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LI F E + C U LTU R E

O N FIRE - AN I NTERV I EW WITH J O H N O' LE ARY SHOPPING

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December 2023 PUBLISHER

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Do you hear what I hear? "We want to inspire and love more people differently and this is a really cool way to touch lives. We're trying to use this moment to ignite people to be on fire for good." - John O'Leary, author, speaker, movie producer, Webster Groves resident and Kirkwood business owner. "The sidewalks in front of our houses are the things that really connect us." - Mark Borella, artist, founder of Seeds of Happiness. "When you shop locally, you invest in your community's character and charm. You help ensure it remains a unique place that attracts and retains residents. It's a conscious choice to preserve what makes your community stand out." - Bill Sauerwein, owner of Pedego St. Louis. I hear these words and I'm filled with hope, joy, and gratitude for all the people who are making a difference, changing lives and creating community. It's inspirational. Be on fire for good. Connect with your neighbors. Shop locally owned businesses. If you are considering goals as we head into the new year, those are three really good ones. Thank you for an incredible year of sharing the stories of the people, places and things that make Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Warson Woods, Glendale and Des Peres glow. If you would like to receive this magazine at your home or office email Elizabeth.Nowakowski@citylifestyle.com to be added to our free mailing list. RENEE MOORE, PUBLISHER @KIRKWOODCITYLIFESTYLE

Renee Moore renee.moore@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Elizabeth Nowakowski elizabeth.nowakowski@citylifestyle.com CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Lucy Rogers, Beth Nowakowski, Tricia McConkey, Chef Lydia Gwin, Bob Sears, Christy Wynn CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER

Mark Borella

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein AD DESIGNER Whitney Lockhart LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise

Scan QR code to visit our Instagram CIT YLIFEST YLE.COM/KIRK WOOD |

Proverbs 3:5-6 Kirkwood City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Kirkwood area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Kirkwood City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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DECEMBER 2023

inside the issue The Holidays & Giving Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

10 Homework with Trisha

Lifestyle Letter

Open House HO ME + DES I GN

Inspired By LI FE + C U LT U R E

Local’s Choice S HO PPI NG

Culinary Creations FO O D + B E V E R AG E

Locals Only LI FE + C U LT U R E

Giving Back A RTS + C U LT U R E

Artist Mark Borella draws pathways to a connected community.

14 On Fire for Good An interview with John O'Leary.

22 Holiday Gift Guide Live Local. Shop Local.

26 A Little Something For Santa Bob Sears created Kirkwood's signature cocktail.

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Mark Borella, artist and creator of Seeds of Happiness There was a spark. You could see it in his eyes. Mark Borella instantly knew how to shoot this cover to perfectly capture the gift that is John O'Leary.

Manon Lescaut

Sung in Italian with English supertitles

by Giacomo Puccini

Friday, January 19, 2024 7:30 pm

Featuring

Zoya Gramagin Jonathan Stinson Taylor Comstock Joseph Park

Sunday, January 21, 2024 2:00 pm

eason

Performances at:

Kirkwood Performing Arts Center

210 E. Monroe Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122

For tickets call:

314-865-0038 or visit:

winteroperastl.org D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 3

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ARTICLE BY TRISHA MCCONKEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK BORELLA

Homework with Trisha Mark Borella's drawing of the Studio Lark home.

ARTIST MARK BORELLA DRAWS PATHWAYS TO A CONNECTED COMMUNITY. As the idea for the Kirkwood Historical Society Home Tour started to take shape, my friend Cindy Roeser, owner of Roeser Home Remodeling, thought to include Kirkwood artist Mark Borella, owner of Seeds of Happiness. Perhaps Mark could make a special Seed of Happiness house for the event. Mark had a better idea in mind. While Mark is known around the world for spreading smiles with his colorful and quirky clay seeds of happiness, he is also known for his artistry, which includes fine art paintings, drawings, and photography. When Mark heard about the Home Tour, he knew exactly how to create a sense of pride in our community. Starting with the sidewalks that lead up to the houses featured on the Home Tour, Mark brilliantly captures the angles and the details of each home. While the home's design is the focal point, it's impossible not to notice the pathways that flow from the houses onto the sidewalks that connect us. Describing his drawing of the Studio Lark house, Mark commented, "This house is fascinating. I couldn't figure out the lines. Then, I drew my way to the answer. This house is Frank Lloyd Wright/ Mondrian/Mid-Century and Japanese. It's very complex within its visual simplicity. It's a marvel to look at as you walk by." Here is a sneak peek of a few of Mark's drawings for the note cards included with a Home Tour ticket. When I look at these drawings of the new and historic houses, I feel grateful, hopeful, and joyful about the home we are

