Many told us the people Martinsville would not be open and accepting to revitalizing the community. There were some days when I accepted these naysayers. But I’m not one to be negative.
We thought we could do something positive for Martinsville by hosting a Community Day event (scheduled for May 10). Again, people told us we couldn’t do this and that we were stepping on toes of others. I’m not sure why or whose toes we’ve stepped on.
The Martinsville Community Day event is two days away. I spent part of this evening updating all the notes and event details. And for the first time, I realized that this event could just be a spark that this community needs. One can only hope!
The response for this event has been fantastic! The target “customers” for the Community Day are youth, entrepreneurs, and local businesses and organizations. Here is a list of all the groups participating in the event:
- American Camping Association
- YMCA
- US Army
- Central Indiana Regional Blood Center (with 18 people signed up to donate–all slots full!)
- Morgan County Autism Foundation
- Morgan County Special Olympics
- Martinsville Kiwanis
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Morgan County
- Tender Loving Care Veterinarian
- Gentry Martial Arts (demonstration at 2:30 pm)
- Youth As Resources
- YMCA Relay for Life (fund raiser dinner at Kivett building from 12:00 – 3:00)
- Morgan County WIC
- Morgan County Recycles (with recycling bins on the Square)
We also set out to have some exciting events for the kids. We are having a youth idea fair & contest and lemonade stand competition (Apprentice style). We wanted to have some great prizes for the kids. Again, the Martinsville and surrounding communities have come through! Here is a list of the prizes:
- YMCA Summer Program Memberships (courtesy of Judy Bucci & YMCA)
- Gentry Martial Arts memberships and uniforms (courtesy of Brandon Sieg)
- 3 regulation NFL footballs (courtesy of Jett Branham, Indianapolis Colts)
- 3 regulation Dwight Freeney jerseys (courtesy of Colts)
- 50 Colts rubber duckies (courtesy of Colts)
- 50 Colts ink pens (courtesy of Colts)
- 4 Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra tickets
- 4 ComedySportz Indianapolis passes for 5 people (courtesy of Troy Hanna)
- 6 gift certificates for various items from Dancers Edge (courtesy of Sarah Frederickson)
- free art session at Art Gallery & Framing (courtesy of Kathryn Maxwell)
- autographed copy of Comeback Season (courtesy of Cathy Day)
- autographed copy of The Circus In Winter (courtesy of Cathy Day)
- 10 Indianapolis Indians tickets (courtesy of Melissa Plunkett)
- 2 tickets to Indianapolis 500 qualifications on May 17 (courtesy of Becki Lord, Boys & Girls Club)
We expect to do this event for little to no out of pocket expense. Prizes have been donated. Flyers have been donated. Event signs have been donated. Other supplies have been donated. The Martinsville Community is definitely coming through, big time.
This is example of what can be done in any community. Just don’t believe the naysayers and conventional wisdom.