Volunteer
Greater Cincinnati Foundation Honors Philanthropists
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation recently honored dynamic people whose commitment to philanthropy is helping to make our Greater Cincinnati community a better place for all of us.
Ed and Carole Rigaud are this year’s recipients of the Jacob E. Davis Volunteer Leadership Award, recognizing their leadership and 
generosity of time toward improving the quality of life in our region. The Award was named in honor of Jacob E. Davis, GCF’s first Governing Board Chair and Volunteer Director from 1978 to 1987.
The Rigauds’ names are synonymous with generosity and dedication. They have demonstrated these qualities in their professional, volunteer, and family lives. I have been fortunate to have seen Carole’s heart in action first hand during my eight year tenure working with Lighthouse Youth Services, one of her charitable causes.
During his 36 years at Procter & Gamble (P&G), Ed became the first African-American line vice president, eventually serving as vice president of government relations in North America. In 1998, he became the first president and CEO of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, on loan from P&G. Today, Ed is a co-director of Taft Business Consulting LLC. He is also the president and CEO of Enova Premier, LLC, automotive product supply and services.
Ed’s numerous volunteer roles include being a past member of the National Museum and Library Services Board, appointed by President Bush in 2002. His many volunteer activities include Honorary Chairman of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and serving on the boards of the Williams College of Business at Xavier University, and UC Physicians at the University of Cincinnati Medical College.
Carole has a long list of volunteer commitments and awards. She serves on the Lighthouse Youth Services and 4C for Children gala committees. She volunteers for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Lighthouse Youth Services, Advocates for Youth, The Women’s Alliance, The Healthcare Connection, and Cincinnati Youth Collaborative. Carole has served as the co-chair of the 2013 National Underground Railroad Freedom Center’s International Freedom Conductor Awards and on the boards of GCF, Mount St. Joseph University, Cincinnati May Festival, Dress for Success, The Mercantile Library, Interact for Health, Cincinnati Museum Center, Northern Kentucky University Foundation, and The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education.
Carole has been honored as an Enquirer Woman of the Year, a Girl Scouts Great Rivers Council Inc. Women of Distinction, and with the Lighthouse Youth Services 2010 Beacon of Light Humanitarian Award.
The GCF honored Foster & Motley Wealth Management with GCF’s Bridge Builder Award. The Bridge Builder Award is given each year 
to a professional advisor(s) who has been a supporter of the Foundation in multiple ways over many years.
Foster & Motley, Inc. is an independent SEC Registered Investment Advisor established in 1997. Its focus is to help its clients reach their financial goals. Its team of 32 employees provides the highest quality, customized, fee-only financial planning and investment services. They assist clients in managing well over $950 million in assets and provide comprehensive solutions to their complex financial and investing needs.
Cincinnati Nonprofit Wordplay Helps Kids Express Themselves
Written by Good Things Going Around Intern, Andrea Francisco
Wordplay is a Cincinnati nonprofit organization that specializes in helping children express themselves through our rich language. When asking the executive director and co-founder of Wordplay, Libby Hunter, how to describe her non-profit in a few words, she responds, “Wordplay is a non-profit organization located in the northside neighborhood of Cincinnati serving children in kindergarten through twelfth grade, targeting literacy and creative expression. We have free after-school and weekend programs that help children with everything from schoolwork to advanced creative writing projects.”
Not only does Wordplay help children excel in their language arts classes, but assists them in expressing their ideas, understanding their emotions, and trusting other people. Its core values of community, communication, transformation, exploration, creation, and
Cincinnati nonprofit Wordplay is rolling out a new writer-in-residence program
curiosity demonstrate what an experience at wordplay can truly inspire.
With one-on-one instruction from adult volunteers, each student blessed with the opportunity to work with Wordplay will discover a passion for learning that lasts a lifetime – something that is truly priceless. Some of its programs include after-school tutoring from 2:30-5 pm Monday – Thursday, creative writing workshops, and “Wordplay Saturdays” from 12-4 pm. Similarly to its after-school tutoring sessions, “‘Wordplay Saturdays” also offer homework tutoring in all subjects. However, these Saturday sessions also include creative activities, group projects, and programs specifically designed for each grade level.
