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Louise Holley has spent over seven years tirelessly contributing to the Stoke Toy Library, creating a space for families and children to learn, play, and connect within their community. What began as a visit with her six-month-old child turned into a lasting commitment to help shape and sustain the library’s essential services. “When I first joined, the committee was very small and in need of more hands to keep things running smoothly,” says Louise. “It felt important to help with fundraising and daily operations to ensure the library could continue to serve the community.”
Today, Louise serves as the Treasurer of the Stoke Toy Library, a role that has fuelled her passion for supporting families across the Nelson region. Her work involves overseeing the financial aspects, ensuring the library remains accessible and well-stocked with resources to enrich children’s early learning experiences. “The joy of seeing children discover and explore through our resources is a major motivation,” she says. “We provide learning opportunities and fun activities that many children might not have access to otherwise. This keeps me passionate about the library’s mission.”
Beyond the satisfaction of seeing the library thrive, Louise has found personal growth and connection in her volunteering journey. The friendships she’s built with other committee members have been a meaningful bonus, making her commitment even more rewarding. “The team’s dedication is inspiring and together, we’ve seen the library grow and flourish. It’s amazing to see what we can accomplish as a community.”
For Louise, the significance of volunteering runs deep, a value instilled by her mother’s own dedication to community service. “Volunteering is essential for so many local services. From sports clubs to libraries like ours, volunteers make things happen,” she explains. “Without them, these spaces and opportunities might not exist.” Louise’s advice to those considering giving their time is simple: “Just go for it. The feeling of giving back, the joy on the children’s faces, and the sense of achievement is unlike anything else. You’ll leave each day feeling happy and fulfilled.”
