Our Cincinnati Adaptive Events newsletter gathers information from nearly 40 disability service providers and organizations in Southwest Ohio!

Our newest additions:

• Great Parks of Hamilton County "maintains an accessibility policy that provides the opportunity for visitors of various abilities to enjoy our parks, facilities and programs."
  
• Special Olympics Ohio "provides a lifetime of (adaptive sport) opportunities to athletes of all ages, at no cost to them, through the transformative power of sport."
• The UC Health Adaptive Sports Clinic "provides more comprehensive, multidisciplinary care involving physicians, engineers and physical therapists specifically trained to treat adaptive athletes."
• The University of Cincinnati Aphasia Research Lab is "focused on a) improving understanding of recovery from aphasia (language disorder) and b) refining approaches to aphasia intervention so that people with aphasia can achieve the best possible outcomes after stroke or other acquired brain injury."

See all 39 organizations that currently provide service and event information for our newsletter

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Our Cincinnati Adaptive Events newsletter now includes 40 area disability activity and service providers!

Our newest additions:

• The Achieve Performance Institute is "an Educational Resource of Coaches, athletes and medical professionals sharing their expertise to develop and empower adaptive athletes and the community".
• Augie's Adventures, situated on 19 beautiful acres of flat and hilly, wooded land, "is the perfect space where families can meet a group of people with whom they can bond through the joys, difficulties, laughter, and tears that accompany life with disabilities." 
• Cincinnati IceBreakers Sled Hockey offers "adaptive ice hockey (also known as sled, sledge and para) hockey for youth and adults who are unable to skate in a standing position due to a physical challenge."
  
• Special Olympics of Northern Kentucky is "an all-volunteer organization offering sports and athletic training to individuals with cognitive and related developmental disabilities. SONKY offers 14 events and activities that occur year round."

See all 40 organizations that currently provide event information for our newsletter

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The weather forecast was ominous, and the morning started out with a downpour, but our latest Plants for a Purpose event AGAIN broke fundraising records! That's because of our dedicated team of volunteers, our growing army of supporters and plant contributors, and a wonderful community that has grown this event into a community festival! Also, once Jason showed up with his cheerful sales pitch amidst waves at passing cars, we knew that the sun would come out. Because it never rains on Jason! 

We had many varieties of plants, decorative pitchers, and our famous hand-painted pots from the Saint Joe's Adult Day Program. By the end of the morning, we had raised over $1,500 to provide support for our special ability neighbors at Saint Joe's, thanks in part to a week-long round-up the check campaign from our terrific host, alReddy Café. In fact, owner Viki Reddy came out three times herself to buy plants.

We had donations of cuttings for plants from several friends, with pledges of more from some new visitors. One patron was so enamored with our efforts that she went home, split a big hosta she had into 5 new plants, potted them all, brought them back for us to sell (we sold them all) and THEN had lunch at alReddy! That's real dedication!

We are happy to report that all four found new partners to start loving relationships with!

Thank you all for supporting us! See you in the Fall!

If you are interested in donating time or plants, please email us at howdyneighbors.org@gmail.com

We've added more new Cincinnati-area disability services and activities providers to our Cincinnati Adaptive Events newsletter! These include:

• The Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library--Cincinnati's library system--provides a number of services, activities, and events that "bring the library to you, serving customers who have special needs or have difficulty using the Library through traditional means"
• Special Olympics Hamilton County aims "to provide year-round sports, training and competition in a variety of sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience the joy of achievement, be included in the community, build skills and make friends."
• IRON CORE Adapted Strength & Conditioning specializes in "working with youth and adults living with physical challenges." They "coach sport-specific training and refining purposeful mobility which may include balance, coordination, strength, flexibility, agility, and reaction time."
• The Cincinnati Ballet's CBMoves Program is "Cincinnati Ballet’s adaptive dance program, designed to foster a love of dance and creative expression for individuals with specific needs"

See all 36 organizations that currently provide event information for our newsletter

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We've added more new Cincinnati-area disability services and activities providers to our Cincinnati Adaptive Events newsletter! These include:

• Just In Time Adaptive Wellness aims to "simplify life for families by providing personalized coaching and referral services to businesses that adapt their health and wellness offerings to our community’s needs"
• The Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities each provide a wide range of services, activities, training, resources, and assistance for county residents with disabilities and their care providers.
• Keys for Success Music Therapy exists to "provide energetic, thoughtful, and dignified music therapy services, advocate for the individuals we serve, build relationships, and facilitate community engagement"

See all 32 organizations that currently provide event information for our newsletter

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One day while waving at the corner, a kind gentleman stopped by in his red Harley--Jason's favorite--to chat. Like many folks we've met through Honks for Jason, he mentioned that he'd seen us many times and wanted to know more. This was our first encounter with Lee Bond, or "Mr. Lee", as Jason affectionately calls him. Lee and his delightful wife Jeanne live in a lovely house tucked away in downtown Sharonville, right across the street from one of our waving spots. Over the years, we came to know Mr. Lee and Jeannie quite well, as he would always hear the honks and come out to enthusiastically encourage the passing trucks to honk for Jason.

