Volunteerism

Do you know someone who makes a great impact, improving the lives of others in an exceptional way? From housing to healthcare, employment, recreation and more, here's your chance to nominate those who are creatively addressing Better Living After 50!  ...

On Jan. 22, more than 30 pieces of patriotic artwork went up for auction at Ohman Family Living at Briar in Middlefield. The majority of the artwork was created and donated by local Cardinal students.

Six professional artists including Chris Whitacre and Phyllis Schehl-Powell donated pieces. Geauga County leaders and citizens rallied in support of our veterans and bid generously.

Cardinal senior Jonathon San Miguel-Zins who took first place, Milanie Macarya, a tenth grader, took second and Sara Kangas, 11th grade, took third in the art contest. Each student received cash toward furthering their education. 

All the money raised will be donated to Valor Retreat, a designated getaway for combat veterans, their families and Gold Star families in Hocking Hills. The Valor Retreat is the vision of the president and owner of Caritas Financial, Larry Teichman. He has donated acreage on which eight cabins will eventually be constructed. 

This effort was spearheaded by the team at Ohman Family Living at Briar. They requested students express their appreciation to our veterans through their art and to connect and support vets struggling with both visible and invisible wounds.

“The Valor Retreat is near and dear to me because my uncle, whom I admired as a war hero and served in Vietnam, took his life as a result of PTSD.” says Joshua Wallace, VP of Growth Strategies. 

Retired Marine Major Eric Burkett, a bi-lateral amputee wounded in combat, from New Castle, Pennsylvania along with his family shared with the attendees the struggles common to severely injured vets and the need for a haven getaway for healing veterans and their families. Major Burkett described the circumstances of his injury, discussed the difficulties while healing, and then later he and his family answered questions. After 30 minutes of sharing heart- wrenching memories, an audience member asked a question and thanked him for his service.

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For the past five years, CIFF’s attendance has topped 100,000, while hosting more than 600 screenings during its 12-day run. Over 400 guest filmmakers from around the world visit Cleveland each year to be part of the Festival. ...

What's your plan? Wait. You mean you don't have one? We can help. Read about ways to give your game plan some game. Our writer walks you through ways to shake it up a bit this year with a few simple steps. ...

Established to recognize extraordinary contributions by individuals and organizations that have positively impacted Cleveland in the spirit of Dr. King’s teachings, the MLK Community Service Awards Selection Committee has chosen to recognize four women for their outstanding contributions to the Cleveland community. ...

Ever wonder what it's like behind the scenes at one of Playhouse Square's beautifully restored theaters? Mark your calendar for a free tour date and learn interesting tidbits about Cleveland's historic theaters. Playhouse Square’s 11 performance spaces include the Allen, Hanna, Helen Rosenfeld Bialosky Lab, Mimi Ohio, Outcalt, KeyBank State and Westfield Insurance Studio Theatres, as well as the Connor Palace, Kennedy’s Cabaret, Upper Allen and U.S. Bank Plaza. Playhouse Square’s original five venues (Mimi Ohio, Connor Palace, KeyBank State, Allen and Hanna) were constructed in the 1920s in a mere 19 months. Impacted by the rise of television and population flight to suburbia, by 1968-69 all but the Hanna were eventually boarded up, as entertainment also moved to the suburbs. But in the 1970s, a grass-roots effort saved the historic venues from the wrecking ball, restoring and re-opening the theaters one by one, ushering in a new era of downtown revitalization, which was heralded by the media as “one of the top 10 successes in Cleveland history.” ...

By Traci McBride

Everything in life comes with its own inventory of pros and cons, especially how you decide to spend your time and efforts in volunteerism. Creating your own list of positives and negatives is good advice before starting any long- or short-term commitments.  

Strike up a conversation with someone who volunteers on a regular basis and ask about their experience. It can give you a good perspective and direction on organizations that match your belief system and interests. Your time is priceless; giving it with joy is selfless and satisfying.

 

Let’s Start with the Cons of Volunteering

Time commitment

Costs of travel/food

Unappreciative recipients of your efforts

Personality conflicts

Personal energy expenditure

Potential of choosing the wrong organization

Emotional drain when engaging with those in difficult life situations

 

And Now the Pros…

Staying active & engaged extends to graceful aging

Influencing another human being can be life-saving

Practicing or elevating your skill set

Mastering time management

Experiencing an organization from the inside

Socializing while creating new friendships with like-minded people

Increasing self-esteem & confidence

Creating the ripple effect in your community & in other people

Inspiring friends and family to get involved

Rewarding effect of aligning with a non-profit that touches you on a personal level

Spearheading ideas inside the organization                     

Source: CharityNavigator.org 

 

Traci McBride of TeeMcBee.com has passionately been a volunteer with Dress for Success – Cleveland since 2008.

 

Our Volunteer Salute

Meet NEO’s Givers

What better way to kick off the season of giving than recognizing some of our region’s most impressive volunteers? No other age group gives as much of its time, talent and energy as Boomers. We want to introduce you to a few outstanding givers recognized by our readers and provided by Greater Cleveland Volunteers (greaterclevelandvolunteers.org). 

 

Meet: Gail Tichy 

Where: Cleveland Metroparks

A retired federal worker, Tichy inherited a love of gardening from her grandmother.

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Be on the lookout for the Nov./Dec. 2019 issue of Northeast Ohio Boomer & Beyond magazine, rolling out to newsstands and mailboxes November 15-22.

This festive issue will become your go-to guide for traditional and offbeat places to go and things to do as family and friends gather together for the holidays. You’ll also be inspired by our Volunteer Salute to ordinary people in our midst who do extraordinary things with their gifts of time and talent for others. Lively articles about food, films, photographs, Boomer lingo, grandparenting, health, finances and more will make great conversation starters, as well.

You can read the digital version right here and now: https://issuu.com/northeastohioparent/docs/boomernovdec2019

Find a free copy of the glossy print magazine at your neighborhood Marc’s Store, Discount Drug Mart, Giant Eagle, library or over 700 other outlets. Or sign up below to get the magazine mailed directly to your door. Either way, you’ll enjoy pages of motivating stories that will help you enjoy Better Living After 50, right here in Northeast Ohio!

Subscribe! It’s FREE

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