Awards
Greater Cincinnati Foundation Is Looking For Big Ideas
Gosh, for so many reasons I am proud to call Cincinnati home. Look around and it is not difficult to find people doing good things, giving back and helping one another, beautifying neighborhoods, and strengthening lives. Diverse cultures joined in workplaces, schools, and gatherings. Together, we make this region thrive.
We have literally hundreds of truly valuable nonprofit organizations whose programs offer hope and enrichment and improve community. They are sustainable only because people – neighbors and friends – care. And for 50 years, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation has been matching charitable donations with causes to bring it all together.
I’d say that is an anniversary worth observing! How neat it is that the GCF is celebrating by inspiring more giving and innovation.
The Big Idea Challenge
In a ground breaking effort, GCF is inviting individuals to come forward with their creative
ideas for creating a more vibrant region for The Big Idea Challenge. Through July 29, you can submit your plan online (at this link) that should fall under one of these seven categories:
Vibrant Places
- Strong Communities: Ensure we have the best places to live by getting more people and organizations involved in comprehensive approaches.
- Cultural Vibrancy: Expand everyone’s connection to the arts, and support the roles of arts and cultural organizations in economic activity in our communities.
- Job Creation: Make more jobs available here by attracting and growing businesses and cultivating a culture of entrepreneurship.
- Environmental Stewardship: Protect our natural environment and promote development of a “green economy.”
Thriving People
- Educational Success: Support children’s learning all along the way from cradle to career.
- Health & Wellness: Pursue healthy lifestyles and create access to health, dental and mental health care.
- Economic Opportunity: Help all individuals and families address their basic needs, get meaningful work, and achieve family financial security.
All submissions are being posted on the Big Idea Challenge web site. After July 29, a panel of community reviewers will narrow down the plans before the ideas are put before the public to vote. In addition to cash prizes for the winners, GCF will find a nonprofit organization to test or implement the seven winning ideas and provide grants to make them happen.
Here are just a few of the great ideas submitted so far:
Piano Mobile – Keys on Wheels
In a retro-fitted van, a keyboard lab will be set-up for 8 students to park and play in neighborhoods across the Greater Cincinnati area. The facilitators aboard each van will instruct students in a 10-week introductory course designed with the beginner in mind. The van will move every 10 weeks to a new neighborhood. Materials and keyboards will be provided to students in daily classes. Minimal tuition could be charged or this could be a scholarship-based program or combination of both.
“I Can” Van
This program is designed to tackle self-esteem issues that continue to hinder the ability of children to build the confidence they need to excel in school & welcome new experiences for lifelong success.
The “I Can” van will partner with local schools and arts organizations to provide approachable, fun and educational programming to be delivered at area parks, community centers and clubs.
What are you waiting for? The time to share your Big Idea is now!
Thanks Greater Cincinnati Foundation for all you do!
Northern Kentucky Music Hall Of Fame Inductees To Be Honored
Behringer-Crawford Museum
A guitarist from King Crimson. The owner of an allegedly haunted country music nightclub. The man who wrote “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. What do these people have in common? They are a part of Northern Kentucky’s rich musical heritage that will be showcased at Behringer-Crawford Museum’s upcoming exhibit, “Northern Kentucky Music Legends” opening at 4 p.m. on June 2, 2013.
“Northern Kentucky Music Legends” highlights artists from Northern Kentucky who have spent more than 20 years sharing their love of music with the public. Some have become internationally known, while others have made their impact locally. This exhibit celebrates the people and places that continue to cultivate the region’s profound connection with music.
Bobby Mackey
The exhibit is a partnership between BCM, the newly formed Northern Kentucky Music Legend committee, and local musicians, high school band directors, music promoters and producers, with the goal of increasing understanding and awareness of local music.
Rosemary Clooney
The exhibit will kick off at from 4 to 7 p.m, Sunday, June 2, with a ceremony honoring the Hall-of-Fame inaugural inductees: Adrian Belew, Bob Braun, Rosemary Clooney, Mike Connor, Skeeter Davis, Haven Gillespie, Bobby Mackey, Steve Mendell, Kenny Price, Michael Reilly, Charles Tharp, Gary Winter, and the band Strange Brew. A reception and tour of the exhibit will follow the induction ceremony. (Cost is $5 to attend the ceremony.)
I wrote an earlier post about Bobby Mackey and his legacy to our region. Here is a link.
Through the summer, BCM will host additional events associated with the exhibit. On July 11, inductees Strange Brew and special guests New Lime will perform as part of the Music@BCM concert series. On August 4, inductees will join together for an “Open Mic Concert” showcasing the talents that make them legends. And on August 25, local high school students will perform at “Future Music Legends Take the Stage.”
For more information about these events, the exhibit, or the museum, please contact BCM at (859) 491-4003 or info@bcmuseum.org.
Behringer-Crawford Museum is supported in part by our members; the City of Covington, Kenton County Fiscal Court, Kentucky Arts Council, ArtsWave, and The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Hail, Jr. US Bank Foundation.
Miss Junior Teen Ohio, Jessica Waters, Has Can DO Attitude
On May 18, 2008, just days before Jessica Waters was to become 12, got the news that would rock her world. Finally, the trouble she was having with focusing and remembering in school was given a name. Jessica became one of the estimated 2.5 million America
ns diagnosed with Epilepsy, a disease of the central nervous system.
