Lisa Desatnik
On Experiencing The Western & Southern Open As A Volunteer
A week ago from Saturday at this time, I was preparing to leave for my second day of volunteering at what has grown into one of the world’s largest, most prominent stopping grounds for top athletes – the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament held in Mason, Ohio.
For more than 16 years (I’ve lost count although I took a couple years off), this has become a tradition for how I begin to draw my summer to a close. For five days, I and some 100 other volunteers transport players and their families, staff and guests, media, U.S. Open staff, and other tournament guests to and from the airport – and anywhere else they want to visit while spending time in our wonderful Greater Cincinnati region. In the evenings, when my shift is done it is time to relax as a spectator, dividing my time walking the grounds to say hi to people I know and sitting in the stands cheering for hard fought rallies.
The experience has given me an opportunity to meet diverse people from all over the world, each with different stories and reasons for coming to Mason. The one trip that I never like to make is when I have to drive someone back to the airport after flying here, giving it his or her all, and then losing in a qualifying match. I know that is just part of the profession, and to make it, you have got to keep going, working hard and persevering. Still, it is not easy and it is very expensive.
It has been great to see the evolution of this competition – the nation’s oldest professional tennis tournament – on the beautiful grounds just across the roadway from Kings Island. Years back this was not a required tournament for the tennis professionals. Still, many of the top players chose to attend because they enjoyed spending time here. Greater Cincinnati fans and the tournament team made them feel so welcome.
I remember the days of when Andre Agassi, with his long hair, would draw adoring lady fans. When Pete Sampras would win games and then sets and then matches from the sheer power of his serve. And when the Bryan brothers were young teenagers who stole hearts with their California surfer looks and their signature chest bumps that still to this day sometimes celebrate triumphant wins.
Yesterday the tournament finals marked the close of yet another fun, very hectic week. In the men’s match, it was a battle of wills. John Isner, the unseated American going into the tournament whose resilient attitude saw him winning victories over three top players before coming face-to-face with one of tennis’s all time great superstars, Rafael Nadal who, up until Sunday, was never able to pull off a title in Mason.
Before a sell-out crowd, the two fought every point. Each set went into a tie-break. And in the end, only one could hold up the championship prize. But really they were both champions if you measure their heart.
On Saturday, John thanked the American fans for giving him energy. “The crowd had been a factor for me all week actually. It was a factor for me yesterday, and you guys were absolutely fantastic for me again today. I cannot thank you enough. I can’t wait to be out here tomorrow.”
To the fans after the final, Rafael had this to say to CBS, “All I can say is, ‘Thank you very much’ to the organization to make possible this very great event…all the volunteers, all the people who work in the tournament to make us feel like home.’”
John and Rafa said it well. Every day that I was a part of the Western & Southern Open, I saw the dedication of the volunteers, not just on my committee but throughout every committee. And I knew that behind the scenes were dedicated staff who made it all run like a well oiled machine. Those two comments are a real reflection of what makes this region so awesome, and what gives me pride to give of my time to be a part of the event.
Soon, the small team of organizing staff and the volunteer committee chair people will have a chance to catch their breath, reflect, relax – and begin preparation for next year. It will be back before we know it.
Cincinnati Community ToolBank Celebrates Anniversary
I got an email yesterday from Kat Pepmeyer, executive director of the Cincinnati Community ToolBank. She was announcing the one year anniversary of her organization.
It is hard to believe it has been a year since I first met Kat and heard about the ‘plans’ to fulfill a great need. The Cincinnati ToolBank stewards and lends an inventory of high quality tools including carpentry, construction, custodial, landscaping gear and more. For just three cents on the dollar of their retail value, charitable organizations can borrow tools and equipment from the ToolBank for a week.
Since its inception, the ToolBank has equipped more than 20,000 volunteers with tools to complete over 1,000 Greater Cincinnati projects. Wow!
The anniversary celebration is later this afternoon at 2001 Central Ave in Cincinnati (45214) from 4 to 7 pm.
To learn more, volunteer or join as a member agency, call 513-246-0015 or visit www.Cincinnati.toolbank.org.
Today, Appreciate the Good
Donate Children’s Books To Adopt a Book
Great for Hannah and Alex (and mom) Laman!
They at it again…spending their summer finding awesome literature that they can give to organizations for other kids who don’t own books of their own. This time they are partnering with Cincinnati area Eddie Bauer stores (in Kenwood, Rookwood and Crestview Hills, Kentucky).
By the way, if you are not familiar with them, the Laman’s have a Cincinnati area nonprofit called Adopt a Book, and through it they have collected and donated thousands of books so that others can learn about the fun in reading too. I wrote about them in an earlier post. Here is a link to that story.
If you stop by a local Eddie Bauer store before August 18, please be sure to bring a new or gently used children’s book. Donors will receive a 50% off coupon on one regular priced item. Limit one per customer per day. Excludes First Ascent and branded items. Please visit store for additional details.
GRAD Cincinnati Surpasses $1 Million in Scholarship Awards
“Look where you want to be, envision it and achieve it,” encouraged guest speaker Curtis Mimes to the 32 2013 GRAD Scholars at the annual Scholars Reception at Cincinnati State. Only a year ago, Curtis was sitting in their place as a 2012 GRAD Scholar at Taft. In the fall, he will be a Sophomore at University of Cincinnati’s College of Engineering.
At the event, GRAD Cincinnati awarded $105,500 in scholarships to seniors from the 2013 graduating classes at Western Hills University High School (WHUHS) and Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School (Taft). This class of Scholars joins over 270 other students who have been awarded the GRAD Cincinnati Scholarship since 2006. In the past eight years,
GRAD Cincinnati has awarded over $1 million in scholarships and helped identify millions of dollars in additional resources to help students afford college and achieve their dreams. This year alone, GRAD has helped our Scholars identify more than $604,000 in financial aid, scholarships and grants.
Thirty Scholars plan to go on to college in the fall and two prepare to enter the military with future plans of attending college. WHUHS student speaker, DaNesha Bell, told her fellow scholarship recipients to always remember who inspired them to persist through their high school career. Bell reached graduation day because of the hard work and tenacity she put into her education, but she is thankful for all the help she received along the way from her teachers and the GRAD staff.
GRAD Cincinnati Board member, Cheryl Nunez, gave best wishes to the 2013 scholarship recipients telling them to “remember that college is a journey, but you will always find your way back home to GRAD.” By awarding the students these scholarships, GRAD Cincinnati is supporting these students’ futures. Before awarding the students their scholarships, the Board shouted, “We’re investing in you!”
To be eligible to receive the GRAD Cincinnati scholarship, throughout their high school careers, students must have maintained a 93% attendance rate, achieved a minimum 2.5 grade point average, participated in two GRAD Cincinnati Summer Institute programs, and graduate in four years.
Submitted by Laura Reece