The Community, Connections & Commerce Podcast, presented by OUE & St. Clairsville Chamber - Community, Connections, & Commerce Episode 2 with Annmarie O'Grady

Episode Date: August 2, 2024

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and an official sports betting partner of the National Hockey League. BetMGM.com for terms and conditions. Must be 19 years of age or older to wager. Ontario only. Please play responsibly. If you have any questions or concerns about your gambling or someone close to you,

please contact Connects Ontario Please play responsibly. If you have any questions or concerns about your gambling or someone close to you, please contact Connex Ontario at 1-866-531-2600 to speak to an advisor free of charge. BetMGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario. Welcome back to Community Connections and Commerce. I'm Drake Watson, joined, as always, by Wendy Anderson. And we're thrilled to be joined by Anne-Marie O'Grady from the Special Wish Foundation, the Ohio Valley Chapter. Thanks again so much for jumping on this morning. Good morning, Anne-Mary. How are you? Fine, Wendy. Thank you both for having me here. You're welcome. We're excited to hear from you.

And I want everybody to know exactly what a special wish is. Well, I would love to be able to tell everyone. Okay. So you are the executive director of a special wish in the Ohio Valley. I just kind of want to get a grasp on what that entails and what that's kind of all about. And as Wendy mentioned earlier, what the difference is between that and Make-A-Wish. Sure. I'd love to be able to expand on that.

So A Special Wish Foundation is an Ohio-based children's wish-granting organization with several chapters throughout the state of Ohio. The Ohio Valley chapter is what I am the director of, and we cover southeastern Ohio as well as four counties in West Virginia, Hancock, Brooke, Marshall, and Ohio. And that's what makes us a little different from our other Ohio chapters is that West Virginia-Ohio Valley piece. Every wish that we grant is local, and that is the best thing about our organization

is every child, every adolescent is here in the Ohio Valley that we grant wishes to. It's not someone that you, it may be in another part of the state or another part of the country. How many counties did you say were in Ohio that you guys? Well, we have the southeastern part of ohio okay you know starting from up in jefferson county okay working working its way down um and then those four counties in west virginia okay because we we talk all the time

about the ohio valley and we kind of get lost and what's what's lumped in there and what's what's not so but i think you're pretty closely aligned with what we're going to be talking about. Yes, it very much resembles a congressional district the way our state is broken up into regions and chapters. So you grant these wishes. I'd like you to speak on, if you could, the types of wishes. You guys give special gifts, special places, and special heroes. If you could expand on that a little bit and tell us a little more about um how you guys are involved in those roles sure um pretty much we can grant almost any wish um that is asked of us the two things we are not allowed to do is international travel and cruises and really it does make sense if you think about it these children are ill yeah and the last

thing we would want would be for them to be out of the country or out in the middle of the ocean on a ship. But we can, you know, if you want to meet someone, we can do that. We have had a couple of our wish recipients meet their favorite Pittsburgh Pirate player throughout the first pitch. And another young lady from Moundsville wanted to meet the owner of the Reptarium in Utica, Michigan. That was cool. That was probably one of my favorites yeah that was that was cool wish yes it was just so different and through the help of our columbus chapter that had connections at columbus zoo that knew this gentleman out of utica michigan that run he ran the reptarium it's the world's largest reptile zoo we were able to send her there,

and he, the owner, spent the entire day with her and brought her and her family back the next day. So that was awesome. You know, a special place, our number one requested trip is Disney World. Those are fun wishes, because they don't just get Disney World, they get Universal Studios and SeaWorld, and they get to stay at a place

called Give Kids the World Village. And then Special Gift, I'm in the process, we're doing an above-ground swimming pool. This is the second one we've done. We've done an extremely elaborate play set with fencing. We fenced in a yard play set.

So really, everything's on the table, and that's where my board becomes involved and what wish can we do. We always want to do their first request if possible. So the one wish that I was involved with, the several wishes, the reveal, and that pulled at our heartstrings. I mean, to see the kids and their families. And I think it was in the extended family of not only the child who wants that wish, but to see the other people around them.

It's just amazing. It is just amazing. It truly is. Our wish reveals. That is when we reveal to not only the wish child, their family what wish we will be able to grant for them they're they're some of my favorites because it is just wonderful to see their expressions to see you know how happy they are we always tell them you know not you can invite anyone you want they're your family members friends because this is extremely special we want everyone close to you in your life and in the child's life to experience this joy with them.

They're my favorites. I just love doing wish reveals. They're great stories to hear about, great hearing about them now and even reading about them. How often, however, are you present for some of those times when kids go to different places or they meet different people? I mean, we've all got smiles on our faces hearing about these stories. Now I can't imagine what you would be feeling if you were present in that moment. Well, I don't get to go on the trips. But just, you know, my job every day is being involved with the families and the wishes.

