The Caleb Tate Fuller Foundation sponsored a free performance for the community by the Mad Cap Puppets called “Tales of Flight with the Brother’s Wright”.  This family event was held at the Norwood Middle School Auditorium located at 2020 Sherman Ave. on Friday June 17^th.  120 pounds of nonperishable food items were donated that evening by those who attended the event. Which was in turn given to the Norwood Service League’s local food pantry.  Door prizes and coupons for McDonald’s ice cream cones were given out. Two six month memberships to Fitworks were raffled well.

The Mad Cap Puppets combines professional puppet theater, children’s literature and world culture. It’s founder, the late Jerry Handorf was a Cincinnati native and graduate of the American School of Dance and Mime in New York City. He worked with Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets and as a puppeteer on Sesame Street. He returned to Cincinnati and together with Beth Kattelman founded Mad Cap Puppet Productions in 1981.  Mad Cap is well known performing throughout the US, Russia and the Ukraine

Thanks to all those who were a part of the “Forget-Me-Knot” team at the Relay for Life sponsored by the American Cancer Society on May 13th & 14th at Shea Stadium in Norwood.

Thankfully the storm that almost cancelled the event blew over and power was restored just in time  for the opening.  The CTF Foundation provided an inflatable castle and maze for the kids as well as a concession booth with hot dogs and hamburgers, drinks, muffins and chips which were served until 4am Saturday to a crowd of hungry energetic teens who partied all night under the direction of DJ’s Dan Weddell and Jimi Bird.

The luminary service Friday evening honoring both cancer survivors and those who had passed from cancer was a touching tribute to numerous loved ones including Caleb.

Thank you again, to all those who donated their time and energy to help remember Caleb at the Relay for Life through walking, cooking, serving and monitoring the inflatables at this event. With your help, $500 was raised at the event and given to the American Cancer Society in Caleb’s memory

Thanks to those who joined with the “Forget-Me-Knot” Team in honor of Caleb on Saturday May 7^th as we partnered with Cancer Free Kids at their “Butterfly Walk” at Cottell Park in Mason, Ohio.  This worthwhile event benefits Cincinnati Children’s Hospital directly by providing funds for cancer and hematology research done locally. This walk is special in that some of the organizers knew Caleb from his cancer treatment at Children’s.  A special thank you to those who helped put together and host a Bid & Buy for the walk. Also, a special thanks to the many sponsors who donated items and services to be used for the Bid & Buy.  Please see the following list of generous contributors. They deserve your patronage.  All proceeds from the Bid & Buy were given to Cancer Free Kids in honor of Caleb.  These funds will be used for research done at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

For additional information on America’s 100 Best visit www.americaspromise.org/100Best.

Pictured are the winners of the Money Matters Program, an 11 week financial literacy program presented to 25 middle school age kids from Norwood Middle School and Cornerstone Christian Academy. The program was held at the middle school and sponsored by The Caleb Tate Fuller Foundation. Samantha Smith from NMS and Brett Lewis from CCA won the top awards for their business proposals that were made to a panel of judges from the Norwood business community. The kids were awarded a professional football signed by Jonathan Fanene from the Bengals who spoke at the program’s kick off. Also pictured are John Keuffer, Kathy Garrison and Richard Carey who taught the course and have also presented it to other kids throughout the country in the past 10 years. Special thanks to Kevin Raines of Center City Collision, Nelson Ernest, retired small business owner, Elaine Stuard of Baird and Associates, Barry Burns and Joe Marsh from the Huntington Bank, Norwood branch for taking time from their busy schedules to serve as judges. Each of the kids received a grade for their attendance and participation in the class as well as a financial reward if they concluded the class with an A or B. Thanks to Huntington Bank for helping to support the event and providing the opportunity for each of the kids to open a savings account at the conclusion of the program. Joyce McDowell from The Caleb Tate Fuller Foundation remarked “this is probably one of the best programs the Foundation has offered to date and we are hoping to offer a one day class for kids and parents this spring if there is interest in the community.” She also added that Caleb’s Godparents, Barry and Ellen Burns were in town from Porland, Oregon for one of the presentation days. They were elated to see such a powerful remembrance of Caleb’s memory and to see first hand how proceeds from the “Forget-Me-Knot” Walk are benefiting kids in the community.

