Philanthropy – volunteers and nonprofits
#Kindflash in Cincinnati Collecting Clothes
Since 2015, local volunteers have developed a January tradition – that of collecting and distributing warm clothing items (hats, gloves, scarves and socks) across dozens of Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods. This year, the group #Kindflash enters its fifth year of distributing thousands of items across 60+ Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods. Collection will take place at dozens of local businesses and other venues through Jan 17, and then volunteers will bag and distribute the packages throughout the city over the weekend of Jan 18-20. Last year, they distributed 6,870 items 
throughout 60 Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods.
They have also initiated something new: year-round partnerships with select small businesses that will, in addition to participating in the drives, also host #Kindcash “pay it forward” gift certificates. These cards allow patrons to purchase an item or a service for a future customer as a random act of kindness. The cards are then displayed at the counter for anyone to redeem.
What started as a Facebook group for a few friends to share inspirational stories and community needs has blossomed into a group with 1800 members, who perform a monthly community outreach project called #Kindflash (like a flash mob of kind acts).
Their first large-scale event was in February 2015, when within 10 days, more than 100 volunteers gathered and distributed 2000+ warm clothing items (hats, gloves, scarves, socks, etc.) throughout 35 Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods. The momentum from this was so great, that volunteers have continued to perform a community outreach #Kindflash project every month, and the citywide clothes drive has become an annual event. The monthly events change constantly in theme and neighborhoods served, and are grassroots, non-denominational, non-political, family-friendly, all ages, and open to everyone. They are designed to be simple, replicable, and require little or no money in order to participate.
Liz Wu, organizer of the event and the group, welcomes everyone, of any age or background, to get involved. “There are so many ways to spread kindness. It can be as quick as a smile, as easy as passing on an item that you no longer use, and as simple as spending quality time with someone and listening to their story. We welcome anyone and everyone to join us!.”
For more information, visit: #Kindflash on Facebook.
You can also email: kindflash@gmail.com or call: 513-580-8289.
Why Teaching Kindness To Their Kids Matters
“It’s hard to explain to kids that it’s a blessing in life to be able to give to others.” These were the first words shared by Pet Wants co-owner/founder Michele Hobbs (with her wife Amanda Broughton) when she posted about her beautiful family participating in a group that gives to Cincinnati’s homeless.
Instead of just explaining, Michele and Amanda teach their beautiful young children the importance of generosity and kindness through action. On that day, at the invitation of Larry Bergman, they bought bulk food from the Restaurant Depot and delivered it to the Drop Inn Center aka The Shelterhouse.
“Giving my kids a happy childhood and life is my first priority, but not far from that priority is for them to understand just how fortunate we are. I do not want them to experience homelessness or poverty, but I want them to know it exists and that they have a responsibility to help others who are experiencing pain of any sort. They are beginning to see that helping others is one of their privileges. And Privilege is a theme I will remind them of as long as I’m alive,” Michele told me.
Having known Michele for many years, none of this surprises me. She is a woman of immense integrity, who has shown kindness to me in so many ways. She works tireless hours making their Pet Wants and soon their Knox Joseph Distillery and OTR Stillhouse, a huge success, affording them the opportunity for quality family time and for giving back to their community.
I wanted to know more about where this drive and passion comes from so I asked Michele to share her story, one you may not know about this Cincinnati change maker.
Early Lessons
By their 25th birthdays, Michele’s mom and dad were already parents to four children. Her father left when she was young, and their landlord tried to evict them…unsuccessfully, at first anyway. Then one night, Michele remembers her mom taking her and her little brother on a train from Morristown to the Cincinnati Terminal.
“I remember that train ride, it was dark and there were no lights in the box car. We were in the last car before the caboose. It had wooden benches. There were doors on the side just like you see in the movies and this is where all the poor people were. Mommy had packed us a sandwich in a brown bag. I remember getting my sandwich out and I saw this really old man in the very back. There were no rules about kids walking around this dirty old train car. I walked back and gave the old man my sandwich. I don’t know why.
I do not how my mom found my dad, but I do know we got our car and went back to Tennessee. I don’t know who had my other brother and sister, but I know the house had been packed and all of our stuff was in the front room when we got back. We were getting thrown out and were homeless. My mom somehow pulled it together. Daddy showed up with a Uhaul that very day (by this time our phone had been shut off, so I have no idea how she got him there). We packed up our car and that truck and I remember the landlord standing in the yard and clapping as we left. This is how I landed in Cincinnati.
It is my prayer that my kids will never experience that, nor how tough things would be for my dad for essentially the rest of his life. All he ever did was work…just to keep his family housed, fed and clothed,” Michele told me.
And THAT is why teaching her kids the important lesson that giving back is a privilege is a top priority.
“What will they do with their Privilege? That is a question that is with me every single day as I navigate this world and try to understand the why.
They talk about not wasting food because there are others who are hungry. They ask to go the the homeless camps, (which are now gone) and they don’t understand why I don’t give money to the guys on the corner, both of those concerns are difficult to explain, but I do my best.
