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We are a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, so your gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Gifts can be made by check and mailed to:
VITALITY Cincinnati, 1551 Marlowe Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45224
You can also donate securely online — you will be re-directed to our PayPal Giving page which accepts credit cards and charges no fees!
Gifts of appreciated stock are also welcome. Please get in touch with Brian at (513) 300-5174 and he will connect you with our broker.
Be part of something special at VITALITY. Your gift makes a big difference!
Our History
VITALITY began in 2010 as group of three friends determined to make holistic self-care affordable for all. Soon many friends joined the circle and shared their hopes, dreams, and gifts in our circle. We began offering donation-based Healing Touch and yoga on Xavier University’s campus in 2010 as we renovated space in Norwood led by Hank Burwinkel, George Maggini, and Jim Ollier. We opened for donation-based programs, special programs and workshops, and internships in that space from January 2011 until the covid-pandemic arrived in March 2020.
Dedicated volunteers shared free Healing Touch sessions at CAIN Food Pantry & Bond Hill Food Pantry for many years. Helen Buswinka, Peg Conway, Bahati Hill, Todd Long, Sandra Waits, and Brian Shircliff offered hundreds of sessions over the years as clients waited in line for food.
Between 2011 and 2021, we offered a 200-hour Yoga/Healing Touch Internship. Interns received their 200-hour yoga certification in exchange for volunteering 200-hours per intern at our donation-based programs or local community gardens. 130 interns offered thousands of hours in the Walnut Hills gardens, Avondale gardens, Tikkun Farm, Eden Urban Gardens, and through our efforts to launch gleaning in Southwest Ohio. Mike Eck championed gleaning and Sue Plummer continues to grow gleaning every year with the position Mike got fully funded by the Society of St. Andrew, the national gleaning organization. Thousands upon thousands of pounds of farm-fresh food have been gleaned — rescued — from local farms and shared at food pantries, soup kitchens, and La Soupe.
Our Yoga/Healing Touch Interns created free/donation-based yoga classes and Healing Touch opportunities all over Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky…and as far away as Alaska and South Africa! Many continue to share their holistic gifts today. Cynthia Bedell, Tonia Smith, and Brian Shircliff led the internship, Carol T Yeazell was a great mentor to all the interns over the years. Many local instructors shared their expertise, especially Becky Morrissey and Cynthia Allen.
Our Peter Buswinka Healing Touch Work-Scholarship Fund helped dozens of people take Healing Touch Levels 1-4. Hundreds of people took Healing Touch Levels 1-3 at VITALITY, many of those classes led by beloved instructor Mary Duennes. Peg Conway and Stephanie Beck Borden took level 1 with us and went all the way to completing their Healing Touch Practitioner Certification!
Our Inner Journey journaling circle led by Penny Costilla since 2011 continues to inspire people to write/create for fun, for insight, and even for VITALITY’s book label: VITALITY buzz, bliss + books LLC. Penny also leads our annual Winter Solstice celebration on Zoom where we’ve all delighted in receiving our word for the year.
We are excited to discover what’s next for growing VITALITY…through welcoming people into our Walnut Hills space, through Zoom, and through wherever the big wind of life invites us.
