Our Star Spangled Banner

The story behind the famous flag now hanging in the Smithsonian could be one of Administer Justice's: A single mom with a 13-year-old daughter working hard to make ends meet and a lawyer who makes a difference. History would bring their stories together in a powerful way.

Mary Young Pickersgill had her 13-year-old daughter help her with the $405.90 sewing job. They worked on the floor of a local tavern by night completing the large flag that would fly over Fort McHenry. Their future looked bleak in the War of 1812 as British bombs burst in the air during an all-night bombardment of the fort. But in the light of dawn a Washington D.C. attorney saw the tattered flag still waiving. The attorney was Francis Scott Key and the sight inspired his writing our national anthem - the Star Spangled Banner.

We see many single moms at Administer Justice struggling to make ends meet. The economy is tough and families feel like they are under attack. As bombs of bills and challenges rain down upon them they may not know what the dawn holds. We don’t know the answer, but we know that hope survives even the greatest of battles. We want to help those who do not know where to turn for legal or tax assistance. More than 100 volunteers have donated over 3,000 hours to help 4,132 clients in the first six months of 2009! That is nearly double the numbers from 2008.

Administer Justice's hope is that in the midst of the battles that many face you can know the dawn is coming. With rising needs and falling revenue we understand your challenges. Together we will rise to meet these challenges. If you can attend our free Star Spangled Fun Fair at Randall Oaks Park on Randall Road in West Dundee, I hope you will do so. The event is on Saturday, July 18 from 10-4. Come on out and enjoy the day, enjoy the freedoms we celebrate, and for those who can please eat another hamburger, drink another slushie, or make a donation in support of a worthy cause. And in the words most of us shout at the end of the Star Spangled Banner go - “Play Ball!”