Garrie Bryant is a modest fellow
– with one exception. The network sales engineer is anything but
shy with his time. Bryant volunteers for oodles of events,
activities and organizations.
Garrie Bryant is a modest fellow – with one exception. The network sales engineer is anything but shy with his time. Bryant volunteers for oodles of events, activities and organizations. Now the ‘giver of time’ is to be singled out as the Chamber’s ‘Volunteer of the Year.’
The Chamber of Commerce Showcase awards honor individuals, businesses and organizations for long-time community service. The volunteer category, new last year, recognizes individuals who go above and beyond their volunteerism for the Chamber, said Sunday Minnich, the chamber’s executive director.
Bryant and other honorees will receive their awards at the Showcase Dinner Saturday night at the Morgan Hill Community Center.
The Chamber, Friday Night Music Series, Taste of Morgan Hill, Mushroom Mardi Gras, and the Downtown Safe and Sound Trick or Treat are just a few events and organizations that have benefited from Bryant’s tireless service.
“We can always count on Garrie to help us out with any events or programs we have,” praised Minnich.
“He is a great asset to the chamber, I don’t know what we would do without him,” she added.
Bryant, 54, joined the Morgan Hill Chamber in 1992, while working as a brewer for San Andreas Brewing Co. in Hollister. He said he was tricked into volunteering by Sandy Amabile, a previous chamber employee he met at a trade show, and credits her for getting him involved in chamber functions.
“I’d be kind of lost (if I stopped) because I’ve been doing these for so long,” said Bryant, referring to events such as the Taste and the Music Series.
“Back then I (the brewery) couldn’t afford sponsorship for the Music Series, so I donated my time and it became a full-time job,” laughed Bryant, who lives on nine acres with Frankie, his Siamese cat, and four other outdoor felines.
Ensuring the survival of the music series wasn’t easy. The initial hard-core group did everything from raising funds and closing off streets, to distributing flyers and picking up people’s trash.
“When it started out, I would close and open streets; now I put up yellow fencing and plastic stands for hanging banners, pick up trash … set-up and tear down,” said Bryant, who’s worked at Coast Technologies, a local computer repair and network company, since 1997.
Like any job, whether it’s a paycheck or a pat on the back you receive, the trust you put in the follow through of others is critical.
“You can rely on Garrie – you know it’s going to be done,” said Bob Snow, music series volunteer and last year’s Volunteer of the Year award winner.
“He probably thinks he’s bugging me when he calls with reminders, but sometimes I need those, said Snow. “I’m glad he’s persistent. He keeps me on my toes,” Snow insisted.
Bryant is most proud of helping grow the popular Friday Night Music Series. He remembers the tiny event attracting 20-25 people and now more than 800 join in the weekly downtown summer concert series for children and grandparents alike. The event is sponsored by the chamber and by local merchants and businesses.
“I’ve seen the same people in the same place every week over the years,” remarked Bryant.
Volunteers cite many reasons for giving. While Bryant squirmed when asked why he spends so much time giving back, he did say, “There is satisfaction from seeing people have a good time.”
“Plus, there’s people I never would have met,” added Bryant.
As a Chamber Ambassador, Bryant introduces new people to the Chamber and to myriad networking opportunities. Bryant is also Raffle Prize King, along with co-chair Sue Howell. Together they secure gift items and sell raffle tickets at Chamber breakfasts and mixers.
“He gets the raffle prizes donated. He just does it; he’s self-starting,” said Alex Kennett, past president of the Chamber. “He’s been so reliable for so long and never received the recognition. He’s one of those background guys – I thought it was time he got recognized, added Kennett.
Bryant’s also active with BookSmart’s Downtown Safe and Sound Trick or Treat. This annual Halloween event, supported by the Chamber, offers families an option from neighborhood trick or treating.
“People have really gotten into it,” said Bryant, who distributes flyers, involves merchants and helps wherever needed. “You couldn’t even walk down one side of the street last year because of all the people.”
The ghoulish affair follows on the heels of September’s Taste of Morgan Hill. Bryant co-chairs the beer tent for the Taste with Susan Wilson. Then he gets a reprieve until May when he co-chairs the Mushroom Mardi Gras wine tent with Judy Bogardus, recording secretary for Santa Clara Valley Winegrowers Association.
For both the Taste and the Mardi Gras, Bryant handles warehousing – a euphemism for ‘slepping’ cases of wine and kegs of beer between trucks and tents. Bryant also assists the Chamber with brewery connections, if needed.
“We set up and tear down,” said Bogardus. “It’s a very physical thing. For two full days Garrie loads and unloads the wine truck – and serves wine.”
“One of Garrie’s biggest assets is he’s always on time, if not early,” said Bogardus. “He’s at winegrowers’ association events from set up to tear down and his eyes are always looking around for what needs to be done. Frequently he’ll have something done before anyone else sees it.”
Bryant pitches in at the Fourth of July street dance and photographs the patriotic weekend for organizers. He’s also been spotted hanging flags, banners and holiday decorations in downtown over the years. Recently the Raffle King was nabbed to sell tickets for the Historical Society’s Founders’ Dinner.
“I’m sure I’ll get involved with more historical things,” said Bryant, anticipating enticement from friend Judy Bogardus, a historical society board member.
Helping hands are always in demand.
His advice to newcomers: “Find what you’re interested in. There’s behind-the-scenes work or things like pouring wine where you get to meet a lot of people,” offered Bryant, who said people also give back just by attending events.
“We can always use help with the Friday Night Music Series; there’s the Fourth of July activities; crossing guards for the Halloween event; and Margaret Johnston is always looking for adopters for the downtown (flower) planters,” said Bryant.
In an era where time is the most guarded commodity and human capital should be the most valued stock, Bryant exemplifies Winston Churchhill’s quote:
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
For more information on how to volunteer, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 779-9444 or Karen Lengsfield at City Hall at 779-7278.
