It was no surprise to anyone who knows Tony Perna that he was named Holly Springs Citizen of the Year at HollyFest on Oct. 29. No surprise, that is, except to Perna himself, who was busy setting up tents at the festival and was ready to go home before the awards were handed out. Only the promise of his granddaughter performing onstage kept Perna at the event.

Perna was honored for his efforts as fundraising chairman of the Holly Springs Food Cupboard, time on the St. Bernadette Catholic Church Advisory Council, service with the Knights of Columbus and his role as a wellness volunteer and mentor at the Kraft Family YMCA in Apex.

After spending 34 years as a head wrestling coach and football coach on Long Island, N.Y., Tony Perna moved to Holly Springs eight years ago. But his retirement has been anything but restful.

Q: You have worked tirelessly on the Holly Springs Food Cupboard, and the new location is about to open. How did you get involved in this charity?

A: We started up one and a half years ago as the Food Cupboard in Holly Springs. I've been the fundraising chair, and we have raised over $50,000, mostly from local businesses, and one generous donation from LORD Corporation. We just held a golf tournament at Devil's Ridge (Golf Club), and we raised $9,000.

Before we opened, Western Wake Crisis Ministry was handling the needs for all of the communities in our area. We started under their umbrella and stored our food there. By Thanksgiving, we plan to open at our new location that we've renovated at 621 W. Holly Springs Road in the heart of town.

The three bedrooms will become storage rooms. We had one refrigerator already at the house, and we've had two additional refrigerators donated. Two freezers were donated, and then the Holly Springs High School boys varsity soccer team just raised $430, and we purchased a third freezer.

Q: How much food do you give to the community, and where do you get the food you distribute?

A: We feed about 110 families a week, and it's growing all the time. We don't refuse anybody.

We are fortunate; the subdivisions in our area do food drives, and students at all levels (high, middle and elementary) do food drives. We get most of our basic supplies, about 1500 pounds a month of canned food, donated.

Q: What do you do as a wellness volunteer at the YMCA?

A: On most Monday afternoons, I supervise the weight-training area there, since I'm certified. It lets the counselors have a meeting time. I enjoy watching the floor, and I get to work out while I'm there.

I try to live what I preach. All my life, I've taught healthful living, and I try to set an example.