Thanks to Our Dirty Friends

As a member of the board of the EFWO and a parent of a child who has epilepsy, I want to say thanks to the record number of people who turned out Saturday for MUDSTOCK 08, the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio’s annual charity fundraiser event.  It was a huge success, drawing in roughly 2,400 people from the Miami Valley and beyond, and raising over $80,000 in the process.   Here are some pictures courtesy of the Dayton Daily News.

Thanks also to the long list of corporate sponsors, the hundreds of volunteers, and to everyone who was involved in making MUDSTOCK 08 successful.  Special thanks to Jim Hausfeld from ClearChannel, who served as the ringmaster for the event, and to EFWO Executive Director Janine Poppa.

The money raised will represent nearly 1/3 of the operating budget for the organization, which serves residents of Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby counties in Western Ohio.

If you are interested in getting involved with the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio, contact me or visit the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio home page for more information.  We are always in need of volunteers.

Volleyball players get muddy for a good cause

Voices: Episode 5 - Kate Early

In this episode I sit down for a chat with fellow board member and chair of the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio, Kate Early. Kate is a dynamic leader, an active member of the Dayton community, and oh… by the way… she is also a practicing attorney with Dayton based law firm Sebaly, Shillito and Dyer.  Kate is a native of Beavercreek, and a member of the Dayton Creative Class initiative.

Listen in as we discuss some of the legal implications of emerging technology, especially as it pertains to marketing.  We also talk at length about the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio, the upcoming mud volleyball event, the need for volunteers, committee, and board members, and other topics.

Thanks to Kate for taking the time to chat.

Podcast: VOICES

Mud

Thanks to the Dayton Business Journal for the wonderful article they wrote about the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio’s Mudstock 08 Mud Volleyball Tournament.  Like every non profit, we don’t have much budget for advertising - so free publicity is really appreciated.  So again… THANK YOU!  

As is stated in the article, we are anticipating a record turnout this year, and spots are going fast.  If you plan on playing, make sure to get your team together now.  The event is an all day party, filled with fun beyond muddy volleyball players.  There are bands and spectators, food and fun for all.  Even if you don’t want to play, consider coming out to watch and enjoy the experience of it all.  We also need volunteers to help with parking, making mud, and keeping the day on track.  

If you are interested in playing, attending, or volunteering check out www.daytonmud.com - which was put together by Jon Brooks and the crew at Hafenbrack Marketing. (Thanks guys)  I hope you will be able to attend.

This event funds many of the programs put on by the EFWO throughout the year, so know that just by showing up you are helping thousands of people across the Miami Valley who need help dealing with Epilepsy.  Mudstock is the perfect way to have fun and help the community all at once.  Join the fun, and get involved today.

For more information on the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio, visit www.ohioepilepsy.org

http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2008/06/02/daily18.html?surround=lfn

Help! I Need Somebody…

Do you live in or around Dayton, Ohio?  Are you interested in spending an hour or two per month making new connections and sharpening your professional skills - all while making a huge difference in the lives of people in need of help? If so, please consider volunteering to help the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio.

How can you help? The EFWO has numerous functional committees such as Marketing, Finance and Fundraising, Volunteerism, and Programming, which can serve to connect you with other talented professionals in your chosen field. This is a great way for young professionals to build connections and credentials, and for more seasoned practitioners to stay fresh. And, the time you spend, which is probably only about an hour or two a month, goes to help people with Epilepsy right here in the Miami Valley.

There are also numerous event committees in need of help within the EFWO. Currently, we are gearing up for the annual Mud Volleyball Tournament, July 12. This is an event that always needs helping hands because it is so much fun.  We are always in need of helping hands and creative thinkers, so if you are interested in lending a hand, contact the EFWO.  In addition to MUD, there is Wine and Jazz in November, Mardi Gras in February, and numerous other fundraising events - all of which need people.

If you are a seasoned professional looking to get even more involved in the community, consider applying to join the board.  We currently have a few open seats, and would welcome experienced leaders who are looking to contribute their skills to a great cause.  The process for this is understandably more rigorous than for joining committees, as the commitment and responsibility associated with being a board member is substantial.

Finally, if you just want to help out here and there - without being committed to anything - please volunteer to help our staff.  Like any good non-profit we run a lean operation, relying heavily on the kindness and generosity of others to get everything done.  There is an endless to do list, and a limited number of hands, so any time you can donate, even 30 minutes here and there, would be appreciated.

