Getting Involved

Celebration of liFe at Blind Bob’s on Saturday

April 8, 2019 By LIbby Ballengee

One of the things I admire most about the Dayton music community, is its ability to bring everyone together and to lift each other up. This Saturday April 13th is no exception with the Celebration of liFe concert at Blind Bob’s Bar.

Organizers explain: “One year ago, our community lost a beacon of light. In memory of our dear friend Fe Meier, please join us for Celebration of liFe. To honor her smile, kindness and memory, all proceeds will be donated to NAMI Montgomery County Ohio. NAMI is dedicated to providing peer support, education and advocacy to individuals and families affected with mental illness.”

The night’s lineup includes local rock bands Abertooth Lincoln, Kelly Renea Hanus, Weathervein, VICE ON VICTORYandSmall Words. The show is $5 at the door, although additional donations are gladly accepted! This is a 21+ event. Doors 9pm. Music till 2am.

Want to donate but can’t attend? Please visit www.nami-mc.org . Want to help but can’t donate? Call a friend or loved one and tell them five amazing things about themselves. Give someone a hug. Make sure that YOU are taking care of your mental health and reaching out to others when you need to. You are never a burden. You are never too much. YOU ARE LOVED.

Learn about the Dayton Podcasting community at Podfest!

March 28, 2019 By Dayton Most Metro

Photo from the first Dayton Podfest in 2017. CONTRIBUTED.

Are you curious about podcasts or a current podcast listener? Interested in creating your own podcast? Already podcasting and want to connect with other area podcasters? If you are anywhere on that spectrum, you are welcome to join The Gem City Podcast for their upcoming event Dayton Podfest at the Brightside Music & Event Center on Saturday March 30, 2019. This is a celebration of local podcasts and the ever growing world of podcasting.

What is a podcast? A podcast is essentially talk radio, but on demand. You can listen for free on websites and podcast platforms like iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, among others. Gem City Podcast is the first podcast dedicated to Dayton Ohio specifically. The GCP crew has been highlighting area stories since 2013 and over 700 episodes, and was recently voted “Best Dayton Podcast.”

Beyond creating 3 podcasts weekly, the GCP crew is also enthusiastic about creating a sense of community among area podcasters. They’ve started a monthly meet up on the second Tuesday of the month, and organized Dayton Podfests, where they host a workshop for newbies, a networking hour, and a host of live Dayton podcasts.

Even if you can’t attend the event, purchasing a pre-sale ticket for $10 or $20 is a great way to make a donation to the Gem City Podcast crew and the great work they’ve been doing for the Dayton community! To do so, click here.

How to Go:

Dayton Podfest

Saturday March 30, 2019

Brightside Music & Event Venue

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dayton-podfest-tickets-58450995501

$10 for Podfest / $20 Podfest + Workshop

Schedule

2:00-4:00pm: Podcasting Workshop hosted by The Izzy Rock. This workshop is $20 (This also pays for your entry into Dayton Podfest) During the workshop, Izzy will be joined by fellow Dayton podcasters to walk you through the various stages of creating and maintaining a podcast, share tips & tricks to grow your audience, along with a Q&A session.

4:00 -10:30 pm: Dayton Podfest $10

4:00-5:00 pm: Podcast Networking – meet with vendors and fellow podcasters
5:00-10:30 pm: Live Podcasts from Dayton-based podcasts including:You Can’t Make This Up
One More Rep Podcast

What Had Happened Was

Murder and Such

The Brohio Podcast

The Gem City Podcast

Honey Baked Ham For A Cause!

March 10, 2019 By Dayton Most Metro

How many of you celebrate Easter with a Honey Baked Ham? Did you know that your ham purchase can else make a difference in our community?

You don’t have to spend any extra money, just buy a Honey Baked gift card online and 20% of your purchase will be donated to the Junior League of Dayton (JLD). You can then use your gift card to make the purchase you normally would at Honey Baked Hams. You’ve got until April 30th to buy gift cards that will benefit the JLD.

