March 28, 2024

Generosity keeps this community together

Back when I was in school and found myself with a pile of posters or fliers to post around campus – be it for a open mic night, an art opening or a friend’s acting class production – it seemed nearly impossible to find a place these bulletins were welcome. Most bulletin boards on campus were monitored, and if whatever event didn’t have a direct correlation to the university, the posters were usually taken down.

This town, as a whole, seems to embrace nearly the opposite. Everywhere I go, from grabbing coffee in the morning at the Hy-Vee gas station to walking along the square, it seems that these fliers are not only nearly everywhere, but comepletely welcome as well.

They’re for fundraisers, local music and benefits for residents; for dinners, 5Ks and community events. While I’ll admit I’ve been in attendance at merely a handful of such events, I always hear good things – a testament to the generosity of the residents of Newton, both former and present.

This seemed to be best on display last Friday night at Skiff Medical Center. If you caught Tuesday’s edition, you saw the article about the plethora of NHS classmates that came together to donate to Mark Stiles and his family. Witnessing the willingness of those within this community (and those who have since moved) to give to a fellow Newtonian in need was inspiring. While this was the only event of its kind I’ve covered in my five months at the Daily News, I think it’s safe to say this is nearly commonplace.

Of those posters in storefront windows and on the counters of businesses, I’ve noticed nearly all of them seek to raise money for a worthy cause, be it anything from a Girl Scout camping trip to alleviate the financial burden of someone fighting cancer. Subsequently, when flipping through our final proofs of the paper in the morning, every once in awhile an ad will catch my eye, thanking the community for the overwhelming attendance and support at one such event.

I’ve only lived here since September, but the sense of community you’ve created through your generosity has been apparent in that short while. Newton has weathered quite the figurative storm, yet you guys still have each others’ backs, time and time again.