So it's planning the wish. Okay. From logistics of it to finding funding for it. All of it, it's just all rolled into one. Granting the wishes. I just don't actually get to go on if it's a wish trip. Although I think that should be a new clause. Well, it still feels good for you to get that report back to hear how it went and hear how satisfied the kid was.

Absolutely. I think that's amazing. Seeing the pictures that mom or dad send while they're on their trip, just seeing how much fun they're having and the smiles. I mean, just seeing the smiles on their faces is the best feeling in the world. I just saw on Facebook the scuba. Scuba diving. And the smiles on their faces was so awesome because they don't get to smile Exactly. Because they're battling with some kind of disease. Yes.

And that has to make you feel good when you go to bed at night. It does. And when I'm having a hard day, because it is sometimes hard dealing with sick children, I remember that. And that's what keeps you going. Because this is why we do what we do, is to get those smiles. And it's all worth it. Yep. I was going to ask you to expand a little more on the why. We talk about the smiles and the good feelings and everything. Your why and also how you kind of got started and what your motivation was to get involved in this realm. It's kind of ironic how life works. Years and years ago, I remember telling my husband, you know, I'm a mother. At the time, I had two small

children. And I was working. I said, I feel like there's something more I'm supposed to be doing. And at the time, I remember saying, maybe get involved with... I knew of Make-A-Wish, but someone told me about the local wish-granting agency, Special Wish, and Dr. John Maddox, who started the chapter back in 1992. And I thought about it, but you do get busy, especially with small children. But I always felt like there's more I should be doing. I need to be doing something meaningful. And just by chance, in 2016, a friend of mine, Alicia, was on the board of A Special Wish,

and I got to know her through the Chamber of Commerce. And just in talking, she asked if I would be interested in being on the board. And I said, absolutely. I was voted on. And I spent four years on the board of directors for Special Wish. The last two as board president. And Alicia, in turn, became the director during that time.

And when she was leaving, it just worked out that I stepped in as the director. And I couldn't imagine doing anything else right now. I'm very honored to be able to do what I do. You are exactly what it needs. Well, thank you. You are the face of a special wish. You and your board members and your advisory board, you guys do so much for the community so partly so where did you what was your um your college experience like where did you go to college well i went to high university

i did my first two years at high university eastern okay and then at the time as a communications major you had to go to main campus so I did my last two years on main campus which was wonderful I'm glad I got to experience both and I was a communications major my degrees in interpersonal communications oh I didn't know that yes that is what my degree is and however it's just so funny how life works because when I was in high school I did not like government couldn't care less when i was at ou there's a professor there who's on my advisory board now michael mcteague that changed everything great guy oh my gosh i fell in love yeah with government politics history wished i would have

paid more attention in high school um he changed i always tell him he changed my life because if it weren't for having him, I would not have taken the next steps. And with his help, I went to work on the congressional campaign in 1994. And from there, it just changed everything, and I ended up in D.C. Wow. After I graduated. Never thought I would be there. Wow.

That was definitely not in my plan. So you were a comms major, just like myself. How do you think, kind of selfishly, how do you think that prepared you, not only in what you do currently, I mean, most importantly, in what you're doing today, but almost every aspect in your life so far? Oh, in many ways. Believe it or not, I was shy at one time but being having to do public speaking and learning how to give a speech and how to debate and how to write you know I had wonderful instructors at OUE but also on main

campus with I was in the journalism school because my minor was public relations so I took a lot of journalism classes and just how to write, how to edit. It just, in so many different ways, had to come out of my shell. It was just, I can't say enough about my experience. It was just wonderful. The professors I had, they had experience. They worked in the field that they taught,

and that meant so much. It makes a difference, doesn't it? It was. it really does because they know what they're talking about they really did wow so yeah so going to oue having michael mcteague as my professor changed everything that's so funny we're all like shaking our heads we love michael mcteague he's fantastic he really is i had him a couple semesters ago and probably my favorite class of that first. And that was my first semester in college. And yeah, I mean, that was, he made you want to listen. Now, I happened to be interested in what he was teaching, but I had both ears locked in

on what he was saying at all times. He made me interested. Yeah. I remember back then I took a little tiny tape recorder because he talks very fast and I didn't want to try to take the notes and miss what he was saying because I was so enthralled with his discussions and presentations that I would record him and then go home at night and transcribe it out. And I remember telling my parents at the time, like, you got to listen to him. Listen to how good he is, how interesting he did. He

just changed my life. And he'll always call on you too so you have to be listening so he'll he'll ask you a question that's for sure that's cool and now i'm lucky enough to have him still in my life with being a member of our advisory board and he's phenomenal so how has um switching gears from school to your your professional life so how has networking with the chamber or any other event that you've gone to, how has that helped you and helped a special wish? Oh, tremendously. I cannot say enough about the power of networking and building those relationships. And if it weren't for opportunities presented through the chamber, those would never come to me. I've met so many wonderful folks through the chambers of commerce, all the chambers that Special Wish belongs to.

