t do anything wrong, just needed a coat,” Cooper said. “[Providing that coat] was the epitome of what we are all about.”

In 2016, the organization was able to help about 60 local children with one of those targeted needs, Cooper said.

Cooper encouraged anyone with a volunteer background and those who have a passion for helping their community to sign up. Cooper said those interested need to fill out an application and must be chosen for selection. Members pay $60 per year, which can be made in multiple payments.

Those who do not have the time but wish to help the organization can still contribute to the league as a sustainer. Sustainers are not active members and volunteer for the league when they have the time. About 200 people are sustainers at this time, some of whom do not live in the Niles or even in the state of Michigan.

“It’s a vital part of Niles that I do not think most people realize is there,” Cooper said. “There is no reason for this [the organization] to fold.”

The group meets once a month for about an hour at the Niles District Library.

For more information visit nilesserviceleague.org or facebook.com/niles.service.league.