BEING CENTRAL TEXAN Randy Pittenger

In Search of Community

Our family moved to Belton in 1988 in search spirit: a legacy of high expectations and great of community. We found opportunities opportunity. to invest and engage as we discovered a For many years when asked why I love Belton community in which to sink deep roots. Like many my most common response was about the others, we were drawn to the Belton area by the community support for our kids and our schools. quality of life and community environment that The long tradition of support for our public included the things schools is a treasured feature of our community, we valued. At the top and demonstrates the commitment we have of that list were high collectively for investing in our kids. Certainly there quality public schools for are numerous other aspects of our community that our children. We found make it distinctive and special, but you can learn a schools that would lot about a community by how it values and invest nurture and challenge in its children. our kids to excel, as well Another long time tradition that makes our as opportunities for us Belton community distinctive is the great support to engage. for our churches and non-profit organizations; It did not take another indicator of the health of a community. long for us to find I am always amazed and proud of the way our ways to connect with community comes together to help our neighbors RANDY PITTENGER our community and in need. Helping Hands Ministry of Belton, Project schools, as we quickly Apple Tree, and other similar programs are great became volunteers with local churches, PTAs and examples of what can happen when churches other school-related groups. The volunteer work and individuals work together to provide a more was encouraging and rewarding as we found efficient delivery of resources. we could make a difference by showing up and My transition to the Belton Area Chamber being involved. That involvement eventually led of Commerce was an opportunity to continue to serving on the Belton ISD Board of Trustees to promote our community as a great place to for 24 years, and then to my current position as live, work, shop, play and raise a family. We have president/CEO of the Belton Area Chamber of experienced tremendous growth in the Belton area Commerce. as more people search for such a community. While My grandfather served for 24 years as a United this year has created some unique challenges for States Congressman, so it was instilled in me our locally owned businesses, we have seen the from an early age the importance of community results of working together, adapting to changing connections and service to community. My circumstances, and supporting each other. grandfather wisely counseled me that “all politics One of the key lessons from the 2020 health and is local” and listening to people around you is economic crisis is that we are all in this together the best way to learn how to help those in need. and we are stronger together. The importance I found that to be true in my experience as an of community, of helping each other, has been elected official, and cherish the relationships that evident throughout our area. While many are come from being connected to and listening to still struggling during this pandemic, we are those with whom we live in community. encouraged by how many new businesses have Throughout the time I served on the school opened, and how people are continuing to choose board we worked diligently to maintain the the Belton area. community values we cherish as our school district Ultimately we are all in search of community. I experienced rapid growth. On many occasions am thankful that we found one that is special and is when people would lament the anticipated loss our home. #ILoveBelton of community that would come with growth, we repeated a commitment to actively working together to hold true to our values and community Randy Pittenger is president and CEO of the Belton Area Chamber of Commerce.