It's just the power of networking. I cannot say enough about how much you need that in your professional life. It allows you to meet people, make those connections, build the relationships. If you don't have the relationships, you can't pick up the phone and just call folks. You can try. Chances of getting a return call might be more slim. It's the relationships that you have to build. Absolutely. And those take time. They do. And just being with them once or twice a month because of chamber breakfast, chamber lunch, chamber events in the evening.

It just keeps putting you together and you build those relationships. Right. And all of our chambers in the High Valley have some great events. Oh, absolutely. And I think businesses should really gravitate towards that and learn from you that that is something that they need to do to elevate their business, to create those relationships. Relationship building is, I would say, number one in being successful. Even when I was on Capitol Hill as a legislative aide. Oh, I bet.

It was building relationships with the different folks that helped you do your job better. That if you had a question, there were people you could pick up the phone and call. You knew they would take your call and give you an honest answer. It's just I cannot stress enough the importance of that and all the different tools that are available to us now to allow that to happen. The chambers, you guys put out a newsletter every week. So being able to put information out there is vital, especially to nonprofits and small businesses. So the tools are there. You just have to use them and be willing to be open to that. And maybe have to spend a few dollars to join. And it's, but it's worth it. The return on investment is, I mean, it's minimal to what you get in return.

So what would you say to a young student if they're listening? What would you say and how would you get them to be interested in what you're doing or maybe forging their own path? I'm glad you asked me that because one of my many jobs after leaving government was higher ed. And I worked for, at one time, Belmont College. And then I also worked for the University of Akron here locally in Belmont County. So I went to many college fairs, got to talk to a lot of students. And what I always would tell them first and foremost if you think

there's a career that you're interested in anything can sound good on paper right go spend time with someone that does that job you know schools high schools have shadowing programs any professional would be more than happy to have a young person come spend the day with them and see what it's really like it can sound wonderful when you're reading about it or look better than it truly is or maybe it doesn't seem so great but when you go and you're actually involved in it it opens up your world so I always say go spend time with that you know and follow what you like if if you don't like science you're not going to be a veterinarian because you like puppies right right yeah I mean also follow

your strengths and what means something to you. It took me a while. I've loved every job I've had, but now I feel like I just got so lucky that it's not even a job. I feel the same way about my job. It's not a job. When you get up and you get

excited to go to work, it becomes something that you kind of look forward to. Yes. There's never been a day I wake up and I say I don't want to go to work. And that means a lot. Sure it does. And that's what you want for everyone, you know, be able to do what you love.

And not everyone, I understand, is that fortunate. I mean, sometimes it takes a while to get there. Well, it took you a while to get where you are. Yes. Exactly. It doesn't happen overnight. It doesn't. And it's funny because everything happens the way it's supposed to.

Right. One job led to relationships, networking, which put me on another path and another. So it just all kind of comes together the way it's supposed to sometimes. Yep. And I feel for the younger generation, they get mad, they get upset because they're not in the position that they want to be in. But they have to understand all of those jobs that you have part time, full time, you know, it matters because you learn something all along the way. There's something that you can learn from everything.

Everything that I have in my life, I've learned a lesson. So that takes me, brings me to where I am today. And that is, you can't discount that. No, not at all. Process-oriented thinking. And part of the process is understanding that it is a process and then making connections and going through the motions is kind of, you know, you can't wake up on day one and think that or expect yourself to be where you want to be in several years. So understanding that it is a process, I think, is very important from the beginning. Absolutely.

Yeah. And have goals You know, I tell the young folks have goals where you want to be but be open to the different paths That exactly be open. You're right be open You think you you were a comms major and that's kind of a general as we talked about a little earlier a general degree And kind of this, you know the same thing that I'm going into How do you think that helped you because then all of a sudden you, a general degree and kind of the same thing that I'm going into. How do you think that helped you? Because then all of a sudden you have a ton of options.

The analogy I've always used is, you know, with a specific degree, you open one door, but you open it all the way. With a general degree and a broad degree, you open many doors, but, you know, maybe they're only cracked. Exactly. It is. It's just very broad, and it allowed me to do many different things. When I was graduating from high university, I thought I was going to be a public relations professional,

and I wanted to work probably in Columbus at the time. It was having volunteered my time on that 94 congressional campaign that opened doors for me to a profession I never would have considered, being a legislative aide on Capitol Hill. But my background and what I learned at Ohio University, it really just allowed me to go there and do well. Because there's a lot of writing, a lot of speaking, being able to stand up and speak on the fly when you're at a meeting

and you don't expect it. It all really just builds and allows you to broaden your horizons. So what brought you back to the Ohio Valley when you left? My parents, my family. I'm an only child, and my mom wasn't well. So I wanted to come back here because I knew she wouldn't be able to travel, and we were starting our family. So it's been 18 years.

