Leetonia, OH - What an experience!

Story time!

While staying at our "luxury" hotel in Kent, we were trying to figure out lodging for the next night. There was only one campground in the area we were headed, and they said there was no availability.

Leetonia (population 1,833) seemed like the perfect place to stop, so I sent a private message to Tina, the admin of the local Facebook group, asking if there was a park or somewhere we could camp. She immediately responded that she would check.

Leetonia Coke Ovens

A little bit later, she let us know the Mayor said we could camp by the Coke Ovens Park, and he would let the police know we would be there. She also posted our story on their Facebook page — and that's when the fun began!

We had already committed to go to Paula’s (see all about Paul below), but Terry also reached out and said she would love to help us in any way — errands, a place to stay, etc. She also wanted to meet us since she had just finished a solo 2-week bike tour.

I asked Terry if she had an Ohio license plate, and she said she would hunt one down, so we decided to stop by on our way to Paula’s.

Terry and her friend Dena were SO EXCITED to see us when we pulled into the driveway. They even braved my sweatiness and gave me hugs!

We had a fantastic time chatting about biking, the area, and just getting to know each other. They also gave me not just one but THREE license plates and offered to mail them.

Then Terry gave me a rock she found in her backyard that is shaped like a heart, and she added a cross on the back to bless us. Dena also prayed for us before we left.

Our first impressions of the local Leetonia-ites were so warm and welcoming… but that was just the beginning.... We then headed over to Paula's and as we turned onto her street, a police truck pulled in behind us, put on his lights, and beeped a few times. I was STARTLED!

Officer Rambo (yes, that is his name!) pulled up alongside us and asked if we were the Sawyers . He was there to escort us in to Paula’s!

We found out later that Paula had sent him to find us about 20 minutes earlier, and he had searched all the different ways into town to give us this warm welcome. To say she was excited is an understatement. And the reason why is what makes this story so amazing!

19 years ago, Paula was a young, single mom who was struggling. She was blessed with a Habitat for Humanity home, so once she heard that we were raising money for Habitat for Humanity, she REALLY wanted us to stay with her.

As a side note — within a few hours of the post, we had multiple offers from locals to stay with them. (maybe we should have started a bidding war) What a beautiful community!

Paula has created such a beautiful home!

Paula later shared with me that 250 hours of sweat equity were required, and she did over 900!! She still feels so blessed to have her home. And it is beautiful!

Paula also invited the Mayor over, but he was out of town. Her kids and grandkids were there, and she got us ANOTHER license plate from a neighbor. She is a force to be reckoned with!

She told me that if she had 12 more hours, she would have had the entire town over for a celebration of us. I don't doubt that, her enthusiasm was amazing!

Paula’s partner, Mark, picked up dinner for us, and then we spent time around their fire pit.

The next morning, they cooked us an amazing breakfast, and we were on the front porch taking a few pictures when Paula noticed a police car driving by. So, of course, she flagged the officer down and told him that he would be escorting us out of Leetonia.

Officer Peters waited for us to finish loading up and then put the lights on to take us out.

Officer Peters doing his duty!

As we were heading out of town, a man rolled down his window and asked us if Paula had treated us right and wished us a safe trip.

Paula kept calling us celebrities, and we definitely felt like it!

What an amazing little town, and we are so grateful for all our new friends.