Downtown Volunteers Share the Value of Helping Out in Holly
(Crystal Proxmire, Feb. 21, 2019)
Holly, MI – A recent volunteer open house was met with a massive snow storm, but that didn’t stop a handful of Downtown Holly enthusiasts from gathering to chat about their experiences volunteering.
Lori Goldsmith is a Realtor with RE/MAX Select who was named Person of the Year for 2018 by the Holly Area Chamber of Commerce. Volunteering with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is another way she invests her time and passion into the community.
“Holly Days was really rewarding” Goldsmith said. “It’s fun to sit back once in a while and watch people.
“You hear the older generations say ‘these kids and their phones.’ I looked around and the only person on their phone was a mom taking a picture of her little girl. Everyone else was interacting, not on their phones. It’s nice to see people just out and enjoying the day, and being part of Holly.”
“Volunteering is addicting,” fellow Volunteer Angela Lemon said. “It is like a high. Once you get going it feels great. It’s satisfying to see people enjoying the things you put together. When one thing’s done, you think ‘what’s next?’”
Lemon said being part of the community helps keep things in perspective. “When you’re at home on the computer it’s not the same as being around people. It’s good for you. People shouldn’t always be so critical. They should be out doing something.”
When Josh Murphy moved to Holly about a year ago, he knew that volunteering would be a good way to get to know his new town.
“I got to meet awesome people who care about the community,” Murphy said. “We’re all like-minded. We like to please people, we just enjoy seeing other people happy.”
There are many ways to volunteer through the DDA, including four sub-committees: Organization, Economic Vitality, Promotions, and Design. The most visible volunteers are those that help during events such as Ladies Night Out and Holly Days. But there are also people who help with scheduling volunteers, obtaining sponsorships, designing fliers, researching ideas, marketing and more.
“This is a mostly positive time for Holly,” Murphy said. “It’s a good time to be involved and keep that momentum going.”
To learn more about volunteer opportunities through Downtown Holly visit their website http://www.mainstreetholly.com