In order to organize and stage the enormous Mardi Gras carnival every year, many New Orleans families have belonged for generations to krewes, groups that create elaborate costumes and floats for the many Mardi Gras parades in the two weeks leading up to “Fat Tuesday.” Not only do the krewes participate in the parades, but, as leaders of New Orleans society, they also hold balls and other elaborate events during the carnival season, which lasts from Christmas up to Mardi Gras itself. The krewes are responsible for electing Rex, the annual king of the carnival, whose parade is the climax of Mardi Gras.
The Artemis Center has thrown an annual Mardi Gras fundraising ball before, but for the first time, they are adding a “Krewe” element to the gala. Eleven young professionals will be raising funds and spreading the word about the issue of domestic violence in our community and the crucial services provided by Artemis Center.
The official kick off for the “krewe” was held this past week at a happy hour event in the Oregon District. These young professionals will be fundraising over the three months to compete for the titles of King and Queen of the Mardi Gras. The man and woman who raise the most funds will be crowned at the Gala to be held on March 8, 2014 at the Dayton Masonic Center. The funds raised by the Artemis Center ‘Krewe’ will provide crucial unrestricted funding to Artemis Center to allow us to continue offering our services at no cost to the client. Supporting Artemis Center is one of the most direct ways to improve the lives of domestic violence victims. Unrestricted funding allows us the flexibility to respond in whatever way victims and their children need. Whether its buying a bus ticket to safety, changing the locks on a clients home to increase safety, or providing therapy for a child witness of violence, your donation can make it happen.
Meet the “Krewe”
Cassandra Andres
Staff Attorney at Montgomery County Common Pleas Court
Cassandra graduated from University of Dayton School of Law and is thrilled to volunteer for the Krewe for Artemis Center this year “because our community is at a loss when it comes to services for women, and Artemis Center has taken great strides in attempting to fill in those gaps. Your donation will not only fund the housing services at Artemis, but will also provide volunteers with the tools needed to reach out to women with a helping hand across the Miami Valley Area.”
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Jason Antonic
Manager of Business and Economic Development, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce
Jason has a passion for community involvement. He is the VP of the Huffman Historic District, the past President of the Dayton Ballet Barre and member of the I-70/75 Development Association. He went Over The Edge for Big Brothers Big Sister of the Greater Miami Valley and fought in the 2nd Knockout. Jason enjoys spending time with his daughter, bird watching, playing basketball and Shakespearean acting. He lives in the Huffman Historic District with his fiancée, Jessica and their cat Ian.
Mass Torts and Negotiations Attorney at Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz
A graduate of the University of Dayton School of Law and chair of the Social Committee for the Young Lawyers Division of the Dayton Bar Association. Jennifer and her husband also support AIDS Resource Center Ohio, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Wave Foundation, and United Rehabilitation Services of Greater Dayton. However, being a victim of domestic violence myself, the Artemis Center holds a special place in her heart and she is passionate about the cause.
Jen Cadieux
Business Development Manager at Downtown Dayton Partnership
A 2005 graduate of the University of Dayton, Jen was named to the Dayton Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, Class of 2010. An ardent supporter of area non-profits, Jen has volunteered for Aids Resource Center Ohio, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and has served on the BBB Advertising Review Council. She chaired the Social Committee for Generation Dayton, and has served on the board of the Dayton Broomball Association and the Dayton Ballet Associate Board. Jen says, “becoming a part of the first Krewe and helping an organization that makes such an impact on women and children in our community is an honor.”
Conrad Dillion
Legal Counsel for Alternate Solutions Healthcare System
A graduate of Ohio University and the University of Dayton School of Law, where he was awarded the Commitment to Community Pro Bono Service Award . He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) of the Dayton Bar Association. Conrad enjoys reading, cycling, and spending time with my cat Simon. Having worked with Care House and in juvenile courts, Conrad has seen first hand the affects of domestic violence on both kids and their parents and by working on the Krewe wants to help by able to provide Artemeis Center with the tools they need to break the cycle.
Co-Owner of Lion + Panda
An Ohio native, Richard was part of the class of 2010 at Wright State University where he studied marketing and advertising. In the past 3 1/2 years Richard has become a household name in the Dayton marketing community. Building upon his college experiences of working in print, television, and sales Richard brought an integrated approach to the digital industry. Active involvement in the local Dayton community has been a focal point of Richard’s personal life. He is currently the a board member of the Dayton Opera, the Muse Machine, Stiver’s High School Advisory Board, and often volunteers time to helping other nonprofits to craft their communications strategies.
Columnist/Reporter Dayton Daily New
Originally from Cleveland, Amelia attended Ohio University in Athens and worked in Mansfield for several years before making Dayton her home. Amelia’s outgoing personality and quick wit make her a must read on Facebook and if she can convert her readers into donors for Artemis Center, the whole Community wins. When asked what motivated her to become part of the Krewe Amelia shared, “I’ve know women in my personal life and as a reporter I’ve gone to to many scenes where domestic violence has been involved and so I really want to be able to help the women and children who are affected by DV and Artemis does that in our community.”
Kara Shepherd
Hairstylist at The Mantra Salon and Day Spa
“As most people know, many women think of their hairstylist as some what of a “therapist”. I am very lucky to have a profession where I get to make women feel GREAT when they leave my chair, and that is a personal goal of mine with every client I see. In June, I had the honor of marrying my best friend. As a woman who has never been in an abusive relationship, I must admit, until learning some facts through Artemis, I had no idea how frequently a woman is battered per SECOND in our country….It’s every 9 seconds in case you were wondering. When reading such a terrible statistic, one tends to ask themself “WHAT CAN I DO”.
I am so very excited to get to give back to more women than the ones that just come see me in the salon. I think that Artemis is a crucial key to helping women and children right here in the Dayton area. There are so many who need our help, and with YOUR donations, we can make a difference!”
Political/Military Affairs editor at Cox Media Group
Anthony is a 1998 graduate of Wright State University, and he and his wife Amelia recently bought their first house in the Oregon District. Anthony says he was flattered to be asked to help. He’s known too many people personally that have been involved in a situation that included domestic violence and that if he’s able to make a difference, why wouldn’t he?
Dan Sweeny
Manager of Patient Access at Miami Valley Hospital
Dan got his bachelors degree from The Ohio State University and his MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. Newly married in the summer of 2013, Dan has already recruited his wife Janese to help him raise funds for The Artemis Center. Dan shared that his grandmother was on the Artemis board of trustees for years and he’s been a volunteer for many of their events. When asked to join the Krewe, he said it’s a no-brainer, of course he’s willing to give his time to help raise money that support and educate those in need of the options and help that are available in our community.
Taryn Ward 
Membership Development Representative at Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce
Taryn is motivated to make a positive impact on the community and volunteers regularly. She is an active member and leader of Generation Dayton, Taryn has a profound love for animals and serves on Advocates 4 Animals Board of Directors. She also serves on an associate committee for Clothes That Work.When she’s not working with businesses or volunteering, Taryn enjoys dancing, cooking, and reading and is a founding member of a local book club for young professionals. Taryn joins the Krewe to honor her friend who was helped out of a really bad situation by Artemis.
So now you’ve met the Krewe and stay tuned to see what they’ve got planned to help reach the $50,000 goal that Artemis has set for them to raise. Each Krewe members name is linked to their individual fundraising page, so why not support your favorite Krewe member on their quest to become the King or Queen of the Mardi Gras Gala?