For more information on how you can get involved with the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio, call (937) 233-2500 or (800) 360-3296 or visit us on the web at www.ohioepilepsy.org

As Easy As A Walk in the Park…

Making a difference in people’s lives can be as easy as a walk in the park.  Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio will be holding a walk at Delco Park in Kettering, Ohio. Registration for the walk starts at 9:30am, with the event getting underway at 10:30am. My family is proud to be participating in this event. We are hoping to raise money to support the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio. I serve as a member of the board for the EFWO, and got involved after my son was diagnosed with Epilepsy last year. The organization serves families and individuals trying to deal with Epilepsy - delivering services like prescription medications to those who can not afford them. I hope that you can come out and join us for a nice morning walk in the park for a good cause. If not, you can still help. Visit www.firstgiving.com/judebowman and make a donation to the EWFO. Thanks for your help.

Thank You Meredith!

This week I received a very touching letter, and I wanted to publicly acknowledge and thank the sender- Meredith. She is the daughter of one of my wife’s dearest friends, and she sent us a very nice note along with a check in support of the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio. What makes this really special is that Meredith lives half way across the country and is only in the third grade. She came up with the idea on her own, and she raised all of the money herself.

Meredith, you are quite a remarkable girl. My family and countless other families whom you have helped through your kindness, initiative, and generosity, truly appreciate your contribution to the Epilepsy Foundation. I am honored to know you. Thank you for reminding me of the goodness of which humanity is capable. Your selfless act inspires and amazes me.

PancakesPancakes, SuccessSuccess, ThanksThanks

Last Saturday, March 22nd, the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio put on a pancake breakfast fund raising event. It was a huge success. I was very moved by the outpouring of support I received from family, friends, and colleagues who attended, donated, and supported this. Over 170 people sacrificed their free time and hard earned money to come to F&S Harley Davidson in Dayton on a Saturday morning to eat pancakes and support the Epilepsy Foundation. Some came from as far as Kentucky, Columbus, and even Toledo. The event went off without a hitch, due to the efforts of an army of volunteers - all working together to make the day successful. We had numerous organizations donated items for raffle, supplies for the event, and cash for the cause. Kevin Tibbs, from Boston Stoker, was on sight managing the coffee he donated. Jeff Stolzenburg was there at 6:30am to let us in to set up. Travis Brewer led a jeans day at Liberty Savings Bank that raised almost $700. He and his wife Corin, also captured the day in photos, which I will soon place on the web as well. They also donated an event package from their own business, Brewer’s Memory Makers. Local photographer, Jim Crotty, donated a beautiful print for raffle. Molly Mahoney rallied her fellow teachers and students at HV Bear Elementary in Miamisburg leading to several hundred dollars in donations and countless other contributions to the event. She also went out and solicited donations from Kroger, Verizon, MaryKay, Dr. Downer, and Longaberger. Yvonne Reese, my friend and neighbor, picked up donations from SquareOne, Kettering Medical Massage, and Innovative Interchange. She also brought her family, her sisters, and their families to join in the fun. Jon Brooks, from Hafenbrack Marketing, not only designed the flyer for the event, he and his youngest son Jake joined us for pancakes too. Phil Thorn from Full Tilt Interactive donated money to the cause, and David Esrati, owner of The Next Wave, was kind enough to donate the hosting for PancakesPancakes.com. The Springdale Lions club assisted by donating food items and supplies for the event. F&S Harley provided us with an amazing location for the event. Most of the employees came back and joined us for pancakes. Best of all, they held the Easter Egg hunt right in the middle of the showroom floor. Fortunately, no motorcycles were harmed in the making of this fund raiser. I had a vision of motorcycles falling like dominoes, and liquidating the whole day in the process. Thankfully, all went well with the Egg Hunt and all went even better with the event as a whole. In total we raised almost $4,000, all while enjoying the company of friends old and new. I can not overstate how much it means to me to know that there are people out there who care, and I am lucky enough to know a lot of them. Think that people can’t change the world? I know 170 pancake eaters who might argue otherwise. Thanks again to all who contributed. My family and I are truly blessed to know so many who care so much. Considering we pulled this together in a few weeks, I am very optimistic about what we can do next year. Thanks.

PancakesPancakes.com

Going Like Hotcakes!

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Ever since I put the word out to family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances about the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio pancake breakfast fund raiser event, my inbox has been blowing up with people looking to lend a hand or just come and and scarf down some hotcakes. Many have asked the following.

“Is there a way that I can donate money because I can’t make the event?”

The answer is now “Yes”. Visit http://www.PancakesPancakes.com where you can donate money, ask questions, see the growing list of sponsors, and even volunteer to help.

If you have emailed me and I have yet to get back to you, know that I am working on it. I thank you for your kindness and patience.

Special thanks also goes out to David Esrati, who donated the hosting for the site. Also, thanks to Bill Sterzenbach who informed me that Google Checkout is free for non-profits - enabling people to give directly to the foundation through the site. There is a long list, that keeps on growing of others who deserve thanks. See it on the sponsors page of the PancakesPancakes.com

We still need a lot of help. If you or your business are interested in getting involved, go here and let us know how you would like to help. Thanks again.

PancakesPancakes.com