Chances are you are like most people and your New Year’s resolutions have already fallen by the wayside. Statistically speaking, most resolutions fail by January 11. That doesn’t speak great volumes about our personal constitutions, but it does open the door to filling a gap.
I am willing to bet most of us aren’t from Holly Springs, yet we have come here from all over in search of the right place to call home. The first time I drove through here on the way to go fishing at Jordan Lake I saw a sign that said Holly Springs, but no town. I mean, nothing. Highway 55 was a step above a dirt road—and this was in the mid-90s!
Yet, here I am. Settled in for almost a decade since retiring from the Army. What better way to appreciate and enjoy the community I am part of than by giving back? Having already established that I am a member of the American Legion, it is important to illustrate the number of clubs and organizations, both local and global, that dedicate their time and services toward helping others. Each of these organizations have been around for decades and you can see their emblems posted outside of just about every town you drive through. There is only one problem. We see the street signs, pass certain club buildings, but too many of us fail to understand what any of these organization are and what they do. Let’s fix that.
Lions
Feeling more ambitious? Lions Club roars onto the scene in 1917. Like the others, Lions have a passion for serving their community and, indirectly, the world. Their mission statement is “to empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, and encourage peace while promoting international understanding.” Armed with a vision of becoming the global leader in each aspect, Lions Club boasts over 1 million members in over 200 countries. Their impact can be felt deep throughout their communities, for they thrive on putting the needs of others ahead of themselves. It is through vision and foresight the Lions work diligently to make the world a better place, not only for us, but for future generations to come. Go to their website to learn more: www.lionsclubs.org.
Kiwanis
If you are the kind who loves children and wants to help improve the future, Kiwanis is the place for you. The Kiwanis have been around for just over a hundred years and have branches in virtually every city across the country. Their primary mission is to improve the world one child and one community at a time. You probably have seen the signs for their pancake breakfasts, but their impact can be felt deep throughout our school systems. Each year, the Kiwanis donate dictionaries to every third grader in their school districts. Members are among some of the most influential people in the community, each with a passion for helping our children reach their full potential. Many of the high schools have Key Clubs, a Kiwanis-led initiative to prepare children for college and success. You can learn more about the Kiwanis on their website: www.kiwanis.org.
Ruritan
Not ready to jump in the deep end of the pool yet? Perhaps the Ruritan Club is more your speed. Founded in 1928, Ruritan National Inc. serves small communities and towns with the simple yet honest pledge of “fellowship, goodwill, and community service.” Whereas the other clubs and organizations documented in this article have a national presence, the Ruritans are mostly decentralized. Each club is established with the autonomy to work with the needs of their specific community, thus allowing them to achieve greater impact. You’ve probably driven by their building on James Slaughter Road but never knew what the group does. In addition to working with recreational centers, they sponsor athletic programs, highway clean-up, and they hold drives to help the sick and needy. A worthy organization, Ruritan National Inc. is an indelible part of the community landscape. You can learn more at: www.ruritan.org.
Rotary
Last but not least, we come to the mighty Rotary. With Clubs in over 35,000 communities worldwide, the Holly Springs Rotary Club is responsible for many of the local events we have come to take for granted. Two of the local Club’s very visible fundraisers in the community are the annual BBQ beef booth at HollyFest, and the annual Charity Golf Classic each Spring. The Club directs all proceeds from local events to help fund the local Holly Springs organizations helping citizens in need the most.
Rotary International has been around for over 110 years and the Holly Spring Rotary Club since 2004. Club members work to continue improving the quality of life through community engagement for all of our neighbors. What brings Rotarians together is the desire to use their time and talents to make our community, our state and our world a better place. What keeps us together is the friendship we have with our fellow members, the fun we have doing good in the world, and the work we do to make a difference. While local events are fun and provide community support, Rotary has a far greater manifest. Worldwide, Rotary “promotes integrity, advancing world understanding, goodwill and peace through a fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.” Priding themselves on promoting peace, fighting disease, and providing clean water, while supporting education and community growth, Rotary International is the heavy hitter in the game and the group you want coming up to bat in the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded, two outs and down by one. If this is you, you can learn more at: www.hollyspringsrotary.org.
To be clear, I am not advocating any particular group nor suggesting you should rush right out to join. Time is already strange thanks to the virus and our having to adjust to a new way of life, but if you feel the pull to step outside of your comfort zone and make a difference to yourself, Holly Springs, and maybe the world, each of these worthy organizations would be proud to welcome you.
Sure, you can call those 800 numbers on the television and pledge your $19 dollars a month for this charity or that, but wouldn’t you feel better investing in your own community, your children, and your way of life? I have travelled to close to thirty countries and the one thing that sets us apart (in my opinion) is our willingness to give, to help others, and to act selflessly when needed. At the end of the day, the real question is not what you have to lose by joining one of these groups, it is what you have to gain.
