by SC Features Reanna Haase
Billy Ray Holden, a career-long recreation worker, is celebrating 30 years of employment with the Sanibel Recreation Department. Recognized at the city council meeting on July 30, Holden has been an essential part of recreation on the island over the past three decades.
“Billy is a valued and respected staff member and was instrumental in city-wide recovery efforts after numerous hurricanes such as Charlie and Ian,” City Manager Dana Souza said at the council meeting. “Congratulations on the milestone of 30 years, Billy. We appreciate everything that you do.”
Holden began his career at just 18 years old at the sports complex in Lee County, where he maintained the ballfields. “As a baseball and softball player, it was a match for his love of the sport,” Recreation Director Andrea Miller said.
Since the start of his employment with the city of Sanibel in July 1995, he has been a versatile employee, transitioning between maintaining the ballfields, supporting hurricane recovery efforts, and working at the original recreation center until the new recreation center opened in 2007.
Starting as a service worker, Holden was later promoted to his current position as a tradesworker in August 2019 after a competitive internal promotion process. During the city council meeting, Holden was awarded a certificate, a watch, and pins that represent not only his service with the city but also his efforts in the community’s rebuilding after hurricanes.
“The city has always been pretty great about taking care of its employees and everything. So the motivation is kind of always there,” Holden said.
Holden added that the aspect that has motivated him to stay a part of Sanibel’s Recreation Department for so long is the sense of community and the team atmosphere that comes along with it. Miller said the actions taken by their local government aid in creating a positive atmosphere for city employees.
“I think it speaks volumes of Billy’s character and dedication,” Miller said. “We’ve seen a lot in these 30 years with the city, and it’s nice that our city administration and our city council take a minute to recognize our staff and our employees for these accomplishments.”
Along with this individual recognition, the city proclaimed July as Parks & Recreation month at the same meeting, following the acknowledgement by the U.S. House of Representatives. Additionally, July 18, 2025, was recognized as Parks and Recreation Professionals Day.
“It’s a good reminder to us that work in this field and also those in the community of everything that recreation brings,” Miller said. “It’s more than just fitness. It’s about the physical, the social, the emotional connections, and all the extra programming that we offer.”
Leave a Comment