WestChesterBuzz.com

Online registration is currently underway for the inaugural Run for the Edge 5K Run and Walk to be held Saturday, April 21, at Voice of America Park in West Chester. Sponsorships are also needed for the event.

The Southeast Butler County (SEBC) Leadership 21 Class of 2011 has established the “Leadership 21 Class of 2011 Benefit Run Fund” at The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty. Each year the Class of 2011 will host a benefit run to support a charitable cause in the community.

Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Edge Teen Center, an after-school nonprofit organization for local teens to hangout, study or volunteer. The center is located in donated space at 7568 Wyandot Lane in Liberty Township.

L-21 hopes that it can raise awareness as well as capital through this event to keep the Edge Teen Center operating for years to come.

“A society is judged by the way it treats its weakest members, and we think encouraging young people to engage in positive, healthy behaviors after school is very important,” said Mitchell Willis, co-chairman of the event.

Sponsorships are available from $250 to $2,500. Sponsorship logos will be used in promotional materials and the 5K T-shirt.

For sponsorship information, contact Brad Farr at Brad.Farr@muohio.edu or 513-895-8869 or Ian Murray at ian@mmrmedia.com or 513-779-4223.

Checks can be made out and mailed to: L-21 Benefit Run Fund, c/o Community Foundation West Chester-Liberty, 5641 Union Centre Drive, West Chester, Ohio 45069. Checks must be postmarked by April 13.

Online run registration is available at www.wclfoundation.com/leadership21.asp until noon on April 18. Fees to walk or run in the chipped race are $20 for adults and $15 for youths 17 and under until April 18, and $25 for adults and $20 for youths the day of the race.

Donations can also be directed to the L-21 Benefit Run Fund with the West Chester-Liberty Community Foundation at www.wclfoundation.com/Leadership21.asp.

Awards will be given to the top men and women finishers in each runner and walker division.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Chamber, Community Foundation, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Edge Teen Center, Lakota, Run for the Edge 5K, VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester, WCL Community Foundation, West Chester Liberty Chamber Alliance

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty announced Monday that it has established a scholarship fund to honor a Lakota West student, who died after being involved in a fatal car wreck March 16.

The Ezekiel “Zeke” Stepaniak Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to a student at Lakota West High School that exhibits Stepaniak’s qualities, according to the announcement. The inaugural award will be presented to Stepaniak’s graduating class in 2013.

Zeke Stepaniak. Photo provided

“The thing about Zeke, that amazed me, was that he was always kind to everyone,” said Michelle Day, Stepaniak’s English teacher. “He never met a stranger. He was just a very laid back, sincere person.”

• Story: Lakota community comes together after fatal wreck
• Story: Community mourns the loss of a student
• Students wear classmate’s colors to honor his memory
• Lakota West students thinking about classmate in ICU

The ones closest to Stepaniak describe him as person that puts his friends and family ahead of himself.

“He did everything for all of his friends,” junior classmate Jonathan Jung said. “If you call him at 2 a.m. and you don’t have a ride, he will come get you. He also put family first before anything.”

His upbeat personality didn’t end at school or at home, he also showed that side everywhere he went – including at work.

“He was the type of person that you couldn’t be angry when you were around him. He wouldn’t allow it,” McDonalds assistant manager Amy Sargent said. “You could not have a smile on your face. He made this place not feel like work. He made it feel like we were hanging out and making the occasional sandwich. He just lit up the room, the second he walked in.”

Contributions to the Ezekiel “Zeke” Stepaniak Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made by sending a check to:

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty
Attn: Ezekiel ‘Zeke” Stepaniak Memorial Scholarship Fund
5641 Union Centre Drive
West Chester, OH 45069

Or online at www.wclfoundation.com and using the “Donate Now” feature.

Posted in: News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Community Foundation, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Ezekieal Stephaniak, Ezekieal Zeke Stepaniak, Lakota West, Lakota West High School, Lakota West student death, WCL Community Foundation, West Chester McDonalds, Zeke Stepaniak

Online registration is currently underway for the inaugural Run for the Edge 5K Run and Walk to be held Saturday, April 21, at Voice of America Park in West Chester. Sponsorships are also needed for the event.