Trisha McConkey features stories about people, places, and things related to the home. Follow Trisha on Facebook and Instagram at @HomeWorkWithTrisha and @408GillAve.

O PE N H OU SE | HOM E + DE S I GN

Mark Borella's drawing of Mudd's Grove.

creating at 408 Gill. The transformation project promises to merge the old and the new, and it will be exciting to see the final results. You can be sure our home will be ready for the next Kirkwood Historical Society Home Tour. Until then, come say "Hi" as I welcome Home Tourists into one of the two beautiful Herring Design and Development homes featured on the tour. The Kirkwood Historical Society Home Tour, "Building for the next 100 Years," is Saturday, December 2nd, from 1 - 5 p.m. Tickets are still available for purchase online from the Kirkwood Historical Society kirkwoodhistoricalsociety.com. Mark Borella's drawing of a Herring Design and Development Home.

Mark Borella's drawing of a Herring Design and Development Home.

Mark Borella's drawing of a Hibbs Luxury Home, D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 3

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I F YO U A R E READING THIS... S O I S YO U R B E S T C L I E N T.

2 O UT O F 3 of our readers regularly purchase from our ads.

ADVERTISE WITH KIRKWOOD CITY LIFESTYLE™ CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/KIRKWOOD

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ON FIRE FOR GOOD John O'Leary When he was ten years old, John O’Leary wanted to fit in and be ordinary. He wanted his scars to fade and his fingers to grow back. He didn’t want to stand out and certainly didn’t want a light to shine on his life. And yet, he has shared his story thousands of times from the stage, written two best-selling books, “On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life” and “In Awe.” And now, his story about being a little boy who should have died after being burned on 100% of his body will become a full-length feature movie filmed in St. Louis starring William H. Macy, John Corbett, Joel Courtney, DeVon Franklin, Stephanie Szostak, and Masey McLain and directed by John McNamera. Kirkwood City Lifestyle was honored to talk with world-renowned speaker, international best-selling author, Webster Groves resident and Kirkwood business owner, and now movie producer John O'Leary.

KCL: HOW WILL THE MOVIE "ON FIRE" TELL THE STORY OF JOHN O'LEARY? JO: As a work of fiction, this story would be awe-inspiring. The fact that it's true, told without any fabrication, filmed in the same neighborhood, same house, same hospital, and same community where the actual story took place three decades earlier is nothing short of a miracle.

I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE

People who know my story may think the movie will be about the day of the fire or the recovery. But most of the movie focuses on the incredible stories of the unassuming and remarkable people who show up in this little boy's life and eventually the adult version of his life. They are the heroes of the story. They are the faces on the movie poster. Not John O'Leary. This movie is being made to be shown in theaters and streamed to a global audience. We want to inspire and love more people differently and this is a really cool way to touch lives. We're trying to use this moment to ignite people to be on fire for good.

DOES SHARING YOUR STORY ON SCREEN FEEL DIFFERENT THAN SHARING YOUR STORY IN FRONT OF A LIVE AUDIENCE? I've presented my story to over 3,000 different audiences, but seeing something so personal being told so well for so many is odd. This movie is so much bigger than me. When it began to come together back in 2017, it seemed way too big. It's incredible to think that there are people from CONTINUED >

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"We want to inspire and love more people differently. We're trying to use this moment to ignite people to be on fire for good." Hollywood filming in St. Louis because a group of investors - corporate sponsors in St. Louis, generous family, friends, and neighbors - believed in the story. I would've never imagined it would be possible, and I don't feel worthy of it. But I'm extraordinarily humbled and grateful for it.

