Inspiration
Robin Roberts Is An Optimist
A Conversation With Cincinnati Volunteer Fred Neurohr
Fred Neurohr is a volunteer, a husband and a father. I met him through his involvement as a board member for
“My work with him at Elementz really drives home the notion that everyone has a gift, and our duty as members of a community is to help nurture and bring those gifts into the light.”
the Cincinnati nonprofit Elementz, an arts center dedicated to encouraging young people’s creativity and positive choices, the promotion and development of Urban Arts, and the betterment of our city. Fred’s passion for bringing out the best in young people is loud and clear. He is an inspiration.
I asked Fred about the GOOD in his life. This is what he had to say.
What is something really good that has happened recently or in your life?
I recently took a position at the Council on Aging, which combines several of my passions: working with data to tell a story, working in service of people in our community, and contributing toward a better Cincinnati.
Who is someone who has inspired you in your life and why?
Peter Block. My work with him at Elementz really drives home the notion that everyone has a gift, and our duty as members of a community is to help nurture and bring those gifts into the light.
What is one of your favorite quotes that inspires you?
“Everything in moderation, including moderation.” It reminds me that it’s okay to let things escape the cold, everyday calculus. In truth, we need not count everything all the time and can choose not to impose quantitative judgments in all corners of life. It’s good for the soul to both recognize and exercise the pleasant randomness life brings, and to act with passion and helpful excess from time-to-time.
What is something that is sure to make you smile?
A trip home to my native New York City, especially sharing it with my family. Watching my kids light up at the sights and sounds of Times Square, or when they stare in wonderment at the awesome characters of Coney Island, or when they try food they’ve never seen before – it’s the best! Unless we attend a Mets or Jets game. That doesn’t leave me smiling so much lately. 😉
How Many Random Acts Of Kindness Can $1 Buy?
What can you buy with a $1 bill? Well, a random act of kindness for starters. How about many random acts of kindness?
One hundred students at John Jay Middle School in the Katonah-Lewisboro school district in Cross River, New York were asked to spend one dollar on something good for someone else. The assignment was given one week after the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Teachers Laura Atwell, Gail Bergman, Amy Baisley, Nick Stathis and Jim Egeler gave the kids 26 days for the project (representing the number of students and teachers killed).
“We were all stunned after Newtown,” Atwell told Lisa Buchman of the Bedford-Katona Patch. “It might seem to seventh graders that there isn’t a lot they can do after a situation like that, so we wanted to empower them to do something good.”
The teachers donated $20 of their own money so each student would receive one dollar to spend on someone else.
The results?
Many of the students increased their funds by soliciting matching donations through social networks.
Mills Reed purchased three copies of the book The Three Questions by John Muth, and donated one copy each in memory of Anne Marie Murphy, a Katonah native and teacher who died at Sandy Hook. Reed arranged for the books to go to the Mount Kisco Library, Katonah Village Library and Somers Public Library—where Murphy was born, raised and buried.
Ryan Kingston of Cross River used social media to raise matching $1 contributions for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in memory of his best friend whom he lost to the disease a few years ago.
Caleigh Boyer-Holt of Katonah also grew her dollar which she and six other students used to buy supplies to hold a bake sale in Katonah. They raised $200 and donated it to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Here are some other examples, as relayed by Atwell to the Bedford-Katona Patch:
Three students (independent of each other) used the dollar to buy stamps, and wrote and mailed letters to their elected officials asking for sensible laws around guns.
One student obtained matching funds and pre-paid for 26 coffees at Noka Joe’s, leaving 26 slips of paper at the counter to be handed to each customer, explaining their coffee was pre-paid in honor of the lives lost at Newtown.
One student traveling in Belize gave her dollar to a girl of apparent little means there.
Many students did extra chores at home, earning extra money to donate to local nonprofts such as the Outreach ALS Foundation.
“One dollar was the seed for these kids to spread kindess,” Atwell said. “This may turn into a team tradition.”
Sue Ellen Stuebing Has A Gratitude List
Sue Ellen Stuebing is chief development officer for Public Media Connect, the organization that houses the Cincinnati and 
Dayton PBS stations – CET and ThinkTV. When I think about people who have a natural way of bringing a smile to my face, Sue Ellen is right up there on my list. I have known her for years through my PR work with area nonprofits. Always when I call her I am greeted by a warm voice on the other end.
I learned something new about Sue Ellen the last time we spoke. She keeps a Gratitude List to keep track of those who have impacted her life in a positive way. I couldn’t help but ask her about it. This is what she shared.
If it isn’t too personal, what are some of the things on your list?
People who make a difference in my personal and professional life or things that sometimes I take for granted, good health, a comfortable home, a career that I enjoy.
How do you create your list?
I just have a journal that I note the date and write a few things that I consider as a gratitude list before I go to sleep. I started writing a gratitude list about 20 years ago when a friend gave me a journal for a birthday present. There are times in my life that when I have written daily lists and times when I have not written in a month or more. I actually have more of a sense of peace when I think about the things I am grateful for and reflect on those things on a daily basis.
How often do you look at it?
I have only read over my past gratitude lists a few times. I really try to concentrate on each day.
How has keeping the list impacted you?
I am optimistic the majority of the time and I think that the daily reflection of gratitude helps me continue to be positive.
Cincinnati Bengals Players Honored By NFL
It’s great when deserving people are recognized for how they are making a difference. Our Cincinnati Bengals linebacker
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vincent Rey
Vincent Rey and defensive end Michael Johnson quietly do so much for our community. Recently they were honored by the NFL Players Association with the highest honor the NFLPA can bestow on a player – the Byron ‘Whizzer’ White Award.
The Award recognizes players who go above and beyond to perform community service, and the honorees receive a monetary donation for their foundation or a charity of their choice.
“As an NFL football player, you have a lot of people that look up to you. And if there’s anything I can say or do that will encourage anyone, then I’ll gladly do it,” Vincent told Dhani Jones for SB Nation.
Last fall Mike and Vincent stopped by Beechgrove Elementary to encourage students to go after their dreams, show kindness and do good every day. You know I like that!
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson
“Always do your best. Give it everything you’ve got to get the job done,” Mike told them. “Take advantage of every day. Take advantage of every opportunity.”