Amanda and I are good parents, there are many parents I know who do much more with their kids as far as helping others, but I think we are doing good with them for now and we will continue to try and do more,” Michele said.
How YOU Can Help
Amanda and Michele are organizing a Valentine’s Day Food Drop at the Anna Louise Inn, and are looking for volunteers to help. If you’d like to participate, please email Michele at Michele@PetWantsCincy.com.
This Teacher Awakens Souls
Passionate teachers have such power to nurture and empower lives. Like soil, light and water is to seedlings, they are the nourishment from which beautiful blossoms grow. Their greatest satisfaction often comes through watching as hurdles are broken down and dreams take flight.
Nick Rose-Stamey is among these life changers. Now program manager at the Music Resource Center – a Cincinnati nonprofit teen center in Walnut Hills that blends performing arts with life skills mentoring to help young people discover and pursue their inner talent and strengths, Nick found his calling when working at Elementz, an Over-the-Rhine hip hop youth center sharing a similar vision.
It happened around six years ago. One day he was sitting in his cubicle at Pure Romance where he spent much of his time as a copywriter, and it occurred to him. “I wasn’t happy,” he told me. “When I was truly happy was the hours that I spent volunteering at Elementz. I realized THAT is what fed my soul.”
Soon after, he left that job to pursue plans that were barely made. Nick began teaching guitar lessons but then, after about a month, everything dried up. It was the winter of 2015 when he zeroed out his bank account, calling his parents in tears.
That is when fate stepped in. Elementz got a grant. They hired Nick to make community concerts with My Cincinnati (a free youth orchestra program in Cincinnati), and those concerts packed Woodward Theatre.
It was the start of Nick’s beginning as a teacher. His first class at Elementz was called Studio E, where junior high school students learned how to record productions. That core group of youth are now graduating high school. It is Nick’s proudest joy.
Recently Nick shared this with his friends on Facebook and I asked him if I could share it with the greater world, as it speaks to his heart and his journey….
Nick’s Own Words
This is a really emotional post for me to write.
This week one of my students asked me to write a letter of recommendation for their application to the jazz program at the Oberlin Conservatory Of Music.
It’s a big deal. And I’m totally confident they’ll make it.
But while writing this letter, I started to reflect on my own experiences. What came to me was that feeling of pressure; like dropping into senior year all over again. The pressure to decide who you are NOW, what you want to do NOW, what you stand for NOW!!
It made me laugh. Because I never went to music school. I graduated with an English degree, worked in advertising for what felt like forever. Then I jumped ship. I quit my comfortable corporate gig and pursued this (at the time) spontaneous dream of making a difference through music.
It did not go well, at first. I lost everything. I failed. But I did not give up.
Then, over time, things worked out. I started a music program with Elementz Urban Arts and played a lot of incredible shows. Then I got to try my hand at revamping a struggling music program. And, 2 years later. it’s doing really, really well!
So to my kiddos who are graduating this year, there are a million directions you can take in life.
I can’t lie. The pressure will always be there to pick certain paths over other ones. To make decisions that lead to a high-paying job, something sensible or a cookie-cutter lifestyle. I won’t tell you not to pursue these options. I only ask that no matter where you go, always take the way that makes you happy. Because you can have everything in the world but feel like you have nothing too.
Find your dream. See it through.
Even if it doesn’t work right now, you can always try again later.
Rock on guys!
Rock on Nick…keep making dreams come true!
Joe Wenning Brings History To Life
On September 8, 2018, you’re invited…step back in time to 1788 on a walking tour of Pioneer Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Hamilton County and the final resting place of many Revolutionary and Civil War veterans and pioneers, where you will hear from historical interpreters in period dress, interact with craftsmen/women as they demonstrate their skills, and listen to knowledgeable historians share artifacts and details about daily life.
If you attend, make sure to be on the lookout out for Benjamin Stites, the man who led the first boat of settlers across the Ohio River to land in Columbia. Joe Wenning plays that historic character, a fitting role for the man who has been the passion, heart and driving force for the now annual event. “It is all because of me being interested in history and a whole team of people,” Joe told me.
That interest was first sparked and nurtured 15 years ago by Joe’s high school history teacher, Mr. Shrimpton, who appreciated and encouraged Joe’s class participation. When Joe’s classmates were nodding off in class, he was always excited about the lessons and eagerly answered questions – often correctly.
Later, it was through Joe’s participation in the Starfire Council, a Cincinnati nonprofit organization focusing on building better lives for people with disabilities, and a more inclusive community, that the idea for the event was born.
“His interest in local history basically brought this event to life through sheer force of his willpower and his amazing ability to connect with people,” Richard James, Starfire community connector told me. “Joe is just a natural born communicator who knows how to draw people out. If there’s 20 people in a room, Joe will talk to 25 of them! His knowledge of local history is vast and when he meets someone new who is into history they are invariably drawn in by his enthusiasm. He knows a ton of people around town, many of whom will tell you that Joe’s easy charm and engaging personality was apparent to them on first meeting. He takes this event very seriously and never stops brainstorming on how to expand our team and grow the event.”
