David Harris
Kickin’ for a Cause: Young Adults Give Back August 21
New Fundraiser to Fight Cincinnati’s High Childhood Poverty Rate / #CincyTakesOnPoverty
“What better way to spend a Sunday than by hanging out and playing kickball with friends, all while raising awareness for and supporting programs that serve youth in need in our community?” It is clearly a rhetorical question for Marie Krulewitch-Browne, co-chair of the event, Kickin’ for a Cause, organized by the Young Adult Division (YAD) of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. “Our board has spent a lot of time and energy planning this event, and we’re all so excited to kick it off!”
A new, large-scale, one-day annual kickball tournament and fundraiser, Kickin’ for a Cause will be on August 21. The money will not go to the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign, but directly to the chosen charities.
The cause will be childhood poverty in Cincinnati, says YAD chair Brooke Guigui, “We thought about this very carefully. Cincinnati has an abysmal ranking—it is ranked in the top five major cities in childhood poverty year after year. It is a horrible statistic, brought home even more when we stop and sit with the fact that these kids and these families are our neighbors.”
In 2014, the most recent year for which there are statistics, 44.3 percent of Cincinnati’s children lived in poverty. Cincinnati’s rate is more than double the national rate of 21.7 percent and nearly double the state rate of 22.9 percent.
“The event will bring together many young adults committed to a brighter future for Cincinnati’s kids—so lace up your sneakers, get your team together now, and support our community,” says Jeff Blumental, director of YAD.
You can give back in three ways: create a team, play, or become a sponsor. And of course everyone is invited to come and cheer on the teams.
The tournament will be held at the brand new P&G Cincinnati MLB Urban Youth Academy in Roselawn Park. The proceeds this year will go to three organizations in the Jewish and greater Cincinnati community that are providing opportunities for children living in poverty. These are: the Reds Community Fund (which benefits the Youth Academy), need-based financial aid for Mayerson JCC children’s and youth programs, and Jewish Family Service’s Bigs and Littles program.
Kickin’ for a Cause 2016 Chairs are Marie Krulewitch-Browne and Lev Orlov. Mass Mutual and Scene 75 have already stepped up to be among the first sponsors.
What about kids playing? No kids on teams, Blumental explains, grinning. “Kids are too good! The kickball part of this event is for adults only, but this is a family event so we’ll have kid activities too.”
To find out about creating a team or sponsoring the event please contact Jeff Blumental, Director, Young Adult Division at the Jewish Federation: 513-985-1513, jblumental@jfedcin.org, or go to jewishcincinnati.org/kickin. Early bird registration is $18; after July 4, registration will be $30.
