Heartbeat of a Community

For the last four seasons, my daughters have swum with the Hurricane Tigersharks Swim Team.  This team is part of a tri-state summer rec league which includes teams from Dixie State University, Mesquite Nevada, and Fredonia Arizona.  Most Saturdays during the summer will find us travelling to one place or another to spend the day in the sun watching our children swim.  During these last four summers, we have become a part of a very open, welcoming and supportive community.  This community is united by the desire to make sure that all the youth participating in the league develop and improve skills in swimming, learn good sportsmanship and have fun.

Yesterday was the last meet of the season.  Traditionally this meet is an invitational hosted by Hurricane known as "Beat the Heat".  At the start of the week, after the pump at the Hurricane pool died, there  was only a brief time we wondered if this meet, that is usually an end-of-the-year celebration for all the teams, would happen.  I say only a brief moment, because it did not take any time at all for Mesquite to offer to let the meet be moved to their facility.  They offered this free of charge to Hurricane.

This is what a community does.  A community supports its members.  In good times we are there to rejoice together.  In hard times we are there to offer help.  A community offers a camaraderie that comes from evenings spent cheering our kids on at the seasonal sporting event.  A community develops a sense of pride as the applause is heard during a theatrical or musical production.  A community unites to offer service for the benefit of its members or to improve the community as a whole.  A community allows the expression and sharing of ideas without fear of ostracism.  A community celebrates one another as it gathers together for community events.  A community provides a variety of activities and opportunities so that its members are able to find their place.  There is an intrinsic value to a city that is hard to quantify, but is so apparent when lacking, provided by community unity.

During the last year, my family has enjoyed many opportunities to experience membership in a wonderful community.  We were able to catch up with old friends and share joys and struggles as we cheered on La Verkin Parks and Rec volleyball and soccer teams.  My daughter was able to receive instruction on auditioning from the La Verkin Community Theater  Even though she was too nervous to audition at that time, she used what she learned and did audition in the spring for the production of the Zion Junior Musical Theater of La Verkin.  We were able to attend a dance recital where a tribute was given to a young girl who is fighting cancer.  Our family has enjoyed service as we have helped people move in and move out of their homes, supported fundraisers, built trails and cleaned up Confluence Park, planted trees, cleaned yards and cleaned city streets.  And our family has helped the community gathered together during Winterfest, the 4th of July and 24th of July celebrations.  Most recently, our family has experienced the freedom to express ideas as I have engaged in my campaign for Mayor.

Growing up in a town that had a strong sense of community, I wanted to have that for my children.  We have found it here in La Verkin.  That sense of belonging and unity is something to be valued, to be treasured, to be protected and to be nurtured and encouraged to grow.