“We feel that it’s very important to be involved in our community”
Some people volunteer every once in a while, but others become a major part of the community without even realizing it.
For Jo and Mike Ellis, their involvement with FAF and LOT 323 began somewhat unexpectedly, and, as they put it, they simply just “got caught up” in all the excitement.
The two participated in the very first Fine Arts Festival [FAF], and from there they found themselves becoming more involved with the people, events, and projects that make Woodbury the special place that it is. What started with just showing up ended up becoming a deeper commitment to become a part of the community that they had chosen to call home.
Jo and Mike moved to Woodbury more than 25 years ago. What had initially brought them to the city, in their words, was “the house we found”, a small Victorian on a quiet street, within walking distance of both the school and downtown. It seemed like a good decision then, and more than two decades later, it still is.
“Even before moving here we knew Woodbury has always been a town with a strong commitment to the Arts.”
But it was always more than just the house that kept them here. Over the years, they have watched the spirit of Woodbury continue to grow. From events like Porchfest and summer evenings at LOT 323 to programs supporting local artists, efforts to preserve the city’s history, Pride events, and Earth Day cleanups. For Jo and Mike, that sense of community is one of the things that makes Woodbury home.
They’ve become familiar faces at LOT 323, where they’ve consistently volunteered and have helped events run smoothly. The LOT offers something they both value: live music, good food, and the opportunity to connect with different people who simply want to enjoy a safe and welcoming night out. They can often be found volunteering together at the beer station, where Jo and Mike joked that there’s also an opportunity to sample some of the local breweries’.
Through their involvement in Woodbury, Jo and Mike have built relationships with neighbors and other families, including a group of parents whose children were around the same age as their son. Today, they find it especially rewarding to see new and young families become part of the community.
“We’re reminded every time of the wealth of great music available locally,” they shared, recalling one of their favorite LOT memories. Seeing Rich Quick perform. Their son recognized him from the Warped Tour, creating a fun connection between the local scene and the much larger musical experience.
However, their commitment to Woodbury goes far beyond LOT 323.
Jo and Mike have long believed that everyone deserves access to food, and much of their volunteer work has been centered around addressing food insecurity. They have worked with Philabundance’s “ Fresh for All” program through South Jersey, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and spent time supporting the Dream Center in West Deptford.
As former educators, they also understand the importance of making books and reading available and accessible to children. This belief led them to volunteer with BookSmiles, an organization that provides free classroom libraries using donated books.
They also spend time volunteering at the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, because, as they simply put it, “dinosaurs are cool.”
Beyond their community involvement, Jo and Mike love to travel and have used the flexibility of their careers to explore new places. They also spend a lot of time in their garden, seek out good music wherever they can find it, and naturally, they believe that good music is even better when it is paired with good food.
At the heart of everything Jo and Mike do is a simple belief. That communities become stronger when people choose to participate in them. They are inspired by the multitude of volunteers who continue to show up for Woodbury, creating a sense of pride and connection throughout the city. Their story is a reminder that becoming part of a community doesn’t always have to happen through one big moment. Sometimes, you find a house, show up to a festival, meet your neighbors, volunteer once, and then again and again, and realize that you’ve become a part of something much bigger than yourself.
For more than 25 years, Jo and Mike have called Woodbury home. We’re grateful that they’ve chosen to help make it feel like home for so many others too.
Thank you, Jo and Mike, for being truly FAFFIN’ Amazing!
BE A COMMUNITY HERO
Your donation helps fund:
Free Community Programing
Local Artists & Musicians
Public Art & Placemaking
The next chapter of LOT 323
Give what you can. Show up how you’re able. Every bit counts!
