Judy Holleman: Member of ‘Fab Four’ Adds Campaign Supporter to Her Volunteer Roles
The date she began volunteering for Metrocrest Services escapes Judy Holleman.
“I can’t even remember when I started,” the retired resident of Carrollton said. “But it was in the ‘90s. I don’t know why, but I just signed up and said, ‘Hey, I’d like to do Home Delivered Meals.’”
What began as feeding a few senior citizens on her route on Saturdays has grown to a legacy of giving that has helped tens of thousands through her volunteerism and monetary support of Metrocrest Services.
“With Metrocrest Services, I just kind of got involved with donating to the food pantry,” she said. “Before the pandemic, I volunteered at the pantry and now I volunteer at the warehouse, sorting donations. Things have changed a lot over the years.” The need has grown exponentially for Metrocrest Services, as people struggle with everything from the effects of the pandemic to job loss, health crises, rent escalations, inflation and more.
“People don’t know all the things that Metrocrest does do, and can do,” Judy said. “So many people don’t have family and friends to take care of them. Metrocrest has the resources to offer them.”
Volunteering with Metrocrest Services offers Judy the chance to give back. Every Wednesday finds her at the Metrocrest Services warehouse, sorting donations alongside three other volunteers who have become close friends.
“They call us ‘The Fab Four,’” Judy laughed. “Vicky, Stella, Peggy and me – we work together and two of us go out to lunch after our shift. We’ve gotten to be real good friends.” None of the women knew each other before they began volunteering together, and now they’re fast friends who look forward to their Wednesdays together.
Judy also enjoys giving monetarily to Metrocrest Services, knowing from first-hand experience how the non-profit changes lives for the better. She is a supporter of the Metrocrest Services Building Our Future capital campaign, happily donating money to help the organization build a much-needed new headquarters facility.
“Those people at Metrocrest Services are super fantastic and they know where it needs to go!” Judy explained. “They’re in my will and everything else. I like to see the money working while I’m alive. And see the joy.”
In particular, Judy looks forward to the new food pantry and warehouse, both of which will be on-site at the new Metrocrest Services, a facility that will bring the many services the social services agency offers under one roof. She looks forward to seeing people shop for their own groceries and choosing from the fresh fruits and vegetables donated from the North Texas Food Bank and community gardens that support the pantry.
“I’m just so excited; I’ve seen all the plans!” Judy said. “Just the rendering of what the place is going to look like is so exciting.”
Now 79 years young, Judy counts her involvement with Metrocrest Services as one of the things that brings her the most joy. “I don’t have a lot of hobbies, and I don’t cook a lot and I don’t clean,” she joked. Judy also looks forward to her daily walks with rescue dogs at Operation Kindness, where she also spends time volunteering.
“Judy is just a one-of-a-kind volunteer who goes above and beyond to help her community,” Nicole Binkley, COO of Metrocrest Services, said. “She truly cares for people and is willing to invest her resources to show it. Her humor and kindness are unparalleled. Judy is beloved in our organization, and we are grateful for every act of kindness she gives.”
For others looking to get involved, Judy recommends talking to volunteer coordinators at Metrocrest Services to find a role that fits your lifestyle. “There are so many opportunities – just find the one you want to do. Someone I ran into a couple years ago helped Metrocrest Services in office work. I have another friend whose daughter wants to intern with them because they’re a great non-profit.
“I always just say, ‘Just give us a chance.’ There are so many avenues that I didn’t even know Metrocrest was involved in,” Judy said, “and I’m amazed at the things going to be in the new building. I always say, ‘We do that now?’ And I will find out we did already do that, but with this new building, we will offer it in a whole new way. Just get involved.”