200-hour Yoga/Healing Touch Internships
2012: Rachel Courtney, Julia Martin, Aprilann Pandora, Bridget Rice, Matt Ziegler 2013: Sarah Hayes & Rose Wetterau 2014: Marilyn Bakie, Cynthia Bedell, Davi Brown, Jackie Bryant, Julie Campbell, Sherri Elmore, Sara Haas, Kathleen Hannah, Bahati Hill, Lindsey Jones, Crystal Judge, Joan Lichtman, Melissa McNeill, Jamie Murray-Davidson, Alex Olmedo, Joey Robertson, Sara Salyers, Karehma Simon, Liz Smith, Drew Williams, with Chair Yoga graduates: Brooke Audreyal & Sandra Waits 2015/Avondale: Brenda Baker, Tori Craig, Erin Crowley, Jenny Funk, Brian Hefele, Emma Kelley, Julietta Ladipo, Jimmy Robertson, Chris Stalbaum, Peggy St. Clair, Kristen Van Dyke, Anne Welling 2015/Walnut Hills: Shelia Barnes, Priscilla Conley, Tammy Cordeiro, Coral Dill, Jalisa Holifield, Gary Johnson, Kevin Laskowski, Melanie Moon, Pam Schreiner, Adrienne Staples, Betty Waite, Genevieve Washington 2016/Summer: Kelly Barrett, Marie Bazeley, Casey Gries, Julia Kleinfelter, Ellen Noonan, Beulah Runions, Alexander Shelton, Jan Stenken, Aziza Love Thompson 2016/Winter: Elena Ashe, Jan Birdsey, Megan Bolt, Drew Reidenbach, Autumn Reynolds, Samie Rundo, Valerie Vogel, Patricia Williams, Teresa Woolum-Bowen 2017: Natalie Braun, Cassandra Freed, Taylor Hand, Amelia Herold, Rhyanne McDade, Alice Michels, C.J. Pierce, Isabelle Provosty, Dayna Schambach, Jamie Thaxton, Carroll Wallace, Tiffany West, Collin Witte, Liz Wu 2018: Nkem Kayla Iheukwu, Leann Kane, Lena Kol, Nikki Leonard, Macaulay Minton, Tina Nelson, Logan Probst, Miranda Ro Sadler, Amanda Sanders, Tonia Smith, Lydia Tamanko 2019: Katherine Archambault, Jeanetta Anderson, Angie Grimsley, Fauna Jackson, Kathy Lauer, Michael Marinakis, Sarah Mayher, Kedhar Sairam, Candace Smith, Damon Wilson 2020: Brittany Carter, Amanda Davis, David Eby, Jan Harper Jackson, Lena Mamales, Megan McDonald-Peterson, Katrina Roberson, Doyle Shea, Jonathan Stewerf 2021: Fran Collins, Cesira Miconi, Clara Nyktas
300-hour Yoga & Bones for Life Trainings
2016: Cynthia Bedell, Sherry Joy Clower, Crystal Judge, Bridget Rice, Maureen Sullivan-Mahoney 2017: Beulah Runions, Clay Runions, Patricia Williams 2018: Nikki Owens, CJ Pierce, Miranda Ro Sadler, Alexander Shelton, Tonia Smith, Carroll Wallace, Tiffany West 2019: Todd Long 2021: Brittany Carter, Amanda Davis, LaTrese Green, KC Lauer, Alice Michels, Jamie Murray-Davidson, Chris Stalbaum…and beginning in 2020, we partnered with Future Life Now to offer Bones for Life trainings for hundreds upon hundreds of people via Zoom!
Donor Roll
2015
* Grants: Anonymous Family Foundation ($16,000), Interact for Health Thriving Community Grant through Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation ($3,600+), Peg & Joe Conway Family ($1200 to underwrite the publishing of VITALITY’s A New Setting of Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises)
