Springfield Is Worth Showing Up For

Springfield has been part of my story for almost my entire life. That is more than 40 years... which feels slightly rude to say out loud, but here we are. I moved to Springfield as a toddler. I grew up there and continued to call it home, even through the years the military took me away and brought me back. Eventually, I met my husband. We spent a little time in Dayton before finally settling near Troy, Ohio, which is only a 30-minute commute depending on how many tractors and farm animals get in the way.

Elisabeth Gelhar | Photo by Ashley Fox Photography.

Springfield never really stopped being home and I knew it is where I wanted to grow my business roots.

My business has given me a front-row seat to the beauty of a city that keeps showing up, growing, changing, and working toward something better.

If you Google Springfield, some of the first things you find may not paint the prettiest picture of my hometown. Our city has found itself in the national spotlight, surrounded by controversy, misinformation, and some incredibly difficult conversations. But those headlines don't show you the Springfield I get to see every day. 

Through my businesses I started meeting the people behind the businesses and organizations. Not just the names and logos, but the people who poured their hearts into them.

I became involved with Leadership Clark County (highly recommend) and got to experience parts of my hometown I had never seen before. I learned how many people are quietly working behind the scenes every single day to make Springfield better.

And somewhere in all of that, I fell in love with Springfield in a completely different way... 

I have watched the Springfield Symphony bring people together through music and the arts. 

I have seen the heart behind places like Reimagine Gifts and Healing Homes & Hearts that not only have businesses but do so much for their community in so many different ways.

I have worked alongside organizations like Stronger Together and Think Pink Foundation, that started because someone saw a need in our community and decided to do something about it. THEN I get to watch as the rest of the community rally around them, giving their time, money, resources, and support to help make it happen!

I have also watched organizations like Professional Women of Clark County create space for women to grow, connect, support one another, and become stronger leaders in our community.

And these are just a couple examples of so many more.

Professional Women of Clark County Event | Photo by Elisabeth Ashliegh Photography

Mandy at Healing Homes & Hearts | Photo by Elisabeth Ashliegh Photography

The more involved I have become, the more I have realized that the Springfield I love is NOT defined by a headline. It is defined by the people who live here and what they choose to do for one another. 

It is the immigrants, the small business owners, the nonprofits, the volunteers.
It is people investing their time, talents, money, and hearts into this place they call home.

Maybe I notice these things more now because I have learned to look for them.

Astha writes about how much good we miss simply because we aren't paying attention. I think there is a lot of truth in that. The more I started paying attention to Springfield, the more good I found.

Supporting the place you live is about so much more than just shopping local (which you know I am a huge advocate for). It is showing up. Volunteering. Attend the fundraiser. Buying the ticket. Trying the new restaurant. Sharing the small business's post. Learning your neighbor's story. Paying attention to what is happening around you. 

Springfield isn't perfect… no community is. But I have found it to be overflowing with people who care deeply about where they live.

My challenge to you is simple:
Show up for where you live.
Find the people doing good, support them, and get involved.

If you need a little inspiration to get started, here is a great article by She Should Run, 6 ways to make a positive change in your community.

And if you want to see more of the Springfield we love, follow my team and me at Oak & Ivy on Facebook and Instagram. We share local places we love, community happenings, helpful tips, behind-the-scenes moments, and plenty of silly things along the way.

Oak & Ivy Team | Photo by Ashley Fox Photography

References:

Astha. (2026, Jan 29). The amount of good things in your life depends on your ability to notice them. Medium. https://medium.com/write-your-world/the-amount-of-good-things-in-your-life-depends-on-your-ability-to-notice-them-03b90fa39adc

She Should Run. (n.d.) 6 ways you can make a positive change in your community. She Should Run. https://www.sheshouldrun.org/resources/6-ways-you-can-make-a-positive-change-in-your-community/