Fall is a great time of year, especially here in Bullhead City. October was so packed with events that you could go to three events a day if you wanted to. The question is by creating all these events does that also create "Community" ?
It is interesting to go back and read old dictionaries and see how words and meanings change over time. The breadth and scope of words affects how we understand and relate to one another.
Community as defined in Webster's Dictionary
The people living in a particular area
A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.
This definition is from Wikipedia
A community is a social unit with commonality such as norms, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given geographical area or in virtual space through communication platforms
Creating events is not the same as creating community although oftentimes they go hand in hand. People may say there isn't enough to do in our community, but the fact is that there is A LOT to do in our community. Finding the "Community" that is the best fit for each of us is the key.
How does our community come together?
Difficult Situations Last month two twelve year olds went missing. By using the platforms of Facebook, the newspaper and the radio within a matter of hours our entire community from Bridge to Bridge and even beyond were all looking for these girls. They were found and reported by a local that was driving along Needle's Highway in Laughlin. We come together as a community when faced with difficult situations.
Generosity Wear Red on Friday's - Several casinos in Laughlin participated in this amazing program to remember all of the military service members that are actively serving now. The casinos raised money and then donated it to the Tri-State Military Mom's group which sends out care packages to our active service members overseas serving from the Tri-State area. Our area is very generous and helps others in need.
Volunteering There are numerous civic organizations here in the Tri-State area that all pour their time and heart into volunteering to make sure that we have events and resources for all members of our community. Volunteering helps others, but is also very personally fulfilling.
Events - Trunk or Treats, Parades, Corn Fest, Oktoberfest, Farmer's Market, Splash Bash, these and many more are just some of the amazing events that happen in our community. Although events can and should build community sometimes you come with the people that you know and stick with those people, it can be difficult in these type of settings to get to know other people on a deeper level. J & J Events does such a great job of creating interactive events where people not only have fun, but get to know people that they normally wouldn't have.
Facebook Groups The 928 Desert Riders, Bullhead City Moms Group, Bullhead RC(Remote Control) Bullhead Rants and Raves, Band Together Stick Together Educators Club, River Cruizers, and countless others provide a place where people with similar interests or stages of life can come together and build relationships around things that matter to them.
Relationships are the foundation of any society, community, neighborhood and family. This last week I went through something profoundly difficult with a close friend, it allowed our friendship to grow to a much deeper level and for that I am thankful. Being there for people on their worst days, best days and all the days in between is what creates a firm foundation of friendship. There are friends that we may not talk to for several weeks, months or years, but we know that when we need them, we can call them and it will be as if not even a day has passed.
"By creating events does that also create community?" Yes. It is up to each of us to get out of our comfort zones. Events create the possibility of interacting with new people which may lead to deeper conversations which may create friendships. When the friendships are established we have someone that we can talk to about things we might need, or someone to help us when we fall on hard times.
Life and all of its complexities can seem overwhelming all too often, but the time and memories that we spend with one another is what will always be treasured in the end.