The Dayton chapter of Junior League held its first meeting on Oct. 31, 1919, at the Dayton Woman’s Club. Officially chartered in February 1920, it was admitted to membership in the Junior Leagues of America (now AJLI ) that same year, making Dayton the second League in Ohio.

From its original 10 founding members. the Junior League of Dayton has grown to 300 members today. Then, as now, their purpose is to foster interest among women in social, economic, educational, civic, and cultural conditions of the community and to make their volunteer service efficient and effective and it open to women 22 years of age or older.

Funds raised will help JLD with promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving their communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

10 Must Attend March Fundraisers

March 3, 2019 By Lisa Grigsby

Every month the Miami Valley plays hosts to multiple fundraisers for local nonprofit groups and programs. We’ve highlighted 10 of the must attend events for the month of March, but there are plenty more you can support. Some require ticket purchases or pre-registration, others are donation at the door, with participation prices as little as the cost of an ice cream cone, up to $150 tickets. For a full list of charitable fundraisers check out the MostMetro.com calendar.

Lion & Leos Club Spaghetti Dinner
Giovanni’s
15 W Main St, Fairborn, Ohio 45324
March 4 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm $10

Spaghetti with meat sauce, famous Italian homemade bread, salad, drink and dessert.

Takeout orders are available . 878-1611

Acoustapalooza 2019 Juvenile Diabetes Benefit

The Barrel 857 W Central Ave, Springboro, Ohio 45066
March 10 @ 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm donation requested at the door
The one-day Show will be held at “The Barrel” located just off of I-75 in Springboro, Ohio on March 10th from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. As of today artists including Cevin West, Jayme, 9 Eight Central, The Jay Clark Band, Two For The Road, Until Rust, Untold Glory, Velvet Crush Unplugged have committed to performing at the event. A host of other talented musicians will fill in the gaps between sets to make this a day of non stop musical talent!

There will be raffles, door prizes and a silent auction to support the fundraising during the entire day! All Proceeds from “Acoustapalooza”will go to local and national Juvenile Diabetes Research and Support. We are honored to bring this event to our music community with some of the regions best talent donating their time to aid in the effort!

Reason To Hope Breakfast Fundraiser
Dayton Marriott
March 12 @ 7:30 am – 9:00 pm

A powerful, one-hour breakfast designed to educate the community about the Alzheimer’s Association while raising funds to support dementia research, programs and services.
This event is free to attend, however all guests will be asked to consider making a contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association Miami Valley Chapter.
Contact Meg McFarland at 937-610-7007 for more info.

Eureka: Playing the Odds
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
2600 DeWeese Pkwy, Dayton, Ohio
March 16 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm . $75 – $90

From modern games of chance to ancient superstitions, people have always been fascinated by the good fortune that seems to befall a lucky few! Spend an evening Playing the Odds with us as you explore the Museum at this annual winter fundraiser.

Featuring a dance floor, hors d’oeuvres, a welcome drink, craft beer and wine, this one-of-a-kind adult evening will expand your science knowledge while you mix and mingle at Dayton’s most entertaining cocktail party. 21+

2019 Women of Influence Awards
Dayton Convention Center
22 E. Fifth Street, Dayton, OH 45402
March 21 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm $150
Since 1998, YWCA Dayton has set aside one special day to recognize and honor women in our community. Join us in celebrating Dayton’s most influential women, all of whom have made a difference in our community through their dedication to the YWCA mission of empowering women, eliminating racism, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Honorees in the Women of Influence Class of 2019 are:
• Cassie Barlow, COO of SOCHE
• Rabbi Karen Bodney-Halasz, Senior Rabbi of Temple Israel
• Kim Duncan, Founder of Elements IV Interiors
• Neenah Ellis, General Manager of WYSO Public Radio
• Chris Saunders, Community Philanthropist and Global Advocate
• Sheri “Sparkle” Williams, Dancer with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
• The Dayton Chapter of The Links, Incorporated (Lifetime Achievement Award)

Harrigan’s 5k
Harrigan’s Tavern
4070 Marshall Rd, Kettering
March 23 9:30am $25
This race is a great way to celebrate the St Patrick’s Holiday, a few days after the actual St Patrick’s Day. Not only a fun race, but proceeds to good causes as well.

