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CINCINNATI
(Oct. 9, 2008)—4C
for Children, the local child care resource and referral agency,
will honor two individuals and a philanthropic fund for their work
on behalf of Greater Cincinnati children at the 2009 4C Champions
for Children Gala, Jan.24, at the Cincinnati Hilton Netherland Plaza.
The
2009 honorees are Jim Schwab, Merri Gaither Smith and the Sara M.
and Michelle Vance Waddell Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation:
- Jim Schwab,
Cincinnati Market President for US Bank, recently chaired both
of Cincinnati's major community-wide funding efforts-the 2004
United Way Campaign (with his wife Vivian) and the 2007 Fine Arts
Fund-upon which so many children's services-health, education,
arts and culture-depend. He has also served on many child-focused
boards including The Children's Home and the Research and Education
Committee of Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation.
- Merri Gaither
Smith, a retired Cincinnati Public Schools administrator, dedicates
herself to making college a reality for financially-strapped students.
She founded Advocates for Youth Education, Inc., a group of professional
women who pool their resources and have provided over $350,000
in scholarships over 18 years. She is a cofounder of the 40-year-old
Women's Alliance, Inc., whose fundraising efforts provide educational
programs and scholarships for high school students. And she serves
as a commissioner on the Cincinnati Park Board.
- The Sara
M. and Michelle Vance Waddell Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation
had its beginnings in the Patricia A. Vance Foundation, established
in 2001 to honor Sara's mother, a lifelong advocate for children,
with Michelle as executive director. It was transformed into the
Sara M. and Michelle Vance Waddell Fund at the Greater Cincinnati
Foundation in 2007. Since 2001 this philanthropic endeavor has
donated over $1 million to organizations that support the education
and care of children and the welfare of animals.
"Our
community is fortunate to have these dedicated champions for children,"
says Sallie Westheimer, 4C's executive director, "and we are
proud to honor them." By turning the spotlight on those who
work tirelessly to ensure a bright future for the children of the
community, 4C hopes to inspire others to step up to the continuing
challenge of ensuring quality, effective and accessible early childhood
education.
This
year's Gala Committee, chaired by Joelle
Ragland, includes Jenna Bowen, Kim Cockerham, Mary Ellen Cody,
Kate Nelson, Carole Rigaud, Dianne Rosenberg, Digi Schueler, Shelby
Wood and Kelly Zobrist. Local 12's Bob Herzog will emcee this fourth
Champions for Children event. For information about sponsorships
or individual tickets, call Karen Hurley at 513-758-1201. Invitations
will be mailed in early December.
The
4C Champions for Children Honor Roll
Champions for Children
2009 Invitation
4C
serves a 23-county area in Southwest Ohio, the Miami Valley and
Northern Kentucky. Funding is provided in part by United Way, the
City of Cincinnati, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Division
of Child Care. Visit www.4CforChildren.org or call 513-221-0033
for more information.
For
a photo or an interview with one of the 2009 Champions for Children,
contact Amy Gorga, at 513-758-1310 or agorga@4CforChildren.org.
For
more recent news from 4C
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