United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Cincinnati Area Philanthropists Honored For Generosity
Each summer for the past four years, in working on the post-publicity for the Voices of Giving Awards, I’ve had the great pleasure of getting to know stories from some of our area’s truly inspiring philanthropists. And I’ve learned about the Cincinnati area nonprofits whose invaluable work is sustainable only through generosity of people like the honorees. (The Voices of Giving Awards is an event of the Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council. It was sponsored by PNC and held at CET.)
While the honorees were honored for their planned gifts, they have done so much for their favorite causes often having been long time volunteers and/or supporters.
Emilie Dressler was one of the honorees. A weekly Guest Services Volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House in Cincinnati for 10 years, her genuine care is a vital part of what makes the House so special for families with critically ill
Tracy Monroe, dir. of planned giving for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati; Emilie Dressler; Tanya Cornejo, dir. of development for the Ronald McDonald House
children. Emilie is the first person worried families meet with they come to the Ronald McDonald House, and her smiling face has a magical way of putting them at ease.
“I love helping out and making a difference. If there’s anything I can do to make a family’s stay less stressful, I try to do it,” she said.
Emilie actually helps out in so many ways. In fact, I’m told there is hardly a part of the Ronald McDonald House that she hasn’t been involved in. And so, it makes sense that she would also choose to support the cause financially too. Her bequest gift will help ensure future generations of families find relief there too.
“In a perfect world, there would be no need for Ronald McDonald House. But, since there is still such a great need for the House, my great concern is the wait list to get a room. What these families face is truly overwhelming. I just want to do as much as I can now. And, by making a planned gift, my hope is to help make sure that the House will continue to be there for all families, when they need it most, and that the House will continue to grow long after I am gone,” Emilie said.
Her passion for a cause that is dear to her heart is the common thread she shares with all of the Voices of Giving honorees. Together they have collectively given tens of thousands of dollars to help ensure the sustainability of Cincinnati area nonprofits working to strengthen lives and communities.
“It is truly our greatest honor to recognize such a special group of individuals for their purposeful gifts to ensure the long term welfare of many nonprofits whose work strengthens our families and neighborhoods,” said Lori Asmus, co-chair for the event.
Cincinnati Area Philanthropist Carole Blackschleger was honored for her planned gift to the American Cancer Society
All Voices of Giving honorees included: Patrick J. Cleary (posthumously) – on behalf of Xavier University; Anne Zaring on behalf of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; Bob Friedman on behalf of CET, The Greater Cincinnati Television Educational Foundation; Emilie Dressler – on behalf of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati; Louise Morrison – on behalf of Life Enriching Communities Foundation; Shirley Davies (posthumously) – on behalf of Life Enriching Communities Foundation; Marianne and Snowden Rowe – People Working Cooperatively; Ruth F. Rosevear – on behalf of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Pops Orchestra; Bill Prosser – on behalf of Cincinnati Public Radio, WGUC; Betsy K. Jameson – on behalf of the Cincinnati Bar Foundation; Vincent H. Beckman (posthumously) – on behalf of the College of Mt. St. Joseph; Thomas G. Cody – on behalf of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; Carl Bergman – on behalf of Habitat for Humanity Greater Cincinnati; Trey and Chris Heekin, and Kip and Jenny Heekin – on behalf of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati; Wilbur Cohen – on behalf of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati; James A. Miller – on behalf of the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Susan and Tom Young – on behalf of the Cancer Support Community Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky; Barbara and Ted High – on behalf of the Episcopal Retirement Homes; and Carole Blackschleger – on behalf of the American Cancer Society. NOTE: Other honorees requested not to be listed.
For more information on them, please click on this link: 2013 Voices of Giving honorees
The 2013 event was co-chaired by Lori Asmus and Telly McGaha. Committee members included Sally Alspaugh, Diana Collins, Jessi Konnagan, Bruce Favret, Jim Friedman, Misty Griesinger, Bill Hitch, Mary Alice Koch, Susan Kulick, Michelle Mancini, Chandra Mathews-Smith, Tracy Monroe, Carol Stevie, Sue Ellen Stuebing, and Molly Talbot.
The Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council is a professional association for people whose work includes developing, marketing, and administering charitable planned gifts for non-profit institutions and a variety of other legal and financial settings.
Duke Energy & United Way Partner To Offer Heat Relief
I don’t know about you but I find it awfully hard to be outside for any length of time in this humid, intense heat called Cincinnati summer. I know I can get away from it easy enough by going inside my air conditioned house.
But imagine what it is like for those who can not afford air conditioning. Pretty unbearable.
So a special thanks goes out to organizations who are helping those in need by supplying fans. United Way of Greater Cincinnati and Duke Energy are doing their part to provide heat relief with fans.
Duke Energy is providing a $20,000 grant to buy fans for seniors, low-income and people with disabilities in the Greater Cincinnati region. United Way will administer the program, distributing funds to non-profit agencies that serve the needs of those populations.
