MVK Cincinnati works with local organizations and businesses to provide underprivileged kids with the opportunity to experience sporting and entertainment events. "It's really important for these kids just to know that somebody out there cares about them and to see another world that maybe they want to strive to achieve," Co-founder Sherri Friedman says.

Partners range from the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens to the Cincinnati Arts Association to FamilyFantasySports.com, and each partner donates a minimum of 100 tickets a year. The Cincinnati Bengals also have partnered with MVK Cincinnati, and line backer Dhani Jones has taken a more individualized approach with the Dhani Dozen.

Jones has committed to donating 12 tickets to every home game this season, and MVK Cincinnati's participating agencies nominate kids to receive a spot in the stands. At the end of the season, all of the kids who won a chance to see the Bengals will meet Jones at a special luncheon where he will give a motivation talk about the importance of working hard and staying in school.

"Kids that have been selected for this program are kids that, when I read their stories, your jaw would drop — what these kids have been through and that they're still achieving and have some sort of positive outlook on life," Friedman says.

So while MVK Cincinnati accepts monetary donations from individuals, their main focus is on tickets. Many season-ticket holders donate tickets to the games or shows they know that they will be unable to attend. Also, companies have helped the cause by donating their company boxes to the kids for one game.

MVK Cincinnati accepts donations that offer almost any type of a positive experience for the kids, so King's Island and Coney Island tickets are fair game. You also could give kids a day at the bowling alley or movie theater. "We have to do everything in our power to give them memories and help them create memories that will motivate them to get out of the situations that they're in, which are no fault of their own," Friedman says.

For more information about MVK Cincinnati or to make a donation, head to MostValuableKids.org. Generally, at least 72 hours advance notice of the event is preferable. Also, because the agencies have to arrange transportation and chaperones for each event, MVK Cincinnati asks for two or more tickets for each event.


PHOTO CREDITS
Photo courtesy of Sherri Friedman

Linda Palacios
		About the author:
		Linda Palacios, an East-side native, is the editor of Cincy Chic. Send her an e-mail at lpalacios@cincychic.com.
	Read More >>

Last update: 23-11-2009 08:17

Published in : Magazine Items, Social