WHAT'S THE ONE THING YOU WANT THE AUDIENCE TO TAKE AWAY FROM THE MOVIE? Despite their challenges, brokenness, and mistakes, their lives can be used for remarkable good in someone else's life. It took a while for me to fully embrace that my brokenness can be used for good. I have now unapologetically accepted it, but it took a long time to get there. This movie shows that the last person to become aware of how remarkable life can be is John O'Leary.

THE BOOK ON FIRE: THE 7 CHOICES TO IGNITE A RADICALLY INSPIRED LIFE IS FILLED WITH LIFE LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM THE MOST UNLIKELY HEROES. HOW WILL YOU TRANSLATE LESSONS INTO A MOVIE? Telling the story of a life in 90 minutes is extremely difficult. It's not just figuring out how to tell John O'Leary's story but also how to tell the stories of the various characters who profoundly elevated John's life. What makes this particularly challenging is the person at the center of this story is the recipient of heroic acts by so many other people. On Fire does not make John O'Leary a hero. Trust me. I make every mistake in the book at least twice. And people keep showing up for me despite that. We want the audience to recognize and celebrate the people in John O'Leary's life, the example they set, and how they can teach the rest of us to be heroes for others.

I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE

DESCRIBE HOW THIS MOVIE HAS BECOME AN INFLECTION POINT FOR YOUR FAMILY. We are an amazingly loving family not defined by what we went through 36 years ago. We very rarely talk about it as a family. However, as the movie was coming together and is now being filmed, we've been discussing it much more. I'm one of six kids, and on the day of the fire, a two-year-old, a seven-year-old, an elevenyear-old, a fifteen-year-old, and a seventeen-year-old changed in mighty ways. Because of this movie, I heard, sometimes for the first time, what the experience was like for my parents and my five siblings. Joel Courtney and Masey McLain portray real-life John and Beth O'Leary. Not only is it a portrayal of our lives, it's factual. The character I was most worried about getting right was not John O'Leary or John's parents, Denny and Susan O'Leary, who are so instrumental to the story. I was most concerned about getting my wife Beth right. She's such an important character in my life and for the life of the film. Beth is unchanging in a positive way, and getting the right blend of her beauty, humility, faithfulness, cynicism, cuteness, and toughness was essential. She didn't sign up for her life to become a movie when she said, "I do." twenty years ago. But Masey McLain portrays roles with grace and conviction, and I know her voice and her heart will do justice for Beth O’Leary.

WHAT DO YOUR KIDS THINK ABOUT THE MOVIE? The best thing I can say about my kids is they are so unimpressed by their dad. They don't think he's funny. They definitely don't think he's cool. They don't even think his story is that good. That's one of the things that I love most about these little kids. To be even more honest, I recently read my son's college essay. It was about the power being different. His essay opens with the story of being with his dad at a restaurant ordering sandwiches, and the girl behind the register can't stop looking at his dad's hands. That used to embarrass him. As the essay continues, he now recognizes the beauty of being different. CONTINUED >

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I want to share that message on screen with people worldwide. I want kids to learn they don't have to be like everybody else, someone in Hollywood or a social media influencer. I want them to know, "You are uniquely designed to be exactly how you are. And that's enough."

WHAT WILL PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO SEE WHEN THE MOVIE COMES OUT NEXT YEAR? We were worried that Hollywood would hijack our story. But instead, Hollywood left California and joined us in Missouri. Sean McNamara, the Hollywood director of "Soul Surfer," is a phenomenal director and human being. He has let me sit alongside him the entire time to ensure

this story is spot on. And through Sean's generosity, we get the last word on what's said and what's not. Had a studio in Hollywood bought this, it would be very different. When Sean came to St. Louis, he saw the Arch, St. Louis University, Kiener Plaza, The Hill, and he realized that one of the crucial characters in this movie had to be the city of St. Louis. It's so cool that the movie is a love story for this community in a market that sometimes beats itself up. And in addition to that, Sean is committed to every detail of the story. The costume designers wanted to know what cargo pants I wore in college and what kind of sweatsuit I wore on the day I was burned. My wife's CONTINUED >

I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE

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wedding dress is being worn. They are filming on location at Mercy Hospital, in my dorm room at SLU, and in the house that I was raised in and burned and then, and then eventually, was rebuilt. My parents still live there. My sweet dad, who today is in a wheelchair due to Parkinson's Disease, is rolled out of the room while scenes are being filmed. Every detail is precisely chosen to depict the love that moves this story forward.

