1. Tom Geiger Guest House
Summer August
2006
Newsletter
In praise of Fr.
Bokenkotter Building Dedication Bokenkotter
visible– population of
residents of
the 12 two- homeless men, women “I want to offer
bedroom and children with dis-
abilities. Different from you (Fr. Bokenkot-
apartments
the Tom Geiger Guest
will have
House, which is designed
ter) my thanks and
access to
equipped to offer transitional shel- admiration for
showers. Not ter and programs for
only that, homeless women and your great work
everything in their children, the Bo-
the apart- kenkotter residence will over the years
provide permanent hous-
ments and
ing for homeless men with the homeless
the entire
A refreshing shower after and women with disabili-
a hot Cincinnati August
building will be free of
ties and their children.
and the needy. It
obstacles most people do
day is something most
not even notice. Bo- Transformation of the seems to me that
people take for granted. former Assumption
kenkotter Building resi-
Unless, confined to a
dents will experience a Church elementary naming the new
wheelchair or otherwise school has been a three–
degree of independence facility after you
inhibited, you are locked year project. The Bo-
they have dreamed of.
out of a conventional kenkotter Building is
shower. With the dedica-
The opening of this new
located between Geiger
is a totally appro-
facility presents Tom
tion on Friday, August and Gertrude Houses, priate gesture and
Geiger Guest House a
25, 2006, of the new creating a campus-like
new opportunity to serve
Bokenkotter Building,
a large– and largely in- atmosphere for our I hope you take joy
in it.”
Most Reverend
Daniel E. Pilarczyk
Archbishop of
Cincinnati
Julie Isphording Addresses Arts & Carts
Cincinnati’s favorite comed Julie to Makete- their work and guests a supported the event
marathon runner, Julie wah Country Club on chance to play a round through corporate spon-
Isphording, was the spe- June 7 for this annual of golf on a quality sorships, donations and
cial guest speaker at this event. Arts and Carts course. This day also the purchase of raffle
tickets. Special thanks to
year’s Arts and Carts golf supports Tom Geiger included a silent auction
the committee and every-
outing and brunch. Hon- House and the Center for of the various mediums
one who worked to make
orary Chair Joni Independent Living Op- created by local female the day a success. Extra
Herschede and Event tions (CILO). The day artists and a raffle. special thanks to Julie
Chairs Meg Collins and offers local female artist Thanks to all who Isphording for her pres-
Eileen Knollman wel- an opportunity to display attended and also ence and support.

2. Continued from page 1
residents. Bokenkotter has an ele- The building is being named after directed the renovation of the for-
vator and all 12 apartments meet Fr. Thomas Bokenkotter for his life mer Assumption school building
Americans with Disabilities Act re- time efforts to feed the hungry and into the Geiger House in 1990. Fi-
quirements and meet the low- house the homeless. Fr. Bokenkot- nancing the renovation of the for-
income permanent housing needs ter founded both the Tom Geiger mer Assumption school gymnasium
for homeless men, women and their Guest House and the Walnut Hills into 12 apartments has been a joint
children. The invitation-only dedica- Soup Kitchen, both of which are effort involving a number of Geiger
tion ceremony will take place on located in the building. The soup House friends and allies. Two major
Friday, August 25. A number of kitchen feeds approximately 170 fundraising events have contributed
civic, political and church officials people daily at lunch time. important dollars to the building
have been invited to celebrate this efforts: Tom Geiger House Classic
special occasion with us. We deeply Golf outing (this year’s event sched-
appreciate all of the support and Construction of the new Bokenkot- uled for September 19) and the Arts
hard work by the large group of ter Building has been led by Mr. Pat and Carts golf outing and brunch
friends who have brought us to this Mechley. He is no stranger to work (most recently held on June 7).
point. at theTom Geiger Guest House. He These events provide not only fun,
but funds for Geiger House and the nership with the General Electric ing .There are still a few naming
opportunity to spread the word Federal Credit Union (GEFCU), we opportunities in Bokenkotter.
about Geiger House to the Greater were awarded a grant from the Fed- Apartments can be named in your
Cincinnati community. eral Home Loan Bank for the Bo- own name or to honor a loved one.
kenkotter Building renovation. The A donation of $3,000 will not only
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
GEFCU provided a construction support the good work of the Geiger
came through with a grant to assist
loan which will be repaid by the House but also provide a lasting
with Phase I of the project. The
Federal Home Loan Bank grant af- memorial for the person or persons
Anderson Foundation awarded us a
ter the project has been completed. memorialized in this way. Please
grant to purchase all of the refrig-
Even with all of this support, there call John Convery at (513) 961-
erators, stoves, dishwashers, dis-
remain pieces of the project to be 4555 for information about naming
posals and carpets for phase II of
completed in the Bokenkotter Build- opportunities.
the Bokenkotter Building. In part-
Third Annual Tom Geiger Guest House Classic
Please join us for a fun filled day of at noon. Bring your friends and Please send your reservation and
golf and dinner at the third annual your favorite competitors to play a check to the Tom Geiger House,
Tom Geiger Guest House Classic. It round of golf while supporting a 2631 Gilbert Ave., Cincinnati, OH
will be held at the Legendary Run great mission to continue providing 45206 or call John Convery at (513)
Golf Course on September 19, transitional housing for women and 961-4555.
2006. This championship course, children.
designed by Arthur Hill, was rated
Our guest speaker will be Mr. Jim
41/2 stars by Golf Digest magazine.
O’Toole, former Cincinnati Reds
Golf and dinner is $115. Golf only is
pitcher in the 1960’s. There will be
$80 and dinner only is $35. Regis-
a live auction of special sports
tration will be at 11:00 and Tee-off
memorabilia after the dinner.
Page 2 Summer Newsletter

3. Summer Fun For The Moms And Children
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, on many field trips as well as receiv- ganization. In August the families
Summer time Kids grant provided ing a swim suit and going to the spent A Day In The Country, spon-
funds for the women and children pool frequently. The children always sored by Ethicon Endo-Surgery.
to go to Kings Island. Kings Island get home from camp bragging about They did crafts, corn hole, croquet,
donated tickets and the grant paid what they did that day. water balloon toss, a raspberry
for food and games for the families. patch visit, manicures, massages
Ethicon Endo-Surgery has contin-
Thank you PKI and the Greater Cin- and more. The women were able to
ued to put together quarterly events
cinnati Foundation! escape for the day while drinking
for the women and children. This
smoothies and went home with a
Children ages 5-12 have been going informal mentoring has been a great
to Project Connect Summer Camp. success for our program. It offers bag full of goodies.
This camp is free to all of the chil- our guests something more than Ethicon Endo-Surgery has also pro-
dren at the TGGH. They attend five just housing. Events like this has vided back-packs for the children,
days a week from 8:30-3:30. Lunch helped create a sense of community filled with school supplies. Once
and snacks are provided. The days among the residents. We are so again, thank you to the women of
are pact in with fun, including edu- thankful for the women’s leadership Ethicon Endo-Surgery!
cational activities. The campers go group to be involved with our or-
Page 3
Operating Support From the CITY OF CINCINNATI
The Tom Geiger Guest House, Inc. • 2631 Gilbert Avenue • Cincinnati, OH 45206
Telephone: 513.961.4555 • Fax: 513.961.4044