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The 19th annual Frozen Open will be held at Beckett Ridge Golf Club in West Chester March 24. The proceeds from the event benefit the Heroes’ Fund at the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty. Throughout the years, approximately 1,250 golfers have participated in the event.

The Heroes’ Fund assists local military families in financial crisis. The Fund is available to qualified persons residing in Butler, Warren and Hamilton counties or to non-profits serving this group of residents.

Golfers will need to check in at 10 a.m. the day of the event. Brunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The shotgun start begins at 11:30 a.m.

Scramble foursomes in the tournament will vie for the coveted “Chunk ‘O Ice” trophies.

Dinner and an awards presentation will take place after the tournament. Prizes will be given for long drive, closest-to-the pin and holes-in-one.

The event will also feature live and silent auctions. Auctions will include a variety of golfing foursomes to local courses, merchandise, restaurant gift certificates, sports memorabilia, theatre tickets, cigars, wine and more.

Last year, the cost to register for the event was $110 for a single golfer or $440 for a foursome.

For more information or to reserve a spot, call 513-755-2211 or visit www.frozenopen.com.

Posted in: Uncategorized |

Tags: Tags: Beckett Ridge, Beckett Ridge Golf Club, charity, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Frozen Open, Frozen Open fundraiser, Frozen Open golf, Frozen Open West Chester, WCL Community Foundation

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty is now accepting nomination forms for its Lakota Educator of Excellence Award. The deadline to nominate an outstanding educator is March 16.

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

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty recently released the time and date of this year’s Shamrock Shuffle. The event, which is also hosted by The Union Centre Boulevard Merchant Association as well as West Chester Township, will be held March 10.

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.

For the second year, the Shamrock Shuffle Committee is providing a unique opportunity for businesses, schools, non-profits or charitable organizations to raise funds through the “Shamrock Gives Back” program.

Participants 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.

Event sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information 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

Spring athletes can now apply for assistance in paying their sports fees through the Lakota Athletic Participation Fee Fund. The deadline to apply for consideration is Feb. 10 for junior high athletes and March 2 for high school athletes.

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty created the fund after the Lakota school district increased athletic fees for junior high and high school students in the spring of 2011.

Overall, athletic fees ballooned to $350 for junior high athletes – up from $200 in 2010-2011 – and to $550 for high school students – up from $300 in 2010-2011.

Through the Lakota Athletic Participation Fee Fund, private donations can be made to cover half of the athletic fee assessed to students participating in sports within the district.

After reviewing applications earlier this school year from winter sport athletes, the fund awarded 20 individual scholarships.

• Lakota levy news and discussion

Families interested in submitting an application for consideration must submit a letter to The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty indicating their desire for assistance.

The letter should include the name of the student athlete, school and grade level. The letter should also include a rationalization and insight into the family’s hardship, the benefit the students will receive from athletic participation and insight into the family’s ability to cover half of the athletic fee charged to the student. Families should also include documentation of other financial assistance being provided.

Send letters to:

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty
Attn: Lakota Athletic Participation Fee Fund
5641 Union Centre Drive
West Chester, OH 45069

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee of West Chester and Liberty Township residents. A limited number of scholarships are available. Only one scholarship per student will be awarded in a school year.

Community Members who wish to support the Lakota Athletic Participation Fee Fund can make a donation payable to the Lakota Athletic Participation Fee Fund c/o The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty. For more information, call Melissa Benedict at 513-874-5450.

Posted in: Board of Education, Levy news, News, Schools, Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: athletic fees, Community Foundation, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Lakota athletic fees, Lakota Board of Education, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, WCL Community Foundation

The Community Kids Fund is currently soliciting proposals to be considered for funding as part of their 2011-2012 competitive process. The group will consider proposals that assist children and families in the West Chester/Liberty area. Up to $1,000 will be awarded in the spring of 2012.

The Fund held at The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty was established earlier this year to encourage youth to become actively involved in their community.

