Tag: Dragonfly Foundation

  • Operation Santa set for December 5 in Symmes

    Operation Santa set for December 5 in Symmes

    You can help fill Santa’s bag!

    santa

    Symmes Township, Ohio – Santa and his helpers will make their annual visit through Symmes Township neighborhoods on Saturday, December 5th from 5 until 8:30 PM to spread holiday cheer.  Social distancing guidelines will be implemented.

    In the spirit of the giving season, the Township hopes that residents will help Santa refill his bag with new, unwrapped toys or cash gifts for The Dragonfly Foundation.  

    Please note that due to COVID The Dragonfly Foundation can only accept items that are in their original packaging.  

    For a complete list of items see below.

    Anyone interested in making a donation to this worthy organization may give it to Santa or one of his helpers as they travel through the Township. Checks should be made payable to the Dragonfly Foundation. 

    A list of locations and time stops is here:

    Right Click to view larger

    Items In Need

    We need any of the following items:
    ALL DONATED ITEMS MUST BE NEW AND IN ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING
    Please help us by sponsoring, or donating an auction item for, one of our 
    Featured Events.

    Here are the items TDF needs most. Please note that all donated items must be new and in their original packaging.

    • Wal-Mart, Target, MasterCard/Visa and Gas Gift Cards:
      Our Dragonflies use these to buy their favorite foods, clothes, games, toys, and more. A desperate family can use a gas card to help cover the cost of visiting their child or taking their child receive chemo. The uses are endless! Plus, it only takes 2 stamps to send them, versus $10 for shipping toys or other gifts!
    • Toys & Gifts
      • Infant Toys
      • Light Up & Play Music Toys
      • Lego Sets (Especially For Teens)
      • Coloring Kits
      • Crafts (All Ages)
      • Educational Toys (All Ages)
      • Super Hero Toys
      • PlayStation 4 & XBox One Games and Consoles
    • Care Package Items
      • Laundry TABLETS (Must be FREE/CLEAR)
      • Dryer Sheets (Must be FREE/CLEAR)
      • Digital Thermometers (A hospital requirement for cancer/BMT patient discharge)
      • Woman On The Go Kits (Personal Care Supplies)
      • Small Boxes of Tissues
      • Accordion File Folders
      • Binders (1 inch), divider tabs, business card holders
      • Mesh laundry bags
      • Ear Plugs
      • Dry erase white boards (8.5″ x 11″)
    • Tablets and Laptops with Webcams (for laptops, be sure to call us so we can give you the specifications required by our partner hospitals).
    • Tickets & Suites. Thanks to One Call Now, a hosted messaging service, we can call, text, and email families about ticket opportunities — even at the last minute!
    • Boxes & Packaging Materials: Please drop off any sized shipping boxes and packaging materials to Safe Ship of West Chester, OH (anytime during business hours). They do not charge us for packaging patient/family gifts, if we can provide them with these materials. They will take any type of packing material (i.e. peanuts, foam, air packs, bubble wrap, etc) and ANY size box! (Don’t pitch, RECYCLE!!)
  • Part Two: Did You Know about all the new and old in Historic Downtown Loveland?

    Part Two: Did You Know about all the new and old in Historic Downtown Loveland?

    PART 2 of 3 (Read Part 1)

    Cassie Mattia lives in Historic Downtown Loveland

    Loveland, OhioOur journey continues as we dive deeper into the history behind Loveland’s most beloved businesses with another segment of, DID YOU KNOW? 

    Women all over the world have not only become true inspirations in the business world, but have also been named the most successful in their given businesses. Historic Downtown Loveland along with Plaid Room Records has given a home to those very women that are changing our world. DID YOU KNOW right above the new location of Plaid Room Records is a creative workspace and venue called Tupelo House? Tupelo House places a strong focus on the empowerment of women entrepreneurs, business owners and freelancers, encouraging them to continue to add to the growth of our local economy. Tupelo offers a private desk membership to women-identified individuals as well as a drop-in membership to any gender who needs an inspiring place to work, meet and create. DID YOU KNOW Tupleo House also offers a number of workshops and events open to the community? For example, on Friday’s Tupleo holds a Meet And Greet, where the community can come together over cocktails and sweet treats provided by Loveland Sweets, a Shibori workshop, where one can perform an ancient Japanese dyeing technique, and an essential oils workshop, where scent designers from Portland-based violet ferns teach how to extract and mix essential oils for any aromatherapy need. Tupleo throughout the week also holds several other workshops, yoga sessions, listening parties and private events upon request.