The Southeast Butler County (SEBC) Leadership 21 Class of 2011 has established the “Leadership 21 Class of 2011 Benefit Run Fund” at The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty. Each year the Class of 2011 will host a benefit run to support a charitable cause in the community.

Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Edge Teen Center, an after-school nonprofit organization for local teens to hangout, study or volunteer. The center is located in donated space at 7568 Wyandot Lane in Liberty Township.

L-21 hopes that it can raise awareness as well as capital through this event to keep the Edge Teen Center operating for years to come.

“A society is judged by the way it treats its weakest members, and we think encouraging young people to engage in positive, healthy behaviors after school is very important,” said Mitchell Willis, co-chairman of the event.

Sponsorships are available from $250 to $2,500. Sponsorship logos will be used in promotional materials and the 5K T-shirt.

For sponsorship information, contact Brad Farr at Brad.Farr@muohio.edu or 513-895-8869 or Ian Murray at ian@mmrmedia.com or 513-779-4223.

Checks can be made out and mailed to: L-21 Benefit Run Fund, c/o Community Foundation West Chester-Liberty, 5641 Union Centre Drive, West Chester, Ohio 45069. Checks must be postmarked by April 13.

Online run registration is available at www.wclfoundation.com/leadership21.asp until noon on April 18. Fees to walk or run in the chipped race are $20 for adults and $15 for youths 17 and under until April 18, and $25 for adults and $20 for youths the day of the race.

Donations can also be directed to the L-21 Benefit Run Fund with the West Chester-Liberty Community Foundation at www.wclfoundation.com/Leadership21.asp.

Awards will be given to the top men and women finishers in each runner and walker division.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Chamber, Community Foundation, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Edge Teen Center, Lakota, Run for the Edge 5K, VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester, WCL Community Foundation, West Chester Liberty Chamber Alliance

The Power of the Purse Fund is currently soliciting proposals to be considered for funding as part of their annual competitive process. Organizations interested in submitting a request for funding, should review the criteria and submit the letter of inquiry on the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty website by April 16. Up to $10,000 will be awarded.

Power of the Purse will consider requests that:

1. Make a difference among women in the community by promoting volunteerism and effective philanthropy through the Community Foundation’s pooled resources.
2. Encourage community among ourselves and those we serve
3. Educate and increase awareness of local needs
4. Encourage self-sufficiency and well-being among those in need
5. Build a network that is a catalyst for positive change
6. Serve the Butler/Warren County communities

Power of the Purse members will review all inquiry letters and choose the top three proposals. These organizations will be asked to submit a full grant proposal in conjunction with a presentation to the entire Power of the Purse membership at its September 2012 meeting. The organization(s) selected for funding will be awarded at the Power of the Purse Annual Grant Gala at the end of the year.

Since its inception five years ago, the Power of the Purse Fund and its membership has awarded more than $40,000 to non-profit organizations.

For more information and application forms, visit www.wclfoundation.com.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Power of the Purse, Power of the Purse Fund, WCL Community Foundation

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty is accepting nomination forms through this Friday for its Lakota Educator of Excellence Award.

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty will honor two Lakota Educator of Excellence Award winners at its annual dinner celebration April 19. The winners will receive an award along with a monetary grant to be used for a special project within their school.

“We are excited to have peers, parents and community members provide nominations for those educators who have gone above and beyond in working with the district’s young people,” said Melissa Benedict Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty vice president of donor services.

One award will be presented to an educator representing pre-kindergarten through the sixth grade. The other award winner will represent the seventh grade through the 12th grade.

Nominations are not limited to classroom teachers. Award recipients may be any person (teacher, administrator, support staff, etc.) working with young people in the Lakota school district.

The award was established in 2007 to recognize educators in the Lakota School District, who demonstrate consistency and high commitment to students, motivates, shares ideas, inspires others, is supportive, creative and goes beyond the classroom to make a difference in the community. Previous winners include Shannon Henderson, Linda Abbott, Katie Woodruff, Audrey Stamp, Karen Kamm, Ann Aprahamian, Fred Thomas and Mendy Dimatteo.

