Our annual event celebrating the work of our Buckner team members is always a highlight of the year for me. The Gathering, which we celebrated April 7, reminded me of the extraordinary commitment and dedication shown every day by our staff.

It’s this team that weathered so much disruption the past two years. Yet this team stayed focused on fulfilling our mission of following the example of Jesus in serving vulnerable children, families, and senior adults. 

Stronger together 

When I think about working as a team, I am reminded how much stronger we are together. The writer of Ecclesiastes understood the value of working together and the strength we gain from each other.
 
“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor,” he wrote. “For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up ... And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

The difference is the purpose

We are stronger together. That’s why I believe so strongly in collaboration. I often tell people that just because I am the president and CEO doesn’t mean I know everything and have all the good ideas. I need you and we need each other to fulfill our mission of following the example of Jesus in serving vulnerable children, families, and seniors.
 
All of us at Buckner take our work seriously, even passionately. We know that the difference is the purpose and the purpose is bigger than any one of us. We must avoid letting our passion for our work keep us from listening and heeding the advice of others and rely on the wisdom and power of God in all we do.

You are part of the team

All of us at Buckner are part of a team – a team that makes each one of us stronger. I am so grateful to be part of this team. And I am grateful to our donors and volunteers who are part of this team. What you do every day makes what I do possible. And what you do every day makes a difference, a difference with a purpose.
 
Our staff, volunteers and donors form a strong cord of three strands which is not easily torn apart, as Ecclesiastes says. But even above our combined strength, we trust in the power and strength of our mighty God.

Thank you for your dedication, passion and teamwork.

Watch Buckner president's April update.