Page 66 - LIN-December 2024-web-file

A Love of Christmas &

Community Creates a Unique

Opportunity

at The Naples Players

isa Bill and her husband Ted attended the first TNP Trees & Teas
Festival in 2020. It had been over a year since COVID had shut
L down most indoor gatherings, so they felt they were experiencing
a new beginning. "We were just so excited to be back out with people, and
surrounded by all these wonderful trees!" said Lisa. Little did she realize
that just a few years later, she would become the design chair for the event!
Knowing her passion for all things Christmas, Ted mentioned Lisa’s interest
in getting involved to Bryce Alexander, TNP CEO & Executive Artistic
Director. Bryce connected Lisa with Pamela Larkin Caruso, Director of
Volunteer Advancement, and it has been a match made in heaven!
While born in Pennsylvania, Lisa grew up abroad with her parents
who are international educators. She attended American Schools and lived
in England, Egypt, Turkey, and spent many of her formative years in the
Netherlands. “When I was growing up, Christmas was always a time of
joyful celebrations, bringing together family and friends. In the darkness of
northern European winters, Christmas was the light." Lisa and her family
were part of a community of people living abroad and away from their
families. "Other expats became an important part of our close 'family,’"
Lisa explained.
Lisa found her way back to the states for college in New Hampshire and
a career in sales that has spanned retail, Wall Street, and manufacturing. It
was at her last job that Lisa met her husband Ted. Perhaps it was inevitable
that Lisa became a TNP volunteer, considering that her husband Ted is
on the TNP Board of Directors; her dad, John Heard, is performing in the
TNP Readers Theater; and her mother-in-law, Theresa Bill (aka T.Bill),
received the TNP Lifetime Volunteer award for her many contributions on
and off stage. For Lisa, TNP is truly a family affair.
In her first year as a Trees and Teas volunteer, Lisa helped create the
wreaths and mini trees that are sold during the event. It quickly became clear
to Lisa that she wanted a bigger role and knew she had much more to offer.
“Each year, I love preparing our home for a festive holiday, including hosting
our large annual Christmas party,” said Lisa. “I decorate six trees in our
home, each with a different theme. When I showed the photos of my trees
to TNP staff, it led to the next phase of my volunteer role.”

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