Libby Hunter also tells me that if you have children or know a child who would benefit from Wordplay, there are three really interesting and fun upcoming programs available to them. On Thursday October 9th from 6-8 PM, Wordplay is excited to announce that they will be hosting their first open mic night, named “Louder than a bomb”. This city-wide youth poetry slam already has had five schools to RSVP, including Woodward, Roberts, SCPA, Hughes, and Aiken. This is a larger event, as Wordplay hopes to have a total of twelve schools participate and 400 kids in total. Next, Wordplay is hosting one of the activities at “Books by the Banks” at the Duke Energy Center on October 11th from 10 to 4 PM. There will be booths where kids get to write flash fiction (really short fiction stories) on the typewriters provided. How cool! Typing homemade fiction stories on a typewriter is a very unique experience that not many kids these days, including myself, have ever really tried. Lastly, but not least, Wordplay is celebrating its second anniversary on October 18th from 6-8 pm.
Another way to get involved with Wordplay is to volunteer. Wordplay is looking for a wide-range of people to volunteer, not just writers. For tutoring volunteers, a minimum of two tutoring sessions per month lasting around one to two hours are required. In addition to tutoring, there are administrative tasks and behind-the-scenes work that need help. For more information, be sure to check out Wordplay’s website, wordplaycincy.org. You can also e-mail them at info@wordplay.cincy.org and call at 513-541-0930. Wordplay is located on 4041 Hamilton Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45223.
More about the photo: Thanks to grant from the Andrew Jergens Foundation, Wordplay is rolling out a new Writer-in-Residence Program. They have taken the successful writing residency model from universities and colleges, and are bringing it to WordPlay kids. Not only do current students get to work one-on-one with a professional writer, but Wordplay is now inviting NEW students to set appointments to work with its Writer on their own creative projects, school assignments, or join one of our young writers circles.
Nonprofit ‘Girls On The Run Of Cincinnati’ Builds Strengths
Just think about it as Can University – a place where girls learn that they CAN. No limits. No constraints. Only opportunities to be remarkable.
And for 10 years, more than 10,000 local girls have grown physically; in confidence; character values; teambuilding and life skills through this great learning think tank.
Also known as Girls on the Run of Cincinnati, it is part of an international non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of young girls in grades 3 to 8. Its 12-week programs (one in the fall and one in the spring) combine exercise with positive education and encouraging role models. Meeting at various locations twice a week, each 75 minute lesson incorporates running and walking games, as well as teaching participants about healthy eating, leadership, setting 
goals, cooperation and other age-appropriate topics. The culmination has the girls participating for their very own 5K run/walk.
Megan Folkerth is making a difference.
This fall will be the 11th race in which she has volunteered for the organization. Since 2009 she has served on the Race Committee, coordinated the running buddies and been one (an adult matched with one of the girls to run together in the 5K), and a SoleMate fundraiser.
A long distance runner herself having completed 15 marathons, five ultra marathons, various other races and in training now for a 100 mile trail race, Megan understands the value in reaching within yourself. “It is a huge sense of accomplishment when you push yourself to attaining a new goal,” she told me.
Why is Girls on the Run important to her? “I think about the struggles you go through as a young girl and how awesome a program like this would have been for me years ago. We are helping these participants to grow up and be successful and lead a healthy life.
“My greatest satisfaction though comes from watching them cross the finish line and finish something they did not think they could do 12 weeks ago, and knowing 
my efforts contributed to that success. It just makes you feel great.”
It is an afterschool program – girls meet twice a week at their site with a head coach and assistant coach. There is a lesson and a running component. Lessons vary from body image to self esteem to anti-bullying. Different element of curriculum each time and big celebration is 5K.
Megan has helped organize a bone marrow drive with the Flying Pig Marathon. She coaches in a running group and done some volunteer work with MS.
She has been running – first half marathon in 2007. She has done 15 marathon, various halfs and others, 5 ultra marathon (50K or over and usually trail races). Why does she run? She works in the health field and this is a huge component to leading an active life. Sense of accomplishment to push self to attain a new goal.
How can you help?
Girls on the Run relies on volunteers to work directly with its girls and coach its programs. In addition to coaching, there are several other volunteer opportunities including: race day event volunteers, office support volunteers, SoleMates participants, committee members and various other projects. There are also group volunteer opportunities for corporations or organizations.
SoleMates are adult runners who pledge to raise money for Girls on the Run while training for their own races. With the program costing about $160 per girl, these fund raisers have an important role in ensuring everyone who wants to participate will have that opportunity.
Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council Honors Philanthropists
I have so enjoyed working with the committee of the Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council for more than five years in sharing the news of their Voices of Giving Awards. It is a wonderful effort to say thanks to those who have made lasting contributions to causes close to their hearts.
honoree Terry Bruck with Michelle Johnson representing the Cancer Support Community Greater Cincinnati – Northern Kentucky photo credit/Paula Norton
In this year’s 16th annual Voices of Giving Awards presented by PNC Bank, 26 Greater Cincinnati philanthropists were recognized for their selfless generosity and foresight in contributing a bequest or planned gift to their favorite charitable organization. Also honored were two advisors whose pivotal role in cultivating those gifts is helping sustain valuable causes.
“It is our great honor to celebrate so many truly inspirational individuals in our community. Our Voices of Giving Awards honorees have such diverse passions; however, what they have in common is their selfless generosity and foresight. Their bequests and planned gifts are ensuring the sustainability of many very important causes in our community,” said Michelle Mancini, co-chair for the event.
Philanthropist honorees included: Terry Bruck on behalf of the Cancer Support Community Greater Cincinnati – Northern Kentucky; William and Susan Friedlander on behalf of the Cincinnati Ballet; Rosemary and Frank Bloom on behalf of the Cincinnati Museum Center; Marvin Kolodzik on behalf of the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra & the University of Cincinnati Foundation; T. Brian Brockhoff on behalf of the Catholic Inner-City Schools Education Foundation; Dan Meyer on behalf of Episcopal Retirement Homes: Susan Mustian on behalf of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; Robert Brant on behalf of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati; Herb Reller and Bessie Wessel (both honored posthumously) on behalf of Life Enriching Communities – Twin Towers; Jack Wild on behalf of Life Enriching Communities – Twin Lakes; Roger Grein on behalf of Magnified Giving; Gary and Joyce Sallquist on behalf of Miami Valley Christian Academy; Dr. James M. Garvey, Jr. on behalf of People Working Cooperatively; Gary and Joan Thompson (Joan was honored posthumously) on behalf of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati; Robert and Rhea Glassmeyer (honored posthumously) on behalf of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur; James J. and Anne McGraw, Jr. on behalf of The Athenaeum of Ohio; Dorothy Meader Martin Kersten (honored posthumously) on behalf of The Greater Cincinnati Television Educational Foundation (CET); and Fred Grove and Nancy Neff on behalf of Xavier University.
honoree Scott Boster and Michelle Mancini, representing the American Cancer Society photo credit/Paula Norton
Advisors who were honored were Scott Boster on behalf of the American Cancer Society; and Jan Frankel on behalf of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati.
To read short backgrounds on each of the honorees,
please click the link below:
2014 Voices of Giving Honorees
To see the entire photo album from the event,
please click here.
The 2014 event was co-chaired by Lori Asmus and Michelle Mancini. Committee members included Sally Alspaugh, Diana Collins, Carol Derkson, Bruce Favret, Jim Friedman, Misty Griesinger, Bill Hitch, Mary Alice Koch, Telly McGaha, Tracy Monroe, Carol Stevie, Sue Ellen Stuebing, Dan Virzi, and Molly Talbot.
The Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council is a professional association for people whose work includes developing, marketing, and administering charitable planned giftsfor non-profit institutions and a variety of other legal and financial settings.
Dear Hero Collection Inspires At 911 Memorial Museum
What were you doing on that horrific morning of September 11, 2001? I think for any of us who are old enough to have comprehended that day, we will never forget.
Tanya Hoggard, a Cincinnati flight attendant, was on a layover in France as the attacks struck the World Trade Center. It was a week later when she was able to return t
o the United States and something inside her compelled her to see the destruction firsthand. Her photography skills helped her grasp the magnitude of what had happened, feel it and begin her healing process.
When Tanya arrived in New York, she knew she had to volunteer at Ground Zero. There she met first responders, listened to their heartwarming and heart wrenching descriptions of letters and artwork received from children around the world – many ad
dressed to ‘Dear Hero’.
“It made my heart race and my eyes water when I saw the healing power these letters and drawings had,” said Tanya. “I watched children unknowingly become heroes to their heroes. I decided that this emotion needed to be captured and cherished.”
She realized that these innocent letters would soon become a poignant part of a day that changed America forever. Tanya’s mission began, and to date, the “Dear Hero” collection has garnered more than three tons of history and memorabilia. The Dear Hero Collection has been donated to the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City and stands on the spot of the former World Trade Center.
“What these children wrote is a part of history. Teachers are using it for education. Other museums worldwide will borrow from it. It’s where it belongs. With any luck the children who created it will be able to see it and learn how inspiring they were to the rest of us,” Tanya said.
Thanks Tanya…for reminding us, that even amidst life’s darkest tragedies there is inspiration to be learned at the hearts and hands of everyday heroes.
