Best Of Patch 2021: He 'Looked Like Jesus'; A Dad's Barefoot Trip

ACROSS AMERICA — What defines a community?

You'll find different answers depending on whom you ask. For some, though, it's the people who call a community home. People call for action and rally others to help those in need. People point out injustices and drive meaningful change in their towns.

Patch's goal is to strengthen communities by telling their stories and giving those who live in your town a place to share their own.

Here's just a tiny sampling of the stories we shared: In New Jersey, a bartender moonlights as a Met Opera singer. In California, a community comes together to help a homeless man. And in Illinois, a man who lost his leg holds onto his faith.

Now, meet some of the most memorable people Patch introduced you to in 2021:

Losing Leg In Crash Won't Stop Joliet Business Owner Mike Ross

More than three months after Joliet, Illinois, resident Mike Ross survived a horrific crash that cost him his leg and claimed the life of the other driver and her 6-year-old son, he told Patch how his strong Christian faith and his determination to maintain a positive attitude gave him the strength to endure, via Joliet, Illinois, Patch.

Tornado Can Shake Store, But Not Determination Of Business Owner

Walter Vasquez opened his Annapolis, Maryland, business at the start of 2021, but a tornado spawned by Hurricane Ida nearly destroyed all his hard work. Seven days after the twister struck the Annapolis International Market, the store was still recovering. Still, Vasquez remained optimistic. "We've been working around the clock for the last two to three days," he said. "Life always gives you more chances, so we have to work a little bit harder and go back to what we do," via Annapolis Patch.

Meet The Jersey City Bartender Who Doubles As A Met Opera Singer

Razza in Jersey City is known for its delicious pizza and flavorful cocktails. Still, it has a secret right behind the bar you might not have known about — bartender T.J. Capobianco is a singer with the Metropolitan Opera, via Jersey City, New Jersey, Patch.

Newark 'Radical' Celebrates 50 Years Of Activism – By Protesting

Half a century ago, a 17-year-old Lawrence Hamm led a student walkout at a high school in Newark. It was a life-changing moment for Hamm, who was soon appointed to the Newark Board of Education, becoming the youngest voting school board member in the United States. This year, Hamm was again at the forefront of a rally in New Jersey's most populated city, calling for students to stay active and demand change, via Newark, New Jersey, Patch.

Fullerton Lost Its Pride Flag, Mission Viejo Mom Sends A New One

The rainbow pride flag of Fullerton, California, was "lost" and would not fly during Pride Month this year. So to help out, an Orange County mom went to Amazon and bought a replacement. "If they merely need the flag, then I don't mind helping with the expense," she told Patch, via Mission Viejo, California, Patch.

Dad On 1,200 Mile Barefoot Fundraising Walk Makes Stop In Bucks

Chris Brannigan isn't from Pennsylvania, but it's one of many places he's seen on his journey to fund treatments for his daughter and other kids with the same rare genetic disease. In 2021, Brannigan walked 1,200 miles barefoot along the East Coast to raise both awareness of his cause and money for research into gene therapy, via Levittown, Pennsylvania, Patch.

Homeless Man Reunited With His Dog Aims To Open Handyman Business

Jimmy Nicholos, a homeless man in Sherman Oaks, California, nearly had his purpose taken when his beloved dog, Boots, was stolen on New Year's Eve. The community helped find Boots, who was returned to Nicholos on a cold January night. But what happened after — when a good Samaritan launched a GoFundMe to help Nicholos — is what may have changed his life forever, via Sherman Oaks, California, Patch.

Winchester Woman's Three Brushes With COVID-19

Maylette Brown turned 47 on Jan. 29, but instead of celebrating, the mother of three adult children had her funeral arrangements in place. Just in case, she said. She dodged two coronavirus bullets last year. She wasn't so lucky this year, via Murrieta, California, Patch.

Organ Donations Meant When Ricky Brock Died, Others Lived

Richard Cecil Lee Brock was in a tough place when he died. He'd reached the point where he was making bad decisions that would cascade into worse. Yet despite his tragic death, Brock was an organ donor, and when he lost his life, five others were saved, via Across California Patch.

Tribute Grows For Hoboken Homeless Man Who 'Looked Like Jesus'

When Robert Helmeck — a tall homeless man who wandered the streets of Hoboken for four decades — passed away, people instantly recognized the description of him in his obituary: "Homeless man who looked like Jesus has died." To pay tribute to him, residents filled one of his favorite stoops with flowers and notes, via Hoboken, New Jersey, Patch.

Annapolis To Tokyo: MD Olympian Got Her Start On Chesapeake Bay

Like many Marylanders, Farrah Hall grew up on the Chesapeake Bay. She romped around Cape St. Claire beaches and built forts with her younger brother. She cruised on whatever boat was available, which was mainly her family's 14-foot daysailer. Hall's connection with the water eventually led her to try windsurfing. While the Anne Arundel County native didn't know it then, the sport would subsequently change her life, via Annapolis Patch.