The Louisville Skating Academy is hosting its annual Skate-a-Palooza Sat. Feb. 18 and will donate a generous 50 percent of its proceeds to Bellewood Home for Children.

The Academy is also a nonprofit agency, dedicated to promoting and developing the sport of skating in the Louisville area.  The annual Skate-a-Palooza consists of a synchronized skating exhibition, a free skating clinic open to the public and the skating marathon. 

The public is welcome to attend the exhibition and must register online for the skating clinic at www.skatelouisville.org. Pledge forms for the skate-a-thon are also available online.

Bellewood is sending some of its youth to the event to watch the exhibition and participate in the clinic.  The partnership between the two agencies was formed last year when the Louisville Skating Academy was searching for a local nonprofit to benefit from their event.

Skate-a-Palooza takes place Sat. Feb. 18 from 3-5 p.m. ET at Iceland Sports Complex in Louisville. For more information, visit www.skatelouisville.org.

Greetings, Bellewood friends!

As someone who spent much of their childhood at Bellewood, I am very excited as I assume responsibility as Chair of the Board. Bellewood paved the way for me to live a successful life, and now I can help pave the way for Bellewood’s future.

I came to Bellewood in 1956 and received tremendous care, a solid education and was connected with supportive adults who prepared me for adulthood.  I learned the importance of self-sufficiency and hard work, and I have carried the lessons I learned at Bellewood with me throughout my life.

After leaving Bellewood, I received my undergraduate and master’s degrees from Pace University in New York.  I served in the U.S. Army, spending a year in Vietnam.  After 18 years working at IBM, I moved to Lexmark where I retired as vice president of sales and marketing.

This homecoming at Bellewood is deeply meaningful to me, and it is my goal to help elevate our work and increase awareness of the incredible impact we makes across Kentucky.  I look forward to having your support as together we help Bellewood to a solid, bright future.

Reed Farley
Chair, Bellewood Board of Directors

The Oldham Era
Thurs. Jan. 19, 2012 | Staff Report

When 13-year-old Hannah Springer of South Oldham Middle School got an inspiring idea at church camp this summer, it wasn’t something she forgot.
She came home and put action to her idea.

“We all went to this place and helped out a lot of people,” she said. “It really got me wanting to do something good.”

What started as a summer inspiration is going to have an impact through the winter months. She decided to collect winter coats for a local children’s home with the help of her church, Northeast Christian Church. The organization that benefited from Hannah’s efforts is Bellewood Home for Children in Louisville.

She started the coat drive on Nov. 9 at her church. Less than a month later, Hannah and her mom, Jami Springer, delivered 181 coats to the children’s home on Dec. 2.

Hannah chose the local Christian children’s home because she wanted to help children and they had a need. The eye-opening experience of delivering the donations made her enthusiastic about helping others. Hannah said the experience makes her want to help additional charities.

“I now know that kids will not be cold there any more and that is amazing to me,” she said.

Springer said she was surprised so many people helped and wanted to collect coats in their neighborhoods and at their schools.

“All of these parents and kids just wanted to give me more and more coats,” she said.
 
Springer said she encourages other teenagers with ideas about helping others to go for it.

Hannah Springer (centered) with Bellewood staff after she delivered coats and other winter clothing.

She said the hardest part is getting started but added, “If you have God with you, you can do anything.”

“The greatest thing I will take away is just the feeling of knowing God is always helping me and that so many people help you and are proud of you when you’re all done with it.”

Jerry Cantrell, president and CEO of Bellewood Home for Children, said young people like Hannah are an inspiration to the community.  

“The face of philanthropy is changing, and we’re finding that the younger generations really want to take initiative and be actively involved in helping better the lives of those around them,” he said. “It’s uplifting to our youth to know there is someone their own age who is remembering them and doing what they can to help.”

Cantrell said the opportunities to support Bellewood youth are endless.  

“Naturally, a monetary gift of any amount is always helpful, but for those who want to take a more active role, Bellewood needs tutors in our school, mentors, administrative office support and any volunteers who want to work on our campus or share an experience with our children,” he said.

“We welcome the community into the lives of our youth because it helps them become self-sufficient adults.”

If you’re looking for a way to make Christmas merry for the youth at Bellewood, we’ve got some ideas for you.  Our kids’ needs are simple, so it’s easy for you to help.

Below is a list of items you can give to Bellewood’s young people.  Please mail or drop-off your new, unwrapped gifts by Dec. 19 to the Bellewood location nearest you. You can also give online.