Proceeds of this race benefit Alzheimer’s Association, JDRF, United Rehab Services of Greater Dayton and South Community Positive Health Options. ONLINE REGISTRATION open through March 20! Entry fee is $25 if received by March 20. Registrations received at packet pickup or on race day are $30 so please register early to $ave!
Dayton Heart Ball

Sinclair College
March 23 @ 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm $150 or corporate tables available
Our evening celebrates our work and mission; our donors and volunteers; and — most importantly — the lives saved and improved because of everyone’s effort.

Event Program
6:00 pm Cocktail Reception
7:30 pm Ballroom Opens
8:00 pm Dinner, Open Your Heart Appeal
8:45 pm Live Auction, Dessert, Dancing Immediately Following
The American Heart Association Dayton Heart Ball is a “must attend” social event, where people come to network with peers and socialize with some of the region’s most influential people. Our Mission: Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Our mission drives everything we do at the American Heart Association.

We Care Arts Takeover Night
Old Scratch Pizza
March 26 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Grab some friends and stop by for delicious pizza, drinks, and dessert in support of We Care Arts and its mission!
Tuesday, March 26th from 5pm til closing time, Old Scratch Pizza will donate 10% of all sales to We Care Arts!
All March long is Cones For A Cause at Old Scratch Pizza, so make sure to get a cone after your pizza and 100% of your donation will benefit We Care Arts!

Jersey Mike’s Subs – Day of Giving
Jersey Mike’s Subs
March 27 @ 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
United Rehabilitation Services (URS) has been chosen by the three local Jersey Mike’s Subs locations for their 8th Annual Month of Giving. Customers are invited to visit Jersey Mike’s for a delicious sub meal and they will donate 100 percent of the day’s sales to URS!

Proceeds from the Day of Giving will help subsidize early childhood education programs for children ages 6 weeks – 17 years old, many of whom are medically fragile and require critical care from onsite nurses who provide g-tube feeds, seizure monitoring and acute care, as well as support the Region’s only Pediatric Aquatic Therapy Program and “spider cage”. URS is committed to providing care for every stage of life, from infancy through the senior years for individuals with disabilities.

Locations include: 3510 Pentagon Blvd, Beavercreek, 6002 Far Hills Avenue, Centerville, and 1512 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Dayton

Crayons To Classrooms 10th Anniversary Celebration

Sinclair Community College – Ponitz Center
March 29 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm $110
Join us in March as we celebrate this milestone! Your ticket includes social hour with heavy appetizers, event program, and parking.

Crayons to Classrooms has helped contribute to the growth of our community’s youth for 10 years by distributing over $17M in school supplies to 110 Dayton-area schools and their teachers.

Hamburger Wagon Owner’s Plea for Help

February 12, 2019 By Dayton937 16 Comments

Jack Sperry and his daughters

Sometime life throws you curveballs. For Jack Sperry, owner of the Hamburger Wagon he has thrived on meeting challenges head on and through hard work has typically achieved success. He is now facing a new challenge, that is out of his control.

The Food Adventures Crew has known Jack since he was a standout football player at Centerville High School in the early eighties. Jack is a supporter of Centerville and Miamisburg Schools and also helps run the Rock N Green Tomato Festival in Miamisburg, among other charitable events.

Jack is that prideful guy you know, who never asks anyone for help. As irony would have it , he was was diagnosed 15 years ago with a kidney disease called “Berger’s Syndrome.” The illness eventually damages kidney function, until the person needs a transplant. That’s where Jack is at today. His kidney function has fallen below a critical level, and dialysis and a transplant are eminent.

