Four Northwest Ohio communities, including Maumee, received grants totaling $1.56 million from the Ohio Department of Development on Sept. 20. The grants were for programs that aid disabled Ohioans and assist with community infrastructure projects.

The City of Maumee will receive $200,000 from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Discretionary Program to assist in the rehabilitation of the Artcrest Building in Uptown Maumee. Sunshine Inc. of Northwest Ohio will expand its art studio, craft goods and retail space in the building upon completion.  The support services provided by Sunshine will benefit 20 disabled adults served by the agency.

The City of Findlay will receive $260,000 from the CDBG Community Economic Development Loan and Public Infrastructure Program. The grant will enable Beer Barrel Inc. to purchase equipment for a Beer Barrel Pizza and Grill located in the City of Findlay. The Beer Barrel project is expected to create 60 jobs, of which 42 are designated for low-to-moderate income individuals. Beer Barrel currently operates two restaurants located in Lima and St. Mary’s.

“These two projects represent the variety of services we provide communities, supporting in job creation and programs for our most vulnerable citizens,” Christiane Schmenk, director of the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD), stated in a press release. “Strong communities are essential for economic growth.”

The ODOD’s Office of Community Development also announced $1.4 million in grants awarded to the Village of Fayette in Fulton County and the Village of McClure in Henry County through the CDBG Residential Public Infrastructure Grant Program.

Henry County will receive $500,000 to connect the Village of McClure to the county’s wastewater system. The project, which will construct one water storage tank and install 14,800 linear feet of waterline, is estimated to cost $2,353,769 and benefit 345 households.

The Village of Fayette will receive $600,000 toward a project to separate the sanitary and storm sewers. The project will install or reline approximately 46,671 linear feet of sewer line at a total estimated cost of $7,410,000 and will benefit 497 households.

“One of the cornerstones of a strong community is safe and reliable infrastructure,” Schmenk, stated in the press release.  “Access to reliable water sources improves the lives of residents and makes a community more attractive for economic development.”

Tags: Artcrest Building, Community Development Block Grant, Maumee, ODOD, Ohio Department of Development, Sunshine

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 20th, 2012 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Economy, Employment.
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Between a busy career at Libbey Glass and frequent chemotherapy treatments, Gretchen Gotthart Skeldon made time to love everyone.

She made time to grant wishes for sick children enrolled in the Make-A-Wish Foundation program. She made time to counsel women battling breast cancer. She made time to raise her daughter Lily, devote full attention to her friends in need and, of course, dress fashionably.

She set aside so much time for these things that she was always late.

“My wife was late to everything but I don’t know anybody that really got upset with her for being late. The reason she was late was because she was with another person and was giving them her total attention and when you were with her you were the center of her world,” said her husband, Phil Skeldon. “I think that’s what made her a success in every aspect of her life.”

When cancer claimed Gotthart Skeldon in 2010, her friends immediately knew they wanted to carry on her work. They created a fund to support area agencies that aid children with disabilities and illnesses and women who have breast cancer. Within the year, they had planned their biggest fundraiser and, naturally, decided to title the event “Fashionably Late.”

“She never wasted a minute,” said longtime friend Gretchen DeBacker. “She found out she was sick back in 1993 and I think that somewhere inside she believed that her time was going to be short, so she used every possible minute that she could and most of it was in the service of helping other people.”

And she’d also spend some of those minutes dancing. As a tribute to her fun-loving attitude, Fashionably Late offers a night of music and dancing to raise money for the Gretchen Gotthart Skeldon Fund.

The Homewreckers and Air Margaritaville will rock Centennial Terrace in Sylvania on Aug. 24 for the fundraiser, marking the third year that Toledoans have come together to remember Gotthart Skeldon and donate to local organizations.

The Fashionably Late fundraiser is the biggest moneymaker for the fund, collecting about $30,000 at last year’s event and contributing to the pool of $90,000 given to area agencies within the past three years.

Gretchen Gotthart Skeldon and her daughter, Lily, in 2008.

Major beneficiaries include Susan G. Komen of Northwest Ohio, the Toledo Ballet, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Sunshine, a respite center for children with disabilities.

The fund focuses on organizations such as these because of Gotthart Skeldon’s legacy. She grew up in Toledo, attending Central Catholic High School and then University of Toledo. She graduated with a business degree and landed a job working with Libbey Glass. She worked her way into a national sales manager position and was designated the sales leader of the year six times throughout her career, including the year before she died.

“Through all of this — through chemo treatment after chemo treatment and hair falling out … outside of her chemo treatment, I don’t think she ever missed a day of work,” Skeldon said. “And it was never about selling a product. It was about meeting people and having fun with people and if the product sold, so be it.”

