LOVELAND MAGAZINE

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  • These organizations are on the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries to help with shelter, food, water and additional aid

    These organizations are on the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries to help with shelter, food, water and additional aid

    Ukrainian refugees in Hungary. From the 24th of February till the 1st of March 105.000 ukrainian refugees entered Hungary from the East. Source (info) https://infostart.hu/belfold/2022/03/01/hivatalos-napi-adatokat-kozolt-a-rendorseg-az-ukran-magyar-hataron-belepok-szamarol

    The Russian invasion has sparked a need for humanitarian aid. Food and supplies inside the country are becoming increasingly scarce.

    Below is the list of international organizations compiled by CNN that are on the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries to help with shelter, food, water, and additional aid.

    Who Benefits?

    Your support will benefit these 34 organizations.

    Airlink

    Airlink is a nonprofit organization providing airlift of emergency supplies and relief workers for 130+ aid organizations responding to disasters and other humanitarian crises, including the COVID-19…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    Americares

    Americares is a health-focused relief and development organization that saves lives and improves health for people affected by poverty or disaster. Each year, Americares reaches more than 90…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    CARE | Cooperative For Assistance And Relief Everywhere

    CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. We place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    Catholic Relief Services

    Catholic Relief Services was founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States to serve World War II survivors in Europe. Since then, we have expanded in size to reach more than 100…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    Center For Disaster Philanthropy

    Center for Disaster Philanthropy helps donors make the best giving decisions to impact the full arc of the disaster cycle-preparedness, response and long-term recovery.READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    Direct Relief

    Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 states and 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    Doctors Without Borders

    We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). We help people worldwide where the need is greatest, delivering emergency medical aid to people affected by conflict, epidemics,…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    Global Empowerment Mission

    Global Empowerment Mission is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011. Conceived in 1999 when Founder/Director Michael Capponi got his feet wet helping the victims of the Kosovo crisis….READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    Global Giving Foundation

    GlobalGiving is the first and largest global crowdfunding community that connects nonprofits, donors, and companies in nearly every country around the world. We make it possible for nonprofits from…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    Humanity & Inclusion

    We work alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    ICRC | International Committee Of The Red Cross

    Our mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. We were established in 1863 and operate worldwide,…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    International Medical Corps

    International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs….READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    International Orthodox Christian Charities

    IOCC, in the spirit of Christ’s love, offers emergency relief and development programs to those in need worldwide, without discrimination, and strengthens the capacity of the Orthodox Church to so…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    International Relief Teams

    International Relief Teams is a nonprofit humanitarian organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering by providing health and other supportive services to victims of disaster, poverty and…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    International Rescue Committee

    The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in over 40 countries and 25 U.S. cities to…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    JDC | American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee Inc

    We work in nearly 70 countries to alleviate hunger and hardship, rescue Jews in danger, create lasting connections to Jewish life, and provide immediate relief for victims of natural and man-made…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    Medical Teams International

    Medical Teams International provides medical and dental care, humanitarian aid, and holistic development programs to all people in need, regardless of religion, nationality, sex, or race. We respond…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    Mercy Chefs

    Principally focused on providing disaster relief, our team regularly responds to national emergencies and natural disasters at home and abroad. In addition to emergency response, we make use of our…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    Mercy Corps

    Mercy Corps is a global team of humanitarians working together on the front lines of today’s biggest crises to create a future of possibility, where everyone can prosper. Our mission: to alleviate…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    Operation Blessing

    Operation Blessing International (OBI) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization dedicated to demonstrating God’s love by alleviating human need and suffering in the United States and around…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    OutRight Action International

    OutRight Action International, founded in 1990 as the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, is a leading international human rights organization dedicated to improving the lives of…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    Project C.U.R.E.

