Philanthropy – volunteers and nonprofits
Ruth Voss Was A Voice For Youth
Many years back and very early in my career, my mentor, Bill Mefford, told me about an organization for whom one of his friends was looking for a public relations contractor. Long story short, that woman was Ruth Voss and the organization that became my first long term PR client is Cincinnati nonprofit organization, Lighthouse Youth Services.
Ruth was the impetus for Lighthouse’s existence. (One of my close friends, Connie Dreyfuss, was a friend of Ruth’s and also one of the founding board members of Lighthouse.) I never had the fortune of meeting Ruth but from what I’ve learned about her, she was an incredible woman, mother, wife, and advocate.
photo provided by Peter Voss
Recently I’ve come to know one of Ruth’s sons, Peter, and through him I’m learning more about this woman whose impact is touching the lives of thousands of young people.
It was in 1971 when Ruth, then the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Teen-ager editor and mother of eight, received an urgent invitation to visit with President Nixon in the oval office of the White House. The President was looking for her ideas on getting youth involved in the country’s affairs. As can happen when one begins talking about their passion, that conversation quickly became pointed toward a Cincinnati half way house for girls that was just opening.
Ruth sat beside our country’s leader and told him the story of how she and a group of volunteers had tirelessly worked for four years to get that project off the ground, and how desperately short they were of operating funds. President Nixon looked her in the eyes and asked her how much she needed. “$30,000,” was her answer. “I’ll give you $50,000,” he told her.
That check led to Cincinnati’s New Life for Girls that ultimately became Lighthouse Youth Services, and that $50,000 was its first year’s budget. Peter told me how that allowed them to buy two homes – one in Madisonville and one on Ezzard Charles Drive. Ruth was a sorority sister of Marge Schott, whom also became a donor. One of those homes was names after the Reds’ former owner.
Peter tears up when he talks about his relationship with his mother. An only child, her parents were immigrants who came to the United States through Ellis Island and made a home in Cincinnati. She and her husband, Peter’s father, met on a blind date when they were attending University of Cincinnati. When they married, Ruth wanted a large family and was a loving role model to her children. Her strong heart for kids led to her work at the Enquirer, and her hosting events for and coaching young writers.
He shared with me a prose he wrote as a gift for his mother on her first birthday after his dad’s passing.
“ Mom cherished this gift with all her heart, and it remains on display in my home; always!,” Peter said, adding, “When my wife & I were dating, she was told by her ObGyn MD she would never have biological kids. We fooled science and were blessed with Katie & Bobby, two years apart. We NEVER take our children for granted; nor one another, as Gloria (his wife) nearly expired delivering Bobby!”
Please click on the photo to enlarge it.
Peter told me if I had known his mother, I would have no doubt been her friend and I can absolutely see that. I wish I had had the opportunity to have met the woman who set my career path in motion but I am glad to know her son. Ruth’s impact lives on.
Running For Animal Causes
It was in November of 2008 when Billie Mendoza retired from a long career with Delta Air Lines, a move that propelled her into a new line of work. Billie’s Paw Joggers dog exercising and pet sitting business has grown into one of the region’s premiere services of its kind. Along the way, her passion for running and animal (human and non-human) welfare has found her volunteering with her feet and her time to raise money for worthy causes. Then, through her business, she founded her own Paw Joggers Animal 
Community Fund as a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local animal rescues, shelters and advocates. Next weekend, October 15 and 16, is its fourth annual Paw Joggers Run and I’m proud to be a part of it for the third year…this year as the Ask-The-Trainer at its new EXPO on Saturday (from 3 to 6 pm at United Pet Fund in Blue Ash). The Run will be on Sunday morning at Sharon Woods. There are 36 beneficiaries this year!
Billie is one of the most upbeat people you could meet, always filled with positive energy. She has been so supportive of me with my training and it’s great to participate in her event. I wanted you to get to know a little about her. Please see my interview below, followed by details for the upcoming race.
Hope to see you next weekend!
Lisa: Talk to me about your passion for creating this race and how gratifying it is to see its success.
