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!

The next Steven Spielberg or Meryl Streep may be among the group of teens who participated in Bellewood’s third annual Youth Film Festival, an event that encourages people ages 12-18 in Kentucky and Southern Indiana to create a short film for competition.

On Sunday, March 6, teens and Bellewood supporters gathered from across the state to attend the Festival which showcases the works of every young filmmaker and presents honors to the top three winning films. 

Each year Bellewood challenges youth to make a five-minute film based on various criteria.  This year, entries had to reflect the Festival’s theme, “The Spirit to Succeed,” as well as contain the word “grit” and reference an American icon.

This year’s Festival harvested 21 films, double the entries from the previous year, and each one reflected the filmmakers’ personal interpretation of the Festival’s theme.  Submissions ranged from light-hearted comedies to more serious subject matter, like the Festival’s Honorable Mention picture, “Striving for Perfection,” from three young ladies at Noe Middle School. 

Honorable Mention recipients from Noe Middle School stand with Festival host, Liz Everman, and their teacher Kim Joiner-Johnson.

Their story of a ballerina struggling to be the best while suffering from bulimia made a significant impact with Festival judges Robin Burke, Tracy Heightchew, Kimberly Levin and Tom Whitus.

With the large increase in films, the judges’ scores resulted in a tie for first place.  Bowling Green High School’s “The American Spirit of Gritification,” and Sarah Downes’ “Steps to Success” entertained the audience of more than 250 people, and each took home the $500 grand prize. 

The BGHS film was a class project lead by speech and multimedia teacher, Sandra McCoy.  A group of 12 students ranging from 11 to 18 years old worked on conceptualizing and producing the film from beginning to end.

P.J. Correa represented BGHS in accepting the first place award.

“We had a lot of fun,” 18-year-old P.J. Correa said after accepting his team’s award. “We all worked together and even got to get out of a few classes, but I never thought we’d place first; so this is exciting.”

“Steps to Success” was written, directed and starred Sarah Downes, who worked individually to portray a young girl’s ambition to compete in a marathon.

Sarah Downes' film, 'Steps for Success,' tied for first place with a film from Bowling Green High School

Like Bowling Green High School, this was Sarah’s first time entering the Festival, and she plans to enter another work for next year.

On a last-minute whim two young men from Floyds Knobs, Indiana, created what placed second in the Festival.  Their film, “Grit,” was made in about four days and showcases their interpretation of the theme and criteria by reflecting on civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Ryan Fuquey (left) and Jackson Power made their film in less than a week.

With little equipment and no cast to speak of, the boys, Jackson Power and Ryan Fuquey, tell their story through narration and simple, but creative, cinematography. 

A group of young men from Fourth Presbyterian Church in Louisville created the third place film, “Cul-de-sac Kid.”  Their team has been involved with the Festival since its first year, and their works continue to impress the judges and the audience.  In an interview after the festival, the boys stated they have so much making their films for the Bellewood’s festival that they now want to experiment in making longer pictures for their own fun.

The young men from Fourth Prebyterian Church in Louisville have been involved with the Festival from the first year.

“We’re just so thrilled to see this festival grow each year and inspire young people,” Festival organizer and Vice President of Development at Bellewood, Sally Pendleton, said. “With cell phones, flip cameras and computer programs, it’s so easy for people to make films these days, and our festival gives kids a competitive chance to be creative and discover things about themselves in the process.”

As part of the ceremonies, the young filmmakers received words of encouragement from Bellewood supporter and Academy Award nominee, Jennifer Lawrence.  The 20-year-old star was unable to attend the festival, so her brother, Ben, and his wife, Meredith, delivered Lawrence’s personal message to encourage the young artists to continue their dreams in filmmaking and support of Bellewood. 

Sponsors of this year’s Festival include: Kosair Charities, The Schnatter Foundation, Commonwealth Bank, The Louisville Film Society, Derby City Film Festival, Kentucky Planning Partners, Second Presbyterian Church, DMLO Certified Public Accountants and The Event Company.

After the presentation of awards, Bellewood announced that KET will air some of the Festival’s submissions on their ‘Reel Visions’ program starting in August.

Additionally, the 2012 Festival’s theme was revealed as ‘DREAM!,’ and entries must contain a red balloon and the word ‘heritage.’

“We’re already thinking about next year,” Cul-de-sac Kid creator, Will Hanna, said. “We have a lot of fun doing this.”

Jennifer Lawrence, the underdog nominee for Best Actress, will have a special group of supporters watching on Oscar night – the young people at Bellewood Home for Children in her hometown of Louisville.

The 20-year-old Lawrence has been a financial and inspirational supporter of Bellewood, which helps abused, vulnerable and homeless youth and troubled families across Kentucky. The rising star, whohas been making films since her early teens, supports the annual BellewoodYouth Film Festival, which encourages young people to express themselves through filmmaking.

To show their support, Bellewood’s youth this week sent an emotional video message to Lawrence and posted it on You Tube. 

Bellewood’syouth and supporters also will hold an Oscar Night Party at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27,at Bellewood’s Louisville campus.

In her Academy Award-nominated role in “Winter’s Bone,” Lawrence portrays Ree Dolly, a 17-year-old with a missing father and an incapacitated mother who must overcome an abusive environment to provide a secure future for her younger brother and sister.

Like Ree, the youth served by BellewoodHome for Children are overcoming challenging situations. Manyhave been removed from abusive or neglectful parents. Some are now receiving residential treatment at Bellewood, while others have been placed with caring foster parents. With Bellewood’s help, many will become independent individuals who will go on to make positive contributions to their communities.

“In ‘Winter’s Bone,’ Jennifer’s character overcomes adversities that many of us can only imagine,” said Jerry Cantrell, president and CEO of Bellewood. “For many of our children, those difficult challenges are all too familiar. Both Jennifer and her character inspire us to have the faith and courage to carry on.”

Lawrence and the Louisville Film Society collaborated last year to raise money forBellewoodand its annual Youth Film Festival with a premier of “Winter’s Bone” in Louisville. Lawrence also visited Bellewood’s Louisville campus to talk with young people.

Jennifer visits with Bellewood youth and talks about her experiences in filmmaking.

The third annual Bellewood Youth Film Festival is scheduled for one week after the Academy Awards – at 3 p.m., Sunday,March 6 at Second Presbyterian Church, 3701 Brownsboro Road. Proceeds from the event support Bellewoodservices.

The festival is open to filmmakers ages 12-18 in Kentucky and Southern Indiana and offers cash prizes to the producers of the top three short films.

Ever feel guilty about dining out?  Well, now you don’t have to!

Famous Louisville pizzeria, Tony BoomBozz, from February 7-10,  is donating to Bellewood 15 percent of each person’s bill when they present the flier below with their payment. 

Open the Tony BoomBozz Flier!

This offer is valid for lunch or dinner, dine-in or carry-out at the 3400 Frankfort Avenue location only.  Come as many times as you like.  Bring your friends, family and coworkers.  We hope to see you there!

And a BIG THANKS to Tony BoomBozz for supporting Bellewood!

Our President and CEO, Jerry Cantrell, was featured in the Courier Journal’s op-ed section today. 

In his piece, Mr. Cantrell explains how child abuse is an underlying factor in many of the issues that plague society.  Additionally, he calls for the general public to become more active to combat this growing problem.

Read the article.