Nomination forms are available on the Community Foundation’s website www.wclfoundation.com or at the school district’s central office.

Posted in: Events, News, School events, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Ann Aprahamian, Audrey Stamp, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Fred Thomas, Karen Kamm, Katie Woodruff, Lakota Educator of Excellence Award, Lakota Local Schools, Linda Abbott, Mendy Dimatteo, Shannon Henderson, WCL Community Foundation

Runners get ready to start the 2011 Shamrock Shuffle. Photo provided.

This Saturday’s Shamrock Shuffle in West Chester Township is expected to attract more than 4,000 participants and could raise more than $10,000 for approximately 50 local charities or causes.

Last year, the event attracted more than 3,000 participants and awarded more than $10,000 for charities enrolled in the effort, according to Melissa Benedict Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty vice president of donor services.

“And we expect that number ($10,000) to continue to grow in 2012,” Benedict said.

“The Shamrock Shuffle is a great family-friendly event that allows our community to come together and raise funds to support a variety of causes.”

The event’s 5K and 10K races will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at The Square at Union Centre with a “kegs and eggs” breakfast and block party. At 9:30 a.m. children ages 3-10 can participate in the IKEA Leprechaun Lap, a children’s fun run around The Square.

Online registration for the event concluded Wednesday. However, people can still register Thursday and Friday at Mojo Running, 9318 Union Centre Boulevard. Event day registration, which will cost $35, is also available and will begin at 7 a.m.

For more information about the event, including a list of participating charities, visit www.theshamerockshuffle.com or call 513-874-5450.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: 10K West Chester, 5K West Chester, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, fundraiser West Chester, Leprechaun Lap, Shamrock Gives Back, Shamrock Shuffle, Shamrock Shuffle West Chester, St. Patrick's Day, WCL Community Foundation

For the 44th year, The Enquirer will recognize a select group of area women for their contributions to our community through its Women of the Year program.

Women of the Year’s class of 2011 will be profiled in a special section of The Enquirer on April 15 and honored at a luncheon at the Hyatt Regency on April 26.

Sheila Munafo-Kanoza of West Chester was one of the 10 women honored by the newspaper. Below is her background from a post on Cincinnati.com.

Sheila Munafo-Kanoza of West Chester Township founded the Companions on A Journey program to provide grief support services that serve thousands in the region. She is also involved with the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty Township, West Chester Alliance, Women of the Power of the Purse, Pro Seniors and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Tickets to the April 26 Women of the Year luncheon are $38. Reservations are required. For more information, call Mary Donaldson at 513-768-8112.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: Cincinnati Children's, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Liberty Township, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati Children's Liberty Township, Community Foundation, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Enquirer Women of the Year program, Pro Seniors, Sheila Munafo-Kanoza, WCL Community Foundation, West Chester Alliance, Women of the Power of the Purse

Runners get ready to start the 2011 Shamrock Shuffle. Photo provided.

The 2012 Shamrock Shuffle on March 10 is expected to attract thousands of participants, who will raise thousands of dollars for roughly 50 local charities and causes.

Last year, the event attracted more than 3,000 participants and awarded more than $10,000 for charities enrolled in the effort, according to Melissa Benedict Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty vice president of donor services.

“And we expect that number ($10,000) to continue to grow in 2012,” Benedict said.

The event’s 5K and 10K races will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at The Square at Union Centre with a “kegs and eggs” breakfast and block party. At 9:30 a.m. children ages 3-10 can participate in the IKEA Leprechaun Lap, a children’s fun run around The Square.

“The Shamrock Shuffle is a great family-friendly event that allows our community to come together and raise funds to support a variety of causes,” Benedict said.

Online registration for the event will be available for $30 through Wednesday, March 7. Late registrants will also be able to sign up next Thursday and Friday, March 8-9, at Mojo Running, 9318 Union Centre Boulevard. Event day registration, which will cost $35, will begin at 7 a.m. next Saturday, March 10. However, the last day to register that will guarantee you an event t-shirt is this Sunday.

