By Elena Matyas

Many of us have heard the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child.”  Doug & I used to read Hillary Clinton’s book to Roxie…a book which was based on this very message. We would explain the meaning of “village” and “community” and Roxie would have a million and one questions thereafter.

On Saturday, October 12th, the message came to life. Teachers, neighbors, friends, colleagues, politicians, pediatricians, nurses, lawyers, firefighters, strangers and most importantly - children - came together, to step up and support one another.

Rally for Roxie was a beautiful example of what it means to be a village, and how we all need one another to make it through difficult times. It was a transformative day of healing. We lost one of our most beautiful, precious villagers, but the mountains of love and support will inspire us to effectuate change and make California safer for children.

Roxie would be proud of all of us. She would love playing in this village.