government is not some distant concept,

Obama.org

Hi there,

There's an often unspoken belief behind everything we do here at the Foundation. It's the idea that change starts within each one of us—that the actions of every single individual can make a powerful difference.

We recently received an email from one of our community members that perfectly illustrated that belief. When I read it, I knew I wanted to share it with you.

Mary Stonor Saunders is a member of the Obama Foundation community based right here in Chicago. As the executive director of Strides for Peace, an organization that works to end gun violence, her track record of creating positive change in her community speaks for itself.

We were honored to have her attend the 2018 Obama Foundation Summit—and grateful to receive the email below.

It's people like you who make this work possible. Thank you for your support and for being a part of this community.

Sincerely,

David

David Simas
CEO, The Obama Foundation

PS — If you are looking for an easy way to make a powerful difference before the year ends, consider making a tax-deductible gift to support our programming in 2019. Give today to help us empower more changemakers in the new year >>

From: Mary Stonor Saunders
Subject: Thank You
To: The Obama Foundation

Hi,

A little late, but I wanted to send a heartfelt thanks to you and the Obama Foundation Summit team for including me in an incredible two days.

Last week, my 14-year-old son and I finally had the chance to catch up and he was dying to know how the Summit went—he was so proud I was invited to take part.

As I described the experience, what resonated most, what I found most impressive and inspiring, crystalized for me: how thoroughly the Summit embodied Obama's values; the degree of integrity with which the Summit practiced what the Obamas preach.

Before I arrived, I was not sure what to expect. I wondered what I would "get" out of the Summit—ideas, connections and honestly, the boost from feeling special from being proximal to high profile individuals.

What I "got" out of the Summit was really quite different. I spent almost all my time with young people—all incredibly talented and no doubt high achievers, but more interested in the work they were doing than their rising stars. And though the young men I spoke with from MBK Detroit said they had never been to anything remotely approximating the Summit—they were brimming with confidence. They felt they belonged because everything about the Summit made sure it was true.

In fact, it seems virtually every aspect of the experience reinforced the value of community and the power of ordinary individuals. From the moment I arrived the mission and values of the Foundation were evident in the details. "Give the microphone to others" was how I answered the pre-Summit question "how to make the world a better place." Seems you already had that one covered!

As I shared all this with my son, I realized what I got most from the two days was sharing my experience with young people and the fact that rather than a rarefied atmosphere, the air we were breathing was imbued with curiosity, gratitude, and inclusion.

One of my favorite quotes from Obama is "government is not some distant concept, but the embodiment of the commitment we have to each other as a society." I'd say the same is true of the Summit—it was beautiful. Thanks again for the opportunity to participate. I am looking forward to following up on the connections, including some of my new young friends.

Congratulations to you and your colleagues for an extraordinary couple of days that I have no doubt provided inspiration for the work that lies ahead.

With all best wishes,

Mary

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