Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: The Loveland Initiative

  • 23rd Annual Christmas Toy Store Program begins collecting gifts

    23rd Annual Christmas Toy Store Program begins collecting gifts

    by Terri Rogers

    Like most adults, thoughts of the holiday season bring images of spending time with family and friends to mind. If you ask a child to describe the holidays you will hear many talk about family and friends, but you will always hear every child mention presents. As adults we know the true meaning of the holidays. We know it is a time to celebrate family, faith, and friends. To children it is a time for decorations, songs, and gifts.            

    While the holiday may not be about gifts, the Loveland Initiative Christmas Toy Store is about more than just Barbie, G.I. Joe, and games. The program was established to operate, not only so that low income residents could provide education dollars to those that have the most difficulty affording educational opportunities beyond high school, but also so that the moms and dads who shop at our Toy Store have a sense of dignity that they are “buying” the gifts for their children and grandchildren, not receiving a hand out, and so are contributing to something greater than ourselves. 

    The Loveland Initiative Christmas Toy Store may seem like it is focused on presents, but the proceeds provide funds for scholarships to students within the Loveland community. The Tracy Johnson L. Scholarship awards one thousand five hundred dollars to a student with financial need in Loveland. To date we have awarded 22 college scholarships to Loveland High School graduates. Now that sounds like the true holiday spirit to me!  

    The 23rd Annual Christmas Toy Store’s location and date is still to be determined.  Please check out our website, lovelandinitiative.org, for more information about us.  Also, “like” our Facebook page to stay up to date!  There is a wonderful video from WLWT on the page from the 2017 Christmas Toy Store.  Check it out to see what the Christmas Toy Store is all about. 

    We will be accepting donations of NEW, UNWRAPPED toys and gifts for children, pre-teens and teens. (See attached suggested gift list). Gift cards and monetary donations are also greatly appreciated.

    Please drop off donations at Marcos Pizza 920 Loveland Madeira Rd Sunday – Thursday 11am-10pm and Friday – Saturday 11am to 12 midnight. We can also make arrangements to pick up gifts. 

    In addition to gifts, we always need volunteers for pick-up, displays and transportation.  We are confident that our community will once again pull together to help the children and the families in Loveland.  

    Please feel free to contact Project Leaders Mary Hensley mhnsly@yahoo.com or the Executive Director Terri Rogers 513-739-2354/ trogers7@fuse.net with any questions or concerns.  

    Thank you in advance for your help!

    Terri Rogers is the Executive Director of The Loveland Initiative

    Download this printable Shopping List:

    2020-CTS-Suggested-Gift-ListDownload
  • A Thank you from the Loveland Initiative

    A Thank you from the Loveland Initiative

    by Terri Rogers

    Terri Rogers is the Executive Director of The Loveland Initiative 

    LHS Senior Service Members planned and organize a toy drive for the Loveland Initiative Christmas Toy Store Program. Sam Greenerg, Olivia Von Deylen, and Anna Svitkovich. are the leaders that worked with their teacher advisors, Catherine Belknap, and Kristin Scherman for a successful event. The entire group of Senior Service Members and student body raised funds and collected toys and gifts.

    “The goal of the Senior Service Members is to serve and learn the true meaning of empathy while seeing their community from a different perspective.”

    On December 19, the program served well over 250 children. This would not have happened if not for all of YOU our wonderful and generous supporters. The Tracy Johnson Scholarship awards one thousand five hundred dollars to a student with financial need in Loveland.

    We are SO PROUD of our AWESOME community we live in. Loveland is very generous by providing support to underserved families, with amazing toys for children. What joy it is for these families to go shopping and pick out toys they want to give. Our families look forward to this and as one mom said while shopping, “This program is a blessing.”

    Leaving with those bags of gifts for their children they love is a blessing. You can tell by looking at their faces. They are so proud of what they have chosen for their children. What a gift this community gives them! Encouraging them to make choices and get nice things for the ones they love. Priceless! The toys they choose from are endless, all donated and collected each year for these families to pick from.

    The Senior Service Members succeeded their goal by supporting the Loveland Initiative mission which is to provide educational support and assistance to underserved children and their families. A VERY HUGE thank you to ALL LHS Senior Service Members, Teacher Advisors and the entire student body for helping us make Loveland children’s Christmas brighter.

    I am so grateful to be a part of this giving and caring community. Thank you all for everything you do for the families in the Loveland community! We look forward to a continuing partnership with you.