Suddenly, this young girl who liked to think of herself as the ‘tough kid’ was fighting the battle of her life. In her teenage years she has experienced three kinds of seizures including seven grand mal seizures. And her medicine altered her personality. Jessica was told she could no longer ride her bike and coaches no longer wanted her on their sports teams. She was asked not to attend parties. She was told she would never be able to dance, tumble or cheer again – her great passions. She was harassed and bullied.
It was a summer camp, Camp Flamecatcher for children with epilepsy and other disabilities, where Jessica came to realize she CAN still swim, canoe, run, swing, and do arts and crafts. And, she saw other kids doing those things too.
“It really opened my eyes,” she said. “Kids don’t realize how much they can do. Camp taught me that epilepsy wasn’t a defining factor in my life.”
But that experience wouldn’t have been possible for her without a sponsor. It is a gift that she is paying forward. She founded Cupcake Charity (with support from her mom) to raise scholarship money to send other kids to Camp Flamecatcher whose families otherwise couldn’t afford the cost. Jessica raised enough for two partial and one full scholarship, and she is working hard to raise more this year.
The Camp experience also stirred her to action in another way. “People just don’t listen to young people well and I thought what better way to do something about that then to go for a title,” she said. “I researched the pageant organizations that care about what you do for others and that is what I am all about.”
Meet Miss Junior Teen Ohio 2012
At 15, Jessica – Miss Junior Teen Ohio 2012 – is a dedicated advocate for the Epilepsy Foundation, a member of her school’s Varsity Dance Team, a cheerleader for Beavercreek City Schools, received an All Team Academic Aw
ard and varsity letter for playing hockey, and is always looking for volunteer opportunities. Jessica is the youngest TWIG Auxiliary member for Dayton Children’s Hospital and is working with Julie Vann (previous mayor of Beavercreek) to establish a scholarship in honor of students her school has lost. For all that Jessica has accomplished, her list of accolades is simply too long to list.
I asked Jessica what her message is to other young people like herself. “I tell them to not let their disease or disability define them. You can do anything you put your mind to.”
I think that is a great lesson for all of us.
Metro Bus Operators To Be Honored For Rescuing Children
The quick thinking of two Cincinnati Metro bus operators might have saved the lives of two children in separate incidents less than a week apart in late February and early March.
Operators Ella Holloway and Dianne Wyly drive different Metro bus routes in different communities, but they both had similar experiences when they saw very young children walking alone near busy streets. They both jumped into action to keep the little ones from harm:
Cincinnati Metro bus operator Ella Holloway
Feb. 28, 2013: Operator Holloway was driving toward downtown on Rt. 33 on Glenway Avenue near Olivia Lane when she noticed a 2- or 3-year-old boy walking alone on the sidewalk. The child wasn’t wearing a coat, just shorts and shoes in 30-degree, windy weather. She stopped the bus, brought the child on board, and called for assistance. The Cincinnati Police Department responded and took the boy to the Cincinnati Fire Department on Glenway. Holloway has been a Metro bus operator for 22 years.
March 6, 2013: Operator Wyly was driving toward downtown on Rt. 43 when she saw a 3-year-old little boy walking alone on Reading Road near Asmann Avenue. It was a snowy, icy day and his shoes were on backwards and coat barely on. She brought the child onto her bus and called for assistance; Cincinnati Police took the child to a safe location. She has been a bus operator for 18 years.
Cincinnati Metro bus operator Dianne Wylyoperator for 18 years, lives in Roselawn.
“Metro bus operators are eyes on the community,” said Metro’s CEO Terry Garcia Crews. “Operators Holloway and Wyly demonstrated outstanding sensitivity and judgment; their actions helped prevent these children from being injured. They are heroes for keeping the children safe, and their actions deserve commendation.”
Holloway and Wyly will be presented with the CEO’s STAR Award at the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority Board meeting.The STAR Award for “Service That Attracts Recognition” is a selective award is presented by, and at the sole discretion of, Metro’s CEO. The award acknowledges and rewards employees who demonstrate exemplary service to Metro and the community.
Metro is a non-profit, tax-funded public service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, providing about 17 million rides per year in Greater Cincinnati.
Curtis Enis Named Marvin Lewis Coach Of The Year
Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis, at left, with Marvin Lewis Coach of the Year Award recipient Curtis Enis of the Bradford High School.
Congrats to Curtis Enis, head football coach at Bradford High School, for being named the Marvin Lewis ‘Coach of the Year’. From a write-up in The Cincinnati Herald, “Coach Enis focuses on teaching young men life lessons that will go much further than football. He teaches his players the values of work ethic, support, determination, pride, heart, effort, attitude, family and, most importantly, they are students first and athletes second.”
He is one great coach and role model. Thanks to Coach Enis for all he does!
The Marvin Lewis Community Fund is a Cincinnati, Ohio-based nonprofit organization that empowers, educates, and inspires individuals in the Greater Cincinnati area through their ongoing outreach programs. The Marvin Lewis Community Fund invests in the Greater Cincinnati community through several outreach programs including: Coach of the Year Award.