• Arts and crafts supplies
• Board games
• Books for all ages
• Clothing for males and females (children, teens and young adults)
• Gift cards to grocery and department stores, gas stations and restaurants
• Gloves, hats and scarves for males and females (children, teens and young adults)
• Infant care products (diapers, etc.)
• Kitchen utensils and cookware
• Luggage and tote bags
• Sports equipment (basketballs, footballs, etc.)
• Winter coats for male and female, all ages

Thank you for your support — we hope you have a wonderful holiday!  If you have any questions about making a donation, please contact any of the Bellewood offices.

Read the inspiring of “Amazing Gracey,” the 10-year-old girl who’s forsaking her Christmas for Bellewood.

By Rita Dukes Smith
Leader-News Editor | editor@ky-leadernews.com

BREMEN — It’s pretty amazing when a 10-year-old doesn’t have a mile-long Christmas list prepared back in July. It’s even more amazing when a youngster says that she has decided that she would rather buy gifts for those less fortunate and forego any for herself.

Gracey Dukes, a fifth-grader in Grant Sharp’s class at Bremen Elementary School, told her mother, Shannon Francis Dukes, that she wanted to give her gifts to children who would probably have none. Gracey’s sentiment has snowballed into an outreach and hundreds of area residents have gotten in on the act.

“When we got online and started researching orphanages, we found that the closest was in Owensboro, where there is a branch of Bellewood Home for Children,” said Shannon. “After we started reading about it, Gracey became even more enthused about not only giving her gifts to those children but also finding others, who wanted to help. I realized how sincere she was and it warmed my heart even more.”

Gracey, who enjoys basketball, shopping with her mother and going on vacation like most girls, has made gathering donations for the Bellewood children her priority of activities for the next few weeks.

Gracey Dukes' Christmas wish for Bellewood is inspiring the entire community.

She will take part in the Bellewood center’s Christmas party and dinner Dec. 22 and report back to Leader-News about her experience. She will deliver the gifts to the children there at that time. Anything raised above what is needed at the Owensboro center will be distributed to the other Bellewood homes in Louisville, Lexington, Paducah and Bowling Green.

“I can’t wait to meet them and feel their excitement at the presents,” said Gracey.

Her enthusiasm has rubbed off on her fellow fifth-grade class.

“My class is going to bring presents to school and we’re going to pack them up and deliver them,” Gracey said.

Shannon said that Gracey’s teacher has been on board with the effort and that Bremen staff member Carla Embry also has gotten her church in on the project.

“I’m not from here originally,” said Shannon, “But I have seen first hand how wonderful people here in this county are. I’m really proud to call this my home.”

Gracey and her helpers have set up donation bins at the Central City Fitness Center, Nanny’s Daycare in Greenville, the Muhlenberg Emergency Services Complex, the Bremen Fire Department, Main Street Costumes in Greenville and Old National Bank in Beechmont.

Shannon’s fiancé, Tony Oglesby, her siblings, Dylan Dukes and Kayla Maiden, have been been on board her Christmas outreach team and she’s gotten lots of support for the project from her father, Bryan Dukes. Gracey’s selfless act has been inspiring the community in helping provide Christmas presents for the children’s home at a fast-growing rate.

Initially, there were 20 children on the needs list from the Owensboro home and 20 local families have already agreed to sponsor those. Items gathered for general needs will be distributed during the December 22 dinner as well. Shannon said her daughter is an inspiration about the true meaning of Christmas.

“She has a heart of gold,” said Shannon. “She prefers making us (the family) presents, and I’ve always treasured those the most.”

For Gracey, gathering the gifts for other children is rewarding and meaningful.

“I really like giving presents better than getting presents,” said Gracey. “And, it’s Jesus’ birthday. So that seems right.”

Below is a list of items needed that will be delivered to the Bellewood Home for Children. Items will be gathered from the donation sites on Dec. 19.

Arts and crafts supplies; basic toiletries like toothpaste and brushes; bed and bath linens; board games; toys for ages 2 to 12; new clothing for males and females ages 8 to 18; cookware; DVD players; gift cards to grocery and department stores; hair care products; movies rated PG-13 and lower; MP3 players; sports equipment like basketballs and footballs; and video games rated E.

BOWLING GREEN, KY. — Every child dreams of being famous, and this Saturday the wish of one lucky youth will come true.

Bellewood Home for Children’s annual music and song competition, BelleWoodstock, will shine the spotlight on local youth Saturday evening as they compete for a chance to win a performance at Nashville’s renowned Blue Bird Café and a session with Studio DD Recording. 

The competition challenges kids from kindergarten through high school to perform a selection of their choice for an audience and panel of judges.  BelleWoodstock is the venue for a full genre of vocalists, bands and instrumentalists, and country music star, Clay Underwood, will be introducing each of them at the Capitol Arts Theatre.