“We know how overwhelming the oppressive heat and high humidity can be for our customers,” said Jim Henning, president, Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky. “We hope this grant joins other support in helping people in the community get some relief.”
By dialing 2-1-1 for fan distribution resources, individuals can reach United Way 211, United Way’s 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week health and social services information and referral helpline. Fans will be available in Duke Energy’s service territory of Southwestern Ohio and Northern Kentucky.
United Way of Greater Cincinnati Needs Tax Preparer Volunteers
United Way is seeking volunteers to help provide free tax preparation to low-income families at more than 30 local sites through the Regional Earned Income Tax Credit Collaborative (EITC) initiative. Volunteers are needed to help prepare returns with easy-to-use computer software.
No previous experience is necessary. Volunteers will receive free IRS tax training and certification, allowing them to learn a skill that may be beneficial in their personal and professional lives. Their assistance will help families avoid preparation fees and high interest rate refund anticipation loans.
Work schedules are flexible and volunteers can also participate as screeners/greeters or as translators instead of tax preparers. There are over 30 different tax prep sites in Southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Eastern Indiana with hours available during the day, at night or on weekends during tax season, January 31 to April 15, 2013.
EITC is the nation’s largest anti-poverty program, benefitting families. Last year, more than 17,500 tax returns were filed locally, generating more than $20.2 million in refunds. Orientations are brief, lasting about one hour. Volunteers are welcome to attend orientation without registering, but for those interested in registering visit makeworkplay.com
Volunteer orientations are scheduled for:
Southwest Ohio:
- October 30, 5:30-7:30 p.m., United Way of Greater Cincinnati, 2400 Reading Rd, Cincinnati OH 45202
- November 15, 7-8 p.m., Elder High School Schaeper Center, 4005 Glenway Ave, Cincinnati OH 45202
- November 20, 6-7:30 p.m., Workforce One of Butler County, 4631 Dixie Highway, Fairfield OH 45014
- December 4, 6-7:30 p.m., Workforce One of Butler County, 4631 Dixie Highway, Fairfield OH 45014
Northern Kentucky
- October 30, 6-7:30 p.m., Center for Great Neighborhoods, 1650 Russell Street, Covington KY 41011
- November 8, 6-7:30 p.m., Center for Great Neighborhoods, 1650 Russell Street, Covington KY 41011
To volunteer or learn more about the Regional Earned Income Tax Credit Collaborative, visit www.makeworkpay.com/volunteer
United Way Of Greater Cincinnati Kicked Off Campaign
Today, the United Way of Greater Cincinnati and its individual and company supporters, kicked off an important workplace fund raising campaign – with a lofty goal of raising $61 million by its end, October 26. Cincinnati’s Ft. Square was packed with volunteers who will be working to make that goal a reality.
“It’s a stretch,” campaign Chairman David Joyce, CEO of GE Aviation, told the Cincinnati Business Courier’s Lucy May. “We’re going to need everyone to really commit.”
Reaching the goal will allow the United Way to fund so many nonprofits doing vital work to strengthen lives and communities. The United Way has ‘Bold Goals’ in education, income and health that by 2020, at least 45 percent of adults will have an associate’s degree or higher; at least 85 percent of youth will graduate from high school prepared for life, college and career; and that at least 90 percent of the labor force will be gainfully employed. For more information on the goals, please click here.
The fundraising campaign is a partnership of United Way and the Cincinnati Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. The United Way of Greater Cincinnati region includes Hamilton, Clermont, Brown and Butler counties and the Middletown area in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton counties in Northern Kentucky; and Dearborn and Ohio counties in Indiana.
United Way of Greater Cincinnati Honors Volunteers
The United Way of Greater Cincinnati recently honored local volunteers whose caring, compassion and energy are making our community a better place for all of us.
Leadership Award Honorees
From left, (bottom) Dr. James Votruba, President, Northern Kentucky University; Alfonso Cornejo, President & a Founding Member, Hispanic Chamber, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber; (top) Donald Bush, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers; Victoria Buyniski Gluckman, Founder & Retired CEO, United Medical Resources, Inc.; Michael Grabel, Senior, Walnut Hills High School; Milton Schwartz, Retired, Director of Big Ticket Selling Services, Macy’s
Community Service Award Honorees
From left, (bottom) Jamie Cecil, Vice President, Sibcy Cline Insurance Services; Tonya Matthews, Vice President, Museums, Cincinnati Museum Center; (top) Mike Holmes, Senior, Starfire U; Cheryl Thomas, Engineering Section Head, P&G; Robert Shaffer, Executive Vice President & Director of Audit, Fifth Third Bank; Brenda Kloos, Partner, Frost Brown Todd, LLC
Below are the write-ups on each of the honorees:
Leadership Awards
The Geier Family Award for United Way Leadership
Victoria Buyniski Gluckman, Founder and Retired CEO of United Medical Resources, Inc.