When she wasn’t on the clock, Gotthart Skeldon was volunteering. She was a wish granter for Make-A-Wish Foundation, meaning she would orchestrate a family’s trip to Disney World, and she also worked with Susan G. Komen of Northwest Ohio supporting women with breast cancer. She sang in her church choir for 25 years at Blessed Sacrament and was known for throwing fabulous baby and wedding showers, DeBacker said.

Gotthart Skeldon battled cancer on and off for years, beating the disease into remission a few times. She died in February of 2010 when the disease metastasized to her liver, DeBacker said.

“She always said, ‘I don’t want the disease to define me; I want to be known as Gretchen not a person with cancer,’” Skeldon said. “Even during all this bout with cancer, I could never be down, because she was never down. She even cheered up the doctors.”

Skeldon met his wife at a Bible study group at Corpus Christi University Parish in 2000 and they married a few years later when Gotthart Skeldon was 39 years old. Although doctors had told her that her years of cancer treatment would preclude her from having children, Gotthart Skeldon and her husband were able to have a baby. Their child, Lily, is now 7 years old.

“She was just a very kind person and, you know, some people talk about people who have died in that way and everyone has good qualities and misses people after they die, but Gretchen was special in the way she impacted the lives of the people she interacted with,” DeBacker said. “And when you were in her presence, that was it.”

Since Gotthart Skeldon’s death, the fund has supported a number of programs at local agencies. This year, Susan G. Komen of Northwest Ohio started a program funded by the Gretchen Gotthart Skeldon Fund that offers up to $400 to uninsured or underinsured breast cancer patients to pay for daily life expenses, such as transportation, food, rent or utilities, said Mary Westphal, executive director of Susan G. Komen of Northwest Ohio.

Starting in 2011, the fund also allowed Susan G. Komen of Northwest Ohio to provide 13 screening mammograms, 15 diagnostic mammograms, 24 computer-aided detections and five breast ultrasounds to 21 uninsured women between the ages of 18 and 39.

Twenty-eight uninsured women between 40 and 44 were also able to obtain mammograms and ultrasounds.

“[Gretchen] was a woman full of life and energy,” Westphal said. “She was magical when she walked in the room — you just felt happy.”

The Toledo Ballet facilitates an adaptive dance program for children with Down syndrome, also funded in part by the Gretchen Gotthart Skeldon Fund. Developed at the Boston Ballet in partnership with the Boston Children’s Hospital, the program teaches balance, flexibility and following directions. The fund awarded scholarships to children interested in enrolling, said Mari Davies, executive director at the Toledo Ballet.

Fashionably Late will begin at 7 p.m. Aug. 24 and run until midnight. Tickets cost $20 each.  For more information, call (419) 537-9956 or visit www.gretchenfund.org.

“Gretchen was a very faith-filled person … I think people really felt the presence of God in her and spiritually it boosted their lives,” Skeldon said. “People came away feeling much more positive about life after they met Gretchen.”

Tags: Air Margaritaville, Fashionably Late, Gretchen DeBacker, Gretchen Gotthart Skeldon, he Homewreckers, libbey glass, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Sunshine, Susan G. Komen of Northwest Ohio, Toledo Ballet

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 21st, 2012 at 10:58 am and is filed under Featured, Fundraiser, Star.
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Kaiden Rogers does a great elephant impression, loves pizza and tossing the ball outside. His favorite movie is “The Wizard of Oz” and he’s quick to smile. He is like many 5-year-olds, except that he has Down syndrome.

His mother, Sherri Rogers, has been president of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo (DSAGT) for three years. One way to honor March 21, Worldwide Down Syndrome Day, and individuals like her son, is to “just take a step back and look at people as individuals. Remember that they’re all human beings and everybody deserves the same things that everybody else does,” Sherri said.

Sherri and husband Justin Rogers didn’t know Kaiden had Down syndrome during her pregnancy.

“Right at delivery, they said they thought he had Down syndrome,” she remembered. Shortly after Kaiden’s birth, Sherri became secretary of DSAGT before moving up to president.

Having Kaiden has changed her perspective in many ways.

“The reality of it is it opened my eyes to be a lot more open-minded, accepting, noticing people for who they are, not their diagnosis. It definitely made me a lot more compassionate for the special needs community. I mean, I was not an advocate for anything before,” she said.

Sherri also works for the United Way Family Information Network with special needs families.

