Bloom Where You Are Planted....My "official" Chamber of Commerce speech

My absolute favorite season is spring. Spring is a time of optimism, the promise of all things new, and it’s the most beautiful time of the year! Some of my favorite places in Elgin are the Adopt A Spot landscaping projects that local organizations and businesses are maintaining. It amazes me how it seems there is always something blooming!  

Which got me to thinking……….what if we all bloomed where we are planted? We all live in Elgin for different reasons, some of us grew up here and never left and others moved here because of our jobs or families……… but whatever the reason we are here,  we all have the opportunity to make a difference in our community and make Elgin a better place to live.

I am reminded of the story that many years ago there was a group of ladies whose goal was to make Elgin the Crepe Myrtle Capitol of America.  They planted hundreds of trees in Elgin parks and public spaces. Now I’m not sure if the title was really their motivation or they just wanted to beautify Elgin, but either way through their actions of planting crepe myrtle trees around our city it has left Elginites with so much beauty to enjoy. But most of all they left us with the inspiration that things we do today can make a difference in the future.

Your calling might not be to plant trees, but you can plant imagination and creativity in a child’s mind by being a storyteller at the Library, or volunteering at your child’s school. Perhaps you can plant ideas as a member of the many boards and commissions that help develop policy for our city. The city council is always looking for interested people to serve in these areas. Maybe you are blessed with a compassion for those less fortunate and want to help at the Community Food Pantry, Advocacy Outreach, Relay For Life, or Elgin Caregivers an organization that offers transportation to the elderly for doctor appointments. There are many worthy organizations in our community that would welcome your volunteer service.

I realize sometimes it is easier to just not get involved. We all have legitimate reasons why we can’t commit the time or energy.  But one thing I know for sure, we all can make a difference. We are all blessed with talents and skills that we can use to make Elgin a better place to live - not only now but for generations!

This spring, bloom where you are planted!