Cincinnati nonprofit
Tactile Artist, Harriet Kaufman, Opens Cincinnati Exhibit
There is a unique new exhibit in Cincinnati where visitors are encouraged to appreciate art through their sense of touch.
The tactile ‘Hands on Art’ exhibit at the Willoughby Art Gallery at the Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired features the wonderful work of Harriet 
Kaufman. Over the past 16 years Harriet has sculpted limestone, walnut, birch, steel, duct tape and fabric. Her work is featured in private collections throughout the United States and abroad…including at our Cincinnati Art Academy, Baker-Hunt, Harriett Beecher Stowe House, Kennedy Heights Arts Center, and the YWCA.
Ruth’s exhibit will run from September 5 to 26, 2014 with an opening reception this Friday from 6 to 9 pm. The Willoughby Art Gallery features art by people who are blind or visually impaired and art that is tactile. Gallery hours are 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, or by appointment. It is located in the Proctor Center at 7000 Hamilton Ave, College Hill in Cincinnati.
Richard Renaldi’s Touching Strangers Comes to Cincinnati
Richard Renaldi Touching Strangers photography project
I first heard about Richard Renaldi’s photography project several years ago when I saw it featured on CBS News, and thought it was such a brilliant, fun idea to capture the human connection. Since 2007, with his large format 8-by-10-inch view camera in tow, Richard has been going up to complete strangers and asking them to get closer than comfort. For a few short moments those people who had never seen eachother before interact as two strangers typically do not do. Their expressions are priceless.
And now through June 27, ArtWorks Cincinnati has brought Richard here to do a Cincinnati version of Touching Strangers. So, if you get approached by a man and a camera, you just may be about to get to know someone new on a whole new level.
I can’t wait to see what Richard finds here!
Cincinnati Students Pay-It-Forward To Sick Children
Children helping children. I think that is such a beautiful message, and a beautiful cause. And it is the driving force of a nonprofit that has engaged youth in 30 states to pay-it-forward, inspired more than 250,000 hospitalized children and their families.
That nonprofit is Soaringwords, Inc., and recently it collaborated with 60 students from Cincinnati Roger Bacon High School and St. Francis Seraph Elementary School to decorate 100 SoaringQuilts® and SoaringPillows®. Each one with inspirational messages and artwork based on superhero themes about “Never giving up!”
Representatives from Soaringwords delivered 25 SoaringQuilts® and 25 SoaringPillows® for the patients of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and did a short program at the medical center’s Seacrest Studios. Then the Soaringwords delegation headed to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Cincinnati where they led a Soaringwords + Zumba® dance experience to celebrate wellness and fitness for patients and families. This experience was made possible through a grant from The Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson Foundation.
Soaringwords’ mission is to lessen the negative impact of serious illness by embracing hospitalized children, families and staff, encouraging positive health and healing. Soaringwords provides fun, creative and educational activities both in person and online based on positive psychology concepts that enhance well-being. Lisa Honig Buksbaum, Soaringwords CEO & Founder started the non-profit organization thirteen years ago after three experiences with death and illness in her family occurred in a 10-month period.
For the students of Roger Bacon, that day was the culmination of a school year where they internalized the values of service by mentoring their Bacon Buddies from St. Francis Seraph Elementary School to do something positive for children who are sick. “Today changed the lives of our students as they used their character strengths of kindness, love and creativity,” said Alicia Ausere, director, community outreach, Roger Bacon High School
Angel’s Rest Animal Sanctuary Rescues Dogs & Cats Without Hope
Meet Matilda. At 14, her teeth are not in the best of shape and her skin is infected. Her vision is impaired from a 
cataract in one eye and a corneal ulcer in the other. And, when found after being dumped in a back alley during frigid temperatures her fur was so severely matted that it needed to be shaved, exposing her fragile outer covering to the elements.
Matilda was slated for euthanasia, but, this sweet little girl was not finished living. A guardian angel helped her find a very special place that saves dogs and cats like her that have been given up on by others.
Angel’s Rest Animal Sanctuary is a no-kill hospice-type facility that cares for these animals deemed ‘unadoptable’ because of advanced age, life-long ailments, terminal illness, disabilities, or temperament. The nonprofit facility provides critical care and wound management, and never euthanizes an animal due to space limitations.
“Our goal is to take animals out of situations where they would be facing imminent danger and provide them with a comfortable place to spend the remainder of their lives, no matter how long it may be,” I read on their website.
In my book, it takes truly special people to do the work that they do. The more I read about their stories, the more touched I became of their mission.
This past weekend – November 16 and 17 – they hosted a grand opening celebration of their newest and largest location that houses a thrift store and adoption center; and houses the dogs and cats in their care.
They are seeking donations for their thrift store as well as monetary donations. And, of course volunteers.
Angel’s Rest Sanctuary is located at 1263B W. Ohio Pike, Amelia, OH 45102. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.angelsrestanimalsanctuary.org or call them at 513-800-0738.
Swimmer Diana Nyad Spoke About Perseverance At YWCA Luncheon
You may have heard about Diana Nyad, who, at 64, became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida WITHOUT a shark cage. Many people in Greater Cincinnati got to meet and listen to Diana thanks to the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati. Linda Clement-Holmes, senior vice president, Global Business Services at P&G, was among them. Below are some of Linda’s thoughts after the opportunity. Thank you to her for sharing them!
“About 6 months ago, I had the privilege and honor of spending a little bit of time with Diana Nyad when she was in Cincinnati speaking at the YWCA Career Women of Achievement Luncheon. Diana Nyad is the first person (at age 64) to have EVER 
made the swim from Cuba to Florida without the use of a shark cage. She completed that historic swim in about 53 hours. In addition to monumental feats like the Cuba to Florida swim, she is also an inspirational speaker. One of the things she talks about is doing your absolute best and knowing that no matter the outcome, you know that you could not have done one [millimeter] more (she usually holds up her thumb and index finger to demonstrate the extreme minuteness of doing [millimeter] more).
How many of us can look back at our day and say, “Today, in all that I did, I did the ABSOLUTE BEST JOB I COULD HAVE DONE, AND NOT ONE MILLIMETER LESS”? I would say not many of us. I know I can’t. And there are many reasons for this as well as the fact that we all have good days and bad days. But on average, how many times can you say that?
Try it. Tonight, before you close your eyes and go to sleep, ask yourself, “Did I do my absolute best job possible on EVERYTHING I did today?” It could be work-related or family-related, it does not matter. The question still applies.
Try it. In particular, if there is someone who says they give their ABSOLUTE BEST EVERY SINGLE Day on EVERY SINGLE THING THEY DID, I would love to hear how you are doing that, and what tips you have for the rest of us.”
Linda was a co-chair for the event, is a former YWCA Career Woman of Achievement Award recipient and YWCA Board member.
Do you give your best every day? I invite you to post a comment with what you are doing.
