Nonprofit Organization
Nonprofit Spotlight – FUEL Cincinnati Providing Micro-grants
Have you heard about FUEL Cincinnati? It is an all-volunteer committee of young professionals in Greater Cincinnati that is part of Give Back Cincinnati.
Fuel Cincinnati provides micro-grants in amounts ranging from $250 to $2,000 to fund non-profit projects in the Greater Cincinnati region, including the city of Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and contiguous communities. Its central mission is to involve young professionals in the region in nonprofit projects in four core areas: (1) education, (2) community building, (3) the environment, and (4) diversity.
If an applicant has a great idea for improving the greater Cincinnati region through a nonprofit project related to one of FUEL’s core areas, and if all that’s standing in the applicant’s way is the lack of a few hundred or a couple of thousand dollars, FUEL exists to remove that obstacle. This is why FUEL prefers to provide the majority of the budget for projects it funds; FUEL’s mission is to make great things happen that wouldn’t happen without it. FUEL fills a gap by making capital available for projects smaller in scale than those typically funded by traditional foundations.
Fuel is supported by generous grants from The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile US Bank Foundation and from The Mayerson Family Foundations.
Tri State CART Helps Pets & People In Disasters
It was just a little over a year ago when a local organization, Tri State CART, distributed some 28 pallets if Iams pet food to victims of severe storms in Clermont County.
In case you’ve never heard of Tri State CART, it stands for County Animal Response Team. It coordinates, educates and trains volunteers to prepare for and respond to disasters in 31 counties of the Cincinnati Tri-State area.
“Many animal owners will refuse to evacuate if they cannot take their pets or livestock, and that makes our job very important,” said Bonnie Morrison, executive director. “We help people evacuate as quickly as possible with their animals to a safe place until they can return home.”
Why Disaster Animal Response Teams
There were a lot of lessons learned from the tragedies in the Gulf Coast. One of those lessons was that animals must be considered and evacuated to best help save people’s lives.
The PETS Act was instituted in October of 2006, this act was signed into law. It states that all counties and states have to include plans for animals in their emergency response plans. If this is not done, their FEMA funding gets cut off.
In a disaster, Tri-State CART is one of many organizations that respond to the needs of the people and their animals.
For Tri-State CART’s disaster preparedness checklist, please click the link below.
Disaster Pet Preparedness checklist
A Mentor Is A Special Gift
Written by Greg, a volunteer mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County
I first met Cody in March of 2009. He was age 9 and I was 32. The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County staff shared that the main reason Cody and his mom were looking for a “Big” was because they wanted a positive male role model in his life. From the beginning, our relationship was easy.
One early moment of importance came as we were driving back from a late-spring afternoon at the Cincinnati Zoo. I asked Cody what his favorite part of the day was. As a self-proclaimed penguin-fan, he told me it was, “…seeing the penguins.” He asked me back & I truthfully answered, “Spending the day with you.” The always talkative Cody was literally speechless. Better still, he had a huge smile on his face and he was genuinely proud. My words had struck a chord with Cody. He does not know it – but his smile struck right back.
As time passed, our relationship grew. I began looking for ways where I could help expand Cody’s horizons, while we were spending time together. I travel for work so I always make sure that Cody learns a little bit about each place that I go. We talk about different types of careers and the different things he may be able to do. We frequently talk about college and about the benefits a college education can bring.
In our match, I have tried to find the ‘balance’ between being “an adult” who tells him what to do and being “a friend” he can trust. So, this past summer, when Cody texted to tell me that he had tried to pierce his ear (without permission,)I was happy to know that he felt he could trust his ‘secret’ with me.
Cody is a great kid with a very generous heart and a mom that is a tremendously positive influence in his life. But, as he gets bigger, his decisions get bigger as well. And, like so many other adults out there looking out for teenagers, that reality makes me worry. So, Cody trusting me with his secret was a source of relief because it gives me hope that he may turn to me again down the road when he is in a time of need. And, all of that provides great insight into just how much my little brother has come to mean to me.
