Well, first of all, it’s fun! You can communicate with friends as well as make new friends in the ham community around the country (or world!).
Second, especially important for mountain town dwellers plagued by disruptions (like phones going out) and occasional disasters (wildfires and floods), you can help provide critical emergency communications. This could involve helping residents communicate with friends and family around the country; when phones and Internet are out, we’re all essentially flying blind.
Further, with AirLink’s link to the Boulder Emergency Operations Center (EOC) of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), you can help provide “eyes on the ground” about actual conditions, helping them help us better.
It’s a fun hobby that can also serve a significant purpose.