Tom Bowser of Fishbone Ministries, Bill Halle of Grace Youth and Family Foundation, Ed and Julie Natali of the Butler County Republican Committee, Angela Kupas and Christy Pittman of Life Choices Maternity House, and John Cyprian of the Butler County Veterans in Need Fund give thanks for the donations made to local organizations at the Inaugural Charity Gala.

The Butler County Republican Committee Friday night celebrated the inauguration of President Donald Trump and raised more than $4,000 to be divided among four local charities.

The Inaugural Charity Gala was held at the Crystal Ball Room at the Days Inn in Butler Township and attended by about 120 Republicans and their guests.

The Republican Committee stayed very busy during the election with constant requests for signs and campaign materials from Trump supporters around the county, said Julie Natali, event chairman.

It had two campaign offices in the county that were staffed six days per week after Trump became the Republican Party nominee.

“I think Butler County worked really hard in helping him get elected,” she said.

That enthusiasm carried over to Election Day when more than 64,500 residents of Butler County voted for Trump, which helped Pennsylvania go to a Republican candidate for president for the first time since 1988.

Since the committee had already covered all of its campaign costs with donations, it decided to hold a gala to celebrate and donate the proceeds to four charities: the Grace Youth and Family Foundation, Life Choices Maternity House, The Fishbone House and the Butler County Veterans in Need Fund.

Guests at the gala received a gift bag which included a brass White House ornament made by Tom Pollard Designs of Pittsburgh. The event included dinner, dancing, a Trump-themed photo booth and a chance to watch the first family attend televised Inauguration Day events.