(BEACON) “The 2009 Gallup-Healthways Well Being Index” released by the Gallup Group has selected small town Holland, Michigan as the Happiest Place in the U.S.  At first glance, the town has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country and sits where winter blizzards hold residents in a death grip. So, the question becomes, How Can Residents Be So Happy?  The answer seems to be found in faith, family, and community.  The 35,000 residents attend 170 places of worship tagging the town “The City of Churches.”  Residents attribute happiness to the fact that they watch out for one another.  If someone needs food, gas, clothing, shelter, they can easily receive it at a local church.  Holland has over 100 volunteer based service organizations and is a part of the second most generous regions of the country according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy behind first place Salt Lake City, Utah.  The Dutch founded the town 163 years ago and the name translates “close knit community.”  Residents say that is the secret to joy, that rewards come from caring about their neighbors and a sense of acceptance not found in other communities.