Walk & Roll Invitational Exceeds Expectations

On May 22^nd residents and 200 family, friends and volunteers walked and rolled around the campus to raise money for St. Joseph Home residential, respite, and adult day programs.

“This adapted event exceeded all our expectations,” said Dan Connors, CEO. “From the good luck of the gorgeous weather, to the generosity of our title sponsor, the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati and presenting sponsor, the Steele Family, to the wonderful volunteers who handed out water and lunch from Sweets & Meats BBQ Food Truck, everything came together to make this Walk & Roll event the perfect experience for this moment. Plus we surpassed our fundraising goal!”

Twenty-two teams of participants pre-registered and were socially distant from each other with staggered start times. Not only were they masked, they came in costume, complete with siblings and pets, adding to the festive, family spirit.  One resident even celebrated her 23^rd birthday on the route with her family in tow.

Vice President of Advancement Jordan Huizenga said, “And thanks to our Walk & Roll sponsors for their support in making this such a successful and celebratory day.” Sponsors for the 2021 St. Joseph Home Walk & Roll include: Title Sponsor—Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati; Presenting Sponsor—the Steele Family; 1060 Capital Management; Deloitte; Ison Family Restaurants; Michael Rench; Risk Source Clark-Theders; Saxon Financial and Warwar Eyewear Group.

He added, “Historically, St. Joseph Home hosts an annual 5K for hundreds of runners and their fans and families. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to host a race in 2020, but, with a shorter route on our campus, smaller teams, and staggered start times, we were excited to host this event our residents could participate in that brings us closer to normal. Coming together as a community felt so good.”

Other adjustments that are bringing St. Joseph Home ‘closer to normal’ are the re-opening of its Adult Day Programs in April and the re-opening of the main residential campus to family visits. 

Plans also are in the works to reopen the Harold C. Schott Respite Center later this year; individuals with complex developmental disabilities may stay at the Center for up to two weeks, providing a much-needed break for families caring at home for someone with a disability.

See more photos on the St. Joseph Home events page and Facebook page.