The region’s largest “Party for a Cause” was reimagined into a commemorative online auction from late August to early September. Rockin’ at Riverfest is the largest annual fundraiser for The Children’s Home. It fuels the 30-plus programs provided by the organization that serves more than 14,000 vulnerable and underserved children and families each year.
“The fabric of The Children’s Home has always been to acclimate and change whenever needed to meet the evolving needs of our community,” says Rod Hinton, chief administrative officer of The Children’s Home. “This year, we couldn’t physically bring Cincinnati’s leaders together, but the overwhelming support our friends and allies have continued to show during these challenging times is unparalleled. With their help, we were able to organize an online auction in place of our usual riverfront event.”
Sponsors of this increasingly popular annual event allowed the 156-year-old nonprofit to keep their sponsorship pledges after being notified the pandemic forced the gala to rematerialize as an auction. “To say our community partners are comprised of incredible people doesn’t appropriately describe their generosity,” Hinton says. “We were able to keep the pledges our sponsors made, which are helping children and families who often have nowhere else to turn.
“Together, Cincinnati has helped us continue to meet the challenges of mental health, poverty and access to quality health services,” Hinton notes.
This year’s Rockin’ at Riverfest was co-chaired by LOTH CEO
J.B. Buse and his wife, Leigh, along with Children’s Home board member and BRG Realty Group CEO Jeff March and his wife, Jeanette. The co-chairs volunteered their time and talents after last year’s Rockin’ event and advocated for The Children’s Home throughout the year.
When the agency pivoted to an online auction, the co-chairs diligently continued their work.
“Jeanette and I are proud to support an organization that does so much for our city,” says co-chair Jeff March. “It’s been the experience of my life’s journey that there is a profound joy to be had in making our little piece of the world a better place.”
A unique aspect of this year’s online auction featured the story of Logan Ness. Logan is a 2020 graduate from the autism services program at The Children’s Home’s Heidt Center of Excellence, which houses the agency’s campus dedicated to autism services.
“Seeing Logan’s story really illustrates why we support The Children’s Home,” says co-chair Leigh Buse. “J.B. and I are amazed at the potential future this young man has. It’s really a powerful testament to how The Children’s Home serves Cincinnati’s youth and families in life-changing ways.”
The Logan Ness story is available in the “news” section of www.tchcincy.org.
“The community leaders of Greater Cincinnati have always held a tradition of neighbors helping one another close to their hearts,” says John Banchy, president and CEO of The Children’s Home. “It’s what makes our Queen City unique. My deepest thanks go out to the selfless leadership of this year’s co-chairs and our amazing sponsors who are helping us change lives.
1. The Children’s Home features a 5-Star Step-up to Quality preschool – the highest rating possible within Ohio. The program is designed to help working parents as it begins at 7 a.m., is open until 6 p.m., and accepts private pay, childcare vouchers and is a Preschool Promise provider.
2. The Children’s Home features an entire state-of-the-art campus dedicated to autism services. The program includes academics, life skills, counseling and hosts extracurricular activities like a 3D Print Club, track, bocce ball and flag football.
3. The Children’s Home’s main site is nestled on a beautiful 40-plus acre campus in Madisonville. Last year, support for the nonprofit’s programs enabled the agency to help over 14,000 at-risk children and families in life-changing ways.
4. The Children’s Home has 30-plus programs geared toward bettering the lives of kids and families in over 180 community locations in Greater Cincinnati. The agency’s services include education, mental and behavioral health, early childhood and therapeutic services.
5. The Children’s Home provides continuing education, job training and transition services for children and young adults on the autism spectrum and other related diagnoses.
The Children’s Home is located at 5050 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45227. For more information, visit www.tchcincy.org.