Cody lost his “Papaw” (maternal grandfather) about 2 years ago. Papaw was the main male role model in Cody’s life and I got to know him through our visits when I would get Cody at Papaw’s home. Towards the end, Papaw was in a hospice care facility where Cody and I visited him with the family. And during one visit, Papaw took the time to express his sincere thanks to me for being there for Cody. It warmed my heart that my match with Cody could make that much difference to his Papaw. And, his appreciation only strengthened my resolve and commitment to be there for Cody in any way that I could be.
I have volunteered for many different charity-based organizations over the years, but I never found a scenario where I felt I made a true connection with the person(s) that I was helping, so I was always looking for more. The Big Brothers Big Sisters program has provided me so much more than I knew to be possible. I came into the program because I wanted to give back, but I had no idea how much I would get in return.
How You Can Help
In addition to becoming a mentor yourself, you can help raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County by participating in Bowl for Kids Sake.
How can you get involved? It is easier than ever…just follow these quick steps:
1. Organize a team of 4-6 people
2. Register here:
- Saturday, March 9, 3:00 PM Eastern Lanes, Middletown
http://www.firstgiving.com/bcbbbs/bowl-for-kids-sake-2013-middletown-ohio
3. Raise money – It’s as simple as each team member asking for $10 from 5 people. They hope to see each team raise at least $50 per member (a total of $200-300 depending on how many people are on your team).
4. Come enjoy the FUN!! Come bowl, get a great looking T-shirt, eat pizza, win prizes and celebrate all your hard work!
Questions? Contact Molly Jones at molly.jones@bbbsbutler.org
or 867-1227 or 424-3397.
Circus Mojo and Redwood Bring Out Abilities
Walking on stilts. Spinning plates. Balancing a feather on a finger. Juggling. Flipping hats. Making jokes. Laughing.
Sure, those are the skills you’d expect students to learn in a class on being a clown. However, for adults who participate in the Redwood Work Activity Center that class is more about strengthening social and motor skills, confidence, and self-esteem.
It’s called CircAbility and the teachers are staff of Ludlow, Kentucky based Circus Mojo, a company that engages people of all abilities to focus on potential.
“By their reaching beyond their comfort zone in the class, our participants’ willingness to try other new things now is off the charts,” said Bridgette Hightower, community outreach coordinator for Redwood.
Lately they’ve been working extra hard practicing. That’s because this Friday night they’ll be showcasing their clown skills at Redwood’s big annual fund raiser – this year themed Destination Under the Big Top. Over 800 people are expected to attend the event that last year raised over $130,000 for Redwood services.
About Redwood:
Redwood serves over 750 individuals through 24 comprehensive programs in five areas: child development, technology solutions, 
workforce success, adult independence and integrated therapy.
Redwood is home to the only Assistive Technology Resource Center in Northern Kentucky, and one of only four in the state part of the Kentucky Assistive Technology Service. The center has assistive technology available for loan.
The Event:
Where – Receptions (1379 Donaldson Rd in Erlanger)
When – Friday night, March 1, 2013 from 7 pm to 11:30 pm
Cost – $65 at the door
More information: development@redwoodnky.org or 859-331-0880
Flashes of Hope Brings Smiles To Hospitalized Children
One afternoon every month, an exam room at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is transformed into a photography studio for kids. That’s when an organization called Flashes of Hope photographs children battling life-threatening illnesses.
Flashes of Hope was founded in 2001 by a Cleveland woman whose son was hospitalized for cancer treatments. Now there are chapters across the country. In 2012, photographers Vickie Daniels, Mark Bealer and Helen Adams formed the Cincinnati chapter. Since then, more than 250 children have been photographed.
“We wanted to bring a gift to families to offer them something that most families don’t even think about at this time in their lives,” said Vickie Daniels, co-chair of Flashes of Hope.
A story about it from Local12