Anonymous (3), Gillian Ahlgren, Cynthia Allen & Larry Wells of Future Life Now@, April Andreason, Brooke Audreyal, Ascendum & the VORA Group, Diana & Eugene Avergon@, Brenda Baker, Shelia Barnes, Stephanie Beck Borden@, Cynthia Bedell, Pam & Robert Beigh & Salescore, Bellarmine Chapel many friends who bought A New Setting of Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises at Mass, Karen & Bruce Berno, Jan Birdsey, Matthew Bloomfield, Friends at Bond Hill Food Pantry, Stephanie Beck Borden@, Melissa Beck-Yeazell & TriCounty Golf Ranch@, Chrissy Bender/Living Tree Wellness@, Elizabeth & Michael Berning, Karen & Bruce Berno, Richard Bollman SJ, Patricia & John Bosse, Joe Bracken SJ, Christine & Dan Breuwer, Trivia Participants at BrewHouse-Walnut Hills, JB Buse & LOTH Inc.@, Kristen Carpenter & the Art House yoga patrons, Kamaria & Kemal Catalan, Joyce & Tom Choquette, Civic Garden Center & Jan Simms@, Margee Clarke, Sherry Clower, Pricilla Conley, Peg & Joe Conway, Carole & Victor Cooke, Tori Craig, Mary & Tim Cronin, Erin Crowley, Pat Daly@, Teresa Damico, Barbara & Thomas Daugherty, Mary Beth Daugherty, Charlotte Davis, Robin Davidson, Susan Dawes, Robbie de Rojas, Sue & David Deye, Alisa Dixon, Bailey Dixon & Grandma Pat, Jan Donley, John Dorey, Fab & Eric Duell, Mary Duennes, Friends who bid on items donated to VITALITY which we sold on eBay & Everything But The House & Half-Price Books, Kathy & David Eby, Denise & Mike Eck, Deborah Eschenbacher, Toya & Terry Estes@, Patricia Farkas, Heidi & Mike Felton@, David Franke@, Janet & Hal Franke, Jenny Funk, Gabriel’s Place yoga participants, Joann & Steven Gay, General Electric Foundation in honor of Cathy & Brian Graham, Good Samaritan Hospital yoga participants, Katie Murtaugh-Getz & Employees of Gorman Heritage Farm & Dan Beard Council of the Boy Scouts, Kellie & Jim Glendon, Cathy & Brian Graham, Theresa Gregg, Rhonda & Rick Gronberg, Karen Gromada, Diana Halligan, Jeff Hartman, Ursula Hassel, Ed Hausfeld, Brian Hefele, Jim Heisel@, Nancy & Paul Heisel, Marcia & Paul Hendrick, Amanda Hendricks, Nick Hendricks, Scott Hickey, Christine & Steve Hils, Eddie Horgan, Yvonne Houser-McCoy, Natasha Hubbard, Yah-Unity Israel@, Gary Johnson, Kathleen Bok & Ron Johnson, Lindsey Jones, Deborah Jordan, Crystal Judge & ECOnsciously, Annie Kalahurka, Michele Kallick, Karma Hot Yoga@, Emma Kelley, Rachel & Matt Kemper, Jean & Jack Kennevan, Cynthia Kent, Alex Kepley, Leo Klein SJ, Laura Kleinfelter, Natalie Kleinfelter, Terri & David Konermann, Kroger Co., Margaret & Richard Kuck, Julietta Ladipo, Greg Lamping, Kevin Laskowski & Tom Payne, Rosaleen Laughlin, Eric Layman, Melissa Lierer, Jack Lennon, Charlette Lev Gordon, Joan Lichtman, Allie & George Maggini, Gregg Malpede, Mike Marchal, Mike Marrero, Kim & Mark McLaughlin, Jacqueline McClure, Melissa McNeill, Jenny Miller, Connie & Steve Miltenberger, Melanie Moon, Ronald Moon, Becky Morrissey & Sangha Yoga-Loveland, Melissa Moser, Randy Neufarth & Miles of Golf@, Sheaker Narayanan, Oasis Golf Club & GM Wayne McDonough@, Nancy & Jim Ollier, Kathy O’Malley & Ronald Pfleghaar, Ken Overberg SJ, Aprilann Pandora, Lora & Mike Pateras, Dawn & Allen Paxson@, Francie & John Pepper, Janet & Morris Persons, Charlene Ponti, Theresa Popelar, Tami Prophater, Terry Quinn, Jane Redd, Leah Reynolds & Peace of Pottery, Bridget & Michael Rice, Fran Repka RSM, Kathy Riga, Marty Roberts, Jimmy Robertson & Barbara South, Susan Russell, Kristen@ & Peggy St. Clair, Saint Xavier High School Campus Ministry, Saint Xavier High School Mission Collection, Sue & Roy Saylors, Holly Schapker, Pat & Sam Schloemer, Edy & Carl