It takes a village

Often, we reference the saying “it takes a village,” but what does it really mean for the community of Weston County? 

“Community” can be defined as a group of people connected by shared geography, values, interests or experiences, who support one another and contribute to a sense of belonging and mutual care. “Support” can be defined as the act of helping, encouraging or standing by someone, especially during times of need, challenge or growth. But let’s take a deeper dive into the meaning of “it takes a village” within our community. 

Community support is the sole “heart of the neighborhood,” or what makes a small town a small town. When playing a role in community support, you foster this deeper sense of connection, relationship and well-being. But we still question this idea on why community support really matters. According to TheSun.co.uk, “46% of adults report feeling a sense of belonging from being connected to their communities, while 34% say it enhances their feeling of safety.” From countless fundraisers to community projects, or families in need of support, our community support will shine brightly, strengthening the individual as well as the collective. 

What does community support look like for our beloved small town? Well, I am so very glad you asked, because I truly believe this is where the collective of Newcastle shines the brightest. Community support surrounds the residents of Newcastle in everyday life, even when you might not be looking for it. One of our largest pieces of community service is fundraisers, and, boy, let me tell you, do we do a fantastic job of offering support in these periods. 

In my personal experience as a high school student, I have often found myself spending over 50% of my time asking a community member to offer their support of a high school organization by purchasing an item, whether it be raffle tickets, donuts, popcorn or cookie dough. But support does not always come financially, it also comes through cheering and inspiration. Our community does an outstanding job of finding a way to support another
community member, no matter what the age or
walk of life. And for that, we should be proud of our small town.  

The impact of community support is something one can’t quite describe. It’s the experience knowing that someone’s always got your back and that someone is ready to be your biggest cheerleader in whatever great milestone or adventure you have next. Because the impact of community support is challenging to describe as a general idea, without personal touch, I encourage you to ask yourself what kind of impact does my community’s support leave on me, and do I want to change that narrative? 

I was inspired to write this column for a community that has always been there for me. Without countless fundraisers and “Way to go, girl” messages, my peers and I would not be where we are today. I don’t know if there will ever be a way to thank a community that I love so dearly, but I will give it a shot. Thank you to each one of you who have made an impact in my life, my community will always and forever be my backbone. Thank you for the countless support in every one of my milestones. I am beyond grateful!