Billie: I believe the passion for creating this VERY charitable and dog-friendly run stems from my 18 years of running FOR charity—the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Knowing I can give back to the people and animals in this great community is extremely gratifying. Seeing the growth of this race is what keeps me and our team of volunteers motivated to continue, make it better each year in turn benefiting our local animal welfare community even more.
Lisa: How difficult is it to organize a race AND run a successful business?
Billie: The most difficult (hectic) part of organizing a run event is the 30 days prior and up to race day. Since the work is all voluntary, it takes a great team of dedicated VOLUNTEERS to pull an event like this together. Race week is the craziest. Running a business and ensuring you have time for family, friends…and your own health are priority. This being our 4th year has made it easier, but it’s those cogs thrown in the wheel, that can easily disrupt the fluid motion. Life happens…and I appreciate every day!
Lisa: Talk to me about your personal race history of participation.
Billie: I was an athlete in high school; cross-country running, track and cross-country skiing and stayed very active into my early 20’s. My son was born and I didn’t start running regularly again until age 33 when I signed up to run The Flying Pig Marathon with Team In Training. Go big or go home right?! Well that was 1999, the inaugural Flying Pig, and I’ve run every “Pig” through 2016, All with Team in Training, raising over $25,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. They call those who run consecutive races “Streakers” so yes, that’s me…a streaker. More importantly, I’ve bonded with the most wonderful people, have had tremendous coaches and the most lovely heroes to run in honor of for through Team In Training. I’ll continue to run for those who cannot until my legs will carry me no more. Running keeps me centered, happy and healthy! Now, off to some carb-loading as I prepare to run the Queen Bee Half Marathon in the morning.
About the Race
The 4th Annual Paw Joggers Rescue Run: is Sunday October 16, 2016 in beautiful Sharon Woods Park. There’s a chip-timed 5K for runners and walkers of all speeds or a relaxing 2K walk (strollers ok), both with or without a well-behaved dog. The run/walk begins at 10 AM; festivities are from 8:30 AM to noon. There are prizes for 13 categories in the 5K.
Register online at http://pawjoggersrescuerun.com. Registration includes a donation to your selected beneficiary, a Technical long sleeve T for the 5K, a long sleeve cotton T for the 2K, and everyone’s favorite shirt for your pup. The wag bag also includes dog toys and treats if you register a dog and a virtual goody bag with online coupons for discounts and freebies for everyone; you click and print the coupons you want. No wasted paper.
New this year: the PJRR EXPO at the United Pet Fund Resource Center : 11336 Tamarco Dr. Blue Ash 45242 from 3-6 pm. Visit vendors with great products and services for you and your dog, canine and human exercise information, ask-the-dog trainer booth, food trucks, late registration and one last packet pickup (no packet pickup on race day), raffles, and meet the people behind the PJRR.
Miscellaneous Race Information:
Both the run/walk and the EXPO are family- and pet-friendly. The EXPO is open to anyone, even if not interested in participating in the Sunday Paw Joggers Rescue Run.
Early online registration fees through 9/30/16 are $35 per person 5K, $25 for the 2K, children under 8 free (no shirt); $15 per dog; fees for humans increase by $10 after that date. Parking is included. You can still register at the packet pickup locations and on race morning but preferred T-shirt size is not guaranteed.
Race Headquarters and starting line are at the Cardinal Crest Shelter. There are 2 restrooms within a short walking distance, additional stops along the 5K race course.
This year’s theme: Paws for the USA
General questions email info@pawjoggersrescuerun.com
Loveland Twins Honored Nationally
Way to go Alex and Hannah Laman, now 13, who began (with their mom, Angela) their own Cincinnati area non-profit, Adopt A Book five years ago! They have collected and donated nearly 110,000 books for over 100 organizations that serve other kids in need throughout Ohio and Northern Kentucky. And the Loveland twins were just named a 2016 honoree by the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, a national award program that celebrates 25 young people who are inspiring others through their impact! You can read my first post about the Laman’s here.
