Nonprofit Organization

People Working Cooperatively Oscar Gala Gave Family Dignity

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Louise wasn’t asking for luxury, a gift, or even charity. She’s was looking for dignity. Dignity for her brother Jerry who suffered neglect and abuse at the hands of his caregivers.

Support of the PWC 2012 Oscar Night brought Jerry that dignity and the comfort of home he very much needed.

Louise, 57 and Jerry, 66, are siblings born in Moultrie, GA. They grew up in a hard scrabble life picking cotton in a rural community without many luxuries. Jerry was born with Cerebral Palsy and profound learning disabilities. Their mother worked hard teaching Jerry to be as independent as possible. Their father had been killed when they were young, and the family worked hard to make ends meet.

At best, their daily life was challenging. But what little they did have was violently shattered the day their mother was shot and killed – in front of the children.

“It’s something that stays with you forever,” says Louise, with tears in her eyes. “Our mother loved us and did everything she could for us and she was taken away in a horrible violent death. We saw it, we saw everything, and it just never leaves you.”

Jerry was sent to live at an adult group home in Florida. Louise and Gina made their way to Cincinnati, where other relatives were living.

As the years passed, all seemed to be well with Jerry’s care until one day when an uncle made a surprise visit to Jerry’s group home. He was shocked with what he found. Jerry was malnourished and had suffered horrible physical abuse. When Louise received the phone call, she knew the decision had already been made – Jerry would come to live with her and her friend Marietta.

But the Bond Hill home wasn’t ideal for a person with disabilities. Jerry can’t walk, so Louise had to carry him up and down the steps to use the toilet or for a bath. Louise has had had two knee replacements; Marietta has bone spurs and nerve pain in her back. They worried about dropping him.

“We didn’t want to hurt him – or us,” said Louise.

What the family needed to care for Jerry was a basement bathroom and shower. It was a difficult, expensive job due to the plumbing which was dug up from the basement floor. Also, the door where Jerry accesses the basement and his chair lift was widened and made more accessible. The size of the job was beyond the scope of what People Working Cooperatively typically performs.

But support from PWC’s Oscar Gala helped Jerry receive the care he needed. He now has a beautiful state of the art bathroom in his basement, and an expanded doorway to help him get in the house.

You can support PWC’s Oscar Experience: Cincinnati by buying event tickets or raffle tickets to win $5,000 at www.pwchomerepairs.org or calling 513-351-7921.

Cincinnati Students Raising Money For Pediatric Cancer Nonprofits

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Local Cincinnati high school students are organizing a 13 hour, overnight event to raise awareness and funds for three area nonprofits focusing on pediatric cancer.

Night for the Fight will include walking, team challenges, guest speakers and entertainment. At the end of the event, participants will have input as to which programs funded by The Cure Starts Now, CancerFree Kids or the Jeffrey Thomas Hayden Foundation will receive their fundraising dollars.

It all takes place April 13 to 14, 2013 at the Xavier University Cintas Center, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Student leaders can register on the website (www.nightforthefight.org) and form teams of 6 to 15 peers. All fundraising is done online.

Interested schools and students can also contact Todd Forman at tforman@mndhs.org or at 513-550-0518.

A Conversation With Cincinnati Volunteer Fred Neurohr

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Fred Neurohr is a volunteer, a husband and a father. I met him through his involvement as a board member for

Fred Neurohr

“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.  😉

Hundreds Of Volunteers Packed Nearly 86,000 Meals For Kids

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Kids Against Hunger of Cincinnati

What a wonderful sight. Over 300 volunteers gathered last weekend at nonprofit Kids Against Hunger of Cincinnati just as they do many Saturdays to pack nearly 86,000 meals for hungry and starving children in our Greater Cincinnati region and abroad.

Over 30,000 children die every day around the world from preventable causes. They die from hunger, dirty water and the lack of basic medical care. Over 10 million children each year – every year.

Kids Against Hunger food packets are a specially formulated rice-soy casserole that nourishes starving children and their families in nearly 40 countries. The simple ready to eat meals have been developed by some of the world’s leading food scientists at Cargill, Pillsbury, General Mills and ADM. Just one package provides six nutritionally-complete servings to feed starving children around the world as well as the hungry here at home, and all for the low cost of 25 cents per serving.

Volunteers and monetary donations are always welcome.  Please visit their website at this link to learn more.

Anthony Munoz Foundation Is Looking For Straight ‘A’ Students

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Do you know a Greater Cincinnati Straight ‘A’ high school student? I’m not talking about a student who necessarily gets 100% on every test. The ‘A’s that the Anthony Munoz Foundation are looking for include Academic excellence and Athletic Achievement, Actively serving in the community while possessing a strong Ambition, a winning Attitude and the Ability to overcome Adversity.

Nominate him or her for the Anthony Munoz Foundation Straight A Scholarship. While freshmen, sophomores, and junior are eligible for recognition from Anthony Munoz himself, Senior high school students are eligible for the monetary scholarship. The top 18 Senior finalists will be invited to a luncheon (9boys/9girls) and the two winners will be chosen (1boy/1girl) The winners receive $5,000 and the remaining finalists will recevie $2,000.

All high school students with a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average and in the Foundation’s Impact Region are eligible. All students nominated will receive a letter of recognition signed by Anthony Muñoz along with name recognition on the Straight “A” Scholarship webpage. Nominations are due by February 25th. Click here to nominate today!

2012 Straight 'A' winners Anne Pace of Seton High School and Robert Pieper of Eaton High School stand with Anthony Munoz

2012 Straight ‘A’ winners Anne Pace of Seton High School and Robert Pieper of Eaton High School stand with Anthony Munoz

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