fundraiser
Ft Mitchell Community Supports Family Of Michelle Mockbee
This year’s annual Ft. Mitchell 4th of July parade will be a somber one, as the community reels from the loss of one of its own. In reaction to the recent death of Michelle Mockbee, Remke bigg’s has transformed its annual cook out into a fundraiser to benefit the family Michelle left behind when she was murdered at her workplace in late May.
Michelle leaves behind a husband and two young daughters. These funds will be used to help with care and education of the children.
“When something as tragic as this happens within our community, it’s important that we all rally to support those who have been affected,” Remke bigg’s community relations director Connie Flynn said. “Remke bigg’s understands the importance of spearheading this fundraiser and we look forward to celebrating the 4th of July and collecting for a great cause at the same time.”
Remke bigg’s will be holding their annual grill out at 2501 Dixie Highway in Ft. Mitchell. Festivities begin at 11:30AM. Remke bigg’s will be serving up the traditional hot dogs, chips and drinks.
Popular YMCA Camp Ernst Undergoing Major Renovations
Since 1928, thousands of youth from throughout the region and around the world come to the beautiful, sprawling, park-like setting of YMCA Camp Ernst where they strengthen their skills and make diverse friendships in 
an environment that stresses positive character values. This summer, on their way to check-in, campers will see an all new Welcome and Health Center under construction. Funded with a lead gift from the Schiff Foundation, the new Center is part of the first phase of what is the camp’s first major multi-million dollar renovation since the 1970s.
Camp Renovation
Also included in the first phase of the expansion and renovation are two new bath houses. Other future projects to be completed as funding is secured, include: dining hall and kitchen upgrades; and a new Valley swimming pool, E-Team longhouse for teens, camper cabin, horse barn, and an arts center that will have an art studio, dance room and performance area.
The ‘For the Love of Camp Ernst’ capital campaign is three-quarters of the way to its final goal of raising $4M for all of the renovations. That is thanks to co-chairs Frank Henson and Jennifer Shockey, other volunteers, alumni, parents and board members.
“This broad base of support has demonstrated just how important Camp Ernst is to this community
and how much everyone is committed to seeing it continue for generations to come,” said Sandy Berlin Walker, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati.
It was a beautiful spring day recently that Elizabeth Cochran, YMCA Camp Ernst director, and I sat down with Mark Hansel of the Kentucky Enquirer to talk about the improvements.
“It’s very rewarding to see the growth of all the kids who come here and find their voice,” said Eli told him. “I love the connection with the young people over the course of the summer.”
About YMCA Camp Ernst
Accredited by the American Camping Association, YMCA Camp Ernst welcomes more than 850 teens and 2,200 children including 20 international counselors. (Thanks to caring donors over 300 kids attend on scholarship annually.) Featured camp activities include: horseback riding, five high ropes course elements, 100 ft. waterslide, banana boat rides, swimming, hiking, archery, biking, campfires and capture-the-flag. Unique to Camp Ernst is the fine arts program that features music, drama, dance and visual arts. An important component of all camp activities and programs is leadership development which is delivered as an age-appropriate, phased program that helps pre-teens and teens hone skills that will serve them well as they enter adulthood and seek to establish careers. The Leader-In-Training program focuses on grooming campers to become counselors. In fact, 75% of the current counselors were once campers and 87% of the summer staff was part of camp the previous year.
Boone Co Recorder – Camp Ernst undergoing renovations
Northern Kentucky Enquirer – Summer oasis gets makeover
In Hanna’s Memory, The Butterfly Walk Is Fighting Cancer In Kids
I can’t think of anything more tragic for parents than losing their beautiful, precious child far too soon to the senseless and vicious enemy known as cancer.
Hanna was a happy, healthy 2 ½ year old girl who loved to smile and laugh and spread sunshine where ever she went. It was just two days after she told her mom and dad her back hurt, that she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a cancer that develops in the nervous system in embryo. Suddenly a family who was counting their blessings was entrenched in a war against an enemy that had no sympathy.
After only seven short months, many surgeries, and 6 rounds of chemotherapy, Hanna lost her battle with this disease on Father’s Day 2006.
Her gift to this world continues.
But while the little girl with a smile that spread as quickly as her disease was no longer on this earth, cancer could not remove her spirit. What a true sense of bravery and love her parents have shown in allowing their daughter’s gift to touch so many other families and children.
In Hanna’s memory, Amy and Mike Paribello began the Butterfly Walk to benefit CancerFree Kids. “We can only hope that with further research funding, children like Hanna will have a better chance for a cure in the future. Hanna showed us all how to fight a battle, how to be courageous, and how to dream,” Amy said.
The Butterfly Walk is May 12.
The Butterfly Walk and Fun Festival brings together people and businesses who share in the celebration of love and support for children. The name was inspired by the magical metamorphosis of a caterpillar into an enchanting symbol of peace and harmony. That transformation into maturity is something not all children with cancer have an 
opportunity to experience.
“But,” said Amy, “together we can make a difference and help further the research towards treating and curing this disease, forever.”
