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Innovator Impact
Horizons [Companies] has always embraced and supported a wide variety of philanthropic endeavors; however, many of our staff contribute their time and talents regularly to help others in need. Sunrise Retirement Village Innovator: Beth Carpenter, Interactive Development Tetelestai Innovators: Dave Fullen, Interactive Development and Laura Fullen, Accounting Urban Concern Innovator: Doug McGuire, Interactive Development Project Compassion Innovator: John Morgan, Horizons e-Business Ride for Multiple Sclerosis Innovator: Denise Niebisch, Video and Film Choices Innovator: Diane Lyons, Interactive Development Art CORP Innovator: Rose Irelan, Branding and Design Sunrise Retirement Village Innovator: Beth Carpenter, Interactive Development Last Christmas, the late John Lennon's lyrics had a particularly profound effect on Horizons project manager, Beth Carpenter. "I was listening to the song War is Over," she recalled. "When I heard Lennon sing the line 'So, this is Christmas and what have you done? Another year over and a new one's just begun.' It really hit me. Another year had gone by and I hadn't done anything of significance for anyone else." Resolving that became a mission for Beth and one day, as she was driving to work, she drove past Sunrise Retirement Village. Although she went by it every day, that particular morning she decided to pull in and find out if they needed volunteer help. They gratefully accepted her offer and now Beth spends every Monday evening at the center playing cards, visiting and generally making the residents laugh and feel young again. Beth says that she has always enjoyed the company of seniors and learns something new every week. She admits that it can be difficult to see some of the residents who are in more fragile condition, but that the time spent with them is well worth it. "I've been so blessed in my life and I wanted the chance to give something back. My time at Sunset Retirement Village allows me to do that." back to top Tetelestai Innovators: Dave Fullen, Interactive Development and Laura Fullen, Accounting There are not many people who would spend their spring vacation taking a theatrical production with a cast and crew of 85 high school students on the road. But for Dave and Laura Fullen, it's a family tradition. Dave and Laura are, respectively, director and producer of Upper Arlington Lutheran Church's production of Tetelestai (pronounced tet-tell-est-i), a contemporary, rock-oriented musical depicting the final days in the life of Christ. 2001 marks the 26th year of production of the show, co-written by central Ohio residents Russ and Joel Nagy, with musical contributions by Dave Fullen and Richard Schenck. Over the years, Dave has also acted in the show, portraying the lead role of Jesus fourteen times. This year he has the incredible opportunity to direct his son Matt in the lead role. The show is a tremendous commitment of time, energy and resources. Pre-production includes holding several weeks of acting training followed by auditions. After casting is complete, the production process entails staging, costumes, set design, rehearsals, bookings, publicity, transportation and lodging and finally, delivering the actual performances. "It consumes our lives for the 14 weeks that we work on it," admits Laura. "But opening night - and every night after - I see the all of the hard work pay off." Her husband Dave agrees. "Not only is it gratifying to share the story of Jesus, which in itself is profound and compelling. But after seeing these kids wrestle with how to make the story come alive, it's great to see the breakthroughs and watch them really communicate to the audience." back to top Urban Concern Innovator: Doug McGuire, Interactive Development Remember laughing and playing on the playground when you were a kid? Unfortunately, not every child has the luxury of a safe, clean place to play. Thanks to Urban Concern, a special ministry of Xenos Christian Fellowship, kids in the South Linden area have a new place to romp and play. Volunteers donated their time and talent to build a new playground in the urban Columbus neighborhood. Horizons creative director Doug McGuire was one of the volunteers who spent an entire weekend constructing a huge pirate ship play structure. Doug said he became involved with the project after Xenos put out a call for people with any construction experience. "Basically, I believe in helping those that need it, "explains Doug. "I had the ability to help the kids in the South Linden area and I was happy to do it. We all worked hard, but it was a great weekend." Doug has also contributed his talents as a designer to create brochures for Urban Concern as well as fundraising brochures for other Xenos ministries. The hard work has not gone unrecognized. Urban Concern's staff & volunteers have received both local and national awards for their service to the South Linden community. back to top Project Compassion Innovator: John Morgan, Horizons e-Business In a day where so many are shunned and alienated because they have become infected with HIV/AIDS, there is one central Ohio group whose benevolence resonates throughout the globe. Project Compassion is a one-on-one ministry sponsored by the congregation of the Vineyard, a Columbus Christian Fellowship. Vineyard member Sharon Fryer had regularly visited