By Janet Wetzel
Enquirer contributor

Being a nurse and having raised a developmentally disabled son taught Nancy Dolan the benefits of people helping people.

She had volunteered for decades. And she works at Our Lady of the Rosary in Greenhills, and at Starfire Council (formerly Campfire Council) - a Walnut Hills organization that serves people with disabilities.

Starfire member Jane Larkin of College Hill calls the numbers for bingo while Nancy Dolan helps at Masonic Eastern Star Community in College Hill. (Melissa Heatherly photo)

Now Dolan, 50, of Greenhills, is involved in an endeavor that reaches far and wide, and is especially dear to her. After the death of their son, Matt, a year ago in July, she and her husband, Bill, founded the Matt Dolan Service Fund in his memory.

Through the nonprofit foundation, the couple raises money for medical and lifestyle needs of people with disabilities. They have already helped a Brazilian family with a disabled son buy a home there to replace their 4-by-4-foot shack. They also are helping the family of a local boy pay for uninsured medical needs, while working on other missions.

Soon after Matt died, Bill Dolan suggested that the family share the gifts they received on Matt's behalf, including a hospital bed and memorial donations. They sent part of those donations to a mission in the Amazon Basin where their nephew, Steve Dolan, works. Then, the couple started the Matt Dolan Service Fund to continue their giving.

The couple and their children - Sean, Ryan and Jill - are board members.

"We have big goals," including building a home for people with disabilities within five years, Dolan said. They will host a golf outing fund-raiser for 25 teams on July 28 at Glenview Golf Course in Springdale. The $90-per-person cost includes greens fees, cart, lunch and a $12,000 hole-in-one contest. To register, call (513) 742-5970.

Starfire provides dozens of outings monthly for its 450 members, and Dolan remains devoted to that organization as well. Her daughter also volunteers there. For nearly 18 years, the Dolans have helped there weekly - taking groups to volunteer at nursing homes, park cleanups, or on trips to a ball game or movies.

Lynn Thesing, Starfire executive director, called Dolan loving and dedicated.

"She really understands better than most anyone that people with disabilities need opportunities to be included - to be out in the community,'' Thesing said. "That its important for those with disabilities - and to those with whom they interact. The Dolan family is an integral part of Starfire."

Dolan also serves as vice president of a parish council, is a Eucharistic minister, teaches vacation Bible school, works with the children's liturgies and runs a festival booth.

"Our son was an amazing gift to us, the light of our life," Dolan said. "He had such a loving, giving spirit - we just want to carry on his legacy."

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Do you know a Hometown Hero - someone in your community dedicated to making it a better place? E-mail Janet Wetzel at jjwetzel@siscom.net or fax to (513) 755-4150.