Mad Science Event at Back to School Bash

The Back to School Bash was a huge success this year. The Norwood Church of the Nazarene and the Norwood Presbyterian Church hosted their 18th annual Bash on August 7th . Preschool through 6th grade students received new back packs for the school year and participated in a carnival where they received school supplies as prizes. The event was attended by 420 children. The Caleb Tate Fuller Foundation added to the festivities of the day by funding and facilitating a Mad Science event for the kids. Mad Science is a science enrichment program that uses unique science experiences in a fun, theatrical manner to spark kids’ interest and imaginations in science.

Some of the comments from a survey conducted by the churches afterward included:

*I like that the event doesn’t just give supplies but gives the kids a day of fun.

*This is a very nice event; A blessing for anyone who is struggling and needs to be in the company of good people.

* They are their brother’s keeper. They demonstrate the love of Jesus.

* This meets a real need in the community.

Jonathan and Eric want to highlight the importance and need for financial literacy
training for young people with ‘real world’ applications. This six week program will be
taught by former Police Officer John Keuffer, NFL Alumni Richard Carey and retired
P&G Executive Kathy Garrison as part of a one hour regular classroom. MONEY
MATTERS™ was created by the trio in 1999 as a pilot program in teaching financial
literacy to gang involved youth. Since then, they have taught the program to thousands
of youth across the country.

“It’s a great opportunity to give back to kids and it’s tremendous that The Caleb Tate
Fuller Foundation along with Huntington Bank are providing the funding to make this
happen.” Fanene commented.

The Caleb Tate Fuller Foundation spearheaded this project by raising funds for the
program and providing the manuals for the youth. They also brought in local sponsors
such as Huntington Bank. The Caleb Tate Fuller Foundation was formed to honor the
memory of a young boy, Caleb Fuller who passed away from bone cancer. It was Caleb’s
wish that he “not be forgotten” so, “We are excited to help other youth and to do so in
Caleb’s honor.” commented Dr. Joyce McDowell, Executive Director of the Caleb Tate
Fuller Foundation.

On Tuesday, October 12th at 9:30 a.m. Jonathan Fanene, Eric Deters, Dr. Joyce
McDowell, Kendra Overbeck of Huntington Bank and the instructors for Money Matters
will hold a Press Conference on the importance of financial literacy as they “kick off” the
coursework at Norwood Middle School.

For information on Teen Response and Money Matters™ please visit: www.teenresponse.org

Darkness to Light’s® Stewards of Children

is a revolutionary sexual abuse prevention training program that educates
adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.
The program believes and teaches that child safety is an adult’s job.
Stewards of Children is designed for organizations that serve children and
youth.

What are the distinctive features of Stewards of Children?

A comprehensive program that incorporates all of the fundamental mechanics
necessary in creating organizational policies and procedures that keep children safe.
Ideal for training staff and volunteers on child sexual abuse prevention.

Includes the “7 Steps to Protecting our Children,” Darkness to Light’s core,
evidence-based educational tool for sexual abuse prevention.

A 2.5-hour training program that integrates the simple principles of choice,
consciousness, and personal power to promote an understanding of the nature
and impact of child sexual abuse, and that uses those principles to provide a context
for empowered action.
The curriculum is direct about holding each adult
accountable, and generous in providing powerful, specific support for personal
change.

Video component of curriculum integrates personal stories of sexual abuse
survivors, sharing their experiences of trauma and healing with the perspectives of
professionals working with various issues of sexual abuse.

The program is motivational and compelling. It calls participants into personal
responsibility for the safety of children, while at the same time appreciates their fears
and concerns.

How can it be used?

By organizations that seek training for staff and volunteers in the prevention of
child sexual abuse.

By organizations that need to respond to insurance requirements regarding
policy and procedures for child protection.

In pre-post evaluations of trainings conducted in 9 different organizations that included
faith centers, schools, community-based youth programs, and sports/recreational
programs, participants demonstrated a 38% improvement in knowledge about
sexual abuse and in attitudes about adult responsibility in the resolution of child
sexual abuse after exposure to the Stewards of Children program. Two months
after training, participants showed a 29% increase in behaviors focused on the
protection of children from sexual abuse (e.g., they directed more questions about
child protection policy to staff of youth-serving organizations; they talked more with
children about healthy sexuality and protection from sexual abuse)

On a scale of 1 to 5 participant ratings on the quality and effectiveness of the
program was higher than 4 on all questions, indicating that participants find the
curriculum compelling.

How is the training delivered?

Stewards “Live”–a 2.5 hour in person training, led by an authorized facilitator who
uses a video/DVD, interactive workbook, and discussion to train responsible adults to
prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.

