Save A Lot is very pleased to bring you another wonderful story of local residents who have gone above and beyond to serve our community. This month we are excited to honor Mary and Paul Jolly!
A Jolly Good Time!
Their story begins in 1996 in a 9th grade Pleasure Ridge Park biology class. That is where Mary met Paul. They were good friends for 3 years who hung out, listened to live music, and spent time at Dixie Bowl. That was until the Summer of 1999, which was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Graduation came, which led to Paul going to college at Center College in Danville while Mary stayed in Louisville and went to the University of Louisville. Fast forward to 2002 and they added Brandon to their story.
Brandon was the reason that Mary moved to the Portland neighborhood. Paul’s family was from Portland and was an active part of the community. Mary was from the West End but not Portland. Mary needed help with Brandon, so she took a chance and moved to the neighborhood. She was nervous and was hesitant but the community that she found loved her and loved Brandon. They found a community of faith at The Promise Center where they volunteered, mentored, and were fully invested.
Paul and Mary got married, bought a house, and they were all in. They found a calling to be in the neighborhood and raise their family. Both were volunteering at the Promise Center in many different ways. Paul was helping with Vita and the tax program and Mary mentored teen girls and helped lead a recovery ministry. Mary loved the Portland Promise Center so much that she ended up working there. The Promise Center taught them to love everyone where they are, showing them the love of Jesus through their actions and how to have fun while they are doing it. Not only were Paul and Mary able to add 3 more Jolly kids to the mix, but they also have been blessed to be able to open their home to other kids in the neighborhood that needed a place to stay for a bit. They provided shelter, love and compassion. They say that they have been honored to call these children their ‘Bonus Family.’
Mary works for the city at the Health Department and loves to support new and expecting parents. Her career wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for her Portland friends and family being there for her as she was raising her children. Support and love helped spark a passion to make sure every family had what they needed to thrive. Paul is a stay-at-home dad that volunteers in the community, is involved in the kids’ school and helps out the neighbors when he can.
In 2022 Mary was asked to be on the Board of Portland Now, Inc. She became the secretary and was more than ready to serve her community. That exposure and experience eventually led to to her being elected the President of Portland Now, Inc. for two years. She met with neighbors, business owners and elected officials to listen and learn about the needs of the Portland Community and what it requires to thrive. She continues to be honored to have been asked to represent her community.
To make a long and inspirational story short, Paul and Mary have been married for 21 years and continue to raise their family in Portland. Paul volunteers with the Portland Avenue Community Trust and is assisting the Screaming Eagles (Shawnee) wrestling team, and Mary leads the Recovery Ministry.
The Jolly’s believe that they were called to be in this neighborhood. They are absolutely Portland Proud and can’t imagine anywhere else they would rather be spending these years. They hope that while they are here, they are able to bless everyone around them just as they have been blessed.
As a small token of our immense appreciation, we would like to offer our most sincere thanks and let you know that we have a $50.00 gift card awaiting you at Save A Lot.