    Project C.U.R.E.’s mission is to identify, solicit, collect, sort, and deliver medical supplies and services according to the imperative needs of the world. Each week Project C.U.R.E. delivers…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    Project HOPE

    Our mission, as a global health and humanitarian relief organization, is to place power in the hands of health care workers to save lives across the globe. We are committed to transforming lives and…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    Salvation Army National Corp

    “Doing The Most Good.” In these four words, our mission – to feed, to clothe, to comfort, to care. To rebuild broken homes and broken lives. By walking with the addicted, we can lead them to…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    Save The Children

    Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    ShelterBox

    ShelterBox USA is an international disaster relief charity whose mission is to deliver humanitarian relief in the form of life saving equipment that bring shelter, warmth and dignity to people…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    Team Rubicon

    Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. Team Rubicon’s primary mission is providing disaster relief to…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    UNICEF USA

    We’re working to make the world better for children. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF’s work, and other efforts in support of the world’s children, through fundraising, advocacy and…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    United Help Ukraine

    United Help Ukraine, Inc. is a charitable organization receiving and distributing donations, food and medical supplies to Ukrainian IDPs, people of Ukraine affected by Russia’s invasion into Eastern…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    United Way Worldwide

    United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community. We all benefit when a child succeeds in school, when someone finds a job that will help them…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    USA for UNHCR

    USA for UNHCR helps to save, protect and rebuild the lives of millions of refugees and others forced to flee their homes due to violence and conflict. With help from donors and advocates, like you,…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    World Central Kitchen

    José Andrés founded World Central Kitchen after the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti with the belief that food can be an agent of change. We have expanded globally and have developed into a group…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

    World Food Program USA

    1 in 9 people on the planet will go to bed hungry tonight. But we can change that with your help. World Food Program USA (WFP USA) works to solve global hunger, building a world where everyone has…READ MORE  Donate to this Nonprofit

  • It is with great sadness, that we announce that this is the last year for the Amazing Charity Race

    It is with great sadness, that we announce that this is the last year for the Amazing Charity Race

    An annoucement this morning from the Board of Directors of the Amazing Charity Race

    Dear Racers,

    No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.” – Alfred North Whitehead

    A small group of us wanted to create a unique, family-fun event that challenged you physically and mentally.  We weren’t certain we would run 2 Amazing Charity Races, let alone, make it to year 17!

    After much consideration, The Board of The Amazing Charity Race has decided that this year’s race, to be held on Saturday June 18th, will be our final race.

    We are proud of many things but most proud that we’ve been able to give back to so many deserving charitable groups that helped support the race over the years.  Many volunteer’s time and talents made it possible for tens of thousands of race participants to experience a fun and unique day!  We are grateful to all and want to acknowledge their tremendous work in making our adventure a reality.

    We hope you can help us make this last race a memorable one!  Please spread the word among friends and family to sign up for the race or to join a charitable group in volunteering.  We will need each and every one of you to be successful one last time and give back to the community.

    This year we are going back to our original roots, the race will be run in Loveland and Symmes Township!

    Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

    The Board of Directors
    The Amazing Charity Race

  • Loveland Schools Covid-19 Dashboard for March 6, 2022

    Loveland Schools Covid-19 Dashboard for March 6, 2022

    Loveland, Ohio – At the beginning of each week, the Loveland City School District releases its latest Covid 19 Dashboard.

    Note the correction to the 10/3/ report and that community cases increased from 51 to 62.

  • [VIDEO] Meet Dave, Jessie, and Murphy at Loveland’s new Dog Park

    [VIDEO] Meet Dave, Jessie, and Murphy at Loveland’s new Dog Park

    by David Miller

    Loveland Magazine Publisher and Editor David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – It was a chance encounter meeting Dave McGaughy, Jessie, and Murphy at Kiwanis Park Friday morning as I was heading back to the office from the bank. Instead of turning left into the Farm, I thought, “Oh, I wonder if they are installing the fencing in the new dog park,” I thought if the fence installers were there working it would make for a follow-up to the story I wrote last week announcing the dog play area. (Loveland’s first dog park coming soon to the West Loveland Historic District) I turned right – into Kiwanis Park in the West Loveland Historic District.

    The original story I wrote two weeks ago announcing that Loveland would soon open its first dog park was very popular with readers so I knew they were excited about the park and would be interested in reading about any progress about when it would open. Instead of installers, I encountered Dave, Jessie, and Murphy heading into the now completely fenced-in dog park.

    Dave, it turns out is quite the expert on dog parks and told me all about the local ones, from Miami Township to Mason. He went into detail about what he thinks makes a good one and talked about some in Florida he visits.

    Dave declared the Kiwanis Park dog park the best he’s ever taken “his boys” to and was interested to know how he could volunteer to help maintain it. He has experience volunteering at other dog parks.

    Dave lives just outside of Loveland in Goshen Township and was very pleased that the “best” place to take his dogs was so close to home. Dave is a retired custodian at the Loveland Primary/Elementary Campus.

