FAIRFIELD — A Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and native son of Butler County returned home Friday night as a guest and keynote speaker of the United Way.

Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page served as guest speaker at the Butler County United Way's annual meeting. The event began with a private reception for Page, then continued with a silent auction, dinner and program at the Oscar Event Center at Jungle Jim's International Market on Dixie Highway in Fairfield.

"It's a delight and certainly a great honor," Page said during the reception. "It's very important to have a joint effort (such as the United Way) and to have as many organizations as possible."

Page is originally from Middletown. He is an author and freelance writer for numerous magazines and national newspapers.

WCPO-TV's Deb Silverman served as emcee. During the program, Women's Initiative officials announced the group will fund Shared Harvest's backpack program for children who are eligible for free lunch at school to receive weekend snacks during the school year to fight hunger.

Awards were announced for:

• Carolyn Winslow, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters, as the 2007 Agency Leadership Award winner.

• Chuck Chalupa received the President's Award.

• Deb Crane was named recipient of the W. Otis Briggs Jr. Volunteer of the Year award.

• First Financial Bank received the Yen Sohmu Eni Nipa Award.

United Way officials emphasized its initiative called Butler County Youth Will Become Successful Adults. Bruce Jewett, director of the Butler County Department of Job and Family Services, said he thought Page would be a suitable fit to speak about the importance of children's success in the county. "I've been a fan of his for a long time and really liked the fact he has a local connection," Jewett said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2180 or chubbard@coxohio.com.