Stewards Online–a 2.5 hour training program available in a web-based format.

Interactive workbook can be printed from on-line training.

How does my organization provide Stewards of Children to our staff
and volunteers?

Identify and hire an authorized facilitator in your community to conduct the
training.
Sponsor an individual in your organization to become an authorized facilitator.
Have your staff members and volunteers complete the training online at
www.darkness2light.org.

What is an authorized facilitator?

An individual who has been educated and equipped by Darkness to Light to
deliver the program within a particular organization and the broader
community.
An individual who has access to all of the Stewards of Children training tools.

For More Information: Email stewards@d2l.org or call (843) 965-5444.

You can’t afford to ignore sexual abuse.
Protect their only childhood.

Two $250 Book scholarships will be given to college bound Norwood High School Students at the end of the 2010- 2011 school year. Applications are available at the Norwood High School Guidance office, by writing to the Caleb Tate Fuller Foundation at P.O. Box 12861, calling 513-631-4377, or by downloading off the home page. Application deadline is April 30, 2011.

Map Cap Puppets is a twenty-nine year old, nonprofit, national touring company that creates original shows with giant puppets. Based here in Cincinnati, Madcap brings the thrill of live theater to more than 200,000 children and their families around the country each year.

Map Cap’s founder, the late Jerry Handorf, studied art and design in New York, then worked with Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets and was a puppeteer on Sesame Street. He returned to Cincinnati and founded the Mad Cap Puppets with Beth Kattelman.

(click here to download .pdf)

Article from Norwood Star:
Forget Me Knot Walk Proceeds Fund Local Community Programs

The cold, windy weather didn’t stop about 150 people from attending the 4th annual “Forget- Me-Knot” Walk on May 8th in honor of Caleb Fuller who died on bone cancer a few years ago. Many other lost loved ones were honored as friends and family walked in their honor and paid tribute to them in the Memorial Balloon Launch that was facilitated by StarShine Hospice of Children’s Hospital. Local Girl Scout troop lead by Lisa Triance lead the flag raising ceremony and bright orange T-shirts lined Floral Ave. as Mayor Tom Williams lead the procession in a bright red Razor ATV from Tri-County Polaris. Norwood Citizens On Patrol and the Foresters Club served as crossing guards at the event while members of Thrivent Financial and volunteers from the Nazarene Church, Ashland Ave. Baptist and many other individuals served as volunteers for the walk and festival.

About 65 children went through the fire safety and hazard house that was provided by the St. Bernard Fire Dept.and manned by the Norwood Fire Dept.. Thanks to all the local businesses who contributed to the Bid & Buy and sponsored the event. Total funds raised to date from this event are about $22,000. The Caleb Tate Fuller Foundation has already distributed funds from the Walk to the StarShine Hospice program at Children’s Hospital and cooked burgers and hotdogs at the Relay for Life donating the proceeds to the American Cancer Society. The Foundation is currently accepting scholarship applications to Cornerstone Christian Academy and will be hosting a Mad Cap Puppet show in July and Mad Science event on August 7th at the annual Back to School Bash held by the Norwood Church of the Nazarene. Look for the Money Matters program for kids this fall. Thank you to the City of Norwood and all those who have worked to make this event a success. Remembering our loved ones through service to the children in our community is a beautiful way to honor their memory. Check out the website www.forgetmeknotwalk.com for information on the Foundation and upcoming local events sponsored by the Foundation.

Winner:
Team Trophy Winner Sharon Thacker from Team Issac. Other team members were Kendra & John Keuffer. This was the top fund raising team for the Walk.

Netbook Winner:
Names for the Netbook drawing came from for those who had contributed $10 or more to the Walk. Billie Jeanne Shingler was the lucky winner after sponsoring the walk of a student from Cornerstone Christian Academy. Congratulations Billie Jeanne. We hope you are enjoying the Netbook!

Funds from the 2009 Walk were used to fund scholarships for children to attend Cornerstone Christian Academy in Norwood and to provide free community programs including a Mad Cap Puppet show, a Mad Science event, sponsorship of a Kids in Action Camp (KIA) and hosting a Guitar Hero Tournament.

Click here to read an article and watch a video from last year! (wcpo.com)

Funds from the 2010 walk will be used to continue these programs plus provide book scholarships to local college bound kids. We also plan to host Money Matters; a financial literacy program for kids as well as provide support for Cincinnati Children’s hospital through their StarShine Hospice Program and the Darkness To Light child abuse prevention program.