By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen the rise of Zoom meetings, livestreams and video calls as businesses, schools and families try to stay connected from a distance. Baldwinsville’s Shelley Hoffman — founder of the community and business networking organization Heart, Home and Community — has streaming down to a science.
Hoffman’s HHC video series recently released its 100th video — a milestone Hoffman didn’t even notice at first. HHC Director of Community Relations Mandi Fuller-Bulawa clued her colleague in.
“Because it’s something that I enjoy, I never kept tally of when I started or how many I’ve done,” Hoffman said.
Since March 20, Hoffman’s videos have racked up more than 93,600 views.
Prior to the pandemic, Hoffman used her videos to highlight Baldwinsville’s business community. When COVID-19 descended and she found herself stuck at home, Hoffman turned her platform over to community leaders. Among her guests have been Baldwinsville Mayor Dick Clarke, Lysander Town Supervisor Bob Wicks, Van Buren Deputy Supervisor Mary Frances Sabin, Baldwinsville Police Chief Mike Lefancheck, and Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director MaryAnne Williams, as well as representatives from the Baldwinsville Public Library, Baldwinsville Rotary and other organizations and businesses. Each week, Hoffman’s guests provide updates on pandemic procedures, socially distant events and other points of interest in the greater B’ville community.
“I figured if I’m getting information that helps me, it’ll help other people too,” Hoffman said.
Clarke has appeared in 26 videos for HHC, sharing updates.
“It’s been a terrific way for me to get stuff out to people,” Clarke said of Hoffman’s livestreams. “All we wanted to do was to get information out to people, particularly older people who don’t have a younger person to help them.”
Hoffman’s videos also appear on Baldwinsville’s public access channel, PAC-B TV, expanding her platform to area residents who may not be on social media.
Baldwinsville is unique in having PAC-B as an additional media outlet for residents, Clarke said.
“I have been very outgoing in my praise of PAC-B because we have something that other communities don’t have as far as public exposure to meetings. … They can usually see it within a couple days,” Clarke said. “I don’t know of another community that has that. We’re blessed. … Now Shelley has taken it one step further. She’s doing it almost instantaneously.”
In addition to keeping residents apprised of how municipalities are handling COVID, HHC’s videos have been a beacon of positivity during a turbulent year. The most-viewed video is a message to the coronavirus from local business leaders and community members. HHC collaborated with Angela Antonello of the Fashion Rescue 911 Boutique and Fashion Truck and photographer Katrina Grady of Katrina Lynne StoryOgraphy for the video, which shares messages of perseverance and positivity with the hashtag #BvilleStrong. The video, released May 12, has been viewed more than 6,300 times.
“There were so many people who wanted to send out positive vibes. There was no marketing in that video and that’s why it got over 6,000 views,” Hoffman said.
Fuller-Bulawa said Hoffman’s videos have helped bring the community together during COVID-19.
“She’s so personable and she’s able to just keep the conversation flowing. I think having her as another voice in the community is what people look to her for,” she said. “She’s becoming a familiar face, and even though she’s not from this area originally, she’s becoming a staple around this area.”
Clarke said Hoffman’s passion for Baldwinsville is evident in her HHC videos.
“She didn’t grow up here but you would never know it — it just shows up in her approach. She’s so excited about everything that goes on in the village,” he said. “I tell her every week, ‘I cannot tell you how much I appreciate what you’re doing for our community. You open the door for people to know what’s going on.’”
Hoffman said her videos are conversation starters.
“You won’t see a lot of comments and questions on Facebook … but in walking around Baldwinsville, people will ask for a little more information or ask questions,” she said.
Tune into Hoffman’s videos at facebook.com/hearthomeandcommunity. Learn more about HHC’s “Work, Stay and Play” mission at hearthomeandcommunity.com.
