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Community Corner

Two Friends Bring Community Awareness to Local Nonprofit

Two friends, one passion, and a night of guest bartending sound like a recipe for a great time. Read on to see how these ladies are making a difference in the community

Two friends with a passion to help a local nonprofit gain more community awareness know what it takes to raise money — a good time where people can relax and have fun for a worthy cause.

Amanda Anderson and Denise Dennewitz first met at work. Dennewitz works at (GEI), and Anderson works in the same building for a sister company, . Over the years, they became good friends through work and kept bumping into each other at various chamber events.

GEI is a huge advocate of giving back to the community, as well as the Jackson Belden Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson Belden Young Professionals, organizations that Anderson and Dennewitz are involved in.

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“Amanda and I were both raised to give back to the community and we both look for opportunities to do just that,” Dennewitz said. “We are fortunate enough to both be a part of organizations that will support our efforts."

When Dennewitz attended a Green Chamber meeting and heard Shon Christy speak, she was deeply touched, she said.

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After the results of a  20-week ultrasound, Christy and his wife received a call  that their unborn son was diagnosed with Down Syndrome.  They were shocked and the doctors had no recommendations on where to start, he said.

"In a sea of negative information on the Internet we were lucky enough to find the Up Side of Downs," Christy said. "I called the new parent coordinator, Laurie Kowalski, and she was a wealth of knowledge and support.

"She helped us prepare for the arrival of our miracle man," he said. "The day of Beckett's birth was one of the greatest days of our lives."  

Christy said his son has taught him "to celebrate each small step forward in life."

"He has given our family a new mission in life and we are dedicated to advocating for families and individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities," he said.

The Up Side of Downs is committed to building a community where people with Down Syndrome have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.

They help families by offering support, information and advocacy, starting at the earliest stage, even before a baby is born to provide a family with information, support and hope.

Dennewitz  believes the Up Side of Downs is a valuable resource and really wanted to find a way to help, she said.

Inspired by fellow chamber members who were guest bartenders for their favorite nonprofit, Anderson and Dennewitz found their answer.

After leaving the event, Anderson looked at Dennewitz and said, “We could do that!”

“I thought she was kidding, but she was persistent,” Dennewitz said.

Her persistence must have paid off because Monday, Anderson and Dennewitz will guest bartend at in North Canton. They are excited and Dennewitz is a little nervous because she has never bartended, but she knows it’s for a good cause — and she can’t get fired, she said.

Really, the main goal is to bring awareness to this group that has touched so many lives close to theirs, Dennewitz said.

“The older I get the more jaded I become, I think,” she said. “It’s so rare that I’m inspired anymore by much of anything.

“The story from a fellow chamber member touched me as a mother and as a friend," Dennewitz said. “I truly want to help this organization because they want what all mothers want — for their children to be the best people they can be.

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