Linda Wedding, a direct descendent of Benjamin Stites, came to the second event in 2015 and presented Joe with a plaque proclaiming him as an honorary Stites. Kathy Wenning (Joe’s mother) said it is his most meaningful award because it represents all of his work to do something of value to the community.
Event Details:
Saturday September 8th, 2018
PIONEER CEMETERY
333 Wilmer Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45226
Across the street from Lunken Airport
I asked Joe a few more questions about the event and why you should attend.
Lisa: This event came as a result of your passion for history. Why are you so interested in history?
Joe: Because of all the neat stuff that has happened.
Lisa: Why did you want to create this event – the Columbia Settlement?
Joe: To get more people involved with it. It brings people forward to learn and talk about the Ancestors and Pioneers who used to live in the Columbia Tusculum area. The Stites family is a big part of it too! Everyone should come! It’s all about helping and volunteering.
Lisa: Please share about the work that you have done to help create it, organize it, and volunteer at it.
Joe: I helped to get the event going, to get a team of volunteers together. I have help from Richard. (We) send out emails to committee members. (We) meet with volunteers and talk about the job they want to do for it. Volunteers are local people we meet at other events and history places. I ask them if they want to be a part of it. I portray a character called Major Benjamin Stites. He was a Revolutionary War soldier and he brought a boat load of friends and family members to Columbia.
Lisa: Why do you think people should come to the event?
Joe: Because we got reenactors; we got food and games and demonstrations. We got a whole load of games, dying fabric, paper piecing – and you got to come see it! It’s a blast! It’s free! You can walk right in! You have to see the food, gun demonstration, walking first person tour up above. You will hear the story about the first boatload of people. Look it up on our Facebook page; it is called Columbia Settlement Group.
Joel: A Dog Adoption Story Of Love
On DOGust Day, a day when we celebrate the birth of adopted dogs whose real birthdays may be unknown, I’d like to share with you his very special story. His life, his spirit and his journey while here on earth so moved the people in whose care he found experienced enduring love that he will never be forgotten…and will be a constant reminder of their purpose. Their passion.
Carolyn Evans, otherwise known as Cincinnati’s PhoDOGrapher, founder of the My Furry Valentine mega adoption event, and now executive director of Clermont Animal CARE Humane Society, told me – of all the dogs her rescue and animal welfare work has touched, his adoption story is her favorite.
In Carolyn’s own words, “Joel was one of the 60 or so dogs that was waiting for us when we took possession of the shelter on January 1st. He was a long-timer and was continually overlooked. He was old and sick, and every day we hoped a family would come along and swoop him up. Sadly, that day never came.
On May 1st, Joel was rushed to the vet because the right side of his face was swollen. It was a difficult diagnosis. Initially, the vet thought that it might be an allergic reaction to an insect bite. He also considered the possibility that maybe Joel injured himself with a fall, but that was quickly ruled out. He was treated with a steroid injection, Benadryl and we continued to monitor him closely. Joel came home with our Medical Director where he seemed to improve and his handsome face went back to normal. Unfortunately, the swelling began to return slowly even with the steroids and we took him to the emergency vet because the swelling was so severe that his right eye was swollen shut. An x-ray of Joel’s skull identified a mast cell tumor.
We discussed options, cried, talked more, consulted the oncologist and made the most difficult decision but one that was best for Joel. After a trip to the drive-thru, a few hamburgers and fries, tons of kisses and tears, Joel gained his wings.
Our hearts were broken and we just couldn’t get our heads around the idea that Joel never found his forever home. But then we had a beautiful realization… that WE were his forever home. Every one of us loved him and he will forever be a part of us. Joel WAS someone’s dog – he was OUR dog. Joel was officially adopted by the staff and volunteers of Clermont Animal CARE Humane Society.”
Animals And Humans Meet
While Joel’s story, his home, and his heart are his own personal legacy…what he shares with the hundreds, even thousands of dogs and cats, who have found their way to one of the dozens of local animal rescues and shelters is his capacity to give and receive love.
It is why people like Carolyn – passionate volunteers, advocates, and professionals – do what they do. And it is why over 15,000 people now attend the My Furry Valentine mega adoption event. Nearly 1000 families found their best friend at at the last event in February.
And, THIS year, organizers have added a new summer Summer Lovin’ Adoption Event – scheduled for August 18 and 19 at the Sharonville Convention Center. Just as with the winter event, dozens of nonprofit dog and cat rescue organizations will be on hand with puppies, adult dogs, kittens and cats (and even some smaller animals).
If you are looking to add a new furry friend to your family, absolutely plan on attending!
Before you go, please read my post on considerations to think about BEFORE adopting. Think about your lifestyle and what general breed qualities will fit best within it also BEFORE you are smitten by the adorable face in front of you.