In her position with DSAGT, Sherri oversees several events, organizes advocacy efforts and provides information and support to families. The group serves about 430 families in the Northwest Ohio area, a bit smaller than groups in Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland, but Rogers has high hopes.

“Even in the past five years I’ve been involved with the Down Syndrome Association, we’ve grown so much and added so many new things. We’re not quite with the rest of them, but we’re working toward it,” Sherri said.

DSAGT also organizes a spring golf outing and the Buddy Walk in October to raise awareness and funds.

The Rogerses haven’t had many issues with the Toledo community’s acceptance of their son.

“For the most part, everybody’s very accepting of him. He has a great personality,” Sherri said.

What Kaiden gets noticed for most is his shock of red hair.

“Everybody always talks about his red hair. When people see him, they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, look at that little redhead,’” Sherri said with a laugh. The 5-year-old begins kindergarten this fall. To donate to DSAGT or learn more, visit www.dsagt.org.

March is also Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The month kicked off with self-advocates from across the state, including about 20 people from Lucas County, traveling to the Ohio Statehouse Atrium on March 1. Ohio Public Images, an information and advocacy group out of Toledo, along with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities sponsored the kickoff celebration.

“Each year, the statewide kickoff event reinforces the fact that once we focus on the abilities of all citizens, we all benefit. By welcoming people with disabilities as equal community partners in the workforce, as well as in our schools and neighborhoods, our communities will be stronger,” said Lon Mitchell, executive director of Ohio Public Images.

According to REM Ohio, a group that provides services and support to those with developmental disabilities, getting to know someone with special needs is a good way to celebrate the month. “The best way to get to know somebody [with special needs] is like getting to know anybody in the community. They have hopes and dreams just like you and me,” said Jim Oliver, director of REM Ohio’s Toledo location.

Toledoans can also attend several events put on by various groups throughout the month:

• Barbara McKenzie, who has a daughter with a developmental disability, is also the author of “Reflections of Erin: The Importance of Belonging, Relationships, and Learning with Each Other.” She was slated to host a free presentation at 11 a.m. March 16 at the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, 1526 E. Wooster St., Bowling Green.
• Hope United Methodist Church will present a “Round and Square Dance” at 7 p.m. March 24. All proceeds will benefit Sunshine, a nonprofit offering support services to those with developmental disabilities. Tickets will be available at the door and cost $10 for adults and $6 for children. For more information, call Lindsay Graham at (419) 392-6868.
• A workshop “Customized Employment for Persons with Developmental Disabilities” is 6:30 p.m. March 28 at the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities Family First Zone, 1155 Larc Lane.  This presentation is free, but registration is required with the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio. Visit support.autism-society.org to learn more.

Tags: Barbara McKenzie, developmental disabilities, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Down Syndrome, Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo, Jim Oliver, Lon Mitchell, REM Ohio, Sherri Rogers, Sunshine, Worldwide Down Syndrome Day

This entry was posted on Friday, March 16th, 2012 at 12:15 pm and is filed under Community, Events, People.
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Notre Dame Academy senior Claire Konieczny is taking her senior capstone project higher than any of her classmates. After leaving May 4 for her campaign, “Bringing Sunshine to Mount Everest,” Claire will climb more than 18,000 feet to the North Base Camp on Mount Everest in Tibet with her aunt Janet Miller and cousin Paul Mackovjak to raise money for Sunshine, a nonprofit organization in Maumee.

“It’s a really great place and is a great cause,” Claire said. “Going on this trip is such an amazing experience, so being able to use it for something more than just a vacation is great. It means a lot more than just sightseeing. You’re doing something for others while you’re over there.”

Sunshine materials say its mission is to “create community among people with developmental disabilities, their families, friends and staff. Sunshine does this by offering services that enable us to build relationships that enhance our lives through mutual caring and growth.”

Claire connected to Sunshine through family, with an aunt on the board and a cousin who is the communications coordinator.

“The organization is unique in our community because it supports people who can’t function as easily as people without disabilities,” Claire’s mother Joyce Konieczny said. “They provide that support in such a loving way. My entire family is so committed to helping children, and we have a special spot in our heart for children with special needs. We do have some in our family with special needs. We want to show how much love we have for them.”

From left, Paul Mackovjak, Claire Konieczny and Janet Miller with prayer flags they will take to the Everest Base Camp.

Fundraising goal

Claire has raised more than $1,100 for Sunshine. Her goal is to raise $18,190 for the 18,190 feet she will climb to base camp.

“It had to be put together on the fly,” Claire said. “We were going to do a fundraiser at my school and that fell through. We set up a Facebook group and an online donation group. We sent bunches of emails and my dad has gone to everybody at work. We’re trying to get it out as fast as we can.”