“I’m very glad to see an organization like Bellewood that does so much for its community step forward and offer young people a chance to showcase their talents,” Underwood says. “It’s important for kids and teens to have an opportunity to explore music, and this event supports that need in a fun, creative way.”

Bellewood cares for abused and neglected youth in Kentucky through a variety of programs and last year launched BelleWoodstock as a way to celebrate the creative talents of local kids just as the agency itself supports the uniqueness of every child it serves. 

“Supporting kids and families is at the core of our mission,” Bellewood’s Director of Community Based Services, Kristy Watt, says.  “We received a really warm response to the event last year, and this year, we found even more excitement and support around it.”

Saturday evening’s program consists of 17 performances (28 youth total), and with the help of the audience, judges will select which lucky artist gets top billing.

A motorcade of the performers with a police escort will begin at 5:30 p.m., taking the young stars of the night through Circus and Fountain Square parks before dropping them off at Capitol Arts Theatre for their grand entrance.  

BelleWoodstock begins at 6 p.m. CT. General admission tickets are available for $5 at the door.  Merchandise including jewelry and T-shirts as well as feather and tinsel hair extensions installation will be available for purchase.  More information can be found at www.bellewood.org/music or by calling 270.796.2012. 

BelleWoodstock is sponsored in part by Bluegrass Cellular, Kiwanis Club of Bowling Green, and Bell, Orr, Ayers & Moore, P.S.C.

LOUISVILLE, KY — Local canines of all breeds, sizes and colors will be on their mettle soon for the annual Anchorage Dog Show.

A casual, family-friendly event, the show unites citizens with their love of animals while raising awareness and funds for neighboring nonprofit, Bellewood Home for Children. 

This year, 76 dogs will compete for the coveted Best in Show, but awards will be presented to dogs in each of the event’s 10 competition classes as well as honors for Best Dressed, Dog/Owner Look-alike and Mr./Miss Congeniality.  

With no admission fee, the show on Sunday, October 16 at 3:30 p.m. is open to the public and takes place at the square in downtown Anchorage. 

“More than anything we want this to be fun for people,” Rob Davenport, event founder and owner of Kentucky Planning Partners, says. “If we can get folks out to enjoy the day and learn a little more about what Bellewood does for the community, then we’ll have a success.” 

The Goebels with their dog, Bailey, Best in Show winner of the first Anchorage Dog Show.

Bellewood serves abused and homeless youth in Kentucky and has operated out of Anchorage since 1875. 

More than 300 people attended the first show last fall, and attendance is expected to increase this year.

In addition to the show, a screening of Disney’s live-action “101 Dalmatians” will take place at 7 p.m. on the lawn of the square.  Event sponsor Village Anchor Pub and Roost will have food and drink available for purchase.

For more information visit www.bellewood.org/dogshow or call 502.245.4171.

LOUISVILLE, KY (JULY 12, 2011) – New vegetable gardens at Bellewood Home for Children are helping produce much more than a tasty harvest of tomatoes, corn and squash. They’re growing self-sufficient, responsible adults from what were once abused, vulnerable and homeless youth.

Bellewood’s “Grow to Go” garden program gives young people on the Louisville campus of the statewide childcare agency an opportunity to gain life skills through the hands-on experiences of growing vegetables and flowers as they “grow to go” into the real world as independent adults.

What makes this program distinct from others is that it’s lead entirely by community volunteers. Bellewood’s young people work side-by-side with these adults to prepare the ground, sow the seeds, nurture the plants and harvest the bounty.

Flat boxes with herbs sit outside the fenced garden containing squash, zucchini, corn, peppers, watermelon and 106 tomato plants.

This is a completely new approach for Bellewood, and everyone who’s involved is seeing the positive impact it’s making.

“Through our Grow to Go program, we’re growing much more than plants,” says Sally Pendleton, Bellewood’s vice president for development and community engagement. “We’re growing people who are a stronger, healthier and better rooted for life’s challenges.”

With the garden, Bellewood’s youth gain a sense of responsibility and accomplishment as they work to grow vegetables that will become part of a wholesome, home-cooked meal or flowers that will be the centerpiece of a holiday celebration.

“Most of these kids are new to the garden experience,” says Don Walker, the lead volunteer who began orchestrating plans for the garden in the fall. “They’re getting a lot of education and self-confidence out of this, and it’s great to watch them grow with the garden.”

Walker has rallied about 15 dedicated volunteers who work regularly with the youth. Additionally, the group has secured donations and gardening supplies from businesses and friends who want to support this extraordinary effort. With the garden in full-swing, the group is seeing the minds of these young people are changing as their ideas about good nourishment once began at the nearest drive-thru.