If you visit the Butterfly Walk website you will read the stories of so many other children who are the reason the Paribello’s and all of the other volunteers work so hard.
I asked Amy how it feels to know they are making such an impact. “I am fueled by the constant need to continue our fight. Over the past 6 years, we have lost 3 of our “heros”, who have lost their battle with cancer. It is heartbreaking to know that one year they are up on stage receiving a medal for their courage, and then the next year they are an angel in heaven. We are truly committed to giving these children a voice, and fighting for their survival by advancing the progress of pediatric cancer research. Our mission is for one day for all kids to be CancerFree.”
Butterfly Walk & 5K
Registration will begin at 8 a.m.
Cottell Park in Deerfield Township
Cincinnati nonprofit CancerFree Kids was founded by Ellen and Sam Flannery after their baby daughter was diagnosed with cancer at 5 months of age. Today, due to advances in cancer research and the grace of God, that baby is a healthy 8th grader. But there is much work to do. The organization raises funds to support research in pediatric cancer.
Harlem Globetrotter Alumni Helping Cincinnati Youth
Meet my newest Good Things Pledge champions….Albert Gordon, Larry Coleman, Michael Douglas, and Tyron Hollywood Brown (pictured with me).
I met them at FOX19 and these Harlem Globetrotters alumni who are now part of the Harlem Legends Basketball Entertainers are all about doing good. They are in Cincinnati to play a basketball game Thursday night at Princeton High School benefiting the Princeton High School athletic department. Funds raised will help ensure students who want to play and can benefit from sports will be able to have that opportunity. Who will their team be up against? Community and business leaders, and educators – all of whom share a common passion for wanting to help young people succeed. The game will begin at 6 p.m. at Princeton High School (11080 Chester Rd; Cincinnati, Ohio 45246). Tickets are $10 in advance or $13 at the door. For more information, please call 513-864-1500.
Are you a Good Things Pledge champion? Sure you are. We all are because we all have within ourselves the power to do and nurture good things. If you visit my Pledge page on this blog and add your name, I’ll send you a certificate. 
About the Harlem Legends
The Harlem Legends Basketball Entertainers are all Harlem Globetrotters alumni who want to use their talents to bring out the best in others, especially young people.
Legend Michael Douglas began his youth foundation in 1991 to provide positive and educational activities for communities around the globe. The Michael Douglas Youth Foundation brings together motivational speakers, NBA stars, Harlem Legends members and entertainers to raise money for nonprofits and teach youth how to succeed in the game of life.
Chosen as an advocate for the President’s Fitness Challenge, the Harlem Legends will take the lead in being role models for youth and society through a variety of activities including Shoot for the Stars basketball and physical fitness camps, celebrity basketball shows and motivational programs.
“Kids are our future. They look up to professional athletes and so we want to be the best possible role models we can be. We’re all about encouraging them to follow their dreams to ensure a bright future for themselves,” Michael told me, “but we’re not just helping kids by doing this, we’re helping…period.”
Cincinnati Philanthropist Has A Personal Cause
I’ve known Myrna Ethridge for about five years now, about as long as I’ve been working with the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati. She is a board member of the YMCA Black & Latino Achievers Program who believes so wholeheartedly in the cause because she is so passionate about the success of young people. Several years ago the YMCA honored her with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
I love being around Myrna because she always has a smile. This past year, however, I didn’t get to see as much of her. Myrna’s split second happened in 2000. Out of the blue, this vibrant wife, mother and grandmother was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH), a life threatening disease that has made even walking up a slight incline a difficult task.
Her challenges are real and her medication costs thousands of dollars each month, which was okay when she had medical insurance, but when she turned 65 in 2007, her drug plan was no longer covered and Medicaid only paid for a portion. An organization called the Caring Voice Coalition has eradicated her fear and eased her financial burden by providing her a yearly grant for the medications costs not covered by Medicaid.
It really struck a chord with me when Myrna told me the other day, “I probably wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for the Coalition.”
And so, it was no surprise to me when her next sentence was, “It is time for me to give back.”
Myrna is organizing (with help from a small committee) a dinner fund raiser for the Caring Voice Coalition, which is headquartered in Mechanicsville, Va. Pamela Harris, the organization’s co-founder and president, will be the special guest.
The With Every Breath dinner will be April 6, 2012 at the Sharonville Convention Center (11355 Chester Rd; 45246) beginning at 7 p.m. Cost is $80 per person. For reservations or more information, please call 513-374-8360 or email witheverybreath@fuse.net.
ABOUT CARING VOICE COALITION
Caring Voice Coalition empowers patients with chronic diseases to meet the challenges they are facing by providing financial assistance, insurance education and patient support programs. Their holistic approach and comprehensive program 
currently assists patients in the Greater Cincinnati area and nationally.
Chronic diseases supported by the Coalition are Pulmonary Hypertension, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Alpha-1, Complex Partial Seizures, Infantile Spasms, Huntington’s disease, Congenital Factor XIII, Chronic Granulomatous Disorder and Narcolepsy.
Photo right: Pamela Harris
