As the director of Community Events at the McLean Community Center (MCC) for the last 17 years, I have had the privilege of seeing first-hand what makes McLean a great place to live and work.
One of the many things that make McLean a special place is the McLean Community Center. It serves as a central place that members of the community can meet, relax, have fun---and most importantly — plan new projects. The Center also provides a host of opportunities for individuals to refresh, renew and reinvent themselves through an ever-changing array of classes, tours, performances, art exhibits and youth and teen programs.
Community events, that have become community favorites, such as McLean Day, McLean Holiday Crafts Show and the Taste of McLean also provides local businesses with an opportunity to meet with residents and show their many products and services. Residents also benefit from the Center by having many opportunities to volunteer and "give back."
MCC may provide a physical space that makes it possible for members of the community to meet, but the true spirit of community is something that only residents themselves can bring to the equation of "great community" and in McLean, that spirit is alive and well. There have been a great number of enhancements that have been made to the neighborhood by groups of dedicated volunteers, not the least of which is MCC.
In my job, I focus on providing opportunities for people to stop and take a break, which can be hard in this hectic, metropolitan area. I try to bring a "hometown" feel to the events we present. One way I accomplish that is by making sure that there are activities and events that will be of interest to all. Our fall cultural festivals open our perspectives, the Taste of McLean gives local food establishments an opportunity to be in the spotlight and our garage sales are for any and every man and woman, especially those who are not allowed to hold yard sales by their community associations.
Our classes, the art on exhibit at McLean Project for the Arts, the exhilarating performances presented by the Alden Theatre and youth and teen events, including the fifth and sixth grade dances and the Old Firehouse Teen Center's summer program, are all geared to making McLean a better place to live and work.
The great thing about living and working in McLean is the fact that while opportunities exist everywhere for people to make a real difference in their communities by putting their time, energy and resources into the greater good, in McLean people do — people really do.
Sam A. Roberts III
Community Events Director
McLean