For more information on the organization or to make a donation, visit Sunshine.org.

“What our life is about is giving something of value to the world,” Joyce said. “I’m just thrilled Claire feels this is important. It shows what Claire’s character is about. When she sets her mind to something she wants to accomplish, she just plots away steadily, working hard to reach that goal with determination and persistence.

Miller is also thrilled with Claire’s determination and charitable efforts.

“I’ve been trying to travel a lot with my nieces and nephews because I learn a lot from them, but I’m hoping they will learn from me too,” she said. “Giving back to the community and philanthropy are essential parts of life, so I’m thrilled with what Claire is doing.”

Claire is grateful to her aunt for providing the inspiration and the opportunity for her project.

“She is an avid world traveler and she invited me as a graduation gift to go to China,” Claire said. “It fell during the time when my school has senior projects, which is when you shadow someone in the profession you are interested in. I’m shadowing her because I’m interested in languages and traveling. I’m going to experience another country with a completely different language.”

Project exception(al)

Claire has learned a small amount of Chinese on top of taking four years of French classes and a year of Spanish. Her unique project strays from the standard guidelines, but the school was happy to make an exception.

“I had to get this cleared through a bunch of people at my school,” Claire said. “Usually you have to write a paper and keep a log of what you do each day. When I spoke to my principal she said I would be exempt from all that because there is so much planning already going into this trip.”

Much of the planning for the trip has come from Miller, who has traveled to all seven continents including visiting third-world countries.

“My sister is an experienced world traveler,” Joyce said. “She has been coaching Claire and Paul on everything from the shots they need to training for climbing to what clothing to wear. She’s been their mentor through this entire process.”

“It’s been quite a whirlwind because I needed to get my passport and a visa to go into China,” Claire said. “My aunt has been doing a ton of digging around with friends who have been mountain climbing. They are suggesting different things because of the altitude. We’ve had to get several shots. There’s been a lot of preparation for this.”

Claire has little experience with climbing and has learned about many dangers experienced when reaching such high elevations.

“Claire’s hike will be challenging from a number of aspects, not least of which is there is only half as much oxygen at 17,000 feet than there is here in nearly sea level Toledo,” said Bob Ampthor, associate director of development at Sunshine, who has climbed Mont Blanc in France. “Claire will face challenges on her journey just like those we serve at Sunshine face every day. There will be unfriendly terrain, strange languages and customs yet also friendly faces, lots of community and many choices.”

Miller has the most climbing experience of the group, going 13,000 feet high on Machu Picchu in Peru. The extra 5,000 feet to the base camp on Mount Everest will present her with new challenges.

“We’re going to be at such a high altitude that if you cut yourself it won’t heal because of the lack of oxygen,” Miller said. “I’ve talked to some people who have been climbing, so I got ideas from them on how to prevent blisters and what to wear. You have to wear wool and not any cotton. I’ve learned a lot for this trip too.”

More than the Mount

The trip will involve much more than Mount Everest. Claire said she is excited to tour the Forbidden City in Beijing, see the Great Wall of China and visit Lhasa to see Potala Palace. The trip also includes stops at Yamdrok Yutso Lake, Karola Glacier and Pelkhor Monastery.

“It will be an experience to see it face to face instead of just in pictures,” Claire said. “This is my first trip doing anything like this. I’m more excited than nervous, but I’m a little nervous for the trip. I haven’t been on a plane in awhile. It’s such a long flight. It’s definitely a different world when you get over there.”

Miller, who works at University Hospital in Cleveland, has a project of her own called “Climb for the Kids” to raise money for the Rainbow Children’s Hospital. She has raised more than $25,000 for the hospital. Miller will attempt to find an Internet connection during the trip to provide updates at RainbowClimb.Blogspot.com.

Part of her project involves the tradition of placing prayer flags around the mountain ridges. She took pieces of cloth to an elementary school and another set to the Rainbow Children’s Hospital. After the children and their parents filled out messages on the cloth, Miller sewed the pieces together to create a flag.

“As I put them together, I saw very moving messages from the kids,” Miller said. “One said, ‘Please help my little sister feel better’ and another has a picture of a little girl with hair and says ‘I want my hair back,’ because she went through chemotherapy. Another kid had one that just said ‘I want to go home.’ It’s heart-wrenching in some respects, but it gives another meaning to why this is important because we’re raising money to help make kids healthy.”

Tags: Claire Konieczny, Mount Everest, Notre Dame Academy, Sunshine

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 5th, 2011 at 4:30 pm and is filed under Community, Education, Featured, People.
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