For One: Sense of community shines through baby boy

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Published on Wednesday, 27 June 2012 13:21

Mary Loveland
Daily Elk Citian 

Community: "A group of people living together in one place, especially one practicing common ownership," according to Google. In the past week, Elk City has exemplified this very definition of "community." It's been a place full of family, friends and even complete strangers that have come together for one cause: to support Aiden Smith and his family.

Aiden, the son of Kristen and Dustin Smith of Elk City, is only four weeks old and has managed to bring a town of nearly 15,000 people together all on his own. Aiden was diagnosed with pneumonia, a collapsed lung, kidney problems, heart difficulties, and was rushed to OU Children's Hospital in Oklahoma City last Monday. Since he's been gone, Elk City has transformed into a place, that many people will say, is indescribable and unlike any other.

But it's not just the Smith and Simpson families that are feeling pride in their hometown. The marquee at The Dugout that reads, "Pray for Aiden," the young boy that donated his $50 Target gift card he received for his birthday to the family, and the mystery Oklahoma Highway Patrolman that escorted Kristen and Dustin to the city the night of Aiden's diagnosis, have all of Elk City feeling proud.

For the full story, pick up the Wednesday, June 27, edition of the Daily Elk Citian.