WINTON HILLS, Ohio (WKRC) – A spaghetti dinner fundraiser organized by Mitch Morris, founder of Save Our Youth Kings and Queens, drew a packed house in Winton Hills. The event aims to fund a trip next month for children from Winton Terrace, offering them a chance to explore civil rights landmarks in Birmingham, Montgomery, and Selma, Alabama.
Morris emphasized the importance of exposing the children to experiences beyond the violence prevalent in their neighborhoods.
“We wanna share them things and let them see bigger and other things that’s going on, and just let them see that it’s not just this gun violence, this hatred that we have for each other. No, it’s a lot much more than that,” said Morris.
Morris has dedicated 40 years to combating gun violence in Cincinnati and founded the nonprofit five years ago to mentor youth and steer them away from crime. This marked the second major trip he has organized, following a successful visit to Washington, D.C., last March.
“It gives them hope. It’s just so much negative, so much bad stuff that’s happening around our city and around our country and my thing is connecting with so many good people that believe in them. You got a lot of people here that connect with them. I tell them all the time, you got people that love you that don’t even know,” he said.
Volunteer Sherri Heidelburg, who participated in the Washington trip, described the children’s reactions to the monuments and landmarks as incredible.
“The kids were just astonished and amazed when they were able to see the White House, when they were able to walk into the Capitol, walk around the Capitol and learn things that they had been learning in school, but to actually see it, see the Martin Luther King Monument. It was very amazing,” said Heidelburg.
She also praised the community’s support for the initiative.
“It is so close and dear to my heart. I want these kids to be able to have a chance. And so having all these people come out and support us is the best thing ever. Our turnout is amazing. We have people buying 20 dinners at a time,” said Heidelburg.
The children were scheduled to leave for the trip on March 5 and return on March 8.