Gluckman, a community volunteer, has served on numerous area nonprofit boards, including the Strive Partnership and United Way Success By 6. She helps ensure that early childhood is well-integrated in the cradle to career education continuum and has been a consistent voice in making the case for kindergarten readiness. Through her philanthropic and hands-on support, she has enhanced the quality of life for our community’s youngest children and, in turn, improving the quality of our future workforce.
Ruth W. and Robert I. Westheimer Award for Continuous Leadership
Milton S. Schwartz, Retired, Director of Big Ticket Selling Services, Macy’s
Schwartz, a community volunteer, has been a dedicated United Way volunteer for more than 30 years, serving in both Community Impact and Resource Development. He is currently on the Program Monitoring Committee, reviewing program investments, and has served on United Way committees that helped identify critical community needs to guide United Way strategies. He has also contributed for nearly 40 years to improving lives through the Isaac M. Wise Temple, United Jewish Cemeteries, Jewish Community Relations Council, and Jewish Federation, and as a founder of the Ronald McDonald House.
Neil H. McElroy Award for United Way Resource Development Leadership
Donald B. Bush, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Bush has chaired United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s Tocqueville Society (for donors of $10,000 or more annually) for two years. During that time, 259 new members joined this nationally-recognized Society. His strategic thinking has led to the development of the Tocqueville Advisory Council, a group thinking long-term about scope and growth. Constantly challenging the status quo, he was the force behind two recent engagement efforts — Tocqueville Riders cycling event and Beyond the Check to help new and veteran members connect.
Joseph A. Hall Award for Promoting Diversity
Alfonso Cornejo, President and a Founding Member, Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA
Cornejo has been building collaboratives to promote diversity and inclusion during his 22 years in Cincinnati. This includes founding the group that organizes the Cincy-Cinco Festival celebrating Cinco de Mayo and which has generated more than $170,000 over the past seven years for support of area Hispanic causes. He also facilitated publication of Cincinnati: A City of Immigrants, a history curriculum distributed in local schools and churches, and adapted into a play produced by ArtsWave.
Impact Leadership Award
Dr. James C. Votruba, President, Northern Kentucky University
Dr. Votruba has shown a special dedication to United Way of Greater Cincinnati, indicated by his service as a member of its Board of Directors and through his leadership of United Way’s Research Council. As Research Council chair, Dr. Votruba has been responsible for three editions of United Way’s regional indicators report, The State of the Community. The report and its associated online data portal have become the “go-to” data resources for United Way as it makes its program investment decisions and for additional agencies, foundations and government offices.
Youth Leadership Award
Michael Grabel, Senior, Walnut Hills High School, Volunteer with United Way Youth Engaged in Service (YES)
Grabel makes it a point to serve diverse organizations to help students open their horizons to their communities and the social issues around them. As a Youth Ambassador for the national Tourette Syndrome Association, he joins youth from all over the country in educating peers and encouraging understanding, tolerance and the prevention of bullying. He demonstrates how youth with courage can turn challenges into opportunity.
Community Service Awards
Improving Our Community
Tonya Matthews, Vice president, Museums, Cincinnati Museum Center
For the last three years, Matthews has been an active member of United Way’s Youth Achieve Success in School & Life Impact Council, helping others achieve their potential. Aligning with United Way’s efforts to engage our community around Bold Goals, her efforts are helping children, youth and young adults succeed in school and life.
Developing Resources
Robert P. Shaffer, Executive Vice President and Director of Audit, Fifth Third Bank
Shaffer took an already successful employee campaign to a new level of success in 2011, both in new dollars raised and in the number of committed donors who gave generously because they were inspired by Bob’s leadership and example and believed in the important work of United Way.
Jamie Cecil, Vice President, Sibcy Cline Insurance Services
Cecil is a donor, a volunteer and an advocate for United Way. She been instrumental in raising nearly $100,000 in both 2010 and 2011 as chair of the Sibcy Cline United Way employee campaign. She is also a United Way Emerging Leader and participant in Volunteer 1000.
Strengthening our Region
Cheryl Thomas, Engineering Section Head, The Procter & Gamble Company
Thomas is a United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s Women Investing in the Next Generation (WINGs) member and chair of its Advocacy Committee. Under her leadership, the Committee is growing and energized, having recently returned from a third visit to Washington, D.C., to advocate for early childhood issues.
Communicating Our Message
Mike Holmes, Senior, Starfire U
Holmes is a senior in Starfire U, a four-year program for teens and adults with disabilities. As a speaker for Starfire, he shares the United Way message. He has helped others understand what is it like to live with a disability and demonstrated how much he and others have to offer as we work together to improve our community. He completed an internship at United Way of Greater Cincinnati and is now employed full-time at GBBN Architects.
Improving Our Accountability and Effectiveness
Brenda M. Kloos, Partner, Frost Brown Todd, LLC
Kloos has been a member of the Accountability and Services Cabinet and Building Committee since 2003, chairing the committee over the last six years. Significant projects have included negotiating the sale of the Middletown and Eastern Area buildings and leading the five-year process that resulted in the total renovation of the Regional Center Building.