Next month, July. That you've been back. I've been back. I've been back. I was gone for 10. Okay. Traveled around, lived a lot of different places because of my husband's job. I got to see a lot that I never expected. And who knows what would have happened if I would have stayed in D.C.

Right. If I never met him. Right. Exactly. Yeah. Well, good for you. If you didn't have family back here, we talk about this all the time. We talk about what's attractive about the Valley that brings people back.

Well, we know a ton of folks like yourself come back because of family reasons. If it wasn't for that, and let's just take that out of the equation, what do you think is attractive about the Valley? And if not, what would you like to see? I think one thing, if you plan on having a family, this is truly a great place to raise children. It is. You know, the small town, the safety of it, and the cost. You know, what's nice is, you know, being able to know your neighbors.

And, you know, yes, we do know everybody in a small town, but that can be a good thing. Yeah. And it's a nice area. I do love the area. It's home. It's always going to be home for me. But if I didn't have family here, probably the reason I would come back would be the cost of living, just the area. I love our hills.

I love the water. We lived in El Paso, Texas on one of our many Johns. And yes. Totally different totally i miss seeing green grass i'm missing rivers and lakes and the rio grande is not what you think it is it's tiny and it's dry and especially where el paso are is mexico me right um living on a border town made me certainly want to come back here. I kept saying to them, like, I miss water. And they said, well, you have our, you know, mountain. I said, that's great, but I can't swim in your mountain.

Yeah. It's what I knew. It's what we loved. So there's a lot. There's so many good things happening now, too, in the area. Right, right. That I'm hoping, you know, more young folks stay or come back. Yeah, I agree.

We talk about community all the time and also bringing youth into this. And one of the philosophies I've always had is there's no greater investment that a community can make than in its own youth. And you're a testament to that. And I'd like you to, if you could, talk about why that is, if you agree. Oh, absolutely. We have to make it desirable and attractive for the youth to stay here. And that does mean investing in them, whether it's just having different activities for them to do, supporting them, having the workforce support them. Because, you know, it's an aging population.

It is. And that cannot sustain the area. So we, you know, the more we work as a community and think of different ways to keep you guys here. Yeah. And investing, whether it's co-op programs. Right. If you're in college, all the different trades in the unions you know really forging partners with the

high school to get those students because that's an area that has boomed skilled trades yeah um that's that's such lucrative careers that i think the school should be really working more with our unions and different um you know trades to make that more attractive to our young kids. I agree. They'll never be without a job if that's their vocation. Exactly. I think sometimes our generation, we're about the same age, our generation dismisses the younger generation as if,

you don't know what you're talking about, you haven't lived yet. No, they haven't lived yet no they haven't lived however they are living and they you know they want to learn from us and there's nothing wrong with that and i think we need to embrace that generation and help them oh absolutely don't you yes i i really think that's important like i noticed like some of the events that are clubs that we're in that we see a little bit um more younger generation involvement yes and to me that is a testament to them but we also have to allow that to happen because sometimes we get set in our ways and say no right you're right yeah i think one of the worst things that anyone the minds, the worst mindset anyone can have is this is the way we've always done. Right.

Exactly. I hate that. I do, too. Because that doesn't mean it's the best way. That doesn't mean that it should stay that way. Right. And like you said, Wendy, as much as experiences we can offer, right, they can offer a lot, too. We can learn from the youth. I love it when I have a young intern in the office. I don't get them quite nearly enough. Sure. Because they can teach me a lot. And trust me, I take them up on that, especially when it comes to technology. I mean, I know enough to get by, but not what they know.

Exactly. Well, we're about out of time for this half-hour block. I guess I can gauge the room. I mean, if you guys think we can go another half hour if time permits and it works within everybody's schedule, that's no problem to me. But if we're out of time for everybody, then that's what it is. Well, I think we're going to let Anne-Marie get on her way. And I thank you, you know, for coming in and talking about A Special Wish and your life. Very interesting.

Some of the stuff I didn't know. Well, thank you for inviting me. And I hope I elaborated enough on A Special Wish and what makes us different. You did. So, and if I could add, Drake, just if anyone knows of a child that they think will qualify, please reach out to me, any one of my board members, our Facebook page, A Special Wish, hyphen, High Valley Chapter, because that's how we find out about the children in the area that are ill.

Yeah. Good. You guys do great stuff. Thank you. Thank you for having me. Yeah, thanks for coming on, and thanks for an incredible morning and super insightful, and we look forward to uh to talking to you in the future yep all right thanks for listening that's been it thank you thank you