[C-U Smokefree] Taverns

[Theotskl at aol.com]

FYI.

T. Tsoukalas

This charity in Toledo is setting a fine example for everyone!  Maybe Ohio
State University could follow their example.


>Back <javascript:history.go(-1)>  to:
>http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040226/NEWS16/102260
>113
>
>Article published February 26, 2004
>
>Tavern for Tots' $14,000 rejected
>Agency backs off from group's help
>
>By TOM TROY <mailto:tomtroy at theblade.com>
>BLADE STAFF WRITER
>
>Taverns For Tots, established to get around Toledo's smoking ban and raise
>money for disadvantaged children, tried to give away $14,000 yesterday but
>failed when the recipients learned who was giving it to them.
>
>Connecting Point, a youth addiction treatment agency on Cherry Street, and
>FOCUS Homeless Services on Ashland Avenue were each to receive $7,000 in a
>public check presentation.
>
>Both said they learned about the Taverns For Tots connection when they
>received the advisory sent to news organizations.
>
>"We get a copy of the news release, and it said it was from Taverns For
>Tots, so we felt deceived," said Sherry Krieger, vice president of
>development for Connecting Point. "This made us question their motive."
>
>She said she was told Monday the donor was Small Business Solutions Capital.
>
>Karen Baker-Zepf, who owns Small Business Solutions Capital in Sylvania
>Township and is a director of Taverns For Tots, acknowledged that she
>contacted Ms. Krieger, but she denied hiding the involvement of Taverns For
>Tots.
>
>"That's nonsense. I told her two days ago it was Taverns For Tots," Ms.
>Baker-Zepf said.
>
>Taverns For Tots was formed in December as a way to allow Toledo bars to
>hold private social functions that would be exempt from the city's smoking
>ban that took effect in August. The group has claimed to have as many as
>60,000 members who pay a $1 membership fee to enter bars holding Taverns For
>Tots events.
>
>Ms. Baker-Zepf said its activities have virtually stopped because of a
>federal court order issued Jan. 27 at the city's request. U.S. District
>Judge James Carr is expected to rule soon on whether to continue the
>temporary restraining order now in place.
>
>Ms. Baker-Zepf claimed the funds were turned down for political reasons.
>"Basically, everybody's afraid to accept the money because they don't want
>to lose any city money," she said.
>
>Maja Reed, the executive director of FOCUS, said her organization has turned
>down money from groups with whom they have a philosophical difference. She
>said Taverns For Tots' identification with smoking conflicts with FOCUS's
>mission.
>
>"We help people overcome negative habits and develop healthy, life-enhancing
>habits. For some of our clients, these habits are related to the problems
>that led them into poverty," Ms. Reed said.
>
>FOCUS this year was budgeted to received $68,696 from the city's federal
>block grant, just under 5 percent of FOCUS' $1.4 million budget.
>
>Ms. Reed denied that fear of jeopardizing its funding was the reason for
>declining the money.
>
>"We're feeling a little like we're being played here," she said. She said
>she tried to talk about the possible contribution with Ms. Baker-Zepf, but
>was hung up on.
>
>Ms. Krieger said Connecting Point has received small grants of about $1,500
>in the last couple years.
>
>"Other than that, we do not receive anything major. We are not a city-funded
>organization," she said.
>
>Ms. Baker-Zepf said she called the mayor to urge him to assure Connecting
>Point and FOCUS that their city funding wouldn't be harmed by accepting
>money from Taverns For Tots.
>
>Barbara Herring, the city's law director, said she did not believe an
>organization would be punished for accepting money from Taverns For Tots.
>
>Steve Hales, attorney for Taverns For Tots, said several charities have been
>unwilling to accept the money. He said the group has contacted local
>organizations to have a local impact, rather than send the money to national
>or out-of-town charities.
>