Ruby Tuesday believes in giving back, and they have chosen Boys Hope Girls Hope to be the recipient of a series of 2013 Dining for Hope events! Ruby Tuesday is inviting all members of the Cincinnati community to join them at their Blue Ash location to help financially support BHGH in their fundraising efforts.

It is easy…simply present the Dining For Hope flyer (see below),  enjoy a delicious dinner on one of the 5 dates (listed below), and 20% of your purchase will be donated to BHGH! Boys Hope Girls Hope and Ruby Tuesday invite and encourage you to grab your friends and family to Dine for Hope.

To make a reservation call 513-469-7829 or visit www.rubytuesday.com

                                Location: Ruby Tuesday, 11255 Reed Hartman Highway, Suite A

                                Dates: 5/20/13,  5/21/13,  5/22/13   or    6/10/13,  6/11/13,  6/12/13

To view & print the Dining for Hope flyer, please right click this link:

RubyTuesdayBHGH

To see more photos, visit the Boys Hope Girls Hope Cincinnati Facebook page!

Over the weekend, BHGH staff, scholars, & volunteers joined the Northside Community Council and Keep Cincinnati Beautiful in the Great American Clean-up. According to the Northside Community Council, this was their biggest, most successful clean-up to date! All volunteers were separated into groups and assigned to one of two projects: neighborhood litter pick-up or trail/land beautification. BHGH staff and scholars had the opportunity to participate in both.

Executive Director, Debbie Bowman, reflects upon the day saying, “What a great way for staff and scholars to bond with one another.” All BHGH participants enjoyed themselves, especially at the celebration after the event–complete with pizza, candy, and raffle prizes! There were so many BHGH representatives that 5 staff/scholars won raffle prizes! Overall, the 4th annual BHGH National Day of Service was a wonderful opportunity to get to know one another and carry out our mission—to be men and women for others through service.

BHGH alum and Seattle Seahawks defensive end, Greg Scruggs, gave a heartfelt speech to our current scholars. Greg shared his story and the role that BHGH has played in his growth and success. He provided support and motivation for the 32 scholars currently enrolled in our program. Following Greg’s speech, each scholar introduced themselves on stage, and senior Deontae took a few moments to share his story–telling us the hardships he has faced & how BHGH has given him a new chance at life. The BHGH family could not have been more proud of each scholar during these special moments, and we thank Greg for taking time to return home to support our event & scholars.

Each year, BHGH honors a Heart of Gold recipient for their generosity and support. This year’s Heart of Gold recipient was the James J. & Joan Gardner Family Foundation. Jim and Joan Gardner have donated over $1,000,000 to BHGH, and have continuously supported the organization through scholar sponsorship, event involvement, and even a little home maintenance. Mr. Gardner graciously and humbly accepted this award–giving due credit to his wife, Joan, who played a major role in opening the organization up to include girls.  Thanks to Jim and Joan’s dedication and generosity, we are fortunate enough to have a beautiful Cincinnati home to call Girls Hope.

The evening continued and ended with the soulful sounds of Soul Pocket. Scholars, staff, and guests danced the night away, side-by-side. It was not only a fun evening, but an inspiring one. Guests had an opportunity to see the BHGH mission in action as they met and shared stories with previous and current scholars. One scholar recalls the evening saying, “This is one of the funnest nights because we all get to be together, hanging out.”

The 2013 Hearts for Hope event was the most successful event in 5 years, bringing in record fundraising. The BHGH family would like to thank all of the volunteers, especially event Chair, Mary Jo Burke. We would also like to thank presenting sponsors, Fort Washington Invenstment Advisors, Inc. & Western Southern as well as contributing sponsors, Bank of Kentucky, Burke & Schindler, and Coca-Cola. In addition, many thanks to the many table sponsers, auction item donors, and guests for making this night enjoyable and extremely successful.

To view all of the photos from this event please visit our Boys Hope Girls Hope Cincinnati Facebook page.