    Read more about the new dog park: Loveland’s first dog park coming soon to the West Loveland Historic District

  • The emergency fund of The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati to support Ukraine

    The emergency fund of The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati to support Ukraine

    With a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine now underway and multiple cities under fire, our concern for the safety of the Jewish community in Ukraine along with all people in the affected areas is accelerating. The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati has established an emergency fund to support the work of our global partners responding with critical services on the ground. 

    100% of all donations will be used to fund the local, regional, and international efforts taking place to protect those at risk.

    100% of funds raised will be allocated through Jewish Federations’ core partners, The Jewish Agency for Israel, The Joint Distribution Committee and World ORT, to provide critical welfare where it is needed most and support to protect and safeguard Ukraine’s Jewish community as well as Jews in neighboring countries.   

    Donate NOW

  • With inflation, supply-chain kinks, plight of Ohio food banks grows

    With inflation, supply-chain kinks, plight of Ohio food banks grows

    Shelves of canned foods sit partially empty. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.

    BY: MARTY SCHLADEN – Ohio Capital Journal

    For millions of Ohioans, world events are making it harder to fill their pantries and refrigerators, an official who helps oversee the state’s food banks said on Wednesday. Those pressures will only increase pantries’ need for state assistance, she said.

    The coronavirus pandemic had already put pressure on the state’s food banks as demand increased and supply-chain disruptions made it harder and more expensive to get food. Now the Russian invasion of Ukraine is poised to further squeeze global flows of wheat and fuel, exacerbating those trends, said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks.

    Further complicating the picture is that the new scarcity of food is slashing commercial contributions to organizations that supply the neediest Ohioans, making them desperate for help.

    “I would say that is an understatement,” Lisa Hamler-Fugitt said. “Overall, donations are down substantially. Before we went into the pandemic, private-sector donations from food manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and local food and fund drives would range from 45% to 50 % of all we had to distribute. Since the pandemic that has declined dramatically.”

    Lisa Hamler-Fugitt

    Now the portion donated by commercial suppliers is closer to 33% at the same time that costs to purchase and transport food are growing. Consider:

    • Eggs that cost food banks 40 cents a pound in 2019 now cost 94 cents, a 135% increase.
    • Ground beef that cost $2.14 a pound in 2019 costs $2.84, a 33% increase.
    • Pasta has gone from 42 cents a pound in 2019 to 70 cents now, a 66% hike.

    Also, a $2,000 per-child tax credit expired in December, plunging an estimated 10 million American children and 280,000 in Ohio back into poverty. Hamler-Fugitt said that of families receiving the credit, 59% said food was their No. 1 expense, so its expiration is increasing demand at Ohio food banks even as costs go up.

    “Families that were standing in grocery store lines are back in our food pantries,” she said.

    Federal data appear to support that claim. The Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey estimated that about a month after the credit expired, 339,000 Ohio families with children sometimes or often didn’t have enough to eat in the past seven days. 

    Compare that to the period from Sept. 15-27 when the credit was in full force. Then an estimated 264,000 Ohio families with children sometimes or often didn’t have enough to eat, the survey said.

    If those estimates are accurate, that means food insecurity for families with children has leapt 28% since the expiration of the child tax credit.

    In addition to all the other inflationary pressures on food, Hamler-Fugitt said she suspected another: price gouging.

    “I hear from the farmers saying, ‘We’re not making any more money.’ How is that possible?” she said.

    In his State of the Union Address Tuesday, President Joe Biden echoed that suspicion. He said concentration in the meatpacking industry is alarmingly high.

    “Guess what, you got four basic meat packing facilities,” he said. “That’s it. You play with them or you don’t get to play at all. And you pay a hell of a lot more. A hell of a lot more because there’s only four.”

    The White House estimates that those four companies — JBS, Cargill, National Beef Packing and Tyson Foods — control 85% of beef packing in the United States, 54% of poultry and 70% of pork. The administration says it’s making an effort to promote competition in those sectors and across the economy. 

    But even if those efforts are eventually successful, Hamler-Fugitt said Ohio food banks need help more quickly. She praised the support they’ve gotten from Gov. Mike DeWine throughout the pandemic, but said the food centers need $183 million for supplies, operating costs and to upgrade their infrastructure.