the homeless. In 1991, she was at a local crisis center when she unexpectedly stumbled across homeless men, women and children who had end-stage AIDS. After seeing their need for love and understanding firsthand, she was inspired to organize Project Compassion. The program reaches out to HIV/AIDS patients and gives them an opportunity to bond with Vineyard congregation members called "faithful friends" who help with errands and provide them with conversation and spiritual support. Part of the program also includes two special concerts at Christmas and Easter. For the last five years, Horizons employee and Grandma Katherine's Music recording artist, John Morgan, has played guitar for the holiday shows. "When I started playing for Project Compassion, we had approximately 40 people in the church café," recalls Morgan. "This past Christmas we played in the old sanctuary, which is now a gymnasium. That's how much it's grown It's amazing!" News of the project has reached far beyond central Ohio. In fact, organizations in Africa, a country whose population has been engulfed by the AIDS virus, have contacted Project Compassion to find out more about the program. Morgan considers his participation in Project Compassion a labor of love. "Music, especially live music, adds a certain element of significance to any occasion, "he said. "Not long ago a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS was an automatic death sentence. Today there are drugs that prolong life. I'd like to think that sharing my music is just another way to give them hope." back to top Ride for Multiple Sclerosis Innovator: Denise Niebisch, Video and Film It all started at a bike shop. Last year, Horizons Producer Denise Niebisch was browsing through a Nashville bike shop when she saw an announcement for a 100-mile ride to benefit Multiple Sclerosis (MS). An avid cyclist, Denise thought that the ride provided a double challenge. It would not only be a test of her physicals ability; but also a chance to see how many people that she could get to sponsor her ride to raise money for the cause. Four months out, Denise began training for the 100-mile ride from Franklin to Lynchburg, Tennessee. But no amount of training could prepare her for what was to come. Over 800 participants battled 30-mph headwinds and other adverse riding conditions throughout the Saturday/Sunday journey. "We rode approximately five hours each day," she recalled. "And lots of people didn't finish. When we stopped for the night, they served riders a huge feast. Afterwards, about 600 people camped out on a gymnasium floor!" Although the trek was exhausting, Denise did raise $200 for MS. Asked if she would participate in the Ride for Multiple Sclerosis again, Denise paused before saying, "I would do it again someday." back to top Choices Innovator: Diane Lyons, Interactive Development Tragically, acts of domestic violence are committed every day, harming millions of women and children. Choices is a program that provides refuge for victims as well as the resources that they desperately need to get away from abusive situations and get back on their feet. Horizons project manager Diane Lyons has seen the painful impact that domestic violence can have. That is why she organized a donation drive to gather toiletries, non-perishable food items and linens for Choices to pass on to women in need. Although supporting the program is not gender-exclusive, Diane rallied the women in the office to participate in the initiative. The response was so good that she plans to continue collecting items for future donation. In fact, she said that it became a bonding experience for women at Horizons. "I had a relative who didn't have the benefit of a program like Choices after she had been victimized," she said. "I think that Choices provides a vital support system for women and I want to see the program continue." back to top Art CORP Innovator: Rose Irelan, Branding and Design It's no secret that many of our nation's school systems are suffering from financial hardship. In fact, the sad truth is that budget cuts and staff downsizing have directly attacked one of the most crucial elements of children's development - the arts. When her daughter entered school in San Diego, Horizons Creative Director Rose Irelan was stunned to see the art classes had been cut from the curriculum She learned that the art education offered was provided by volunteers through a project called Art CORP. Since most of the volunteers were not artists by profession, Rose knew that she had something special to contribute. Every other Friday during school hours, Rose teaches the kids various art techniques and lets their creativity take care of the rest. "There is no right way to create art, "she said. "I like to let the kids' imaginations run wild with the projects. The coolest thing is they are so free flowing with their thoughts and have no fear of self-expression. They're constantly teaching me!" Rose also tries to use the classes to encourage visual learning. She admits that she used to struggle in school until she discovered that her preferred learning style was visual. For those who master this, art has many real world applications. "Who knows? I may be helping to shape a future architect or illustrator or industrial designer. Art has the power to unleash kids' true potential." back to top |
 
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