New Life Furniture Is Her Calling
Holly Young walks to a map of Greater Cincinnati hanging on the wall behind a front desk where there are many hundreds of blue and red dots, so densely populated as to obliterate entire blocks, even neighborhoods. The blue dots represent homes were lasting memories were created on or around furnishings that are no longer needed. These are the places where New Life Furniture Bank begins the process of ending the cycle of 
homelessness one individual, one parent, one family at a time. The red dots on that map represent all of the dwellings where that donated furniture has found a ‘new life,’ amidst a family who has moved into a place to call home with often nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Since that day ten years ago when a Teresa, mother of three children, stayed overnight at Holly’s church through the Interfaith Hospitality Network, Holly’s passion and mission in life has exploded from seeking out three mattresses so that Teresa’s children would not have to sleep on mattresses their mother pulled from a dumpster into a nonprofit the more than 1000 volunteers, two delivery trucks, five employees, and such a huge stock of donated furnishings that they have outgrown their 5000 sq ft space and are searching for 20,000 sq ft of storage. New Life Furniture has relationships with 18 homeless shelters and agencies, as well as over 60 places of worship. In 2015 alone, it has provided furniture and housewares to 1424 people including 752 children. The organization is faith based, having originated from the generous outpouring of support from Holly’s church; however, it helps people of all religions and backgrounds.
In addition to furniture, every family receives a package of dishes and household items, a welcome home bag with personal care items, cleaning supplies and hangers. Whenever beds are delivered, they go with blankets, sheets and pillow cases. And, volunteers build dining room tables for families so they have a place to congregate around and share experiences of their day.
Holly is quick to point out that 85% of those who move into a dwelling without furnishings find themselves back on the streets. That number isn’t acceptable to this mother who has always, from a child, been sensitive to those less fortunate. “I am that child who kept asking my parents, why aren’t we picking that person up. I knew it was my calling,” she told me. “I worked the corporate world but I just knew my heart was in serving the homeless. I am the one who goes to a ball game and packs four lunches to feed people. I was the person who would stop and make sure people knew where to find shelters.”
In Holly’s words:
“So many of the people we have helped have touched me in deep, very personal ways. I have lots of stories in my mind from when I did the deliveries myself. I remember Moses well. We walked into his very small apartment and all we saw was one chair. Moses was smiling ear to ear. He was 78 yrs old and walking with a walker. With each piece we carried in he just giggled, and said. ‘Is that for me?’ And I said, ‘of course it is.’ I peeked into his empty bedroom and noticed a Veterans ball cap that had Vietnam on it. ‘OMgosh,’ I said. ‘Moses are you a veteran? My dad also served in Vietnam and retired as a colonel.’ He proceeded to share a bit of his story. He served the same time my father did…….and how in the 
world did this happen to Moses? How did he become homeless and in such need?
We proceeded to fill his empty apartment and make it a home…..His home. We were so grateful we get to serve a man who served us, a man who fought for our freedom. He teared up many times and I just hugged him tightly and cried with him. I thanked him for serving his country. He said he didn’t know he deserved all this stuff, and I assured him he did deserve it. We left his place with such a full heart.
Our goal is to always do this from a place of dignity. Our delivery people are trained to be compassionate and we send follow up cards to everyone letting them know we are thinking about them.
This work has been such a blessing for me. Never did I dream this would grow so big. Now funders and donors are coming to us. We have way outgrown this space. We are at a place now where I can step back. God has told me it is time to go on to other things. Actually he told me that two years ago but I kept going. Dana Saxton is our new executive director but I will always still be involved.”
If you would like to help, please reach out to New Life. They are especially in need of mattresses.
LADD Awards Honored People Who Take Flight
Through my public relations work, I love spending time with everyone who is involved with LADD (Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled) and its mission. If you are unfamiliar, LADD is a Cincinnati nonprofit organization that works side-by-side adults who have developmental disabilities to assist them in experiencing independence through a variety of supported housing, employment and community engagement programs. Its a cause about humanity, and about people who deserve to have equal opportunities for living their lives abundantly and with purpose, being able to do that in their own ways.
Last week they had their annual Taking Flight Awards Event to honor individuals who are achieving their goals, and those within LADD and the community who are part of that journey. It was a wonderful night. To see the entire photo album, please click here.
