“Community” as described by the Mariam-Webster dictionary.

Community: a unified body of individuals: such as…

– A. the people with common interests living in a particular area

– B. a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society

– C. a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society

– D. a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests

– E. a group linked by a common policy

– F. an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (such as species) in a common location

I don’t know about you, but that BARELY describes my community in a whole lotta words. So let me give you my definition of a Mercer County community….

A Mercer County Community is a population that will literally give you the shirt off their backs. They offer shelter & warm meals basically on the drop of a dime. They offer more prayers for complete strangers than they ever ask for for themselves. We are a group of people that are proud of where we came from and ain’t is a word. State Titles aren’t a rarity and hard work isn’t either. It’s a group of people that will call into work and take a “sick” day to help recover almost lost possessions from a tornado stricken home. Cancer is a word that makes us cringe but fortifies us to make it a little bit less scary of a thought when and if it strikes our homes. We take anything that Mother Nature throws at us with hopeful prayers even through the frustrating times. We believe in miracles, the power of prayer and God is definitely on our speed dial list. In a Mercer County community, stranger isn’t a word used often and anyone is worth the extra prayers. We can be described in 3 words: Honest, Supportive & Kind. It’s a community that will show up whatever the situation. And it’s a community that can raise over $20,000, make shirts, and send about 500 cards before noon the next day. We are as strong as we are humble and though we rival each other during the game, we know our hearts & prayers have no boundaries. And that’s a community I am so proud to have gone through a valley in my life in.

Tornados. Cancer. Fires. Tumors. Flesh Eating Bacteria’s. Our community has seen more than our fair share of enough. But we keep on chugging. I don’t know if there’s a day I don’t scroll through my newsfeed and see the Mercer County Community mindset. Whether it’s a consultant donating their commission to one of our loved ones or a community as a whole, or a friend that’s collecting diapers or clothes for Rustic Hope. And I am so proud to have a community that far exceeds Merriam-Webster’s definition. Hard ships come basically weekly but the prayers come by the minute. By the seconds even. Fear doesn’t stand a chance in a Mercer County Community. And life is scary. And curve balls are thrown often. But what can I say? Being champs runs in our blood.

P. S. Anyone who I didn’t picture below but is fighting the good fight, please put their hashtag or tag their page below!!!! They deserve the extra prayers!!!!

#TheOneLeggedMommy #CelinaStrong #Amputee #PrayersForOhio #MercerCountyStrong #WhoTickedOffMotherNature #NecrotizingFasciitis #Community #Pray #BelieveInBen #HugsForHenry #ShaneStrong #ActionJackson #ScarlettTheBrave #domiNATE #TeamMJ #MiracleMaya #MarvelousMax #RaygenStrong #CaringForCarter #HealingJustinHoman

P. S. S. I didn’t mean to leave anyone out! Totally off the top of my head ran through pages for this picture!!!! All people fighting the good fight deserve the shoutout!!!