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Walking the Walk
    An editorial by Margaret Morris

>> Eatonton’s Dana Holloway is a great example of Tri-County EMC members making a difference in our community. This Ace Hardware owner, wife and mother still finds plenty of time and energy to dedicate to helping those around her, starting with Gatewood School, her alma mater.
 
Attending Gatewood football games as a teen, Dana learned about giving back to the community while watching parents volunteer for the booster club. “My parents set a good example,” says Dana. “They were always helping their community. My mother was a member of the Pilot Club for many years and my father coached football at Gatewood School.” For eight years she has carried on the tradition of supporting the school’s football and basketball teams by serving barbeque and refreshments for the Booster Club. Proceeds from food sales help purchase football players’ uniforms and dinner and hotel rooms for away games. Dana joins long-time supporter Bubba Gunn, who has volunteered his time to help the Booster Club for over 17 years. She also cooks barbeque and stew for the Parent Teacher Organization. 

Dana’s efforts are not limited to cooking. Since 1999, she has held the position of president of the Gatewood Alumni. Her devotion to the school was recognized in a special way last year when the seniors dedicated the yearbook to her. She reflects, “I think this was the coolest award I ever received.”

>> The Holloways at their store. <<

“Walking the Walk” is a quarterly feature recognizing the contributions of Tri-County EMC Members in their community. To nominate an individual, contact Margaret Morris at (478) 986-8126 or margaretm@tri-countyemc.com.

For years, when there was a chamber of commerce or VFW event in Eatonton, you could be certain that Dana would provide a roasted pig for everyone to enjoy. She also helped with the Chamber Christmas parade, the Christmas Tour of Homes, “Taste of Eatonton” and by decorating the town’s Christmas tree at the courthouse. Dana served on the Eatonton/ Putnam County Chamber of Commerce.

Board for six years. “Dana is without a doubt one of the most community minded and giving people I know,” summarizes Eatonton/Putnam County Chamber of Commerce President Roddie Anne Blackwell. “If you can call it a fault, she wants to help everyone with everything, and she does a remarkably good job at it. Dana is one of the few people I know that can pull off a ‘one man show’ and be successful at it.” 

As a tribute to her grandfather who fought in WWII, Dana serves as  the Treasurer of the local VFW Ladies Auxilliary. According to VFW State President of the Ladies Auxilliary Anne Bryant, “Dana is a very exuberant and energetic young lady and is truely an asset to any organization.”

Dana’s original dream was to become a pharmacist. She received a Biology degree from the University of Georgia and was a few classes short of earning her Pharmacy degree when she realized that 12 to 16-hour work days wouldn’t be conducive to family life. However, in working alongside two pharmacists, she learned that she enjoyed dealing with people. “Working at the pharmacy, also taught me about running a business.”

In 1998, Dana helped establish the Big John Scholarship Foundation in honor of a pharmacy student who was killed. Last year the Foundation awarded $25,000 in scholarships to UGA pharmacy students. “We at least like to help with the expense of their books,” says Dana.

Dana and her husband Ward have a son named Jake “Bean,” age four. When asked what keeps her motivated, she replies. “I’ve  been very lucky to have many  established business people in town give me good advice. Out of it all, the piece that means the most to me was given to me
by an ‘elderly’ man. He said, ‘You have got to learn to be patient.’” <<