Idell Johnston enjoys volunteering.
She was raised in Fresno, Calif., loved the arts and attended Roosevelt School of the Arts, a performing arts high school in Fresno. She attended California State University-Fresno, where she met her husband, Michael. They were married in 1991. They moved to Shawano in 2007 after Michael received a job offer from Seagrave in Clintonville. They have two sons, Grant, 19, and Will, 17.
In September 2011, she started her own business as a State Farm Insurance agent.
Q Where do you volunteer and how do you help each one?
A “I am a member of Wolf River Harmony, a ladies barbershop style choir. We rehearse on Tuesday nights at the Civic Center and then sing at various retirement communities, holiday parties and other places. To raise money for our group and for music scholarships for high school seniors, we sell cream puffs at the Shawano County Fair. I am now the vice president.
“I became involved in the Shawano Downtown Business Association in 2008, because I really loved the downtown atmosphere. I love the downtown events, which I feel are an essential part of our community. Now that my office is downtown, I feel it is even more important to be involved. I am now a member of the BID board and am active in the downtown festivals. I have sponsored the children’s activities at the Jumpin’ June Jamboree and the Octoberfest for the past few years, with proceeds being donated to the WINGS theater group at the high school.
“In February 2012, I was invited and attended a Rotary meeting. I was so impressed with the group after that meeting, that I joined. I am currently the Youth Exchange Counselor. We have an exchange student from Sweden and have opportunities for any youth, ages 15 to 19, to visit another country and study abroad for an entire school year or just for the summer.
“I became a Shawano Chamber Ambassador in 2013 and am also in the 2013-2014 Leadership Shawano County class. For Junior Achievement, I have been a mentor for the Business Challenge and have had my employee teach classes at the high school and middle school.
“I am also very active with the Shawano Community High School music and theater departments. My son is involved in the theater productions and in the jazz band. I volunteer time, chaperon trips to jazz competitions, and sponsor different events. I have been the coordinator for the dinner dance and ‘The Last Dance,’ which combines the jazz bands and the show choir for an evening of entertainment. My son is playing the lead in the ‘Music Man’ production on Jan. 30 through Feb. 1, and we are so excited to be involved in that, as well. Just buying a ticket and coming to see the show helps to support this program, so I encourage everyone to come and support these groups.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A “I moved to Shawano to allow my children to grow up in a better place. The only way that a community thrives and stays a great place to live is with volunteers who help on a regular basis. I feel it is so important to give back and be involved in the community that you live in. I have included my children in many of the volunteer opportunities that I am involved in so that they grow up experiencing what a difference one person can make.”
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