Today's cheer goes out to long-time friends Marty and Tom Humes. Many of my facebook friends know this dynamic duo---if there was a Mr. and Mrs. Cincinnati award, they would be strong contenders! They have lived in Cincy all their married lives (since the early 70's) and richly contibuted to the quality of life in Greater Cincinnati.
Tom was a fraternity brother of my husband's in the 70's (Delta Tau Delta). Marty and I became friends through the guys. Match a Mr. Bearcat (yes, Tom actually wore that hot furry costume at all the UC football games and ran around cheering for the 'Cats) with a Purdue Homecoming Queen and you get a couple that loves to plan and host events that bring people together for a good cause. These guys know how to throw a party!!!!
I'm not even going to try to list all the many things they have done--I encourage you to google them for that. Marty has been very active in the Jr. League, chairing numerous fundraising events, including the Festival of Trees and the Capital Campaign to purchase Columbia Center. Together with many volunteers, we raised $1,500,000 in the 80's to buy the former Columbia Auction House, now used as the Jr. League headquarters, and available for meeting space for non-profits as well as many community events. http://www.jlcincinnati.org/cincinnati/npo.jsp?pg=about3
Other highlights include Tall Stacks and Dress for Success. There have been many, many more, so Marty is highly sought after for her skill in leading event planning. She was President of the Cincinnati Women's Club not long ago and currently serves on the Playhouse and Park Boards.
Likewise, Tom, a very successful businessman as CEO of Great Traditions, has been involved in so much for the good of the community. His loyalty to UC lives on as he is now on the UC Board of Directors, and will soon lead the dedication of the brand new beautiful Delta Tau Delta house on Clifton Avenue.
They have received many honors in the community; Marty was a Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year, Tom, UC honoree, and many more. But my goal is not to list all their achievements! You can see those at www.hamiltoncountyohio.gov/hcrpc/partner/.../tom%20humes.pdf and
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090203/LIFE/90305003/Marty-Roberts-Humes
Rather, I am cheering them for their leadership style. When Marty agrees to chair something, she has no trouble identifying an army of volunteers to help. Why? First and foremost, because she chooses causes that are worthy. Then, she gets on the phone and asks people to come alongside in whatever capacity they can. Those of us who have worked with her know when we get the call we will enjoy helping because it will be fun, creative and successful. She recruits enough people for each event to make the workload manageable. She understands that volunteers need options and flexibility. However, SHE puts in countless hours at all levels. When you volunteer for cleanup, you know Marty will be alongside you pushing the broom.
How many people do you know who have a huge moosehead hanging over their elegant fireplace? Tom and Marty's moose is always decked out with seasonal accessories. At a recent luncheon fundraiser for WCET around St. Patrick's Day, the Humes' moose was wearing green and gold necklaces! (I didn't mind at all taking a $100 gift box for the WCET auction because I knew it was for a good cause --the continuation of Sesame Street et.al, for goodness sake, and that I would enjoy being with all the others who would be there.) Sure enough, I was greeted by lovely WCET staffers, given a tax donation receipt for my gift, and joined numerous others for a lovely lunch at Marty's.
And when I congratulate Tom on whatever award he has just received or achievement he has just accomplished, he always immeditately defers to the scores of others who helped make the thing happen. He is never too preoccupied to look me right in the eye and ask how Ed, our daughters, and I are doing.
So here's to a fun fundraising couple who are tireless cheerleaders for what is good in our community! Marty and Tom, please keep on partying for Cincinnati! And you know Ed and I will always help!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
"Cheers" by Angie
Been noodling on what I could use as a theme for my new blog.
There's nothing new under the sun, and not too much that's interesting to read about.
But it did occur to me that I know lots of folks that I would like to recognize for one thing or another--you've heard of Angie's List--this will be "Cheers by Angie" or some such thing.
I will start with a cheer for Debbie Oliver and Helen Heekin. I attended a lovely preview party last night in a fabulous Covington penthouse that overlooks what will become the Cincinnati Riverfront Park. Five years ago Debbie and Helen decided to appeal to a group of women to help raise $1,000,000 to get things rolling for the park. While a cool mil sounds like a lot, it is only a drop in the bucket for a project like this.
However, that drop in the bucket campaign has served as a terrific marketing and public relations vehicle. The intial ante of $1000 sounded like a lot at the time, but I am so glad I agreed to be one of the founders.
For five years now, the "Women's Committee," chaired by Debbie and Helen has gathered each spring for a "Hats Off" Luncheon with proceeds going to the Riverfront Park. We have dined on an asphalt parking lot beside the stadium and several times at Ault Park. This May 26 the luncheon will be held on top of the new garage adjoining the Banks. Attendance has always been several hundred, and I believe the goal for this year will be 500. Very fun to see all the ladies decked out in colorful spring hats! Some of our more creative citizens have come up with some very lavish or very outlandish toppers!
The dream park is really starting to take shape! Willie Cardin, Park Board Director, was beside himself with joy last night as he described what the park will look like. He was like a little kid in a candy store as he looked out from the terrace of the penthouse, pointing out the 45 acres that will span from the steamboat monument down to Paul Brown Stadium. He plans to have a concert there that will be free to residents of the city the day after the luncheon. We'll have the tent up--why not just continue the party, he said.