Honorees include:
Spirit of Independence Award: Dale Jackson
Recognizes a person receiving services from LADD who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in realizing their independence.
At LADD, when they talk about supporting people, enabling and empowering them to experience independence, their goal is for them to enjoy in life the gratification that comes from achi
eving the goals they want for themselves.
Dale is most certainly walking his own path. “He is a really good example of what a working artist should be, someone that is able to be a part of the real world and have a real job and do what it is creatively that he needs to do. I think he serves as a role model for a lot of people with and without disabilities in that respect,” Bill Ross, co-founder of Visionaries & Voices and Thunder-Sky Inc. said.
For many years Dale has been dividing his time between his job at Kroger, and his studio time at Visionaries & Voices and Thundersky. He is a painter and a writer, sharing his innermost thoughts on paper. His art has been published and included in multiple shows including the ’30 Americans Plus’ exhibition at the Art Academy.
When creating, he is easy to spot. He is the one wearing glittery shoes and a baseball cap, and when he laughs, you can’t help but laugh with him…which happens often. Dale definitely enjoys life. He loves to dance, travel, visit art shows, and spend time with his family.
“Getting to know Dale has taught me that I too should be out there doing what I love,” said Neil Ferencak, LADD Find A Way Apartments program coordinator.
Courage to Fly Award: The Ryan Family (Family of Patrick Ryan)
Recognizes a family member or family that is served that has shown exceptional courage and support as their family member works towards independence.
When she thinks about the meaning of this Award, Diane Gaither-Thompson, LADD Supported Employment coordinator, said she thinks, “The words courage to fly mean to me that you can assist an individual but once they get there that you take that risk and let them go.”
And, in the more than four years that Diane has worked alongside the Ryan family, she has seen this definition with clarity as mother Jean and her daughters Colleen, Bonnie, Maureen, Kelly and Shawna, have participated in and welcomed the journey of independence for their youngest sibling, 62 year old Patrick.
An employee of Mercy Health Systems for over 12 years, the Ryans reached out to LADD when Patrick began feeling overwhelmed with the long hours of a full time job. The solution Diane recommended was cutting Patrick’s hours, a change that the family fully supported and one that gave Patrick wings to grow as that lessened stress meant gave him better ability to work through other life challenges.
“Solidarity, dedication and affirmation are the virtues practiced within this family,” said Diane. “With the Ryans encouragement and confidence in Patrick, together we are seeing Patrick continue to flourish at Mercy. And giving him the opportunity to be a productive community member has always been their goal.”
So Others May Fly Award: Jennifer Crowe
Recognizes a person receiving services from LADD who has demonstrated outstanding service and commitment to a cause or organization other than LADD that benefits the community.
Phyllis Thomas, Timberlane coordinator, one of numerous nominators, said, “Jennifer helps people to fly when she is educating children in the grade schools. She says, ‘I am a person just like you, but I am a person labeled with a disability. Yet I have a tremendous amount of time and talent to offer to others so concentrate on all the attributes I have to offer the world.’
One of LADD’s go-getters who lives at the nonprofit’s Timberlane residence, Jennifer is a tireless and passionate volunteer, artist, leader, advocate and role model. Her list of accomplishments could extend pages. She is a published writer and an artist who sold her first work in 2008. As a volunteer, she gives of her time to the Krohn Conservatory and other community causes. As an instructor, she has traveled to California to share her talents; and inspires creative expression through classes at 21C, Visionaries & Voices, and Lindon Grove. Since 2011, Jenny has been an art teacher for students on the autism spectrum at Linden Grove School. Additionally, Jennifer is a Cincinnati presenter for Everybody Counts, a program that reaches out to young children to foster understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities. Jennifer’s interest in wellness led her to becoming a certified trainer for the Healthy Lifestyles, a 12-week program which educates adults with developmental disabilities on leading healthier lives. Her leadership shown through in another way when, in 2009, she was one of the first two adults with developmental disabilities in Ohio to have completed the Southwest Ohio Professional Advancement through Training and Education in Human Services (PATH) credentialing program. To earn that credential, Jennifer attended 60 hours of classes and completed a portfolio demonstrating her knowledge in three essential direct support professional skill areas. For all that she has accomplished, she was honored with an award from the Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS) in 2010; and in 2009, a proclamation was issued from the City of Cincinnati her advocacy work.
