MONROE - Volunteering can sometimes be thankless work, but two members of the Main Street Monroe Board - Brad Grebner and Tom Miller - were recently acknowledged for their efforts toward enhancing the community.
Monroe native Brad Grebner has formulated his life around volunteer work. It began with the influence of both his father and uncle, who were Eagle Scouts. Grebner started giving his free time to help others roughly 13 years ago when he joined the Cub Scouts. Eventually, after a service project raising funds for an interactive white board called a SMART Board for Green County EMS, Grebner earned the designation of Eagle Scout.
Now seeking a bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Grebner has spent seven years working alongside mentor Mike Jerge with Main Street Monroe. Grebner has spent most of his time as a volunteer breaking down and setting up concert venues.
"I love being able to set up the concerts and seeing the impact they had on the people," Grebner said. "The best part is just seeing people's faces and how they react; seeing the audience's faces light up."
He was also recently elected to the Main Street board. Along with Jerge, he has been planning a possible fundraiser to help the organization buy a new trailer. The purchase would make operations more efficient, Grebner said.
For work described in a press release by Main Street Monroe as "outstanding downtown revitalization," Grebner received the designation of Volunteer of the Year by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation on April 7 in Wisconsin Rapids.
Fellow Main Street Monroe board member Tom Miller has been the recipient of that same award. Miller was honored during this year's ceremony when he was recognized as Honorary Board Member. The awards ceremony in Wisconsin Rapids is hosted by Wisconsin Main Street, an association at the state level working to organize local chapters. Miller has been with Main Street Monroe since 2005, which is the year it began.
"It felt good that other people notice what I'm doing," Miller said. "Recognition isn't really what I'm doing it for. I want to make sure people have fun in their community."
Miller has been on the Main Street Monroe Board for two years, though began his time with the group in its earliest days after organizing a fundraiser to build the skate park in Honey Creek Park. Miller was putting together a Battle of the Bands to promote the space when Main Street Monroe was seeking musical entertainment. Since then, Miller proudly said he helped begin the Concerts on the Square, has co-chaired the Christmas Parade for a number of years and continues the annual pie-eating contest.
"I enjoy organizing things for people to enjoy in town," Miller said. "I like doing everything I do for the downtown and the community."
Miller said he plans to continue with the organization indefinitely, which Grebner said was also his own intention.
Executive Director of Main Street Monroe Jordan Nordby said in the release that Grebner and Miller have been vital to the group's existence. Nordby credited their continued dedication to enhancing the Square and the historic district of Monroe, and was present to see the volunteers receive their awards.
"Both have been involved with Main Street for so many years, and are incredibly deserving of the recognition," Nordby said. "Their commitment to our community and what Main Street is doing comes with hard work, enthusiasm and ingenuity. You cannot ask for more than that."
Monroe native Brad Grebner has formulated his life around volunteer work. It began with the influence of both his father and uncle, who were Eagle Scouts. Grebner started giving his free time to help others roughly 13 years ago when he joined the Cub Scouts. Eventually, after a service project raising funds for an interactive white board called a SMART Board for Green County EMS, Grebner earned the designation of Eagle Scout.
Now seeking a bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Grebner has spent seven years working alongside mentor Mike Jerge with Main Street Monroe. Grebner has spent most of his time as a volunteer breaking down and setting up concert venues.
"I love being able to set up the concerts and seeing the impact they had on the people," Grebner said. "The best part is just seeing people's faces and how they react; seeing the audience's faces light up."
He was also recently elected to the Main Street board. Along with Jerge, he has been planning a possible fundraiser to help the organization buy a new trailer. The purchase would make operations more efficient, Grebner said.
For work described in a press release by Main Street Monroe as "outstanding downtown revitalization," Grebner received the designation of Volunteer of the Year by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation on April 7 in Wisconsin Rapids.
Fellow Main Street Monroe board member Tom Miller has been the recipient of that same award. Miller was honored during this year's ceremony when he was recognized as Honorary Board Member. The awards ceremony in Wisconsin Rapids is hosted by Wisconsin Main Street, an association at the state level working to organize local chapters. Miller has been with Main Street Monroe since 2005, which is the year it began.
"It felt good that other people notice what I'm doing," Miller said. "Recognition isn't really what I'm doing it for. I want to make sure people have fun in their community."
Miller has been on the Main Street Monroe Board for two years, though began his time with the group in its earliest days after organizing a fundraiser to build the skate park in Honey Creek Park. Miller was putting together a Battle of the Bands to promote the space when Main Street Monroe was seeking musical entertainment. Since then, Miller proudly said he helped begin the Concerts on the Square, has co-chaired the Christmas Parade for a number of years and continues the annual pie-eating contest.
"I enjoy organizing things for people to enjoy in town," Miller said. "I like doing everything I do for the downtown and the community."
Miller said he plans to continue with the organization indefinitely, which Grebner said was also his own intention.
Executive Director of Main Street Monroe Jordan Nordby said in the release that Grebner and Miller have been vital to the group's existence. Nordby credited their continued dedication to enhancing the Square and the historic district of Monroe, and was present to see the volunteers receive their awards.
"Both have been involved with Main Street for so many years, and are incredibly deserving of the recognition," Nordby said. "Their commitment to our community and what Main Street is doing comes with hard work, enthusiasm and ingenuity. You cannot ask for more than that."