Three years ago, on Thursday, June 24, 2010, I dropped my brother Matthew off at work and never saw him again.
My mother tells me that I followed him from room to room yelling “Mine Big Brother!!!” before I could say “Matthew.”
I don’t remember that. I do remember lots of golf. All of us. At great golf courses across southern California. (I played as a Junior and if Matt shaved …)
But mostly I remember rounds and rounds of good teasing competitive-as-hell brotherly golf at Brookside in Pasadena.
And that’s where we’ll all be on Saturday – to remember Matthew, to do and support good work and good works in his name.
This past year, the Matt Butcher Memorial Foundation made significant continued contributions to Pasadena’s First Tee. Their nine core values – Integrity, Sportsmanship, Respect, Confidence, Responsibility, Perseverance, Courtesy, Judgment, Honesty – are precisely why golf feels so right to celebrate Matt. The Foundation will continue to support the First Tee this year as well.
It’s been hard for all of us to stand by and not take action against crazy gun violence, and we’re working as part of the national No More Names movement for sensible gun policy.
My mom has participated in activities organized by the Moms Demand Action organization – you may have seen her at the intersection of Ventura & Sepulveda Blvds on June 14? You can be sure you’ll see her on a busy intersection in Riverside any day now with those amazing demanding moms!
This coming year, our plans include working to honor and advance the work of two amazing public agencies who were there for us in a big way: the Mayor’s Office’s Crisis Response Team and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Victim-Witness Assistance Program! I hope you never need either.
But if you do, you’ll be as inspired and amazed to discover the support these government agencies provide – every day – that truly makes a difference. Thank you! Luisa, Marlene, Jeff, all of you!
The men who murdered Matthew will be held to account at trial this summer. The Prosecutor reports scheduling meetings set for August 5, jury selection to follow by mid-month. Watch for regular updates from the Butcher family.
The Matt Butcher Memorial Foundation supports local organizations and initiatives and encourages you to get us in touch with groups and organizations doing good work in Northeast LA that need a helping hand!
On behalf of the entire Butcher family, thank you so much to all sponsors, golfers, volunteers, friends. Enjoy the round! See you at the party!
– STEVEN BUTCHER
Published originally in City Watch
