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By David Vollrath, Executive Director Union County Foundation For me Thanksgiving represents much of what is good about America and Americans. Thanksgiving has a way of inspiring each of us, if only for a single day, to look deep inside and genuinely feel thankful for life’s real blessings…freedom, family, health, relationships, opportunity, and hope. Thanksgiving also makes me aware of how inherently "giving" people (Americans) are. Our charitable characteristics and tendencies set us apart from all other living creatures. Just recently on the news there was a ground breaking story reporting how it has been discovered that elephants are perhaps the only non human species that have an awareness of "self". The study revealed that elephants, unlike any other non-human creature, actually recognize themselves in mirrors and often respond to their image with preening type activity. I thought that study was pretty interesting but it also helped me realize that you and I not only have self-awareness but recognition of others (and their needs) way beyond self. We possess a charitable inclination that motivates us to actually address the needs of others and to think way beyond ourselves. That is why on this Thanksgiving I can authentically say to you ThanksforGiving. The people of our Union County communities give of their time, talents and resources in unselfish and inspiring ways. You need look no further than the Community Care Train or the annual Community Thanksgiving Meal. I see this first hand on a nearly daily basis as an employee of the Union County Foundation. With the continual addition of new charitable funds there are now over 40 specific funds housed within the Foundation totaling over 4.5 million dollars. These Funds support a broad range of charitable causes that help to make Union County a better place to live, work, and raise our families. There are now 14 individual scholarship funds that support the academic advancement of our youth. There are important and substantial charitable Funds that will come to life in the future through existing bequests and there are Funds that presently only exist in the minds of forward thinking benefactors. The bottom line is we thank you for all you have done and for all you continue to do. You make Thanksgiving truly a time for thankfulness. The Union County Foundation encourages you to work closely with your professional advisor(s) as you consider your present and future charitable goals, which may include the formation of a named scholarship fund or named field of interest fund. The Foundation is equipped to help you achieve your charitable goals by providing: planned giving and estate planning resource information, charitable gift annuities/life income plans, and a broad array of charitable choices. If you have further questions please call us at 937-642-9618, email info@unioncountyfoundation.org, reference our web site www.unioncountyfoundation.org not defined. or stop by our Marysville office at 126 N. Main St. We are committed to helping you… "preserve your footprint in time." |
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