Event
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.
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,
photo credit: Kim Dye
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
Finneytown Middle School Students Raise Money For Homeless
Twelve Finneytown Middle School students are going to be hooping it up for the Homeless Project at Talbert House’s Parkway Center this coming weekend. Beginning Friday at 4 pm, they’ll play three-on-three basketball games for 24 hours straight. They’re raising money by getting sponsors.
Lucas Gould, an Indian Hill High School student, began the Hoops for the Homeless Project to raise money for an outdoor recreation area and basketball court. Together with help from legend Oscar Robertson they raised more than $45,000. While the basketball court is finished, more money is needed to pay for it.
“It’s great to see young people creating projects to help others,” Talbert House Development Director Tracy Wells told the Enquirer. “It’s truly inspiring to work with teenagers who are spending their time improving the lives of the homeless when they could be doing other activities. We hope this will lead them to more involvement in their communities.”
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.
