Opening Day Diamond seat raffle to benefit UpSpring's Summer 360 program

UpSpring is raffling off Opening Day Diamond seats to raise money to support Summer 360°, its education and enrichment summer program that serves Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky children experiencing homelessness. 

The organization, formerly named Faces Without Places, has been established for almost two decades. The summer program gives children the chance to hone their math and reading skills with the help of licensed teachers while also participating in fitness and other activities. Transportation and meals are provided free of charge each day.
 
UpSpring found that more than 85 percent of kids increase or retain their skills through the program, and all of them show an increase in hope, stability, comfort and well-being.
 
“This is simultaneously one of the most heartwarming jobs and horrifically depressing at the same time,” UpSpring Executive Director Mike Moroski says. “When kids come to the program, you see them make friends and do well, and it’s beautiful. But it’s depressing when at the end of the day the kids are going back to the couch, shelter or wherever they are staying.”
 
The Opening Day Diamond seat tickets were donated by John Burns, CEO of Encore Technologies and friend of UpSpring. Burns donated tickets for UpSpring’s raffle last year as well.  
 
Funds from the raffle will continue to support children living in poverty and experiencing homeless by giving them access to education and enrichment-based programs like Summer 360°.
 
“Cincinnati has the second-highest child poverty rate in the country,” Moroski says. “We’re striving harder to reverse the nasty trend of poverty in our town.”
 
Do Good:

* Purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win Opening Day Diamond seats. Raffle ends March 31. 

• Learn more about UpSpring’s Summer 360° program. 

• For more information on how you can help, contact UpSpring.