Throughout the entire gardening process, the volunteers have become role models who teach life lessons and life skills – where our food comes from, what it takes to grow a good crop, how to prepare a healthy meal and the importance of teamwork.

Through Bellewood’s Grow to Go garden, young people are raising tomatoes, corn, potatoes, peppers, squash and other vegetables that will be part of healthy meals at the campus kitchen, sold at a summertime roadside market and shared with special friends as part of a harvest dinner.

“Now that the vegetables and here and the kids can see the results of their hard work, it’s really given them something to be proud of,” Walker says. “They get that sense of ‘look what I can do’ .”

Bellewood also has a greenhouse where poinsettias are grown for Christmas, lilies for Easter, geraniums and other annuals for summer gardens and mums for fall.  Many of the vegetables in the garden were grown from seed in the greenhouse which is part of the horticulture class at Bellewood’s school on campus.

“As the plants grow to maturity, so do our young people,” Pendleton says. “We’re working to help the boys and girls of Bellewood grow into stronger young men and women.”

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (May 18, 2011) – Taylor Swift and Garth Brooks are only two big names among the dozens of personalities who were discovered at Nashville’s Blue Bird Café, one of the world’s preeminent music lounges, and a Bowling Green High School junior could be joining that throng of names this Sunday.

When 17-year-old Kevin Kelly won Bellewood Home for Children’s music and song competition, BelleWoodstock, last October, part of his grand prize was the opportunity to perform at the famous café which has become synonymous with jumpstarting the careers of many a popular music artist. 

Kelly will perform his own composition, “Summer Sound,” Sunday, May 22, in the unassuming establishment that seats approximately 100 patrons just outside downtown Nashville.  Blue Bird’s unique quality is that every musician performs their own original works, which is why it as become such a hot spot for discovering new talent in the music industry. 

The performance Kelly gave at BelleWoodstock was the first he ever made publically.  In the past, he played piano privately, but for his grand prize–winning performance, Kelly chose to play and sing Eric Hutchinson’s “OK, It’s Alright With Me,” wooing the judges and audience with his Jason Mraz-like delivery.

“This is the first thing I ever did, and my teacher kind of pushed me into it,” Kelly said. “Now I’ve got this gig at The Blue Bird, and it’s really cool cause I never would have been able to do this had it not been for BelleWoodstock.”

17-year-old Kevin Kelly performs Sunday, May 22, at the legendary Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.

Bellewood Home for Children fashioned its music and song competition with enormous success last year as a way to bring the community and young people closer to its mission of serving abused and homeless youth throughout Kentucky.  Part of Bellewood’s therapeutic approach to care is celebrating the unique qualities of every child, and BelleWoodstock gave the nonprofit agency a chance to reach out to more youth who have a desire to share their talents while also increasing awareness of the organization.

“We were really pleased with the event, and we’re thrilled for Kevin to have this opportunity,” Bellewood’s Director of Operations for Western Kentucky, Kristy Watt, said. “We wanted BelleWoodstock to encourage young people to embrace their talents and share them with others, so it’s really powerful to see someone as modest as Kevin accomplish something so remarkable.”  

Blue Bird Café is heralded primarily for its country artists, but that didn’t stop Kelly from composing a piece that represents himself. His song, “Summer Sound,” has a whimsical, flowing tempo and represents his personal taste in music with lighter, melodic tones and simple, poetic lyrics.

A group of family, friends and Bellewood staff will be in the audience at the Blue Bird Café Sunday supporting Kevin through his biggest accomplishment since last October.

As a result of BelleWoodstock, Kelly has taken the time to get involved with other charitable organizations that allow him to share his love of music. He has volunteered with I Will Sing for Food and was also accepted to be a part of the Musicians On-Call in Nashville where he will perform for chronically ill patients in hospitals and at their home.

“He didn’t just win the competition; he won the confidence to show the world that he can do so much with his gift of music,” Kelly’s mother, Diona, said. “It’s just opened so many doors within himself that allow him to share his talent with everyone.”

A YouTube video of Kelly performing “Summer Sound” is available at BelleWoodstock’s website.

The second BelleWoodstock is October 15 at the Capitol Arts Theatre, and the agency is accepting entries beginning August 1.

As many people are preparing for Easter with their families this weekend, we kindly ask you to help Bellewood prepare Easter baskets for our youth who will be with us this Sunday. 

Bellewood is in need of the following for males and females, ages 12-18:

• Easter baskets
• Candies
• Bath/hygiene products

Any donations are welcome and may be dropped off by Friday, April 22, to our Louisville or Bowling Green residential locations. Please contact us with any questions.

Thank you for helping make it a Happy Easter for Bellewood’s youth!