08/27/2026
💙 Main Street Matters: Powered by Volunteers
There is a lot of work that happens behind the scenes to help a downtown grow and thrive, and volunteers are an important part of making that work possible.
Main Street York is incredibly lucky to have people who care about York and are willing to share their time and talents with us. Today, we want to introduce you to two of those wonderful volunteers, Karen Campbell and Michelle Jones-Leamza.
Karen has always had a heart for giving back. She served in the Peace Corps for two years, volunteered with theater groups, and served on the board of the Bayou City Arts Festival in Houston.
For the past two years, Karen has served as our Volunteer Coordinator for York Summerfest, helping us place volunteers where they are needed throughout the day. She has also spent time gathering information for our Downtown Inventory so we have a better understanding of our downtown buildings and assets.
“Volunteering is the best way I’ve found to become part of a community. You get to see behind the curtain at all the work that goes into events, plus you gain friends along the way. The ultimate win/win.” — Karen Campbell
Michelle moved to York in January 2020 and was excited to get to know her new hometown. Just a few months later, COVID changed those plans. When things began opening again, she was ready to explore York, attend events, and finally become part of the community she had barely gotten the chance to meet.
Michelle is now helping us create a quarterly downtown newsletter that will share local stories, highlight our businesses, and help people stay connected to Downtown York.
“I care about York’s history, but I also care about the community we’re creating today and the York we’re building for tomorrow. I want our downtown to be a place people are proud of, businesses want to invest in, and neighbors want to gather. For me, volunteering is simply one way of putting that care into action. York matters to me, and volunteering is one small way I can show it.” — Michelle Jones-Leamza
Karen and Michelle are wonderful examples of the difference volunteers can make, but they are not alone. From students with the York School District 1 to community members who stepped up to help with York Summerfest, we have been so thankful for everyone who has shared their time with us.
To all our volunteers, thank you for showing up, giving your time, and helping us make York a warm and welcoming place for those who live here and those who come to visit. We truly appreciate you!
Would you like to get involved? Contact Krysten Franks at [email protected] to learn more about volunteering with Main Street York.
