The tragic loss of Terry “Juju” Smith Jr. has touched the hearts of the people of Menifee, affecting those in the surrounding communities and far beyond. Although they mourn with unimaginable anguish, this heartbreak has not dampened the will of a steadfast community. It has often been said that ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed’. If that old adage is true, then little ‘JuJu’ has hundreds of friends indeed! Community members from Menifee and neighboring cities such as Murrieta, Wildomar, and Winchester did not hesitate to act when they saw their friend and neighbor in need.
On the very day that Terry was reported missing, volunteers gathered to form search teams dedicated to finding him. Straining their eyes in the black of night in the rocky terrain of the Menifee hills, or trekking neighborhood streets in 100-plus degree heat, approximately one thousand community volunteers devoted hours and hours to help find a young man the majority had never met or even heard of prior to that day.
Mounting horses, bikes or ATV’s, or even walking, community volunteers and peace officers exhausted every resource and exhibited the true “Good Samaritan” spirit in order to find Terry. These devoted volunteers revealed that when a child goes missing, it is a calamity afflicting the whole community. Rather than apathetically turning a blind eye, the people of Menifee and surrounding cities donated food and supplies, created posters, distributed fliers, and bombarded the heavens with prayers on behalf of Terry and his family.
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For four long days and nights, businesses and families demonstrated the extraordinary strength of our community through their selfless diligence and stunning compassion. This inspiring manifestation of community spirit shows that that old adage is still true. Menifee can stand proud as a community of friends who will be there in each other’s time of need.