    Loveland Hardware General store carries everything from handmade compost crocks to Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Vegetarian pet food.

    Though downtown Loveland is home to some of most unique vintage shops in Ohio, there is one in particular that has many out of town residents traveling to come check it out. The Loveland Hardware General Store has been around for countless years and is known very well for their locally made products. The General store carries everything from handmade compost crocks to Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Vegetarian pet food to Honey Sweetie Acres Goat Milk Soaps, Lotions, and Essential Oils to Don Popp’s Honey Farm Honey. DID YOU KNOW Loveland Hardware General Store offers guests a fresh cup of locally roasted coffee for only a dollar? The General Store pours cups of Carabello Coffee, a coffee bean from Nicaragua that gives a percentage of their profits to the Jardin Del Ninos Orphanage in Nicaragua, daily. In house, Loveland Hardware can not only grind the coffee beans fresh before they make your cup of coffee, they also have a coffee press as well as a pour over kettle

    Loveland Hardware and General Store offers a cup of coffee for only $1.

    and dripper for those who prefer their coffee made through a different technique. DID YOU KNOW The Loveland Hardware Store offers several different bagged blends of Carabello Coffee beans for guests to take home with them? Thus far the store is known to carry The Loveland Hardware Blend, Addicting Liquid, Peru La Palma, Decaf Guatemala, Nati Red II, Burundi Gishubi Hill, Tres Fincas and Tandem Expresso. Loveland Hardware will take any guests coffee bean orders, have them locally roasted and shipped straight to the store.

    Loveland has really taken off in the past couple years and the downtown community has definitely seen the benefits with the opening of some fantastic businesses. Cincy Shirts recently opened their doors in downtown Loveland this year over the summer. In addition to the Loveland location, Cincy Shirts has a location in OTR and Hyde Park. Of course Cincy Shirts offers premiere Cincinnati vintage t-shirts, but they are not your average t-shirt shop. DID YOU KNOW Cincy Shirts is one of the largest local supporters of local charities? Cincy Shirts has raised 75,000 dollars for Devon Still’s Still Strong Foundation, 10,000 dollars for The Cure Starts Now, 80,000 for The Cincinnati Zoo’s Team Fiona Fund and regularly contributes to The Dragonfly Foundation, The ChiveOneThree Foundation and The Salvation Army. Cincy Shirts recently created a line of Cincy Strong T-shirts in light of the tragic mass shooting that occurred on September 6th. Proceeds from the t-shirt collection benefits the families affected by the incident, the Cincinnati Police Department and the first responders.     

    Cycle groups launch weekly rides on the Loveland Bike Trail from Historic Downtown Loveland.

    The Little Miami Bike Trail is not only an obvious hot spot for bikers, but also home to one of the oldest cyclery companies in Cincinnati, Montgomery Cyclery. This family cyclery has been both family owned and operated since 1965 and as of present has 6 locations, including Loveland’s Downtown shop. So what’s the secret behind keeping Montgomery Cyclery’s doors open for so long? They do more than just sell bikes! DID YOU KNOW Montgomery Cyclery offers classes and tech clinics, weekly group rides and a demo program? The bike shop provides guests with access to free in house clinics that cover a variety of bike related topics, the most recent clinic being, The Fix a Flat Clinic. In addition to providing clinics, Montgomery Cyclery runs a group ride program in which the staff organizes a bike ride that anyone can join. The rides range in distance, difficulty and of course time of day. According to the cyclery website, rides are currently being held on Sunday mornings, beginning at 9 a.m., and Sunday afternoons, beginning at 1 p.m. Last but certainly not least Montgomery Cyclery provides guests opportunities to participate in their Demo Program. This program is for riders to experience mountain biking before making the investment. Riders can either rent a demo bike any day for 50 dollars or they can attend a Montgomery Cyclery Demo Event to test ride a demo for free. The next Demo Event is set to be on November 3rd from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Devou Park.