Community Kids Fund is guided by local 4th, 5th and 6th graders who have formed their own giving circle to support programs/projects in the community.

Organizations interested in submitting a request for funding consideration should contact The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty at 513-874-5450 or download a copy of the application at www.wclfoundation.com. Requests must be received by Jan. 16, 2012.

Students can also contact the Foundation if interested in joining the Community Kids Giving Circle.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: Community Foundation, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Community Kids Fund, Community Kids Giving Circle, WCL Community Foundation

The Community Kids Fund is currently soliciting proposals to be considered for funding as part of their 2011-2012 competitive process. The group will consider proposals that assist children and families in the West Chester/Liberty area. Up to $1,000 will be awarded in the spring of 2012.

The Fund held at The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty was established earlier this year to encourage youth to become actively involved in their community.

Community Kids Fund is guided by local 4th, 5th and 6th graders who have formed their own giving circle to support programs/projects in the community.

Organizations interested in submitting a request for funding consideration should contact The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty at 513-874-5450 or download a copy of the application at www.wclfoundation.com. Requests must be received by Jan. 16, 2012.

Students can also contact the Foundation if interested in joining the Community Kids Giving Circle.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: Community Foundation, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Community Kids Fund, Community Kids Giving Circle, WCL Community Foundation

The Lakota West boys’ basketball program will have the opportunity to tune up for the regular season and benefit local charities in a home exhibition game against St. Xavier Friday. The varsity teams are scheduled to take the court at 7:30 p.m.

The game is being considered a “foundation game” by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) and will benefit the Bill Brewer Foundation and the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty.

The OHSAA provides teams the opportunity to replace a scrimmage with a “foundation game.” This game consists of two teams playing under normal game conditions, but does not count toward either team’s overall record. Schools are required to participate in a community service project benefiting a charity of their choice in conjunction with the game.

• Lakota West boys’ basketball 2011-2012 season preview

“This is a great test for our program,” Lakota West head coach Sean Van Winkle said. “It provides us the opportunity to have a regular season atmosphere and we can benefit others as well.”

Tickets, which can be purchased at the door, are $6 for adults and $4 for students.

Lakota West will tip off the regular season at home against Oak Hills at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Community Foundation, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Sean Van Winkle, Sean Van Winkle Lakota West, Sean VanWinkle, St. Xavier basketball, WCL Community Foundation

Lakota West High School will host a charity event that will feature the Firebirds girls’ basketball programs against McAuley Tuesday. The event, part of the OHSAA Foundation Service week, will raise funds to support the Kristin Renneker Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The scholarship is named for Kristin Renneker, who died in an automobile accident during her senior year at Lakota in 1992.

According to the Community Foundation’s website, Renneker was an honor student, peer counselor and a two-sport varsity athlete (basketball and soccer). She was one of the tri-captains of her varsity basketball team, recipient of the Thunderbird Award in both sports and had earned a 3.6 grade point average.

“It is critical that we maintain Lakota’s scholarship fund traditions of the past, remind the community of the goodness that lived in Kristin’s heart and how the Lakota athletic boosters and the Renneker’s turned her tragic death into yearly blessings for future Lakota female athletes”, Lakota West head coach Andy Fishman said.

The scholarship, which is held by the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty, awards two students – one from Lakota East High School and another from Lakota West High School – with a $2,000 scholarship. To date, the Scholarship fund has awarded more than $56,000 to 28 student athletes at Lakota East and Lakota West.

The charity games begin at 4:30 p.m. with the freshman teams and conclude with the varsity game 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $6.

For more additional information, including how you can sponsor the event please contact the Lakota Athletic Department at 513-682-4115 Ext.10408 or The Community Foundation at 513-874-5450.

Posted in: Events, Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Community Foundation, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Kristin Renneker, Kristin Renneker Memorial Scholarship, Lakota charity, Lakota scholarship, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, WCL Community Foundation

Hundreds of spectators attended the second annual Howloween costumed dog costume contest at Voice of America Park in West Chester in October.