Schlotman III, Peggy & Bruce Schmucker, Judy & Gary Schrand, Christine & Louis Schroder, Christine & John Schuermann, Prena & Joseph Schwierling, Camille & Carl Servizzi, Kathy & Tim Sheeran, Dan Shick, Brian Shircliff, Gary Shircliff, Jodi & Wayne Shircliff, Karehma Simon, Stacy Sims & TrueBody Project, Lauren Smith, Liz Smith, Michelle & Joel Smith, Pat Springer@, Chris Stahlbaum, Emily Stahlbaum, Michele & Ron Stegman, Denise & Mike Stelljes@, Chandler Stevens@, Melanie & Bob Stewart@, Susan Stidd, Carolyn Stoner, Bruce Strickland/VIP Backrubs, Jean Marie Stross & Dan Price, Latisha Sullivan, Maureen Sullivan-Mahoney, Gwen Summers, Kristine Suna-Koro, Bill Tarter@, Sharon & Jim Telles, Joy & Robert Thaler, Traditions Golf Club, Joan & Daniel Valerio, Kristen Van Dyke, Julia & Joe Ventura, Joyce Vogt, Bob Waddle, Walnut Hills Community, Betty Waite, Geneiveve Washington, Margaret & Matt Weinberger, Patrick Welage, Geraldine & James Weller, Jenny Wenger, Kathaleen Weyer, Deborah & Philip Wheeler, Joan & Don Whitaker, Connie Widmer, Margaret & Robert Wight, Sue Wilke, Leslie Williams, Mary Ellen Williams, Nicole & John Williams, Patricia Williams LMT, Stanley Williams, Judy Wimberg, Maria & Richard Winans, Carol T & Bruce Yeazell, Carol & Lee Yeazell, Matt Ziegler LMT@, Ginny Zimmerman@ (donation of a car to our eBay auction!)
2014
* Grants: Interact for Health-Join the Fun ($20,000), Anonymous Family Foundation ($5,000)
Anonymous (4), Gillian Ahlgren, Ramesh & Sudha Amatya, Maria & Joseph Arcuri, Erin Arnold, Mary Kay Arnold, Ascendum & the Employees of the Vora Group, Brooke Audreyal, Diana & Eugene Avergon@, Brenda Baker, Marilyn Bakie, Melissa Beck-Yeazell & TriCounty Golf Ranch@, Stephanie Beck Borden@, Pam & Robert Beigh & Salescore, Cynthia Bedell, Pratima & Pradeep Bekal, Terri Belmer, Mary Berger, Karen & Bruce Berno, Nancy Bertaux & Kaleel Skeirik, Nina Bertaux-Skeirik, Jan Birdsey, Gail & William Birmingham, Kathleen Blieszner & Jerome Glinka, Matthew Bloomfield, Friends at Bond Hill Food Pantry, Joe Bracken SJ, Davi Brown, JB Buse & LOTH Inc.@, Karen & Brian Busse, Kristen Carpenter & Jeff Iker, Kathy & Matthew Chabot, Indrani Chatterjee, Darlene & Rex Cheek, Kate Chevalier, Joyce & Tom Choquette, Eva Clarke, Margee Clarke, Sherry Clower, Mare Colina, Lois Cone, Peg & Joe Conway, Lela Cooper, Cathy Counts & Tom Mertens, Jeffrey Ravenwing Crawford, Mary & Tim Cronin, Erin Crowley, Pat Daly@, Sarah Dailey, Teresa Damico, Barbara & Thomas Daugherty, Robin & Sean Davidson, Lisa & Michael Debbeler, Susan & David Deye, Bailey Dixon, Jan Donley, John Dorey, Fabricia Duell, Mary Duennes, Debbie & John Eck@, Denise & Mike Eck, ECOnsciously@, Deborah Eschenbacher, Toya & Terry Estes@, Heidi & Mike Felton@, David Franke, Janet & Hal Franke, Benjamin Freeman III, Tom Freeman & Doug Klocke@, Jenny Funk, Future Life Now & Cynthia Allen/Larry Wells, GAIAM Outlet, Brian Geeding, General Electric Foundation (in honor of Cathy & Brian Graham), Katie Getz, Kellie & Jim Glendon, Friends & Employees at Gorman Heritage Farm, Cathy & Brian Graham, Theresa Gregg, Gloria Greico & Thomas Foster, Karen Gromada, Rhonda & Rick Gronberg, Don Gruber, Sara Haas, Leonard Hall, Kathleen Hannah, Kristine Heck, Brian Hefele, Jim Heisel@, Nancy & Paul Heisel, Marcia & Paul Hendrick, Amanda Hendricks, Nick Hendricks, Scott Hickey, DJ Hildebrandt, Marie & Brennan Hill, Christine & Steve Hils, Eddie Horgan, Natasha Hubbard, Karen & Dan Hurley, Yah-Unity Israel, Gary Johnson, Joanne & Richard Johnson, Pam & David Joyce, Crystal Judge, Jim Jurgens, Karma Hot Yoga@, Mary & Brian Kasson, Emily & Tim Kelly, Emma Kelley, Jean & Jack Kennevan, Rachel & Matt Kemper, Cynthia Kent, Alex Kepley, Jan Kivora-Simms, Leo Klein SJ, Margaret Klein, Laura Kleinfelter, Natalie Kleinfelter, Terri & David Konermann, Kroger Co., Julietta Ladipo, Kevin Laskowski & Tom Payne, Rosaleen Laughlin, Doloris & William Learmonth, Anne & Tony Lehnig, Joan Lichtman, Melissa Lierer, Barb Liphardt, Monica Lira, Julie & Tommie Lucas & EVENTWELVE, Allie & George Maggini, Simon Magowan & Anoop Brar, Teresa & Robert Malloy, Mike Marchal, Jim Marks, Mike Marrero, Jacqueline McClure, Kathi & Kinny McQade, Colleen & Mike McSwiggin, Carolyn & Robert Moore, Becky Morrissey, David & Barb Mueller, Randy Neufarth & Miles of Golf@, Sue & Jim Newman, Nancy & Jim Ollier, Kathy O’Malley & Ronald Pfleghaar, Ken Overberg SJ, Amy & John Paul, Ruth & Jerome Paul, Francie & John Pepper, Janet & Morris Persons, Kathleen Pfahl, Charlene Ponti, Theresa Popelar, Margaret Quinn, Marcia & Rakesh Ram, Brooke Rash, Recovery Center of Hamilton County, Cameka Reid, Fran Repka RSM, Leah Reynolds & Peace of Pottery, Victoria & James (Rick) Reynolds, Ryan & Micah Richey, Kathy Riga, Karen & Don Rindfleisch, Marty Roberts, Mike Roman, Susan Russell, Judy & Bill Sandquist, Sue & Roy Saylors, Patricia & Sam Schloemer, Bruce & Peggy Schmucker, Lisa & Bob Schnedl, Mary & Bob Schneider, Megan & Patrick Schulteis, Anita & Tyler Scott, Camille & Carl Servizzi, Kathy & Tim Sheeran, Dan Shick, Brian Shircliff, Gary Shircliff, Jodi & Wayne Shircliff, Lauren Smith, Liz Smith, Daniel Snyder, Chris Stalbaum, Kristen & Peggy St. Clair, Denise & Mike Stelljes, Melanie & Bob Stewart@, Chandler Stevens, Susan Stidd, Joan Stouffer, Nancy Strapp, Patricia & Bruce Strickland & VIP Backrubs, Jean Marie Stross & Dan Price@, Latisha Sullivan, Maureen Sullivan-Mahoney, Tony Sweet, Connie Sullivan, Bill Tarter, Eugene Tensing, Susan & John Tew, Joy & Bob Thaler, Beverly Thomas & Michael Ramundo, Barb & Brad Tillotson, Jennie & Tim Tilton, William Tonnis, Mari & Mark Townsend, Kassie Troja, Mr & Mrs Clif Valentine, St. Xavier High School Mission Collection, Bob Waddle, Sandra Waits, Nicole Webb, Margaret & Matthew Weinberger, Patrick Welage, Geraldine & James Weller, Jenny Wenger, Patricia & Steve Wertepny, Kathaleen Weyer, Joan & Don Whitaker, Friends & Employees of Whole Foods-Mason, Connie Widmer, Margaret & Robert Wight, Sue Wilke, Leslie Williams, Judy Wimberg, Maria & Richard Winans, Rosalie & Loren Wingler, Students & Faculty/Staff of Xavier University/Bellarmine Chapel, Yasemin Yasa, Carol & Lee Yeazell, Carol T. & Bruce Yeazell, Kathy & John Zeller, Ginny Zimmerman
2013
2012
2011
2010
St. Xavier High School Golf Team for the seed money for Brian, Micah, and Sue to attend Healing Touch Program’s Worldwide Conference in Denver, CO