    Ohio has more than $600 million in unexpended funds from the American Rescue Act and about $500 million more is on the way, Hamler-Fugitt said. A DeWine spokesman didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

  • Ohio pensions have $38 mil in Russian-owned gas company; $147 mil more in region

    Ohio pensions have $38 mil in Russian-owned gas company; $147 mil more in region

    BY: JAKE ZUCKERMAN – Ohio Capital Journal

    Two Ohio public employee pension programs currently have a combined $38 million invested a Russian state-owned natural gas company, while another pension program has $147 million invested in the region.

    The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) has about $25.1 million invested in Gazprom in a combination of stocks and bonds, according to a spokesman.

    The School Employees Retirement System (SERS) has about $13 million invested in the company, according to a spokesman.

    The School Teachers Retirement System (STRS) did not offer specifics on Gazprom, but a spokesman said it has about $147 million in Russia and Ukraine.

    Gazprom is a natural gas driller, shipper, and seller, controlled by the Russian government and among the largest companies in the world.

    Some investors have pulled out of the company in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has included attacks on civilians. For instance, Shell announced Monday it’s ending an “equity partnership” in multiple Gazprom ventures. BP announced it’s pulling out of investments with a different Russian state-owned gas company. The U.S. and other western countries have imposed sanctions on Gazprom’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline and other sweeping penalties aimed at Russia.

    Gazprom’s stock price, meanwhile, has plummeted.

    None of the Ohio pensions announced plans to divest, and they all emphasized that their Gazprom and Russian holdings are but a small percentage of their investments.

    For instance, OPERS spokesman Michael Pramik said its $25.1 million in Gazprom amounts to .02% of its $123.8 billion in investments. Pramik didn’t answer directly whether the pension plans to divest, but said it is in compliance with federal restrictions on foreign economic activity.

    “On a personal level, we are disturbed by the events taking place this week and hope for a peaceful resolution and the safety of the Ukrainian people,” he said.

    Spokesman Tim Barbour said SERS’ $13 million in Gazprom amounts to .0007% of its $18.2 billion in investments. He noted the pension’s stake in Gazprom has decreased from $26.5 million in 2014. He said the pension has “encouraged” portfolio managers to find alternate choices.

    “At this time, we have not determined if additional measures will be implemented in our investment strategies due to Russia’s unprovoked military attack on sovereign Ukraine,” he said.

    The Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund does not have any investments in Gazprom, per a spokesman. The Ohio Highway Patrol Retirement System said the same.

    In a letter Wednesday, Attorney General Dave Yost asked the pensions to divest from Russian investments.

    “I write today to request with exceptional urgency that you inventory your Russian equities and move to divest them with all deliberate speed, if you have not already done so,” he said. “This is a matter of moral imperative, for Russia’s aggression must not be supported with Ohio capital — particularly the retirement assets of Ohio public employees, some of whom are of Ukranian descent.”

  • Latin Jazz at LHS on March 11th

    Latin Jazz at LHS on March 11th

    Loveland, Ohio – On Friday, March 11 the Loveland Band Program is appearing live at Loveland High School for a night of Latin Jazz Music for a dinner concert. Tahona Kitchen + Bar is catering the dinner.

    The LHS Lab Jazz Band, LHS Jazz Orchestra, and the Middle School Stage Band will be performing Latin standards.

    Tickets can be purchased at: Lovelandshowchoirs.seatyourself.biz

    Seating and dinner begin at 6 PM and the concert starts at 7.

    Dinner and Concert is $20

    Concert Only is $10

  • An open letter to City Hall by the Mullins: Grailville decision will be a litmus test for council members

    An open letter to City Hall by the Mullins: Grailville decision will be a litmus test for council members

    My name is Jeff Mullins, my wife Nicole and I chose to buy a home in Loveland and raise our family here over 18 years ago. We chose Loveland because of its charm and quality of life.

    I was hoping you could share with me your thinking on the Grailville property. It is my understanding, the city has annexed the property for low-density residential with houses on one-acre plots. It is also my understanding, that barely two weeks later you are now considering a Special Planning District proposal from Drees to scrap the low-density requirement used to justify the annexation. Is this true? If so, I hope you can understand how bad this looks on many levels.

    Green spaces near city centers are vanishing at a rapid pace across this country. The communities that value green spaces and protect them, preserve the quality of life for all residents. As a result of this quality of life, property values increase and the community thrives. Communities that choose Quantity over Quality become cheapened versions of themselves and lose the charm that made them desirable in the first place.

