Democracy on the Front Lines
City Administrator’s Blog
Walter Denton
July 5, 2007
With the passing of another Independence Day, attention turns again to the foundational concepts of the United States of America and why it continues to be the greatest country in the world. It is unlikely our Founding Fathers anticipated that their experiment called representative democracy would still be going strong 200 years later. On the other hand, the Declaration of Independence spoke eloquently of moral rights and absolutes, so maybe it is not so farfetched after all.
Independence Day stories also focus on what makes America different from other countries and why the spirit of freedom is so strong. Although he visited America in 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville’s insights still resonate. In his book, Democracy in America, he wrote, "I must say that I have seen Americans make great and real sacrifices to the public welfare, and I have noticed a hundred instances in which they hardly ever failed to lend faithful support to one another." As he traveled around the young nation, he was inspired by America's charitable spirit and volunteerism.
It is, then, no secret that the quality of a community is defined by the quality of volunteers willing to improve their community. O’Fallon is blessed with many committed volunteers, from the Veterans Monument Committee to the Friends of Scott AFB to the Booster Club to the O’Fallon Food Pantry. We benefit as a whole because of the efforts of volunteers.
I mention this because I recently received the annual report for the O’Fallon Rotary Club. I know this is not the only volunteer organization in O’Fallon, but I would like to use this as a demonstration of why O’Fallon is such a great community. Here is a list of the Service Projects accomplished by the club from July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2007:
-- Donated $7,500 to the O'Fallon Parks and Recreation Department for playground equipment
-- Donated $4,500 to the O’Fallon Public Library for computer equipment
-- Donated $1,500 for computer equipment for special needs children
-- Donated $1,500 and assisted at the Scott AFB Appreciation Day
-- Donated $1,500 and sponsored the Rotary Wheels van for senior citizens
-- Donated $1,500 to the Belize Disabled Children program
-- Donated $1,500 to the Polio Plus program to eradicate polio worldwide
-- Donated $1,500 to establish a mobile dental lab in India
-- Donated $1,500 to establish an eye clinic in India
-- Donated $1,500 to build water wells in Africa
-- Donated more than $2,000 to other miscellaneous local activities
-- Provided a $1,000 college scholarship to two O’Fallon students
-- Conducted two road clean-ups on Hwy. 50 from I-64 to Scott-Troy Road
-- Sponsored two local blood drives
-- Sponsored two Cub Scout packs
-- Rang bells and contributed to the Salvation Army Tree of Lights campaign
-- Adopted a need family during the Christmas holiday
-- Sponsored and hosted an International Youth Exchange student (this year from the Philippines)
-- Sponsored a job shadowing program for high school students
-- Mentored grade school students at Central School
-- Sponsored the OTHS Interact Club
-- Sponsored the annual Children’s Parade during the Homecoming Festival
-- Sponsored floats for the Homecoming and Christmas parades.
This is just one example of the many remarkable volunteers throughout the community. We in city government can provide the infrastructure and facilities for a community, but volunteers like these are the heart of soul of community.
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