For more information about the event, including a list of participating charities, visit www.theshamerockshuffle.com or call 513-874-5450.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: 10K West Chester, 5K West Chester, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, fundraiser West Chester, Leprechaun Lap, Shamrock Gives Back, Shamrock Shuffle, Shamrock Shuffle West Chester, St. Patrick's Day, WCL Community Foundation

Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs will open its first Ohio restaurant at 10 a.m. Friday in West Chester. The restaurant, which will be open regularly from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday, is located at 9216 Allen Road in the former Tazza Mia Café off Union Centre Boulevard.

The sub chain, which has 96 locations in nine states, prides itself on its freshly baked bread, sliced-to-order meats, healthy food options and inexpensive catering.

Along with sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups, Goodcents also features a Coca-Cola Freestyle system that offers more than 100 choices of soft drinks and juices.

The chain is also currently re-branding itself from Mr. Goodcents Subs and Pasta. The changes include the addition of wraps and a drive thru, as well as the elimination of pasta.

Spearheading the transition, Goodcents CEO David Goebel was in Cincinnati Thursday helping with the opening and scouting other potential restaurant locations.

“We are going under construction right now with multi-unit agreements in Phoenix, Arkansas, St. Louis and here. I would lying if I didn’t tell you this one is the nearest and dearest to my heart because it is my home,” said Goebel, who works out of the corporate offices near Kansas City, Kan., but grew up in Price Hill and attended Elder High School.

Goebel, who oversaw the opening of 800 restaurants as the former CEO of Applebee’s, sees his hometown as a potential 35-to-40 store market for Goodcents.

The owner and operator of the West Chester location, Dave Scholten, is actually Goebel’s nephew and worked at Receptions Banquet & Conference Centers since 1992. He started as a dishwasher in high school and advanced onto vice president and minority owner.

“I did shop quite a few different franchises,” said Scholten, who resides in White Oak and attended La Salle High School. “Ultimately, I decided on the Goodcents concept. The freshness of the product drew me to it. I fell in love with the sandwiches … the new transition they are going through really excited me.”

Scholten, who signed on to own and operate three Goodcents in Greater Cincinnati, is actively seeking a location in Blue Ash. In addition, Scholten has also decided to donate 20 percent of the first week sales from his West Chester restaurant to The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Dave Scholten, Doug Goebel, Goodcents CEO Doug Goebel, Goodcents Cincinnati, Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs, Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs Cincinnati, Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs West Chester, Goodcents owner Dave Scholten, Goodcents West Chester, Tazza Mia West Chester, WCL Community Foundation, West Chester business, West Chester business news

The deadline for a team to register its charity for the “Shamrock Gives Back” program is Friday. The program, which is part of West Chester Township’s Shamrock Shuffle scheduled March 10, provides the opportunity for businesses, schools, non-profits or charitable organizations to raise funds.

Participants of “Shamrock Gives Back” can build a team to raise dollars to support their favorite charitable cause. Any school, non-profit, or community organization (i.e. sports team, booster, scouts program, that can be recognized as a non-profit) will have the opportunity to receive proceeds from The Shamrock Shuffle.

For every 25 adults (two children equal one adult) participating on a Shamrock Shuffle team, a $250 grant will be made to the selected cause. If a team registers 100+, a grant equal to $10/per adult participant will be awarded. Teams can register their charity online by completing the charity registration form on the Shamrock Shuffle website.

The 2012 Shamrock Shuffle will feature a 5K, 10K, Leprechaun Lap and a block party. Last spring, the event attracted more than 3,000 participants.

This year, the 5K and 10K races will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at The Square at Union Centre with a “kegs and eggs” breakfast and block party. At 9:30 a.m. children ages 3-10 can participate in the IKEA Leprechaun Lap, a children’s fun run around The Square.

Pre-registration is $30, $15 for children 5-12, and $10 for the Leprechaun Lap.

For more information, including event sponsorship opportunities, visit www.theshamrockshuffle.com or call 513-874-5450.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: 10K West Chester, 5K West Chester, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, fundraiser West Chester, Leprechaun Lap, Shamrock Gives Back, Shamrock Shuffle, Shamrock Shuffle West Chester, St. Patrick's Day, WCL Community Foundation