Eric and Diane Holm Philanthropists CEO of Metro Corral, Holm Donuts, Holm Hotels, Holm Subs, Colt’s Pig Stand (Eric Holm)
THE THANKS GIVERS
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LADDENINGLIGHT, THE WINTER PARK nonprofit that explores the connection between art and spirituality, is illuminating more and more corners HESE ERIC AND HOLMfounding SEEM TO HAVE EVERYof the DAYS, city, guided by itsDIANE imaginative thing. But because they what it’swith likethe to have very little, the director, Randall B. Robertson. Lastremember fall, in partnership couple cherishes opportunities those need. “I can remember Bach Festival Society, it presented Voicestoofhelp Light, in in which whenDreyer’s we didn’tcelebrated have two silent nickelsfilm to rub Carl Theodor Thetogether,” Passion ofsays Diane, 63. “Our family has been blessed.” That’s especially true of Eric, also 63, who as a teenager Joan of Arc was accompanied by a haunting Richard Einhorn bussed tables and washed dishes at the original Sonny’s BBQ location in Gainesoratorio, performed by members of the Bach Festival Choir ville, where his mother was a server. It was difficult for a single mom raising five chiland Orchestra and conducted by its artistic director, John dren to make ends meet, and the Holms received several Thanksgiving Day meals V. Sinclair. performances at Rollins sold through theBoth Salvation Army. That’s why forCollege the past 26 out. years Eric and his wife, Then, in January, GladdeningLight hosted the biggest annual Diane, have been paying it forward with “Helpings from the Heart,” a local tradisymposium since turkey its 2011dinners launch.and About 700 people tion during which all the fixings arecame servedtoto more than 20,000 All Saints Episcopal Church forgymnasium a weekendon of Colonial discussion, art, “Nobody should be people at the Salvation Army’s Drive. hungry on inspiration Thanksgiving Day,” says Eric, a and member the Salvation Army’s namusic and anchored by lecturer authorofFather tional advisory board. He was humbled in 2014 when he received the faith-based Richard Rohr. “GladdeningLight is a brand that people are organization’s Booth aAward, such previous honorees as the now trusting,” Evangeline says Robertson, formerjoining sports-marketing Rev. Billy Graham. Then in to March of thistoyear entrepreneur. “We’re going continue strivethe toSalvation do thingsArmy Orlando Area Command inaugurated the Eric and Diane Holm Award, which will be presented that nobody else is doing.” Expect more collaboration with annually to others who help the needy. Few, though, do more than the Holms, other Winter Park institutions, Robertson says, starting with a whose companies include 33 Golden Corral restaurants in Florida and Georgia as move of the annual symposium to Rollins, which will provide well as four Krispy Kreme stores in Jacksonville and a Fairfield Inn & Suites in Celspace in exchange for free admission to those withaasub Rollins ebration. They’re branching out with Jersey Mike’s, shop franchise, and Eric ID. “All Saints was a lovely partner, but we’ve outgrown them,” has developed his own concept, Colt’s Pig Stand (formerly Daytona Pig Stand), a he says. Robertson, has aingift for bringing fast-casual barbecue62, eatery Daytona Beach.together Eric is onartists the board of directors of andCatholic thinkers Foundation who create of theCentral kind ofFlorida, sharedwhile experiences that are members of the the both Holms AdventHealth Winter Family Board. hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care are transformative for Park individuals. Voices The of Light audience Unit — where grandson, Eric,moving” was bornand — is“spellbinding” named the “Holm Dreamery” in members usedtheir words like “deeply recognition their support. Earlier this year thejust Holms sponsored the Wishmaker’s to describe of their experience. Robertson, who completed Ball, whichyear benefited the Make-a-Wish For the his 12th of leading discussions Foundation. about character andpast five years Diane has chaired the Annual Heart of Fashion Show — sponsored philosophy with inmates at Tomoka State Prison in Daytona by Nemours Children’s Hospital — which benefits Camp Boggy Creek in Lake County. Diane is on Beach, says he wants GladdeningLight programs to help the Camp Boggy Creek board of directors and was recently presented the Cathopeople reach their highest potential. “The power of this lic Foundation of Central Florida’s Outstanding Philanthropist Award. material goes to your heart and your mind.”
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W H AT T H E Y S AY:
“Supporting organizations that are so deeply committed to helping those in need in our community has truly been our privilege.”
W H AT OT H E R S S AY:
“Eric and Diane have a deep passion for helping others … thoroughly friendly and down-to-earth people … that Thanksgiving project is maybe the region’s most heartwarming event.”
54 W I N T E R P A R K M A GAZI N E | SUMM ER 2019