Rockin' at Riverfest 2019

The Children’s Home of Cincinnati recently announced the official co-chairs for this year’s Rockin’ at Riverfest, scheduled for Sept. 1 at Smale Riverfront Park.

The event is the agency’s biggest fundraiser and fuels the comprehensive education, behavioral, and mental health services The Children’s Home provides to children and families of Greater Cincinnati. The 2019 co-chairs are: Michael and Mary McGraw, Dr. Robert and Julia Heidt.

"We have a goal of raising $500,000 at the 2019 Rockin’ at Riverfest to support our programs and services that serve the most vulnerable in our city," said John Banchy, president and CEO of The Children’s Home. "The leadership these talented and generous co-chairs bring to this event can’t be emphasized enough and I have no doubt we’ll accomplish our objective."

Over the past several years, Dr. Heidt and Julia Scripps-Heidt, through the Heidt Family Foundation, have generously donated to various educational, medical research, and charitable efforts to make our community a better place. Dr. Heidt has selflessly served as an active member of The Children’s Home Board of Trustees since 2015. He also serves on the Advisory Council of the Bethany House and the Xavier University Board of Trustees. Julia Scripps-Heidt has long been connected with initiatives and nonprofits including Bethany House, Boys Hope | Girls Hope, St. Xavier High School, Lindner Center of Hope, and the Scripps Howard Foundation.

"Julie and I have always believed it’s so important to give back to our friends and neighbors in Cincinnati," said Dr. Heidt. "We’re very proud to support The Children’s Home in their annual event, which directly fuels the programs that serve so many. This event is about people helping people and the community coming together to support a cause that changes lives." 

Michael and Mary McGraw have also steadfastly lent their considerable talents to their beloved "Queen City." Michael, managing director of 5/3 Insurance, has been a board member of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for 11 years and has chaired several boards including Cincinnati Nature Center, SC Ministry Foundation, Mount Saint Joseph University, Saint Xavier High School, Ursuline Academy, and The Springer School and Center. His wife Mary, a career Language Arts teacher, founded the annual Stepping Stones Open Your Heart Dinner, which has funded programs that benefit individuals with disabilities. She has also spent several years raising funds for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, The Convalescent Hospital for Children and Ursuline Academy.

"Events like Rockin’ at Riverfest represent the best of what makes our Queen City such a great place," said Mary McGraw. "Mike and I are very blessed to be able to bring so many of Cincinnati’s leaders together who realize that supporting The Children’s Home, in turn, supports the most vulnerable in our community and secures a brighter future for Cincinnati."

"This event gets to the heart and soul of the work we do for our community," said Roderick Hinton, vice-president of advancement at The Children’s Home. "Last year, Rockin’ at Riverfest helped fund more than 20 programs that changed the lives of over 10,500 people. Without the generous support of community leaders like the Heidt’s, McGraw’s, and other friends and neighbors who attend this event, we continue our mission of hope, help and healing to the most vulnerable children and families of Cincinnati." 

For more information, please visit https://www.thechildrenshomecinti.org/.