Over time, Mr. Lee joined us for a number of Honks events and became a big part of Jason's life. His kind and gentle approach to Jason reflected experiences in his own life, where he found ways to turn some challenging events into positive life lessons. Lee and Jeanne have helped to advocate for downtown Sharonville's recent revitalization, and they are the type of neighbors who are known and loved by everyone in the community.

Best of all, Mr. Lee is a motorcycle and car enthusiast, just like Jason! That has led to a few sweet rides, such as this one in Lee's vintage Mercedes-Benz SL-Class R129.

So thank you Mr. Lee (and Miss Jeannie, and Lee's motorcycle buddy Jeff below) for being some of Our Favorite Neighbors!

We've added several new Cincinnati-area disability services and activities providers to our Cincinnati Adaptive Events newsletter! These include:

• The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League provides "accessible and inclusive baseball fields and recreational opportunities with a big-league-level gameday environment for athletes with special abilities of all ages, giving them the opportunity to experience the joy and excitement of sport in a safe and impeccably maintained facility."
• Cincinnati TOPSoccer "allows all children and adults with special needs in Cincinnati the opportunity to participate, contribute, and excel in the game of soccer"
• Anderson Challenger Baseball offers an "adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and developmental challenges, allowing players to enjoy the full benefits of Little League participation in an athletic environment structured to their abilities"
• Snapdragons Cincinnati "is a social enterprise dedicated to improving the lives of Special Needs children and adults through participation in adapted sports programs.  We run programs in Baseball, Basketball, and Cheer."

See all of the organizations that currently provide event information for our newsletter

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The Our Favorite Neighbors series highlights special people and organizations we've come to know and love over the years. These folks go out of their way to share their enthusiasm, compassion, empathy, and support for their community in the spirit of Howdy, Neighbors.

We first learned of the Mason Symphony Orchestra at a community partner event hosted by the City of Mason, where we were representing Jason's Mason Challenger Baseball league. We'd never heard of the orchestra, but the representative was very kind and taught a delighted Jason to play a song on the violin she had brought with her.

We then learned that this "representative" was actually Dr. Lucy Ginther, the founder and conductor of the orchestra! Jason had always been mesmerized by music concerts, going all the way back to his high school days when his brother played the cello at Sycamore Junior High.

It was clear from our first encounter that that Dr. Ginther not only wanted to share the joy of music to her neighborhood, but also had a gentle and welcoming approach to everyone in the community. We started attending their concerts and have become big fans. Dr. Ginther arranges creative varieties of performances--everything from a steel drum jam to playing the musical score during the screening of a Disney movie. Jason gets so excited at the performances that he blurts out yahoos and bravos at every possible moment, which the orchestra no doubt occasionally hears while they are playing.

What is most wonderful is that Dr. Ginther and the orchestra have embraced Jason and many others with disabilities who are attracted to their music performances. After every concert, she scans the crowd to look for Jason and makes sure to come over to talk with him. This despite the fact that she has many friends, benefactors, community VIPs, and a whole audience that want her attention at that moment. That is what the community spirit is all about.

So thank you Dr. Ginther and the Mason Symphony Orchestra for being one of Our Favorite Neighbors!

Over the past few years, Howdy, Neighbors has been able to help support the missions of several disability-related organizations. That's because we have so many beautiful neighbors supporting us! Today we are unveiling our Contributor Page that specially calls out the more than 200 friends who have provided financial support along the way. Among other things, these funds have helped provide your special neighbors a new transport van, adaptive baseball fields, and new day program activities.

All of us here at Howdy, Neighbors are incredibly appreciative of the support we've received, from long-time friends and family, neighbors, organizations and businesses, and many, many kind strangers who are now cherished members of the Howdy Neighborhood. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!!

The Muffin Men (L to R): Casey, Matt, Jamie, Jason

One of our gigs at Howdy, Neighbors is Muffin Men Coffee. Every Tuesday morning at Saint Joe's Day Program, Jason and his friends Casey, Matt, and Jamie hang out at our muffin and coffee activity, an all-volunteer effort that raises proceeds for their program. They've been greeting and talking, laughing and fist-bumping with other patrons for 2 1/2 years, while we've raised nearly $3,500. We even named our venture after them--they are the Muffin Men!

As our reputation has grown, we thought it important to thank and specially recognize our top supporters. So we started a Loyalty Program to reward them with free stuff. The Muffin Man Loyalty Card gives the holder a FREE bakery item for every seven purchases.

But that's not all! If you are determined enough to complete a loyalty card, you're inducted into the highly exclusive Muffineers Guild, as Muffineer Apprentice. With each card completed, you rise through the Guild ranks, with more prestige and honor at every level. Rumor has it that one very dedicated soul has recently been anointed as a Muffin Scout. 

The Hall of the Rising Muffineer

How high can you go? How high can anyone go? Mysteries abound at Muffin Men Coffee...

And those Muffin Men pictured above? They visit every single week! For their dedication, they have risen to legendary status: the Exalted Muffineer Council

The game is afoot...come and visit us!

Junior Muffineer Jim