This year featured new attractions such as demonstrations by the Ohio State Patrol K-9 Unit and vendors providing guests with dog-related items from collars and treats to artists and a professional photographer.

Adoption/Rescue organizations were also able to share dogs available for adoption at the event and even a few found some new homes.

“This second year went really well. We were glad to have the vendors join us this year and the K-9 demonstrations were big crowd pleasers,” said Tanya Zerkle, event chair and volunteer. “People outdid themselves with the costumes so it made it really tough to be a judge. We are hoping to have even more awards next year so everyone gets the recognition they deserve for their hard work.”

Below is a list of some the event’s winners:

Best Costume Small Dog:
1st-Maria Yancey of Middletown with Treasure
2nd-Miranda Ogden of Liberty Township with Minka
3rd-Amy Peters of West Chester Township and Proto Pup

Best Costume Large Dog
1st-David Lake of Deerfield Township and Wilbur
2nd-Kim Steckler of Liberty Township with Duke
3rd-Chris Herzog of Liberty Township with Dixie

Best Costumes Dog and Owner/Handler
1st- Carolyn Coley of Liberty Township with Lucy and Ethel
2nd-Katie McKearin of Liberty Township with Toby
3rd-Eric Steinriede and Erica Giannoccaro of Harrison with Kaiser

Best Costumes/Theme Multiple Dogs
1st-Karen Palm of Covington, Ky., with Lucy and Ivy
2nd-Anthony Schaeffer of Mason with Piston and Judy
3rd-Tina Stroud of Springdale with Charlie, Caitey and Bailey

All proceeds benefited the Wiggly Dog Park Fund at the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty.

Posted in: Events |

Tags: Tags: Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, dog park West Chester, Halloween West Chester, Howl-o-ween, Howloween, Howloween West Chester, Voice of America Park, WCL Community Foundation, West Chester pet photos, West Chester photos, Wiggly Field

Creative teen artists and aspiring graphic designers in the Lakota and neighboring school districts are being encouraged to design a logo to help promote a 5K run for area teen after-school activities. The contest, which ends Dec. 2, awards the winning entrant with a $100 gift card. Furthermore, the winning logo will be used on 5K event t-shirts and promotional materials.

The event, Run for the Edge 5K walk/run, will benefit the Edge Teen Center and will take place at Voice of America Park in West Chester April 21, 2012.

Steve Holt, community relations coordinator at Edge Teen Center, said the center offers Lakota teens a safe, after-school place to meet to hang out, study or volunteer. The center is located in donated space at 7568 Wyandot Lane in Liberty Township.

The contest, which ends Dec. 2, is open to all high school students in grades 9-12 living in or attending school in Lakota or surrounding school districts. Successful entries will incorporate the West Chester ▪ Liberty Chamber Alliance Leadership-21 and Edge Teen Center logos.

The six-to-eight-inch in diameter images should be designed in no more than three colors. Photoshop or Illustrator files should have a resolution of 300 pixels per inch.

If entries are scanned or photographed, they should be saved in a .jpeg file. All entries should be emailed to mwillis@bc-unitedway.org.

The winner will be announced Dec. 9. Entries will be judged by Rich Bethart of Bethart Printing Solutions; Beth Gully of BT Graphics, Inc.; Margo Jacob of Margo Jacob Design; Holt of the Edge Teen Center; and Mitchell Willis and Ian Murray of the Leadership-21 group.

The Leadership-21 group seeks sponsorship dollars from individuals and area businesses to support the 5K event and Teen Edge Center. Sponsor logos will be used in promotional materials and the 5K t-shirt.

For sponsorship information, contact Pam Gruber at pgruber@thechamberalliance.com, 513-777-3600, or go to “Leadership-21 Run for the Edge” on Facebook.

Donations can also be directed to the “Run for the Edge” fund with the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty at www.wclfoundation.com.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events, School 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