For Lancaster resident Holly Braly, community service is not a distant ideal; it is a daily practice. In recognition of her lifelong dedication to local youth and schools, Volunteer River Counties officially named Braly the July Volunteer of the Month.
Braly recently wrapped up an impressive eight-year tenure as the PTA president for Lancaster Elementary School. She is stepping down this summer to help transition new leadership as her youngest child will soon be finished with her time there. A graduate of Lancaster public schools herself, her deep roots led her into volunteerism years ago when a friend asked for help with publicity for the Lancaster County Virginia Education Foundation. When her own children entered the school system, joining the PTA was a natural next step.
Over the years, her volunteer service portfolio has expanded to Dream Fields, where she manages the concession stand, oversees inventory, and coordinates volunteer schedules. Her husband, Chris Braly, volunteers as the manager for operations at Dream Fields. In fact, Chris nominated Holly for the honor to recognize her tireless fundraising and operational work there!
Braly's philosophy on service is straightforward and brooks no excuses. She frequently encounters people who complain that there should be more activities or programs for kids in the community, to which she responds: "These things don't happen without people doing them." Instead of waiting for outside forces to improve the community, Braly says, "You can look around and wonder when somebody will do it. Or you can just jump in and get it done."
As a mom who works full-time from home for a trade association, Braly challenges the idea that people are too busy for community service. In her experience, the hesitation often stems from a misconception about the workload. "They always think it's a bigger burden or commitment than it really is. Once they get in there, they discover it's fun," she notes.
Braly emphasizes that small acts can make a massive difference. "You bite off what you can handle," Braly said. "Maybe that's just helping out one time a year at an event. But that helps! It's all our responsibility to make sure we get things done for the community. It takes everybody."
If you want to follow Braly's lead, find more information about volunteering at Dream Fields by visiting VolunteerRiverCounties.org.
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