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR 9-YEAR-OLD SELF? Sometimes, it takes a while to recognize how fortunate you are to have your life. I spent not only the first nine years of my life taking it for granted but even after coming out of the hospital, after receiving burns to a hundred percent of my body and the expectation that I would die even after that, I took my life for granted until I was in my late twenties. How amazing it is when you have this awakening where you recognize how profoundly blessed you are to be alive. You may not have the life you dreamt of, and you may not have an easy life. But you have your life, an opportunity, and the agency to make it better tomorrow for yourself and others. Our lives are a gift to all of us, and we should not waste it or leave it wrapped under the tree. https://johnolearyinspires.com/onfireforgood/ https://johnolearyinspires.com/together/

I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE

Holiday Gift Guide Live Local. Shop Local. ARTICLE BY LUCY ROGERS | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Three French Hens interior design, home decor, furniture, florals, gifts. 16935 Manchester Road, Wildwood. threefrenchhenswildwood.com

Kent Jewelry from CAD to casting, trendy to sustainably-sourced. 114 W. Jefferson, Kirkwood. Kentjewelry.com

Never Enough Boutique colorful sweaters for everyone. 51 N. Gore Ave. Webster Groves. Neverenoughstl.com

Family Golf and Learning Center learn, practice, play. 3717 Tree Court Industrial Blvd. Kirkwood. Familygolfonline.com

Le Macaron French Pastries for corporate gifts. 111 W. Lockwood Ave, Webster Groves.

Barre3 Signature Prop Kit for strength and balance. 1056 North Ballas Road, Des Peres. stl@barre3.com

The Normal Brand Puremeso Essential Hoodie is perfect! 110 N Clay Ave, Kirkwood. thenormalbrand.com

Massage Envy Sunset Hills bundles are perfect for any body. 3880 Lindbergh Blvd. Sunset Hills.

Checkered Cottage blends arts, crafts, home products and gifts. 135 W. Jefferson, Kirkwood. Checkeredcottage.com

LOCA L’S CH OICE | SHOPPI NG

“Live Local. Shop Local.” You’ve heard the call to “Shop Local,” but have you ever wondered why it matters so much? When you spend locally, a significant chunk of your money stays in your community. Local shops do more than stimulate the economy; they shape our community’s culture. They add identity, uniqueness, and the backdrop for our entertainment, dining, and shopping. New stores bring excitement, while established ones maintain character. Shop Local because you want to build a community you’re proud to call home. - Bill Sauerwein, Pedego St. Louis CONTINUED >

The Initial Design one-of-a-kind gifts, monograms, and home collections. 25 N. Gore Ave, Webster. Theinitialdesignstl.com

Blooms in Yellow - a Flower Shopthat also carries gifts. 52 West Lockwood, Webster. Bloomsinyellow.com

Bijoux Handcrafted Chocolate Advent Calendar. 7930 Big Bend Blvd. Webster Groves. Bijouxchocolates.com

Warson Woods Antiques Gallery antiques, vintage, and collectible gifts. 10091 Manchester Road, Glendale. warsonwoodsantiques.com

KIND apothecary's Snowberry scented artisan soap and foaming bath salt. 113 W. Lockwood, Webster. KINDapoth.com

Nouveau Med Spa brings peace of mind and joy of heart. 320 S. Kirkwood Road. nouveaumedspa.com

Blue Dahlia Designs home decor, furniture, florals, gifts. 7930 Big Bend Blvd. Webster Groves. Bluedahliadesigns.net

Grapevine Wines GurglePot Pitchers and ChirpyTop Wine Pourers. 309 S. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood grapevinewinesandspirits.com

Fox & Hound Antiques has a treasure trove of gifts. 110 Argonne Alley, Kirkwood. @foxandhound antiqueskirkwood D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 3

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Young Living Essential Oil Co. products from seed seal. The Maker’s Market in Webster Groves.