Jim Bucher left and Jack Sperry joke around the Hamburger Wagon

This is the passing along of a plea for help. A plea from a lifelong Daytonian, in his time of need. We were going to write this article and explain the situation, but his brother Hank Sperry posted a Facebook message that was a perfect reach out for help. Here it is:

“My name is Henry Sperry and I’m sending this message out on my brother’s Facebook account. I’ll get right to the point. I am looking for a hero to save my brother’s life. Please don’t turn away now. This won’t take much of your time to read. You may be the key to preserving the life of a man who is very much worth saving.

Jack recently got engaged

My brother is Jack Sperry. He is a beloved brother and the father of two beautiful teen-aged daughters, Alex and Emma Sperry. He is engaged to be married. He is an honorable man, a loyal friend to legions of people who are fortunate to know him. He is the proprietor of the famous Miamisburg, Ohio Hamburger Wagon.

15 years ago, Jack was diagnosed with Berger’s Syndrome (IgA Neuropathy), a kidney disease that occurs when a specific antibody lodges in one’s kidneys. THERE IS NO CURE. The disease slowly progresses over years until eventually, the kidneys cease functioning. When Jack was diagnosed, the hope was that the disease would progress so slowly that medical intervention would not be required in his lifetime.

Sadly this is not the case. His kidney function is below the critical threshold. It is time for serious medical intervention. Last fall, Jack’s local Nephrologist referred Jack to both the University of Cincinnati and Ohio State University transplant centers. I am pleased to report that after thorough and comprehensive medical evaluations, Jack has been approved by both centers for organ transplant.

Ron Holp of Ron’s Pizza with pal Jack Sperry of the Hamburger Wagon

Jack has three options, but only one which offers the promise of a normal life expectancy. Option 1 is kidney dialysis. While this option does extend life expectancy, it is burdensome and for someone Jack’s age, the average life expectancy on dialysis is 10 years. Option 2 is a kidney transplant from a deceased donor. But the wait for such a donor can be up to 5 years. The average useful life expectancy of a deceased donor transplant is 10 – 15 years.

By far the most favorable option is the third one, live donor transplant. Live donor transplants can last 20 – 25 years (even longer). Such a transplant would carry Jack into his late 70’s or even his 80’s, allowing him the joy of walking his daughters down the aisle, sharing love and life with his grandchildren, continuing to cherish his friends and family, and giving him the opportunity to pay forward the generosity of the hero who saved him.

Jack in front of the Hamburger Wagon with friend Gary.

I, as well as my other brother, Bob Sperry, would give up a kidney in a minute. Unfortunately, our own health issues have prevented us from being candidates.

That’s why we are turning to you. We realize this is a BIG ASK. But this is literally a chance for you to save the life of at least one – and perhaps two – human beings. That’s because you don’t have to be a direct match to Jack. Both medical centers are part of a national sharing chain whereby a non-matching kidney is donated and then Jack would receive a matching kidney immediately, no waiting.

I am not ready to write an obituary. There is so much life ahead for Jack, if someone is willing to answer the call. PLEASE consider making this gift. Think about the magnitude of this opportunity! You have the chance to give a decent, loving, honorable man the ability to share and experience a full life! We are looking for a hero and an angel.

Recent photo of Jack and his kids

This quest has obviously raised a number of questions. People ask me how Jack is doing now. Other than very poor kidney function, he is doing fairly well. He is not yet on dialysis but certainly headed there. He still works every day and other than fatigue from time to time, life is fairly normal and routine for him currently. People ask me how kidney donors do post transplant . The surgical/medical teams we’ve spoken with say kidney donors do just fine after transplant. As a rule of thumb, a healthy person with 100% kidney function will see their overall function drop to around 80% post transplant and should continue that level of function for the remainder of their lifetime. Jack’s current kidney function is less than 20% and he currently has no discernible symptoms.

Jack and his fiancee

Finally, people have asked how to go forward if interested in being a potential donor for Jack with either the University of Cincinnati or Ohio State University transplant centers. The process simply begins with a phone call or going on-line. For both Medical Centers you will need Jack’s legal name which is John P. Sperry and his birthdate which is March 4, 1963.

For the Ohio State Program:
Call 1-800-293-8965 Option #3

For the University of Cincinnati Program:
Log into: www.uchealth.com/Transplant or you can call UC Health’s waitlist coordinator, Beth Sanders, at (513) 584-0784.

