When former Cincinnati Vice Mayor David Crowley attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in the West End, he was quietly helping children in the Church’s school in need of clothing or school supplies.
When Crowley died of cancer in 2011 at the age of 73, his nieces formed the Mr. Crowley’s Kids charity in his honor to continue to serve families connected with the Church.
As the 10 year anniversary of Crowley’s death approached that year, Crowley’s grandson Brennan Crowley set out to revive the charity. He hired his former college roommate, Ike Nierman. Then they told everyone they knew that if they raised $ 10,000 they would be competing in a triathlon and dividing the proceeds between charities that were important to them.
Brennan Crowley’s share would go to Mr. Crowley’s children.
Nierman’s share would go on ELJ Foundation, which was launched in honor of his mother, Elizabeth L. Joksimovic, who died of cancer.
“I always said my grandpa knew a million people,” said Brennan Crowley, 23, of East Walnut Hills. “He stopped and talked to everyone. He could touch every stranger he had ever met and make their life better. It was his coolest quality. It’s inspiring. “
Crowley thought $ 10,000 was an impossible goal.
But she surprised friends and family with a total donation of nearly $ 14,000.
Crowley and Nierman competed in the Island Lake Triathlon in Brighton Michigan on June 5th.
St. Joseph’s church leaders used the money for a summer camp.
“David Crowley’s legacy of service has inspired so many and his commitment to those in need has been unwavering,” said Councilor Chris Seelbach, a former employee in the David Crowley Vice Mayor’s office. “Seeing his grandson carry on that tradition by raising money for the children of St. Joseph’s in the West End is a reminder that David is still making life better today.”
.jpeg?format=1500w "Keys for a Hoosier Upset of No. Eight Cincinnati — Hoosier Huddle")
