Westlake Velvet Cushion 11-19-09

By: Melanie Hillenbrand
Date: 11/16/2009
A local teacher and his students are making a difference across the world. Mr. Daniel Grigson, of Lee Burneson Middle School, was completing graduate work at a research center in Kenya, Africa’s South Rift Valley.

The community that supports this center is also following the best model of long-term conservation in the world. The entire region is dependent on this center for its future, and the center is owned and operated by local Maasai women. The Maasai revealed that education is the single most important factor in the continuation of conservation and survival of the Maasai. In an unprecedented effort, the Maasai elders have reached out through their research partnership with Miami University and the Cincinnati Zoo, not asking for other things, but to help send their children back to school.

Mr. Dave Jenike, COO of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens contacted the E-Club of Lee Burneson Middle School for help. Students from Lee Burneson Middle School can participate in the “E-Club for Africa.” In part, the E-Club is raising funds in an effort to send these children back to school.
 
The best part is, there are no governments or large charities involved. In other words, 100% of the money raised will literally and directly re-open 40 schools in Kenya’s South Rift Valley. Students at Lee Burneson Middles School recently held a fundraiser for this effort in connection with the Cincinnati Zoo and raised over $3,000.

Westlake students are helping others across the world! For more information about the Lee Burneson E-Club, or to donate to the cause, please contact Mr. Daniel Grigson, at danielgrigson@gmail.com, or, for more information, visit www.lbmseclub.org.

The Lutheran West Athletic Booster’s Club is holding its annual steak fry and auction on Saturday, November 28, at St. Clarence Hall, in North Olmsted. Proceeds from this fundraising event will support all the Lutheran West athletic teams and help purchase team uniforms, athletic equipment, coaches training and athletic contests and tournaments.

Tickets are $20 each, which includes a steak dinner, silent auction and live auction. Tickets are on sale in advance only. All are invited and encouraged to attend and donations for the silent and live auctions are being accepted. You can even start your Christmas shopping! To make a donation, or purchase a ticket, please contact Kimberly Myers at 440-979-0980, or k5myers@aol.com.

Howard Hanna Crock Park Office is holding it’s annual fundraiser “A Night At The Races,” which take place at Wagner’s Country Inn, located at 30855 Center Ridge Rd., in Westlake, from 6-10 p.m. Only a few tickets are still available.

As a company, Howard Hanna raised over $750,000 last year in support of the Local Children’s Hospital Free-Care Fund. For more information, or to make a donation, call 440-793-0900.
As the holidays draw near, people come from far and near to witness a truly spectacular event in Westlake. This year’s lighting of the Christmas tree at Crock Park will take place on Saturday, November 21 from 6:30-7:00 p.m. Local choral groups will also entertain shoppers and Santa will arrive to ring in the holidays. For more information, call guest services at Crocker Park, at 440-871-6880.

The staff of Griswold Special Care, owned by Scott Kaase, of Bay Village, has scheduled several events in order to give back to the community. The staff plans to serve a meal at the Cleveland Food Bank, adopt a family for Christmas, and provide and serve meals for seniors at the Westlake Senior Center. “Seniors are the rock of our community and we love helping them,” states Kristy Schneider, case coordinator.

Griswold Special Care serves several hundred families each week in its six local offices.  It is a community-based business that offers seniors the choice to live at home. With the assistance of professional caregivers, clients receive assistance with personal care needs, companionship, homemaking, and transportation.

Griswold’s mission is to provide quality home care at an affordable price. At an hourly rate of $14 per hour, and a 24-hour live-in service priced at $150 per day, Griswold makes one-on-one personal home care affordable for families.
Griswold recently announce the opening of its newest office that serves Lorain, Erie, and Huron Counties. For a free consultation, please call 440-835-7900.

Melanie Hillenbrand can be reached at Melanie@MimiVanderhaven.com