To some, Pat Foster is known as a computer technology expert for the state.

But for many others, he's a familiar face in the community because of the many activities he's involved with.

"I just kind of do," says the Helena native.

In fact, he is so busy doing that he'd rather not be talking -- particularly about himself.

However, he agreed to an interview once he realized it would be a way to plug the groups he cares about.

"I wander the earth and just get involved in stuff," he said.

The "stuff" includes a leadership role with the Lost & Foundation, a group of local musicians who come together to play music and raise money for those in need.

Started in 1994, it's raised $230,000, so far. Most recently, it held a $50,000 benefit for Riley Herrera, a local 14-year-old who received a heart transplant.

Foster credits the organization's success to musicians and board members Ann Waickman and John Moore.

Foster, a musician and singer, plays rhythm instruments with a local group, the Growlers, and does harmony vocals.

For the past 18 years, Foster's also led a state employee holiday fundraiser for the Friendship Center.

This past holiday season, they raised $7,000.

Foster cooks batches of his grandfather's recipe of sweet hot mustard, which he sells for $5 as his contribution to the annual fundraiser.

He also credits Kathy Burt, Marie Matthews and Sylvia Stevens for the event's success.

Also as a state employee, Foster's led TAWSE -- Take Another Way State Employees.

The group encourages employees to use alternative transportation when commuting to work.

For a time, the organization struggled, said Foster, who is a dedicated bike commuter.

However, through persistence and help from other state employees, such as David Rusoff, TAWSE continues to flourish.

"We've been remarkably successful over time," he said. "It's a very dogged thing to affect change."

It took years just to get preferred parking spots set aside for those who carpool, he said.

Now, the group is setting up rideshare lots on Lincoln Road and in Montana City.

The group also features a Web site, www.tawse.mt.gov, with a Wall of Fame, a tail-pipe pollution calculator and up-to-date information on ideas such as teleworking.

In fact, Foster's latest efforts are focused on teleworking, a program that allows him and other workers to do at least part of their job from home.

He's currently doing 60 percent of his job from home.

Teleworking doesn't fit every employee or every job, he said. "As a supervisor I found it increased productivity. There's less interruption and more focus."

"I got 12 to 15 percent more productivity out of my teleworkers," he said.

Foster's developing a telework policy for the Department of Public Health and Human Services, where he works as a supervisor with the Technology Services Division.

"If you carpool or telework two days of the work week, you've cut down your impact 40 percent," he said.

"As Helena grows, we need to focus on it more and more."

"A lot of what drives me," he said of his community involvement, "is we live in a community of heroes. Helena is full of remarkable giving people."

"If I see something that will make Helena better, often I get involved in it."