Last month, in lieu of writing about Volunteer Appreciation Week (which is in April) I chose to instead focus on April’s wine walk. (It was a fantastic night!) Always relevant, my plan had been to write this month about volunteering and the importance of social capital. When it comes to volunteers and volunteering, there is much to share. The appreciation week is an opportunity to recognize the impact of our volunteer service and the power they have in tackling challenges, seizing opportunities, and building a stronger community. They are the lifeblood of our organization and our program. They share many things in common, including a love of Monroe and commitment to our community.

As I type this, I am sitting in Birmingham, Alabama which is where the National Main Street Conference is being held this year. At today’s opening plenary, a quote was shared with me and a couple other thousand attendees:

“Money is no good unless it contributes something to the community, unless it builds a bridge to a better life. Any man can make money, but it takes a special kind of man to use it responsibly.”

The man who said that, Arthur George Gaston, was an entrepreneur who opened many businesses in Birmingham which became among the most prominent African American businesses in the south. While there are many layers to this man and that quote, I am struck by how often we work to emphasize many things but, from a different facet, shy away from it.

What volunteers are at their core is generous. They are generous with their time, with their skills, with their ideas. And while it is crucial to discuss the capital that volunteers bring, their time would not be respected nor maximized if it were not for a different generosity. This is one that we need from people throughout Monroe now for a new public space, a project that will use no city taxpayer dollars. While I oftentimes emphasize that Main Street Monroe is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, I less typically write about our financial support. 

We are supported by the city of Monroe, the Business Improvement District — which is a separate tax paid for by property owners — sponsorships, and donations. Like the volunteers who allow us to do all that we do, it is also the generosity of this community that allows us to do all that we do. Donations these past few years have ranged from $5 to $5,000. Generosity is shown to us by those happy to give time, kindness, and money when it is needed.

As Main Street gets into our summer calendar of events, we continue to work so that generosity — the willingness to give help and support in so many different facets — is recognized and maximized, and we look forward to next summer when we can schedule new events in the space. Naming opportunities will be available to leave a legacy for your family or business.  A donor recently made a beautiful gesture that I cannot help but share: they will be donating $1,000 for each year they have lived in Monroe. Decades that define chapters of life. It is a very generous donation that mirrors the generosity of Monroe.  We will soon launch the 100 People Who Love Monroe segment of the campaign; please watch for more details.

Now in our 19th year, we are taking a step to build upon what we do and create something tangible for the community. Something that will be enjoyed by and benefit generations to come. Generosity has allowed us to be in a position to tackle a challenge, seize an opportunity, and further build a stronger community. All amounts of generosity will make a difference.

While I had never heard of A.G. Gaston before today, I am emboldened by his wisdom and all of you who have been living it and recognizing the need. No matter the amount, your generosity is building a bridge to a better life for all who call Monroe home. We hope Monroe’s generosity will see us across the finish line.

—  Jordan Nordby is the executive director for Main Street Monroe. He can be reached at MonroeMainStreet@tds.net. Complete details on Main Street Monroe and its efforts can be found at 

mainstreetmonroe.org.