So, thanks to Debbie and Helen I now own a new silk scarf that shows the park design. (This is their latest scheme for raising moolah) The $100 scarves will be offered for sale at the luncheon (and probably for some time to come). Watch for them around the necks of lovely ladies all over town. Not sure I will wear mine, as I'm not too partial to large square scarves around my neck, but I may frame it and put it up in my basement as a memento of a great idea I had the privilege to be a part of.
Debbie and Helen, many thanks from the citizens of the entire tri-state for your vision and tireless work to add such a legacy of beauty to the Queen City!
Anyone have a hat I can borrow if you don't plan to go?
Take a look at the plans at the cincinnatiriverfrontpark website!
There's nothing new under the sun, and not too much that's interesting to read about.
But it did occur to me that I know lots of folks that I would like to recognize for one thing or another--you've heard of Angie's List--this will be "Cheers by Angie" or some such thing.
I will start with a cheer for Debbie Oliver and Helen Heekin. I attended a lovely preview party last night in a fabulous Covington penthouse that overlooks what will become the Cincinnati Riverfront Park. Five years ago Debbie and Helen decided to appeal to a group of women to help raise $1,000,000 to get things rolling for the park. While a cool mil sounds like a lot, it is only a drop in the bucket for a project like this.
However, that drop in the bucket campaign has served as a terrific marketing and public relations vehicle. The intial ante of $1000 sounded like a lot at the time, but I am so glad I agreed to be one of the founders.
For five years now, the "Women's Committee," chaired by Debbie and Helen has gathered each spring for a "Hats Off" Luncheon with proceeds going to the Riverfront Park. We have dined on an asphalt parking lot beside the stadium and several times at Ault Park. This May 26 the luncheon will be held on top of the new garage adjoining the Banks. Attendance has always been several hundred, and I believe the goal for this year will be 500. Very fun to see all the ladies decked out in colorful spring hats! Some of our more creative citizens have come up with some very lavish or very outlandish toppers!
The dream park is really starting to take shape! Willie Cardin, Park Board Director, was beside himself with joy last night as he described what the park will look like. He was like a little kid in a candy store as he looked out from the terrace of the penthouse, pointing out the 45 acres that will span from the steamboat monument down to Paul Brown Stadium. He plans to have a concert there that will be free to residents of the city the day after the luncheon. We'll have the tent up--why not just continue the party, he said.
So, thanks to Debbie and Helen I now own a new silk scarf that shows the park design. (This is their latest scheme for raising moolah) The $100 scarves will be offered for sale at the luncheon (and probably for some time to come). Watch for them around the necks of lovely ladies all over town. Not sure I will wear mine, as I'm not too partial to large square scarves around my neck, but I may frame it and put it up in my basement as a memento of a great idea I had the privilege to be a part of.
Debbie and Helen, many thanks from the citizens of the entire tri-state for your vision and tireless work to add such a legacy of beauty to the Queen City!
Anyone have a hat I can borrow if you don't plan to go?
Take a look at the plans at the cincinnatiriverfrontpark website!
me, a blogger????
Why in the world would I join the blog ranks?
God knows, but I sure don't!
I simply disovered the easy easy process for setting up a blog at my friend Heather's blogspot.
I'm just going to start brainstorming some pros and cons.
I like to use my fingers to help me think things through?
It might be a way to reach clients who need help with planning?
It is a way to express viewpoints without boring my whole facebook network--only those interested can go there?
I can write about something and refer people there who may be interested?
Cons
Unike my friends Heather and Garth, I am not traveling the world--I live in Ohio! So what could I possibly say that will be interesting?
Now I'm going to switch back--but I DO DO some interesting and worthwhile things in Ohio and places I travel to on occasion!
Back to cons--what sounds good today as I type it out may seem totally stupid tomorrow but I 've already let the cat out of the bag?
Oh--what the heck--it will be a discovery process for someone over 30 --hehehehheh!
I'll probbly be the only one who reads it, because my mother, God love her, never touched a computer.
But I do like to try new things, and this one seems harmless enough??? (that may be in the category of famous last words)..so here goes......I'm hitting the publish button.
Now I have a format for expressing myself in cyberspace!
God knows, but I sure don't!
I simply disovered the easy easy process for setting up a blog at my friend Heather's blogspot.
I'm just going to start brainstorming some pros and cons.
I like to use my fingers to help me think things through?
It might be a way to reach clients who need help with planning?
It is a way to express viewpoints without boring my whole facebook network--only those interested can go there?
I can write about something and refer people there who may be interested?
Cons
Unike my friends Heather and Garth, I am not traveling the world--I live in Ohio! So what could I possibly say that will be interesting?
Now I'm going to switch back--but I DO DO some interesting and worthwhile things in Ohio and places I travel to on occasion!
Back to cons--what sounds good today as I type it out may seem totally stupid tomorrow but I 've already let the cat out of the bag?
Oh--what the heck--it will be a discovery process for someone over 30 --hehehehheh!
I'll probbly be the only one who reads it, because my mother, God love her, never touched a computer.
But I do like to try new things, and this one seems harmless enough??? (that may be in the category of famous last words)..so here goes......I'm hitting the publish button.
Now I have a format for expressing myself in cyberspace!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)