The Maker’s Market features local artisans, artists, makers and vendors. 24 N. Gore, Webster Groves.

Mud City locally crafted essential oil soaps + soy candles The Maker’s Market in Webster.

Wonderfully Created is one of the local businesses at The Maker’s Market in Webster Groves.

Judy's Avocation repurposes fabrics and tapestries. The Maker’s Market in Webster Groves.

Handcrafted handbags up-cycled with intricate details and adornments. The Maker’s Market in Webster Groves.

Young Living Essential Oil Co. offers natural living products. The Maker’s Market in Webster Groves.

The Maker’s Market owner Karen Smith is the founder of Get the WORD Out. gtwomissions.org

Southside Alchemy locally made Bloody Mary Mix, Sangria concentrate. The Maker’s Market in Webster Groves.

LOCA L’S CH OICE | SHOPPI NG

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A LITTLE SOMETHING F O R S A N TA

'Twas the night before Christmas, and the kitchen was stirring. Drinks were pouring, and mixers were whirling. Ma and Pa made Santa something special and good - his favorite filled cookies and a drink called The Kirkwood. They were keenly aware that for Santa, tonight was a lot. So they also left him something chocolaty, healthy and hot. Ma and Pa wrote down these recipes for our readers to try - treats for a party or a cold winter night.

THE KIRKWOOD • • • • • • •

2oz of Bourbon (whiskey works) 1/2 oz lemon juice 1 oz maple syrup Shake together with ice for 20 seconds Pour into a 12-ounce beer glass Add smoke per your smoker's instructions Remove the smoker and top off the glass with a lager or light ale. Garnish with a lemon slice. The Brothers Beer & Bourbon House store pick - Yellowstone (Batch 7) is a favorite, but your own favorite whiskey will do. You can skip the smoke if you don't have a smoker. In that case, you can supplement the lemon garnish with a crisp bacon slice to give a smoke aroma. The Kirkwood is a custom cocktail creation from Bob Sears. The maple syrup is his way of honoring "The Green Tree" city of Kirkwood. Bob is the co-owner of The Brothers Beer & Bourbon House in Sunset Hills.

BROWN SUGAR OATMEAL COOKIE SANDWICHES WITH CRANBERRY FILLING INGREDIENTS

The Kirkwood

ARTICLE BY LUCY ROGERS PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp dark brown sugar 2 Tbsp granulated sugar 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted One large egg 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda Cranberry Cream Filling 1/2 cup cranberries, chopped 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Cranberry Filling Cookies

• • • •

1/4 cup cream cheese, room temperature 1/2 tsp lemon zest 4 Tbsp butter, softened 1 cup powdered sugar

For the cookies: In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugars and melted butter. Whisk in the egg and vanilla until combined. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Add flour mixture to the egg mixture and stir until well blended. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until the dough is firmed. While the dough is resting, make your filling. In a small saucepan, combine the chopped cranberries and sugar and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the sugar dissolves and is jam-like. Set aside to cool. Once cooled, beat the cream cheese, butter, and zest until light and fluffy. Whip in the powdered sugar. Once all combined, fold in the cranberry jam. Preheat over to 350F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop the dough into 18 equal balls. Divide among the sheets. Bake one tray at a time for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. To assemble, spread a good amount of cranberry cream on the bottom of the cookie, and then place another cooking on top. Store in the fridge until ready for service. Good for up to three days. Makes 9 Sandwich cookies. For more amazing recipes and holiday themed culinary classes with Chef Lydia Gwin, visit gwinstinykitchen.com

Healthy Hot Chocolate

H E A LT H Y H O T C H O C O L A T E

• 1.5 cups unsweetened almond or coconut milk • 2 scoops Inspire Wellness Chocolate Collagen • 1 tbsp raw cacao powder In a saucepan, warm milk over medium heat and whisk in the powders. Pour into your favorite mug, Optional to top with whip cream. 165 calories, 3g fat, 9g carbs, 3g fiber, 20g protein Visit inspirewellnessstl.com for more healthy recipes from Christy Wynne, owner of Inspire Wellness, D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 3

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The City Lifestyle

Giving Campaign

2023 30

LOCA LS ON LY | L IFE + CULTURE

“

This Giving Campaign is all about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.”

