Nick Lachey Boys & Girls Club Luncheon

SOURCE
Cintas Center
May 3, 2011

Miles Wilson with Nick Lachey

Sometimes we need to take a break from the beer gardens, specialty happy hours, and all that downtown gloss to understand what makes Cincinnati different from Las Vegas or Los Angeles. From casino cities by the desert, built in the shadow of atomic light, to those loose promises of fame, beauty and Pacific coast real-estate, the idea that vanity and wealth will make us happier and/or better than others is not the kind of society to which I subscribe.

Myles Harper, Christopher Estep, Javele Jackson and Mike Keneddy

I guess what keeps me from heading west is the compassion I see here that seems vacant in places where everyone is fighting to be the big fish in the pond. Cincinnati does not prey on the dreams of its youth, on the contrary, it does everything it can to build them. On Friday, April 29th I was proud to witness the guardian angel that is Cincinnati, as evidenced by the Youth of the Year recognition luncheon of the Boys and Club of Greater Cincinnati - an open-door-organization currently sponsoring over 10,000 underprivileged youths, giving a brighter future to children with a darker present.

Youth of the Year Finalist, K’ron Covington with Molly Riehl

2011’s Youth of the Year was Javele Jackson, from the U.S. Bank Club chapter in Avondale, Javele uses his natural leadership ability to help younger children with basketball fundamentals, and is planning to attend Mt. St. Joseph College in pursuit of a career as an athletic trainer and nutritionist. Javele described the club as, “A civilized place where the staff cares about your well being and where there are resources and opportunities to keep you off the streets.”

I spied a number of celebrities on the scene, actively making a difference, including Fox 19 news anchor Tricia Macke and hometown hero Nick Lachey – multiplatinum recording artist, committed philanthropist and keynote speaker for the luncheon. Mr. Lachey’s name has been behind a laundry list of humanitarian causes; VH-1 Save the Music!, Feeding America, the Make-A-Wish foundation and The Nick Lachey Foundation: dedicated to helping children, families and communities in need all across the continent.

SCPA Choir Performs

A true celebrity gives as much as he takes from the world. A lesson we should all remember as we continue to dream and strive for greatness.