By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The children of Boys Hope Girls Hope of Greater Cincinnati enjoyed cake for dessert Wednesday night after the organization received a check for $2,935.

Two employees of GE Aircraft Engines presented the check, along with a sheet cake and balloons, Wednesday to Susan Schiller, director of the organization that houses and cares for 24 children ages 9-18.

The money came from GE employees and had been matched by the GE Foundation. It will help provide "soccer cleats to braces," Schiller said. "This company support is really valuable because we're privately funded."

More than $1 million was distributed Wednesday by the GE Foundation to 28 organizations. The foundation matches dollar-for-dollar employee contributions to institutions designated by the donor.

At a kickoff reception Wednesday morning, several checks were presented, including one to Greater Cincinnati United Way for $575,000, one to the University of Cincinnati for $140,000 and one to Xavier University for $105,000.

Following the reception, seven teams of employees - all members of the GE Elfun Volunteers - delivered a check and a cake to 15 of the 28 recipient organizations.

Other recipients:

• Be Concerned Inc.

• Bethany House Services Inc.

• Cincinnati Boychoir Inc.

• Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts/Taft Museum of Art

• Cincinnati Nature Center

• Cincinnati Opera Association

• City Gospel Mission/City Cure

• Common Ground Ministries Inc.

• FOCAS

• Hospice of Cincinnati Inc.

• Inter-Church Organization

• Loveland Stage Company

• Medical Volunteers of Cincinnati

• Millcreek Valley Habitat for Humanity

• Monroe Historical Society

• One Way Farm of Fairfield Inc.

• Open Door Food Pantry Inc.

• Over-the-Rhine Kitchen

• Progressive Animal Welfare Society Adoption Center Inc.

• The Society of Saint Vincent DePaul

• Sycamore Senior Center

• TriState Habitat for Humanity

• Valley Interfaith Food & Clothing Center

• Wellness Community

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com