Don’t forget to get your nominations in for the Barbara Fitch Award by April 15^th.

On behalf of the Nominating Committee with Board Approval, I present the following slate for the Kindervelt Board of Trustees 2023-2024 and the Nominating Committee 2023-2024, which will be voted on at the Annual Meeting. Thank you to those who have graciously volunteered their time. - Bonnie Hueneman, 2022-2023 Nominating Chair.

Kindervelt #19 became her new venture after taking P&G retirement in 2012. She was looking for a philanthropic group that would both be helpful for a good cause and gaining some new social interactions. The Kindervelt motto at that time was "Raising Funds While Having Fun". It was the perfect combination of good deeds and good people! Her positions in KV #19 started small as she was project chair, and on different committees. She then moved on to the annual Lunch at the Links, hosting a table and running the accessory shop. Jeanne reports that the growing success of the Lunch at the Links makes her so proud of her KV involvement. Through the hard work of a great group of Committee members and Chairs, they have doubled their revenues for Kindervelt. KV #19 was an early adapter of GIVESMART technology thus saving the day during Covid.

The Lunch at the Links Fundraising Theme for 2023 is "RUN for the ROSES." Invite your friends and come dressed in your Spring Finery for this fun event on Sat April 29th. Please see above Flyer for all the details.

After a two year hiatus, "Let the Good Times Bowl" was back as good as ever! There were 26 lanes filled with bowlers and many spectators too! Energy level was high, lots of laughter all for the kids at CCHMC. It was a very successful event, fun had by all and in the process, $22,738.11 was raised. A huge shout out to our chairs, Andi Mapes and Suzanne Nemeth and to our MC Catherine Bodak from FOX19. Lets not forget our generous sponsors especially the Kingpin sponsor Valerie Taylor and John Finocharo.

KV #3 is in recruitment mode for new members. At our next meeting, we have invited several guests, primarily younger women, to join us. The group is also looking to expand our ongoing First Friday fundraising event for next year. 

KV #22 met again at our local pizza place called Mac’s! We welcomed new member, Cindy Nelson, from Montgomery. Thank you to Bonnie Finn for inviting her along! Sending positive vibes and a “Happy Birthday” to Sheila Mulligan across the pond!

KV Krafts - A great big Thank You to the seven groups that participated in the March Kraft and Bakery Sale at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. We made 3841.39, which brings us to a total of 39,647.52. A great BIG SHOUT OUT to all of YOU! We are waiting on some post money to come in so we’re hoping to hit that big 40,000.00! Congratulations Ladies! 

Katrina Smith - I would like to personally thank everyone for their kind showing of sympathy when my father passed away. The donations, cards, texts, calls, in-person acknowledgements, and overall nice gestures meant so much. My dad loved supporting Kindervelt mostly because he knows how dear it is to me. It's dear to me because of the incredible things we do for the hospital, as well as the opportunity for me to have such wonderful friendships with so many fabulous people. Special thanks to my group #78 friends...you're the best! 

KV #30 A special thank you from Group 30 to everyone who supported our Bunco Saturday March 25th. Congratulations to all the winners of the basket raffle, the silent auction, the quarter raffles and the lottery ticket board. A great time was had by all!!!

KV#56 would like to extend our appreciation to our members who worked on Crafts and helped with our Spring Craft Sale at CCHMC and the following week- Spring Bake Sale. Thank you all! Both events were a big success. 

KV #56 Special thank you to Nancy Bassarab, a long time member of our group. Nancy also worked at CCHMC in the laboratory. Her time with Kindervelt is always greatly appreciated.

KV #68 would like to thank Sally Westendorf for hosting our March meeting and Beverly Rainier for the delicious dessert. We would also like to thank all its members that made crafts or baked for the Spring Kraft Show at the hospital.

KV #16 Congratulations to the Davis Family on the birth of their daughter, Reagan Grace, born on February 26th! I'm sure that Big Sister Myla is really excited too! Can't wait to meet her in person!

KV #68 would like to congratulate Susan Deye on the birth of her grandson and Marge Duffy on the birth of her great grandson Henry William Deye, born January 10, 2023 to Andrew Deye and his wife Palmer.

KV #56 We're asking for Kindervelt members to say a prayer for our long time member Terri Mitsch and her family. Terri is a 40+ year member of Kindervelt and a wonderful representative of all that KV stands for as she is generous with her time and talents. Terri was recently diagnosed with Alzheimers. 

KV #77 sends their deepest sympathy to Brenda Bearden and her family on the sudden loss of her sister Joni.

1.    Understand that it is a failed attempt at coping. When we understand that self-harm is often an ineffective way to manage negative feelings, we can help the kids we love to identify and engage in more effective coping skills. The Cornell Research Program on Self-Injury and Recovery has an exceptional list of alternative coping strategies. These strategies range from squeezing ice to placing stickers on the area your child wishes to harm.

2.    Connect with a therapist. While it may seem that self-harm is the actual problem, in most cases, it is a symptom of the problem. Is your child feeling stressed? Overwhelmed? Angry? Isolated? Connecting with a therapist can help your child to identify the specific stressor that is leading them to cope in an ineffective way. While we want to stop the self-harming behavior, failing to address the triggers and identify safe and effective coping skills places the child at risk to continue to self-harm.

3.    Suggest alternative coping strategies. When the brain engages in fight, flight, or freeze, its ability to reasonably sort through alternative coping strategies is impaired. As a caregiver, you can help redirect your child. When your child is not actively in a crisis, sit down together and list alternative coping strategies. Does your child enjoy walking? Do they enjoy dancing to a favorite song? Do they feel most supported by a listening ear? When a stressor arises and your child is tempted to self-harm, refer to the list you made together and help redirect them to a different coping skill. 

4.    Sharp objects, supervision and support. While your child begins to connect with a therapist, removing sharp objects will be crucial in keeping your child safe from self-harm. Know what your child typically self-harms with and remove those items from your home. Think creatively and consider other obscure objects, as well. Remember that supervision is key in helping your child to remain safe. Lastly, reach out for support. Watching your child struggle with self-harm is difficult as a caregiver. Utilize your local and national resources to obtain needed support.

The Cornell Research Program on Self-Injury and Recovery: http://www.selfinjury.bctr.cornell.edu/perch/resources/distraction-techniques-pm-2.pdf

Identifying Therapists: www.psychologytoday.com