The BHGH mentors are a vital component of this program’s success and the positive development of our scholars. Mentors act as positive role models and provide scholars with a variety of opportunities within the community. If you are interested in mentoring one of our fine scholars, please visit our VOLUNTEER link

.

The staff and scholars of BHGH Cincinnati are extremely appreciative of the hard work and time put in by the faculty and students of U.C. To check out the photos of the days events, please check out the Boys Hope Girls Hope Cincinnati Facebook page.

This year, Boys Hope Girls Hope served at “Buddy Butlers” , restocking the stations for all 12 of the top fundraising teams. The day started out stormy but by the time the walk began at 10AM, the sun had broken through and the spirits of the walkers were lifted.

Scholars served family teams such as “Ella’s Angels” and “Ryan’s Racers” and joined in support of individuals living with Down Syndrome.

Deontae and Marde showing their support for Ella’s Angels.

Spencer leads a crew of Ryan’s Racers in the Cha Cha Slide.

BHGH Residential Counselor Julius Carter registers a golfer at BHGH Cincinnati’s 27th Annual Pro-Am Golf Tournament.

Up to 37 GE Aviation volunteers helped make Boys Hope Girls Hope (BHGH) Cincinnati’s 27th Annual Pro-Am Golf Tournament a success.

From 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., GE volunteers registered golfers, sold raffle tickets and distributed food and beverages to up to 400 golfers at the Kenwood Country Club. Many also sold raffle tickets, the night prior, at the tournament’s dinner at Eddie Merlot’s in Sycamore Township.

GE Aviation is a global provider of commercial and military jet engines, located in Evandale and West Chester. Volunteers from GE Aviation have also landscaped and painted BHGH residential homes and currently tutor and mentor scholars.

“GE has a strong belief in encouraging our younger generations to become the best they can be,” said Susan Housley, who coordinates volunteerism at GE Aviation.

Jeff Martini, a designer at GE Aviation for 20 years, felt at home on the course. He has organized GE Aviation’s annual golf tournament for community fundraisers for five years.

“BHGH is a great cause,” said Martini. “It’s also great to get out of the office and participate in events you’re interested in.”

Up to 37 GE Aviation volunteers registered up to 400 golfers on August 6 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Rusty Kosel, an engineer for GE Aviation for 20 years, had previously worked with Lighthouse Youth Services through GE service projects. Kosel saw similarities with BHGH and the organization that supplies social services to families and youth in Southwest Ohio.

“It’s fun to see your business sponsor community events,” said Kosel.

This was Lora LaRosa’s first volunteer opportunity at BHGH, but she saw many familiar faces. All three of LaRosa’s children attended St. Mary School – one many BHGH scholars also attend.

“It’s nice to help a program that I already know about and that does such great work,” said LaRosa.

All 35 scholars volunteered at the tournament, also. Some, even picked up golf tips.

“The tournament was fun because I got to interact with golfers and learn the rules,” sad BHGH scholar, Damian, 17.  “Like, you can’t talk when someone is hitting the ball.”

Next year, maybe BHGH will register him as a pro.

Scholars engaged in Dinsmore and Shohl’s writing workshop.

During the workshop the scholars were able to voice their passions and concerns about writing. The scholars’ passions were encouraged and the summer associates shared a number of tips and techniques for better writing that eased concerns.

Thanks to Dinsmore and Shohl for hosting this event. Our scholars aspire to be the best, and through partnerships such as these, they are on the path to reaching their full potential!

Joanne Schreiner’s Top Ten Tips and Techniques for Better Writing

1.   Be comfortable with your story.

2.   Allow others to read your work.

3.   Form relationships with writing professionals such as teachers and professors-

People want to help you!

4.   Master the basics of writing, namely grammar and punctuation.

5.   Utilize strong organization-make sure writing makes sense and flows.

6.   No fluff: Be clear and to the point.

7.   Always use the drafting process.

8.   Revise, Revise, Revise.

9.   Find your writing groove.

10. Read!! Reading builds your vocabulary and makes you a better writer!

*Content Contributed by Ashley Toney, Residential Counselor at Boys Hope Girls Hope.