Cynthia & Don Chalfant, Joyce & Tom Choquette, Madeleine & William Choquette, Barbara Davis & Arthur Dewey, Emily & Jerry Davis, Mary Duennes, Denise & Mike Eck, Nancy & Paul Heisel, Brian Holubetz, Jim Jurgens, Jean & Jack Kennevan, Mickie Kramer, Allie & George Maggini, Austin Muller, Sue & Jim Newman, Nancy & James Ollier, Ruth & Jerome Paul, Marty Roberts, Alli Shircliff, Brian Shircliff, Gary Shircliff, Daniel Snyder, Judith & James Titchener, Bob Waddle, Bonnie Peterson, Melanie & Bob Stewart, Joy & Bob Thaler, Joe Wagner SJ, Amy & Stephen Whitlach, Students & Faculty/Staff of Xavier University/Bellarmine Chapel
2010 Renovation & Building Crew
Distinguished Foremen: Hank Burwinkel, George Maggini, Jim Ollier
Gracious Handypeople: Antoine Allen, Brian Barnes & Community Action Agency, Chip Burwinkel, Kevin Burwinkel, Dave Buten, Dan Breuwer & Breuwer Electric, Marty Clarke of Creative Tile Concepts, Denise Eck, Mike Eck, Lee Kindig, Christopher Maggini, Ryan Meadows, Austin Muller, Chris Place, Brian Shircliff, Henry Turner, Tom Wittekind, Justin
2010 Building & Furnishing Donors
Cork Floor: donated in honor of Francis of Assisi… “before you speak peace with your mouth, make sure it’s already in your heart” . . . with gratitude to Dennis Davis at Big Bob’s for their generous discount
Outdoor Sign: donated by two donors in honor of the prophet Isaiah… “herald of glad tidings!”
Renovated Bathroom: Margee Clarke & Marty Clarke of Creative Tile Concepts
Sound System & the Gift of Music: donated in memory of Mike Auer (brother of Sue Saylors)
Beth Carbo (Healing Touch table), Cintas/Scott Farmer (greeting mats), Mary Duennes (Healing Touch table), Kathy Farrell (VITALITY mugs), Flowers by Dawn (flowers for our opening), Frame & Save (discounted framing), Habitat for Humanity Re-Store (lights), GAIAM Outlet (yoga equipment), LOTH Inc/JB Buse (12 chairs), Park & Vine/Dan Korman (discount on paint), PROSOURCE/Ben Russert Family (copy machine), Chrissie & George Rohde (flowers for our opening), Brian Shircliff (table & Healing Touch table), Jean Marie Stross & Dan Price (pillows), Joy & Rob & Bob Thaler (copier/printer), Xavier University/Stacy Decker (chairs, tables, file cabinets)
2010 Offering Their Time & Talent
Eric & Tom Anderle (connecting advice), Kathy Beecham (fundraising ideas), Mike Berning at Jos. Berning Printing, Michael Delaney (website design), Mary Beth Dunn at Consider It Dunn LLC (event planning for Grand Opening), Gretchen Finniff (nonprofit advice), Mike Graham SJ at Xavier University (set-up advice), Mike Harmon (articles of incorporation advice), Brian Hennigan (website & nonprofit advice), Steve Hils (insurance guidance), Julie Lucas (logo designs & graphic design), Mike Marrero (legal advice), Rosie Miller RSM (program advice), Jan Seidel (fundraising advice), Marc Wagner (connecting advice), Debb Wiedner (PowerPoint design), Sue Wilke (nonprofit advice), Angela Williams (nonprofit advice)
We are grateful to photographers Mike Eck, Eddie Rice, Clay Runions, and Rich Sofranko for contriubuting photographs for our website.
We are grateful to Julie Lucas for her continued support with logo & graphic design since 2010.
We are grateful to Michael Delaney for initial website concept & design and to our friends at NKU/CAI for website maintenace and recent re-design…Mike Sames, Brett, Rachel, and Andy.