The Vandalia-Butler Foundation awarded $5,600 to the Vandalia and Butler Township Fire Departments to support the Passport to Safety program in memory of Clyde and Sally Knox and Sarah and Kayla Anderson. The Vandalia-Butler Trustees presented a check at the Vandalia City Council meeting on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

A longtime Vandalia-Butler Schools transportation employee, Sally Knox was once known as “Silly Sally,” dressing as a clown to engage pre-kindergartners while teaching them the ins and outs of school bus safety. Silly Sally’s antics were a tradition during Passport to Safety hosted annually for incoming kindergartners by the Vandalia and Butler Township Police and Fire Departments, in cooperation with Vandalia-Butler City Schools.

The award-winning Passport to Safety program was introduced in the mid-1980s and continues to impact every incoming Vandalia-Butler kindergartner today. Its curriculum prepares the children for their school careers by teaching them important “away from home” lessons such as “Stranger Danger,” “Stop, Drop and Roll,” traffic and school bus safety, and safety around animals.

“Our hearts remain heavy over the tragedy that struck our hometown last summer. As we mourn the loss of Clyde, Sally, Sarah and Kayla, the Vandalia-Butler Foundation is honoring them by supporting children in our community in their memory,” said Julie Trick, co-chair of the Vandalia-Butler Foundation. “We are eternally grateful for the support of our donors who have embraced this fundraising effort.”

The Vandalia-Butler Foundation Board contributed $3,000 to help perpetuate the program for the 2023 school year and beyond. Donors continue to support the fundraising initiative.

Contributions are fully tax deductible and will be designated specifically for use within the Passport to Safety program. Please mail checks to Vandalia-Butler Foundation Fund 9873, c/o The Dayton Foundation, 1401 S. Main St., Suite 100, Dayton, OH 45409. Make checks payable to The Dayton Foundation and note “Vandalia-Butler Foundation Fund 9873” in the memo.

Online, contributions can be made here.  Please designate Fund 9873, the Vandalia-Butler Foundation Community Health Fund.

The Vandalia-Butler Foundation (VBF) and its funds are components of The Dayton Foundation. Leadership for The Vandalia-Butler Foundation rests in our own community, while fiscal oversight of VBF funds is maintained by The Dayton Foundation, which serves the Dayton/Miami Valley area. This partnership allows for the Vandalia-Butler community to benefit from local leadership and profit from resources pooled with others for investment growth.