    In my opinion, Council has already blown it, by annexing the property. Once this green space is gone, it is gone FOREVER. There is no getting it back. To make a bad decision worse by increasing density allowances after that fact, would be downright unforgivable. The council would be choosing Quantity over Quality. I don’t need to tell you how increasing density and traffic so close to downtown would be detrimental to the quality of life for all residents of Loveland. How does 209 cookie-cutter homes crammed into another sprawling development improve quality of life or protect the charm of Loveland? It doesn’t.

    This vote will be a litmus test for all council members who have a vote. Who is the council representing? Are they representing the financial interests of an out-of-state home builder or are they representing and protecting the quality of life of the residents of Loveland? It couldn’t be clearer.

    The result of this decision will have long-lasting effects on the quality of life in the City of Loveland. We are watching closely, please choose Quality over Quantity.

    Respectfully,

    Jeff and Nicole Mullins

  • GOP congressional maps revealed, vote expected today

    GOP congressional maps revealed, vote expected today

    Senate President Matt Huffman, left, and House Speaker Bob Cupp, right, speak before the Tuesday meeting of the Ohio Redistricting Commission. GOP leaders may move for a vote on new congressional maps as early as Wednesday morning. (Photo: Susan Tebben, OCJ)

    BY: SUSAN TEBBEN – Ohio Capital Journal

    Congressional maps could be voted on as early as Wednesday morning by the Ohio Redistricting Commission.

    Senate President Matt Huffman took the lead in presenting GOP congressional maps in a Tuesday meeting of the ORC. He said he plans to make a motion to adopt the maps at a Wednesday meeting, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

     Congressional maps proposed by GOP members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission on Tuesday.

    The maps were released to the public just before the Tuesday meeting, and Democratic members of the commission said they received the maps earlier that day.

    “The map looks pretty crisp and tight, what we have right now,” Huffman told reporters after the meeting.

    The senate president said the map “did not exist until sometime Monday afternoon or Monday night.”

    In terms of partisanship, something that’s been at the forefront of court challenges against legislative and congressional maps, the new maps have a 10-3 GOP advantage. Two districts – District 1 that covers Warren and part of Hamilton County, and District 9 that stretches from Williams and Defiance County, along the top of the state to Erie County – are both within the range considered by experts to be tossups with a slight Democratic advantage.

    District 1 carries a 51%-49% Dem advantage, and the 9th district has a narrow 50.25%-to 49.75% lean toward Democrats.

    Democrats continued to call out Republicans for keeping them out of the process, which Huffman took issue with during Tuesday’s meeting. But Huffman also said disagreement has been a bipartisan affair.

    “In this process, the Senate has a version of the world that they like, the House has their version, you’ve got three independent acting commissioners who all have their version,” Huffman said. “At some point (agreement) does become impossible.”

    Commission co-chair state Sen. Vernon Sykes, D-Akron, said Dems planned to send suggestions and recommendations to the GOP before they came together again on Wednesday, but he still didn’t see the need to rush the process.

    Republicans have said they’d like to get the congressional maps done by the end of the week to accommodate deadlines for the May primary. The Ohio Supreme Court gave the commission until March 14 to submit new congressional plans to them.

    “This time limit … is self-imposed, it can be changed,” Sykes said. “So, if we are seriously concerned with trying to be fair, then we need to take the time that’s necessary to have a good collaboration.”

    One matter that the commission attempted to put to rest on Tuesday was whether or not they needed bipartisan approval to adopt maps this time around. Democrats believe the constitution requires it since the maps have had to come back to the commission.

    House Speaker Bob Cupp said he reached out to state Attorney General Dave Yost for an opinion on the matter, and Yost said a simple majority is all that is needed. All other plans, constitutional and legislative alike, that have come out of the commission have been passed by a simple majority.

    Cupp said the fact that the commission is allowed to use a simple majority vote shouldn’t serve as indication that the ORC doesn’t plan to aim for bipartisan agreement, but the AG’s opinion is “certainly persuasive” in saying the GOP majority could move forward.

    As the congressional map consideration moves ahead, the commission is yet again awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court on its legislative plan. They submitted the plan a week after the Feb. 17 deadline, for which they could face contempt charges.

    A hearing to discuss the contempt charges was scheduled for Tuesday, but the court postponed the hearing without rescheduling it.