    Along the bike trail in Downtown Loveland there are several places where you can go to enjoy a nice glass of wine or a much needed cocktail, but if you venture up a couple blocks on West Loveland Ave you will run into Cappy’s Wine and Spirits. Cappy’s is a high quality liquor agency that specializes in spirits, craft, import and domestic beers and wine. DID YOU KNOW not only is Cappy’s first in line to get some of the highest quality new beers they host Thursday Pint Nights featuring a different brewery each week? In October Cappy’s featured New Holland Brewing Company’s Filthy Pumpkin and Platform Beer Company’s Fostered Bananas with a free custom Holtman’s Donut to pair with the new beer selections! If beer isn’t you thing DID YOU KNOW Cappy’s also hosts Wine Tasting Wednesday’s? Recently Cappy’s held a Wine and Mac Night where guests could taste 6 wines while enjoying Mac ‘n Cheese from The Beerded Pig Food Truck.

    The Historic Loveland Business District has definitely grown over the past few years in population and in new businesses, but one thing is for sure, Loveland does not forget about the ones who were there from the beginning. DID YOU KNOW Tano’s Bistro Loveland has moved locations right into the heart of Downtown Loveland? Tano’s opened its new 3 story location featuring rooftop dining just a few weeks ago. Along with the new location Tano’s Loveland also launched a new dine in menu that includes Brunch and Dinner items, such as the Crab Omelet and the BoLT Salad, and a takeout menu that features Weekly Take Home Chef Specials, such as The Great Pumpkin and Matcha Cream Puffs. DID YOU KNOW Tano’s mission is to make wholesome food naturally and responsibly using primarily local purveyors? Tano only uses family farmers that grow rich vegetables using sustainable farming practice, select seafood according to the Seafood Watch standards, raise meat that has lived the best quality of life with no added growth hormones and provide clean, heirloom, stoneground chemical free grains. Some of Tano’s local purveyors are Loveland’s very own Blooms & Berries and Ohio Valley Food Connection located in Newport, Kentucky.

    Stay tuned for part 3 and 3 of my tour of Historic Downtown Loveland, Ohio. (Read Part 1)



      Take Home Tano is about fresh, wholesome food for the frenzied family   Our goal is to meet the needs of busy families.



  • Dragonfly Need, Please Read

    Dragonfly Need, Please Read

    Ria Davidson & Christine Neitzke, Co-Founders of The Dragonfly Foundation

    Dear Loveland Magazine Readers,

    The Dragonfly Foundation has an URGENT, DESPERATE NEED for gift cards to give to our Dragonflies. 

    PLEASE DONATE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING (IN AMOUNTS RANGING FROM $5-$25)

    • Amazon gift cards
    • Visa/MasterCard gift cards
    • Target gift cards
    • Walmart gift cards
    • Gas cards from national chains

    Gift cards are important because:

    • Dragonflies love to receive them (you won’t believe how much time even our youngest patients put into researching what they want or need!)
    • Dragonfly and hospital staff can easily give gift cards to patients/families in times of distress or crisis, and for special occasions, including the holidays
    • We have families that can’t afford to visit their kids in the hospital, so gas cards are incredibly important
    • Hospitals have requested them and we simply don’t have enough
    • Donations are critical to our mission

    Please send them to The Dragonfly Foundation at 9275 Governors Way, Cincinnati, OH 45249. If you would like to donate funds to have us purchase gift cards on your behalf, please visit Dragonfly.org or text TDF to 91999. 

    Your support is a light in the dark times of young cancer patients and their families. Please help us empower their flight.

    At a time when there is so much need in the world, we sincerely appreciate your support of The Dragonfly Foundation. 