  • A thank you from the Loveland Initiative

    A thank you from the Loveland Initiative

    by Terri Rogers,

    On August 16, 2019, The Loveland Initiative, held its 23rd Annual Backpack Program for the 2019/2020 school year. We are so happy to

    Thank you for making our 23rd annual backpack program an enormous success!!

    announce that, together with our donors and volunteers, The Loveland Initiative sorted, packed and distributed 300 backpacks to help students right here in Loveland, Ohio, get off to a great start for the new school year!!  What joy it is for students to personally pick out their own backpacks. You can tell by looking at their smiling faces. They are so proud of what they have chosen. The backpacks they choose from are endless, all donated and collected each year for students returning to school.

    Terri Rogers is the Executive Director of The Loveland Initiative

    This service is important because (1) we make a positive impact on the lives of children and families in our community, (2) we expanded services to other low-income children within the community.  (3) we relieve the financial burden of back-to school-time for families and (4) we help to reduce peer pressure and self-esteem so that students are focusing on learning. It is about generating excitement and joy at the prospect of students returning to school.

    Each year, I am amazed at the amount of support that we receive from the Loveland community. A HUGE thank you to EVERYONE who collected supplies and/or backpacks for us. A HUGE thank you to New Hope Baptist Church for hosting us for the fifth year in a row, and for the use of their facility. A SPECIAL thank you to JackRabbit and VIBE Nutrition for serving as a collection spot.  A HUGE thank you to ALL our volunteers, YOU were invaluable! A HUGE thank you to Loveland Magazine for their publicity support. Without the support from our awesome community, we could not do what we do.

    Thank you for making our 23rd annual backpack program an enormous success!!

    CLICK HERE to learn more about the Loveland Initiative and the community programs they provide.

  • The Loveland Initiative 19th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

    The Loveland Initiative 19th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

    Potluck Dinner – Bring your favorite dish to share as you join your neighbors in celebrating the birthday of one of America’s most important spiritual and inspirational leaders.

    ALL ARE WELCOME

    Loveland, Ohio –  Each year, The Loveland Initiative is the proud host of the only community-wide Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in Loveland. This year, the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration (The Loveland Initiative, Social Action Commission, and Living Peace & Justice) combined their efforts in organizing the 2018 celebration.

    Building on the theme— “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but the content of their character.”  ~Martin Luther King Jr. (1963) — The event will feature a meet and greet, keynote address, entertainment, and readings. 

    The event will be held at ST. COLUMBAN PARISH HALL 894 Oakland Rd. Loveland, OH from 5 until 8 PM on Sunday, January 14. Special Thanks to our sponsors, Loveland Magazine for their promotional support, Loveland Kroger donation and both planning committees at St. Columban.

    The Loveland Initiative is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization and has been in the community for over 20 years. We are dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in Loveland. Our programs help lower income residents meet basic needs along with educational enrichment. We are a need based, all volunteer, mission focused, and community based organization. 

    If you would like more information about The Loveland Initiative or its programs, please visit our website at www.lovelandinitiative.org or contact Terri Rogers, Executive Director at 513-739-2354 or trogers7@fuse.net.

  • #GivingTuesday – Help The Loveland Initiative continue their mission

    #GivingTuesday – Help The Loveland Initiative continue their mission

    by Terri Rogers,

    #GivingTuesday is right around the corner, November 28. It’s a global day of giving and a day when you can make an impact on low-income children and families in Loveland.

    The need in our community is real. Loveland has nearly 1,000 residents classified as low to moderate income. We are helping bridge the gap for local children and families in need.

    Our Impact:

    Backpack Program – 300 children and their families served annually

    Christmas Toy Store – 250 children and their families served annually

    Tracy L. Johnson Scholarship – 19 scholarships awarded to date

     

    YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NOVEMBER 28, YOU CAN GIVE TODAY!

    There’s no need to wait, you can make a secure donation today via credit card or PayPal, on our website at www.lovelandinitiative.org/giving-tuesday/. 

    You can also send a check:

    The Loveland Initiative • 901 Mohican Drive • Loveland, OH 45140

    No amount is too small to help those in need. Thank you in advance for your support!

    Special Thanks to our campaign sponsor, Fully Promoted Cincinnati.

     

    Thank you to Loveland Magazine for their continued promotional support.

     

    The Loveland Initiative is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization and has been in the community for over 20 years. We are dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in Loveland. Our programs help lower income residents meet basic needs along with educational enrichment. We are a need based, all volunteer, mission focused, and community based organization. If you would like more information about The Loveland Initiative or its programs, please visit our website at www.lovelandinitiative.org or contact Terri Rogers, Executive Director at 513-739-2354 or trogers7@fuse.net.