A Letter from our President

On July 4, 1776, 56 delegates of the Continental Congress met to sign the Declaration of Independence, authored by Thomas Jefferson. The purpose of the document was to announce and explain the separation from Great Britain and thus our nation was born. The sources and interpretation of the Declaration has been the subject of much scholarly inquiry. The Declaration justified the independence of the United States by listing colonial grievances against King George III.  

Having served its original purpose in announcing independence, references to the Declaration were few over the next eighty years. Abraham Lincoln made it the centerpiece of his Gettysburg Address of 1863, and his policies. Since then, it has become a well-known statement on human rights, particularly its second sentence:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness"

Since that day, 238 years have passed. Over the years many have fought for our freedom and we are forever indebted. Let us not forget we live in the greatest country in the world and the most generous. When there is a need we are ready to give money and volunteer to help people both locally and internationally.  

Much has changed over 238 years but many things have stayed the same.  Still some of our neighbors don't have a warm bed to sleep in, food on the table or live in a loving stable environment. It takes all of us, working together, as we always have done to create change in our communities.

Advancing the common good is about helping one person at a time, and about changing systems to help all of us. We are all connected and interdependent. We all win when a child succeeds in school, when families are financially stable, when people are healthy.

A quality education is essential to obtaining and keeping a job with a livable wage and health benefits. An income adequate to pay for today's necessities and save for the future will help families become financially stable. Connecting to affordable services keeps children on track in school and adults productive at work.  

So as you celebrate with your families over the 4th of July don't forget our neighbors. Your support of Butler County United Way is the most powerful investment you can make in our community. When you choose Butler County United Way as your partner in giving, you choose the best way to achieve results and make a difference right here in Butler County. Your gift does more than just support people who are in urgent need right now - you also support meaningful, lasting change that impacts the entire community.

I wish all of you a Happy 4th of July!

Mag