    Ria & Christine

    Co-Founders, The Dragonfly Foundation

    513/494-6474

    The Dragonfly Foundation provides relentless support, relevant materials, and caring, nurturing and transformative experiences. For more information, please visit Dragonfly.org

    To make a tax-deductible donation, please text TDF to 91999.

    To become a fundraiser, please text WINGS to 71777.


     

    WHAT WE DO

    We provide support to young patients, siblings/offspring and parents/caregivers – as well as direct support to social workers, Child Life representatives, and hospital staff that care for patients while they are in the hospital. The support comes in the form of Caring, Community and Awareness that results in better Emotional health (C.A.R.E.).

    The Dragonfly Foundation provides distractions from the emotional, physical, and financial toll of cancer and bone marrow transplants, as well as the post-traumatic stress associated with the trauma of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. We also work to establish connections and community at a time when patients, siblings, and caregivers feel the most alone and isolated.

    Our primary services, which vary by location, fall into four main areas:

    • Gifts” for the Hospital, Patients and Families/Caregivers
      • Distractions (toys, electronics, video games and more) and gifts provided directly to the hospital (for inventory replenishment) and to patients, both in- and out-patient
      • New Diagnosis/Extended Stay CARE Packages (bags include personal care items, office [file folder, pens, dry erase board, etc.] and laundry supplies, hospital in-room meal cards and our Parents to Parents Tip Booklet.)
      • “I Am Still Me”® Hair Loss Care Packages, sponsored in part by Claire’s), which include such items as lint rollers, hats, scarves, jewelry, accessories, sunscreen, lotions, makeup and more (based on both age and sex), as well as our I Am Still Me™ Hair Loss Book.
    • Social Events and Entertainment (average of five patient/family events per week in Cincinnati; events will be added in other locations as resources allow)
      • Donated tickets and suites at various venues (suites are especially important for young patients with compromised immune systems)
      • Dragonfly-sponsored annual events, such as our Parents Night Out Events, PicnicKings Island DayFall Fest, Holiday Party, and more!
      • Day camp and spa day opportunities
      • Caregiver, child-only, sibling-only, and young adult-only events
      • Celebrity meet-and-greet events
    • Emotional Health, Awareness and Support Programs
      • Patient/Family Spaces in Cincinnati
        • The Landing: We operate a 6,000 sq. ft. clubhouse for patients and families (“Every Dragonfly Needs A Place To Land”). It is a great place for our families to connect with one another.
        • Our Dragonfly Suite at US Bank Arena: Our Dragonflies have the opportunity to attend every concert  and sporting and theatrical event held at the venue.
      • Public Awareness Programs
      • Published 2 books to date that offer tips and advice
      • Laptop/Technology Program:
        • To date, we have donated 52 laptops, more than 50 iPad models, 3 charging stations, video game systems, and more to enhance quality of life in the hospital and to help patients remain connected to the world outside the hospital
      • Beads of Courage®
      • Sky Panels®, hi-def florescent light covers that look like skylights
    • Community Connections
      • If we have the time and can make something happen in a few phone calls, we will certainly try.
      • Private social media pages to support patients/families, young adults, Dragonfly caregivers, and “Dragonflies Who Have Flown”
      • Public engagement programs

    As an independent foundation, we rely on the time, talent, resources and connections of our supporters to help sustain our mission.

    WHAT OUR DRAGONFLIES SAY:

    “The Dragonfly Foundation is a light in a dark place. You allowed B to feel joy and happiness during a time of pain and sadness.”

    “The Dragonfly Foundation came into our lives at a point where we were LOW. You lifted our spirits and helped us forget about the battle J and the whole family had been battling for what felt like an eternity. We are still talking about the wonderful gifts you gave us and we will NEVER forget your kindness. WE LOVE THE DRAGONFLY FOUNDATION!!!!!!!!”

    “TDF gives kids an identity! My daughter likes to say “I’m a Dragonfly”. After a hard day this is motivating! We belong and are part of something. Something amazing! Thanks, TDF!”