The annual City Lifestyle Giving Campaign is in its 4th year. Last holiday season we gave away over $300,000 to help 116 individuals and families in need, but we need your help to make it happen again this year. With nominations flooding in from community members and leaders such as judges, police officers, teachers, nurses, social workers, mentors and readers like you, we were able to reach people who might otherwise go unnoticed. Perhaps you know of a single parent struggling to provide for their family, an elderly person who has experienced loss, someone enduring a health issue, a co-worker suffering a sudden, unexpected tragedy or a neighbor with a financial hardship who has fallen between the cracks of getting assistance. Chances are you know someone with a specific need, even if no one else does. “We believe in giving back and serving the communities where we live in a real and tangible way,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “This Giving Campaign is about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them during this holiday season.” “We believe God has blessed our company with continued success, so we in turn want to be a blessing to others,” Matthew Perry, President of City Lifestyle adds. City Lifestyle has also enacted an internal giving program whereby every employee in the company receives $100 to give away to someone in the community. “The idea is to encourage our employees to keep giving on their own,” Steven says. “Taking care of one another and blessing others is truly rewarding and it perpetuates a cycle of giving. It’s extremely important to me as a person and as a company to foster a culture of generosity.”

Scan Code to

Nominate Nominations accepted Nov. 27 – Dec. 10, 2023

Follow @CityLifestyle on Instagram for reminders! To submit a nomination, follow @CityLifestyle on Instagram and fill out the form found in the bio link. All entries will be read, and because this is not a raffle, there is no need to nominate someone more than once. The amount given to each recipient will be based on need. All nominations and recipients will be kept confidential. D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 3

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RETIREMENT COTTAGE HOMES & APARTMENTS ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE

Experience Festive Fun this Holiday Season with Cape Albeon!

Celebrate the holidays with us! Take part in one of our many holiday celebrations, schedule a personalized tour, and more!

Ask about our

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(636) 861 - 3200 3380 Lake Bend Drive | St. Louis, MO 63088 www.CapeAlbeon.com

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ARTICLE BY BETH NOWAKOWSKI | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

SPREADING CHEER AND GOODWILL Discover the Joy of Giving Back to Your Community During the Holidays

C at her i ne C a re s

T he De c emb er 5th F u nd

Hor i z on s

Catherine Cares is an organization that seeks to support families of children receiving devastating diagnoses. If a family faces a life-threatening prenatal diagnosis for their unborn baby, Catherine Cares provides a Heartbeat Bear. Founder Lauren Turley experienced the unimaginable when she lost her baby, Catherine, so she created Catherine Cares and partnered with Build-A-Bear so that families can record the sound of their baby's heartbeat and treasure it forever.

What if a family burdened by the daily struggles of cancer could have a day filled with joy? A day to not worry about treatments. A home free of clutter. What if this family could forget cancer just for one day? December 5th will forever be known as a great day for the family of Founder Tom Wiley. The Wileys spent that day as a family and enjoyed many small, memorable moments. Today, The December 5th Fund provides hope for thousands across St. Louis. Families have a chance to be a family again and to enjoy a great day full of wonderful memories that they can treasure long after the burden of cancer is gone.

Fifty years ago, Meacham Park resident William Jones founded an organization to provide youth in our community with opportunities to combat learning loss through quality summer programs. The six-week summer program offers STEAM project-based instruction, literacy support and intervention, swim instruction, social and emotional support, and healthy nutrition for every student. Horizons is a nonprofit organization that relies entirely on private funding to support children within the Kirkwood School District.

Learn more at catherinecares.org

Learn more at december5th.org.

Learn more at horizonsstlouis.org

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