In Jennifer’s words, “Teaching is a Calling. The legacy that I hope to leave behind is that every child should do the best they can and the best they can is good enough for me.”
Employer Excellence Award: (George H Rohde & Son Funeral Home)
Recognizes an individual or business that has been a leader in providing employment opportunities to the people LADD assists.
John Roach will proudly tell you he has been working with a lot of ‘great people’ since 1981, when he stopped spending his days in a workshop and began his employment at the family-owned George H. Rohde & Son Funeral Home. LADD’s Faith Maynard got to know John when she was community supportive living coordinator and assisted him with his housing needs. She has been a part of John’s life since and has seen him thrive as a result of being part of the Rohde’s business. As employers, they have gone far above their management role. In addition to providing John with steady work, Steve Rohde and his staff consider him a valued part of their lives. They include John in social functions, take care to remind him of his medical appointments, and even assisted John financially in times of challenge. Over the years, as Faith has seen John lose many stakeholders in his life, Steve and his staff have stepped up as advocates. They have played a key role in educating the entire Mt. Lookout community about John’s strengths, and, as a result, other businesses have hired John for temporary needs as well.
“I am like a brother for him and Steve is like a brother for me,” John said. “I won’t quit my job for nothing. I like where I am now.”
Above and Beyond Award: (Shannice Clark)
Recognizes a LADD staff person that has performed selflessly and tirelessly to effectively achieve LADD’s mission in the past year.
When Shannice first joined LADD in 2010, she was wavering between a career in education or social work. Since then, she has earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree, and come to realize LADD’s Find A Way Apartments is where she belongs. As a direct support professional, people’s lives, their experiences and perspectives have become so interwoven into her own. She knows no 9 to 5 hours. Shannice makes herself available for anything that could come up whether that is a phone conversation, taking someone on an errand, teaching classes or assisting with daily living tasks. And more than that, Shannice has been the driving force behind Find A Way residents realizing a dream many never had considered a possibility…going on a vacation. “It really bothered me to see these people I care about being stigmatized. They have been told what they cannot do or where they cannot go. If I can go on a vacation, I thought, then why can’t they?,” she said. And with that determination, she has organized numerous trips – to Columbus, Myrtle Beach and even Puerto Rico. Staff coordinate and oversee but Find A Way residents choose their destination, create the budget and even raise money. Barbara Taylor told us she had always wanted to go to Myrtle Beach. “I was not sure how I would get there, but Shannice made it happen. Going to Myrtle Beach makes me feel like ‘if I can go there, I can go anywhere’,” Barbara said, before turning to her friend. “Shannice, you are an awesome person. You have been a blessing to me.”
Shannice gets teary eyed when she reminisces those experiences. “One of the greatest rewards is seeing people who have never left the state, never flown or been near the water, never budgeted, hit those milestones,” she said.
Legacy Award: (Kroger Co.)
Recognizes an individual or business that have been a leader in integration of people with disabilities into the Cincinnati community.
Please join us in celebrating The Kroger Company, our Legacy Award recipient, for stepping forward in the 1990s to forge new ground when it comes to hiring people who have disabilities. Margo Wayne, a Kroger associate, spoke for so many when she told us for this video that at Kroger, “they don’t treat you like you have a disability. They treat you with respect.”
Reuben Shaffer, chief diversity officer for The Kroger Company, said they began with one store, testing the idea. “Soon word spread within the organization. Other store managers heard about it and were looking for associates. Store managers began to step forward and ask, ‘When are you going to do the next pilot? If you are going to do it, I am interested.”
Some 15 plus years later, over 1000 people who have disabilities have been employed by Kroger. “The Kroger Co.’s leadership has shifted the conversation relative to hiring people with disabilities. In many ways, this is not just about giving the Legacy Award, but also about moving the conversation forward on setting policies, protocols and procedures that facilitate inclusive workplace environments,” LADD Executive Director Susan Brownknight said.
