Event
Cincy Sundaes Raises Helps Greater Cincinnati Ideas Grow
I love clever ideas to bring people together, and especially when it comes to supporting innovative causes.
I just learned about Cincy Sundaes and think it is fantastic! According to the website, Cincy Sundaes is an ice cream social funding micro-grants for innovative ideas in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Cincy Sundaes gives the community the opportunity to directly fund ideas ranging from neighborhood music festivals to urban agriculture.
For $5, guests get to make a scrumptious sundae with Dojo Gelato and also get one vote.
At each event, four presenters will have four minutes each to share their idea and the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions. After the presentations, attendees will vote for their favorite idea and 100% of the money collected at the door will go directly to the idea that receives the most votes.
The first Cincy Sundae will be April 13 from 3 to 5 pm at Rhinegeist Brewery.
The rest of the season will include:
April 13: Rhinegeist
May 11: Covington Arts
July 27: Five Points
August 24: TBA
October 19: Mayday Northside
November 16: The Sanctuary
If you are interested in presenting your idea, you can learn how to apply on their website.
Joey Votto Foundation Volunteers Spruce Up Learning Center
When you stop and think about how vital our children are to the future of our community, and how important it is that they have the tools they need to succeed – from an early age, you come to really appreciate the dedicated work of those who devote not just their careers, but their hearts too, to ensure new generations a starting point from which to grow.
Cincinnati Early Learning Centers, Inc. (CELC) is a nationally accredited, non-profit, United Way agency managing six childcare centers throughout Greater Cincinnati, each providing quality child care for children ages three months through eleven years. CELC sites include: Harrison (location of original site – 1980), East Walnut Hills (1983), East End (1995), Downtown/YWCA (2006), Clifton/Future Environments (2010) and The Robert and Adele Schiff Early Learning Center located in Oyler School, Lower Price Hill (2012).
More than 80 kids, ages 18 months to 12 years, attend its Harrison CELC center. With full-day educational programs for the toddlers and pre-schoolers and an after-school program for the older students, it understandably was in need of a fresh face lift.
Enter the Votto Foundation
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto created The Joey Votto Foundation to support the healing of service members, veterans and military families affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Each month the Foundation invites families to participate in a community volunteer project, providing opportunities for veterans and military families to socialize, network, and connect with each other. Its February project was to help the staff and children at the Harrison CELC enjoy a refreshed-looking center.
The experience gave Votto Foundation volunteers an opportunity to get involved with a project that brought out their inner humanity and fostered camaraderie, and the staff and kids of CELC were given a beautified environment in which to learn.
I’d say that’s a home run effort!
Cincinnati Rotary Club Opens Jefferson Award Nominations
It is such a wonderful gift when people gift selflessly to enhance lives and their community. So often those individuals do their work quietly, without need or want for recognition. Still, their efforts most certainly are worthy of being honored.
One special program aimed at doing just that is the Rotary Club of Cincinnati Jefferson Award (with leading sponsor, the American Institute of Public Service (AIPS). The Jefferson Awards pay homage to Greater Cincinnati volunteers who have gone above and beyond.
In partnership with the Enquirer Media and Local 12, The Rotary Club is looking to recognize ordinary people who do extraordinary things without the expectation of recognition or reward. These are individuals that are changing and improving our community, while addressing an important issue facing our area.
The Jefferson Award, which is recognized as the Nobel Prize for public service, was created in 1972 by Cincinnati’s own U.S. Senator Robert Taft and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and is presented annually to recipients in more than 90 cities in the United States. The AIPS’s mission is to encourage and honor individuals for their achievements and contributions through public and community service.
On March 13, 2014, the Rotary Club of Cincinnati will host the annual Jefferson Award presentation luncheon during their weekly meeting and will announce this year’s winner. The winner will then go to Washington, D.C. in June to represent our region for the National Award. The nomination form is available in a printable and online application on the following two websites: The Rotary Club of Cincinnati: Rotary Club of Cincinnati Jefferson Award Printable Application and Enquirer Media: Enquirer Jefferson Award Online Application.
Deadline for nominations is 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2014.
Please click here to download a nomination form: Jefferson Award NominationForm 2014
ABOUT CINCINNATI ROTARY CLUB: The Rotary Club of Cincinnati is the preeminent professional service organization for men and women, supporting children, particularly those with disabilities throughout the Tri-State area through its partnerships with Stepping Stones/Camp Allyn and the Roselawn Condon School. The Rotary Club of Cincinnati also supports the global effort to eradicate polio worldwide through its PolioPlus program. For more information about the Rotary Club of Cincinnati, go to www.cincinnatirotary.org. Questions? Call The Rotary Club of Cincinnati at (513) 421-1080.
Over 550 Animals Looking For Forever Homes At My Furry Valentine
Have you been wanting to add a furry companion to your household? You are about to have one of the largest selections from which to choose at My Furry Valentine, February 15 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and 16 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). It will be held at FLEXI USA in West Chester, Ohio.
The mega-adoption event founded and led by Phodographer Carolyn Evans brings together dozens of Cincinnati area animal rescue groups with a common goal of finding homes for more than 550 animals.
In addition to adoptable pets, the event features: family friendly games, face painting, arts & crafts, a rescued farm animal petting zoo, and a variety of pet vendors. Parking and admission are free. Pet adoption fees and applications vary. All pet 
adopters will receive: a professional photo of their new pet, goody bag overflowing with free pet supplies, toys, treats, coupons, an Alcott adventure leash and collar set, and 1 large bag of IAMS pet food.
I attended the event last year and it was such a great site to not only see so many dogs with great love to give, but also seeing so many people walking out with new found companions.
If you are planning on going, I want to encourage you to give thought before hand as to the best dog for your life. I have a list of some considerations on my dog training blog at http://www.SoMuchPETential.com.
On National Mentoring Day, A Reminder To Be An Inspiration
On National Mentoring Day, I want to share this beautiful story from the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati.
Anthony Howard thanked his mentor-his Big Brother-in the perfect way. He became a Big Brother himself. Anthony says:
When my mother first signed me up for the program I didn’t think much of it. But today I truly believe that my mother putting me in the program has put me where I am today. My biological brother and I shared a Big Brother, David Spaccarelli, and he impacted both of our lives tremendously. My brother and I lacked a father figure or other male figure in our life to look up to and David became and still is that guy. I started with the program at age 13 and today I am 23, and I still speak to my Big Brother on a regular basis. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas we get together at his parents’ house for dinner. David has helped me during high school and college, and also helped get me the job I have today. 
About a month ago, I decided to start giving back to the program. I now have a Little Brother by the name of Brien. We both share an interest in sports and play basketball and football together. Brien also likes to play video games so our next adventure will be at an arcade center where you can play all the games you want for an hour straight! I am really enjoying being a Big Brother and can already see the impact I am making on this young man’s life.
I would like to say to people who are thinking about joining the program as a “Big” to do it. You don’t know how much you can impact someone’s life ,whether you’re just throwing a football in the backyard with your Little, being that friend to go to lunch with, or just being that someone to talk to. I would like to give a big thank you to David as well as the Big Brother Big Sister program as they have both changed my life in a way that is challenging to express through words.
