Shirley Community Association

 During a card game party in 1934, a few friends in Shirley came up with the idea of forming a committee to realize a dream --- building a community hall for all residents in the neighborhood to meet and socialize. Thus the establishment of Shirley Community Association in the same year. In 1937, that dream became a reality with the construction of a hall and lean-to, built on a small parcel of land donated to the Association. Most of the work was done by the volunteers and all the materials were donated. At the time, membership fee was 10 cents. Residents from around the area came to the hall for card games, dancing, dinners, crafts and more. Electric power came to Shirley in 1953, telephone services followed soon after. West Coast Road was built. Today, high tech living has become part of our life --- TV, cell phone, and internet. People move to this area from around the globe. Shirley's landscape has indeed evolved over the years. The Shirley Community Association has evolved along with the change of time, yet we remain true to the tradition of community spirit and volunteerism.

 Over the years, the Association has expanded the hall and added two additional buildings. The Shirley Volunteer Fire Department makes its home in a building adjacent to the hall. The Association also purchased one acre of land next to the hall. Pioneer Park thus became part of our landscape.

Today, the Association carries on multiple functions, among them:

*provides a hall facility for public use and private events.

*organizes events throughout the year to celebrate our community spirit.

*maintains Pioneer Park for public enjoyment

*provides a home base for Shirley Volunteer Fire Department

*provides a facility for JDF Emergency Response Shirley Chapter.

* provides emergency shelter in case of disaster

*serves as conduit for communication between various government agencies and local residents

*provides a forum for local residents to raise their concerns/comments

To satisfy these needs, the Association finances these operations through membership fees, fund raising events, hall rentals, lease rents, and government grants.

Chuck Minten, our current Association President and a long-time member of the Association, sums it up this way, " The Association gives a sense of belonging and a means of contributing to the well being of our community and the greater good of all".