WILDER, Ky. – Thanksgiving is a time to come together and remember what you’re thankful for. As the Williams family gathers this year, they will give thanks for family and friends as they honor the two in their family who are no longer with them.
For the past eight years, Kenny and Brian Williams have been not only remembered but also celebrated. And friends and family of the two have honored them by raising nearly $750,000, which have been awarded to several causes, including Covington Catholic High School, where the two graduated.
Funds raised from past benefits have been awarded in the form of Williams Fund College Scholarships. In fact, CovCath named the entrance to its gymnasium, "The Kenny & Brian Williams Championship Way.”
Ken Williams, father of Kenny and Brian said that each year, The Kenny & Brian Williams Fund gives an incoming freshman from one of the five feeder schools, a four-year full scholarship to CovCath. They also give a $5,000 scholarship to a graduating senior.
On Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 7 p.m. family and friends will gather at the Marquise reception hall in Wilder, Ky., with the community on Thanksgiving eve and raise money for other families and individuals in the Northern Kentucky community in honor of the two men. To date, The Kenny & Brian Williams Fund has helped more than 60 families in financial need who have experienced tragic events.
The Williams family knows all too well about tragedy.
An ’86 graduate of CovCath, Kenny was a star athlete, according to his father. In fact, he was an All-State football player.
But in 1991, Kenny, 22, was walking on a skywalk from a Reds game on Third Street in Cincinnati when he fell and suffered a severe head injury. The tragedy occurred just three months after his graduation from the University of Kentucky in May of that year.
In November 1994, Kenny died after being in a coma for three years.
Tragedy struck twice for the Williams family. As the entire nation mourned the loss of loved ones during Sept. 11, 2001’s terrorist attacks, this Northern Kentucky family grieved the loss of another son.
Brian, 29, who worked for Cantor Fitzgerald located on the 104th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center (the first tower struck by a plane and the second to fall), loved Manhattan, said Ken, and landed his job right after graduating from Columbia with an economics degree.
Another star athlete in the family, the 1990 grad of CovCath, played basketball, was on the track team and received a football scholarship to Columbia, all while achieving a 4.15 GPA.
After his death in 2001, the community asked the Williams family what they could do for the family. At first, Ken said, the family requested that those who were interested in helping make donations to CovCath’s Capital campaign for the new school in Brian and Kenny’s names.
In October 2001, the boys’ friends got together and decided to organize a benefit on Thanksgiving eve to raise money for the school at the request of the family.
“The response was so great from the whole Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area that we raised approximately $500,000 for the new high school,” said Ken.
And because the fundraiser was so supported by many, Kenny and Brian's friends, along with the Williamses, decided to establish The Kenny and Brian Williams Fund, a tax-exempt charitable organization.
The goal of the family’s organization, Ken said, is to become a self-supported charitable organization that “performs good work in Kenny and Brian’s name.”
So every year, the Williams family and friends get together and put on the annual benefit on Thanksgiving eve to raise money in honor of Kenny and Brian.
“Thanksgiving eve is a great night for people to come together and have fun, as friends and family come into town for the holiday. We have the place for them to meet at reasonable prices, entertainment and the opportunity to help our charitable efforts.”
A Williams family friend Christa (Ochs) Kramer said that it’s a great feeling at the holidays to help so many while honoring Kenny and Brian.
“Helping put a smile on someone's face via Kenny and Brian is heartwarming ... keeps their spirit alive!”
This year’s benefit will include an auction, raffle, music and hors d'oeuvres.
Auction items and raffle:
- Experience the Magic of Africa - This South African Photo safari offers a tantalizing taste of the wild in the heart of South Africa's richest conservation regions in Zululand, South Africa. Professional game rangers will guide you and a guest on daily game viewing activities, where you'll see first hand, elephants, rhinos, leopards, giraffes, zebras and many more game in their native environment. Complete with six days and six nights of luxury accommodations and three meals a day prepared by international chefs. This unique experience is sure to be a memorable trip.
- Cabo San Lucas - Stay seven days at The Pueblo Bonita Resort in the Baha Peninsula. Condo sleeps four and has a private balcony overlooking the beautiful Sea of Cortez. You will be located near five of the top 100 golf courses in the world and Cabo is the top place for Sport Bill fishing.
Basketball tickets for:
- UK
- UofL (including the UK vs. UofL game)
- XU
- Thomas More (season pass)
- NKU
- 2010 Notre Dame vs. Utah football game tickets
- Cincinnati Reds and Bengal’s tickets
- Rounds of golf at Boone County, Triple Crown, Fort Mitchell, Perry Park, Grand Victoria and Stonelick Hills
- Kentucky speedway tickets to event w/pit passes and VIP Parking
- River Downs Race course “Dinner at the Races package”
- $500 tuition gift certificate for Thomas More
- Hotel stays at Ashley Quarters and Airport Courtyard
- Tickets to Cincinnati Symphony, Aquarium, