Family home destroyed in tornado!
Donation protected
On February 24, 2016, an EF-3 tornado with winds reaching 140mph ripped through Tappahannock, Virginia, causing devastation for many of the town’s residents. Among those who suffered loss was Jonathan and LaTasha Mercer, who lost their home and personal belongings in this storm.
Their home was more than just a place to live. The home was purchased as a wedding gift to themselves and was a symbol of their life and unity as a couple. In this storm they lost family photos, furniture, and clothing spanning the fifteen years since their wedding, the raising of their children and the life they worked rigorously to build. Their family vehicle also sustained damage during this storm.
The Mercers
Jonathan Mercer is one of seven siblings. He strived during adolescence to achieve a better life for his loved ones. During high school, he met his future bride, LaTasha and the pair wed on August 5th, 2000. They will celebrate their sixteenth year of marriage in August 2016. To support his family, Jonathan works as the sole proprietor of Mercer Cleaning, open for six years. He holds a major contract at an area private school. LaTasha’s commitment to service and helping others is exemplified through her dedicated work as a CNA since she was in high school.
Jonathan is currently in his senior year at Liberty University, where he is studying to achieve his Bachelor’s degree in Religion. He has continued to achieve the Dean’s list each semester since his enrollment. Jonathan has also held ministry roles in several area churches: New Testament Church, 2002-2013; First Union Baptist Church, 2013-2016. He currently serves at the Youth Pastor at New Liberty Baptist Church.
In the home that they have made, Jonathan and LaTasha have raised their daughters, Jaylah and Jazmin with faith and religion at the core of their family. It was believed for years that LaTasha would be unable to conceive. God blessed this family twice with healthy, happy daughters who at such young ages show strength and resilience that is to be admired.
http://www.teamrubiconusa.org/diary/finding-their-keepsakes-in-virginia
Jaylah, 9, is a 4th grade honor roll student. She plays basketball with a local youth league and lends her talents on the drums to the youth choir at New Liberty Baptist Church. She also shows interest in softball and fishing. Jaylah is compassionate, helpful and always smiling. Jazmin is an energetic 2 year old who loves to socialize. She lights up the room and encourages smiles on first impression.
The Mercer’s founded a community service organization in 2013, called iRemember. The organization was founded to help empower youth, serve as a liaison between churches, businesses and residents, give back to the community by helping those in need including the less fortunate and the elderly (raking, shoveling, moving, etc). They have envisioned opening a youth center as a place where youth and young adults can come to work on resumes, receive tutoring, counseling, interview preparation and life skills training. In this vision, the facility would also serve as a community event center for concerts, guest speakers.
Jon is also the lead singer and writer for Faithful Connection, a gospel quartet group he founded in 2009. The group released it's demo CD in 2013 and a full album in 2015. They have performed on CBS 6's Virginia This Morning, have been featured in the Free Lance Star, and are nominees of the 2016 Rhythm of Gospel Awards. The group has traveled the ease coast and continues to be highly sought after.
While progress may seem slow, Jonathan and LaTasha continue embrace their faith and know that their situation will improve in time. They are seeking 40,000 to restore and rebuild the life that they worked so hard to build. The funds raised surpassing their goal will be donated to other families in need.
http://www.teamrubiconusa.org/diary/finding-their-keepsakes-in-virginia
http://wtvr.com/2016/02/24/reported-tornado-leaves-essex-county-residents-trapped-homes-destroyed/
Their home was more than just a place to live. The home was purchased as a wedding gift to themselves and was a symbol of their life and unity as a couple. In this storm they lost family photos, furniture, and clothing spanning the fifteen years since their wedding, the raising of their children and the life they worked rigorously to build. Their family vehicle also sustained damage during this storm.
The Mercers
Jonathan Mercer is one of seven siblings. He strived during adolescence to achieve a better life for his loved ones. During high school, he met his future bride, LaTasha and the pair wed on August 5th, 2000. They will celebrate their sixteenth year of marriage in August 2016. To support his family, Jonathan works as the sole proprietor of Mercer Cleaning, open for six years. He holds a major contract at an area private school. LaTasha’s commitment to service and helping others is exemplified through her dedicated work as a CNA since she was in high school.
Jonathan is currently in his senior year at Liberty University, where he is studying to achieve his Bachelor’s degree in Religion. He has continued to achieve the Dean’s list each semester since his enrollment. Jonathan has also held ministry roles in several area churches: New Testament Church, 2002-2013; First Union Baptist Church, 2013-2016. He currently serves at the Youth Pastor at New Liberty Baptist Church.
In the home that they have made, Jonathan and LaTasha have raised their daughters, Jaylah and Jazmin with faith and religion at the core of their family. It was believed for years that LaTasha would be unable to conceive. God blessed this family twice with healthy, happy daughters who at such young ages show strength and resilience that is to be admired.
http://www.teamrubiconusa.org/diary/finding-their-keepsakes-in-virginia
Jaylah, 9, is a 4th grade honor roll student. She plays basketball with a local youth league and lends her talents on the drums to the youth choir at New Liberty Baptist Church. She also shows interest in softball and fishing. Jaylah is compassionate, helpful and always smiling. Jazmin is an energetic 2 year old who loves to socialize. She lights up the room and encourages smiles on first impression.
The Mercer’s founded a community service organization in 2013, called iRemember. The organization was founded to help empower youth, serve as a liaison between churches, businesses and residents, give back to the community by helping those in need including the less fortunate and the elderly (raking, shoveling, moving, etc). They have envisioned opening a youth center as a place where youth and young adults can come to work on resumes, receive tutoring, counseling, interview preparation and life skills training. In this vision, the facility would also serve as a community event center for concerts, guest speakers.
Jon is also the lead singer and writer for Faithful Connection, a gospel quartet group he founded in 2009. The group released it's demo CD in 2013 and a full album in 2015. They have performed on CBS 6's Virginia This Morning, have been featured in the Free Lance Star, and are nominees of the 2016 Rhythm of Gospel Awards. The group has traveled the ease coast and continues to be highly sought after.
While progress may seem slow, Jonathan and LaTasha continue embrace their faith and know that their situation will improve in time. They are seeking 40,000 to restore and rebuild the life that they worked so hard to build. The funds raised surpassing their goal will be donated to other families in need.
http://www.teamrubiconusa.org/diary/finding-their-keepsakes-in-virginia
http://wtvr.com/2016/02/24/reported-tornado-leaves-essex-county-residents-trapped-homes-destroyed/
Organizer and beneficiary
JaLil Brown
Organizer
Tappahannock, VA
Jonathan Mercer
Beneficiary