by The Staff
12/12/2014

The HollistonReporter.com is pleased to announce its selection of two local residents for their Annual Outstanding Achievement Award. The award has been given since 2008 to local citizens who exemplify volunteerism through their actions. Those citizens who have been honored by Celebrate Holliston as Citizens of the Year are ineligible to receive the HollistonReporter.com distinction. This year's HollistonReporter.com honorees are Ellin Austin and PJ Kilkelly.

PJ Kilkelly, for all intents and purposes, is a take the bull by the horn, hands on - get er done type of volunteer. A member of the town's Agricultural Commission and a stone mason by trade, Kilkelly's interest in animals comes via his upbringing alongside milking cows in his native Currenrue (Kinvara) Co., Galway, Ireland.

When not building a chimney or tending his backyard animals which include chickens, goats, ducks and pigs, Kilkelly finds time to give back to his fellow residents.This past summer in addition to building a stone base for a planter at Gooch's Corner as a member of Holliston in Bloom, Kilkelly installed the above pillars on the rail trail on Cross Street.

When the Agricultural Commission wished to enlarge the Community Garden this past summer, it was Kilkelly (above center) who not only helped fundraising efforts but literally built the enlarged garden including fencing, a patio, tool shed and raised garden bed himself.. Not one to stay idle, Kilkelly is now the owner of a fundraiser on behalf of the Ag/Com called "Who'll Kiss the Pig." Monies collected will support the building of a butterfly aviary at the community garden. Kilkelly looks forward to next year when the Ag/Com manages the 32 acre Serocki property on Rodgers Road. He is married to his wife Shelly and has two children Brian and Grace.

The HollistonReporter.com applauds Kilkelly's community efforts of volunteerism and presented him with a plaque recognizing his achievements.

Ellin Austin knew that she had tapped into something special when she started volunteering at the Holliston Pantry Shelf a dozen years ago. She was impressed by all the really great people at the Pantry. It was a moment when one door closed, and another opened for her. Twelve years later she is a master stock person, vice president of the Pantry board, And every week she and Sylvia Stickney figure out what groceries are needed for more than 100 families in Holliston. Good organization and boundless energy seems to come natural to Ellin, but is inclined to credit her co-volunteers at the Pantry and the town's generosity with the good work the Pantry does. "This is a very generous town," she says. Ellin grew up here in town. She and her husband Joe Austin raised two children, Kate and Mike, here.

 "I have found over the years that you can do things that make a difference even if you don't have any money to spare.  In the case of the food pantry, I think it helps that I know what it's like to not have money. I'm convinced that some people who have never gone without, just can't wrap their heads around what it's really like. Sometimes, time, compassion, knowledge and experience are worth more than money -- "even though it won't pay my oil bill," she says.

Ellin, third from right, is also a member of the Holliston Historical Commission. Ellin has a passion for history, particularly local history; she loves and collects old maps and books.

When Ellin saw, in her search for geneaological records, that some ot the Town's records were at risk of water damage, she took the problem upon herself, first asking "Why doesn't someone do something about that?" and then realizing that she should. She found a dry spot for the records and has begun cataloguing them so that records will be available to future geneaologists.

Ellin also turns up to help post the names of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.  "We take so much for granted," she says, "seeing the names and ages, seeing how many there are, makes a difference to how we understand war and its sacrifices."

The HollistonReporter.com recognizes Ellin Austin's good work and generous spirit with its Outstanding Achievement Award.

The annual recognition awards are presented at a luncheon honoring the recipients.