Father / Daughter event

As mentioned earlier, I know this is a HUGE ASK and understandably perhaps too big of one for many of you. That’s okay. My intention is not to give anyone a guilt trip. My goal is simply to get the word out to as many as people as possible so that a potential hero for my brother can be found. Even if you aren’t interested in being a donor, would you mind sharing this with your contacts in some shape or form so that the word can be spread?

From all of us who love Jack Sperry, God bless you.”

From all of us at Food Adventures, we hope someone sees this who can save the day. With a new fiancee, and 2 daughters, Jack is still very active and community involved. We are staying positive that things will work out for him and his prayers will be answered.

Jack and his family need a hero, could it be you ?

Jack, working at the Hamburger Wagon

Engineers Club Teaches Merit Badges to Local Scouts

February 4, 2019 By Brian Petro

Talking about science in the English Room.

Once again the Engineers Club of Dayton has taught technical Merit Badges to 12 different troops from Montgomery, Greene and Clark Counties represented by 27 Scouts BSA members. Since 2012 we have taught such subjects as Astronomy, Aviation, Composite Materials, Digital Technology, Electronics, Electricity, Energy, Engineering, Environmental Science, Inventing, Nuclear Science, Space Exploration, and Sustainability along with Geology, Robotics, Radio, and Weather which have been taught in previous years. All in all, we have taught over 150 scouts and they have earned nearly 300 merit badges. We are proud of the fact that in previous years we have had scouts from Kentucky and West Virginia to earn Merit Badges here because they were not offered at their troop’s location.

Engineers Club Boy Scout Rocket Merit Badge

Working on the Space Exploration Badge with a view of Dayton.

While the Club typically teaches in the building at 110 East Monument Avenue, we have gone to various sites around the Dayton Area such as the local Rocket Club’s site on a farm in Greene County for a rocket launch required by Space Exploration Merit Badge, the National Museum of the Air Force for the Aviation Merit Badge. We typically teach over 6 weeks starting in late October and ending the weekend after Thanksgiving.

We have worked with the Miami Valley Council BSA, representing the Sunwatch and Wright Brothers districts, north and south of Dayton. The Council has notified the troops of our ability to teach the technical merit badges. Our Merit Badge leader is Dr. Charles Bleckmann who has had many meetings and conversations with the Council making sure we meet all the Scouts requirement for teaching the merit badges as well as having interactions with the scouts.

20 Events That Give Back This November

November 5, 2018 By Lisa Grigsby

Dayton long ago earned a reputation for being a city that gives back. According to the history of the Dayton Foundation, NCR founder and Chairman John H. Patterson championed innovative projects for the betterment of the community. Joining him in his enthusiasm was his sister-in-law, Julia Shaw Patterson Carnell, and nephew, Robert Patterson, son of John Patterson’s brother, Capt. Robert Patterson, all active community leaders in their own right. A leading businesswoman, Julia Patterson Carnell helped establish the Dayton Art Institute by donating works of art, a mansion that served as the museum’s first home and $2 million towards the construction in 1930 of its current facility.

Today there are over 4000 nonprofits in the region, and to continue the legacy of taking care of our community, there are hundreds of fundraising events to support them.

Here are MostMetro’s list of the top 20 November events we think you should be aware of:

21st annual K99.1FM Cares for Kids Radiothon

Dayton Children’s Hospital

November 7- 9 @ 6:00 am – 6:00 pm

Tune in November 7-9, 2018 for the 21st annual K99.1FM Cares for Kids Radiothon, hosted by Nancy Wilson and Frye Guy from K99.

The Cares for Kids Radiothon raises money to provide high-quality pediatric health care to infants, children, and teens throughout the region. Nancy Wilson and Frye Guy broadcast live from the Dayton Children’s lobby, talking to patients and families while asking listeners to call in and make a contribution.

Getting Involved

DATE AND TIME

FULL MUSIC SCHEDULE:

LOCATION

TICKETS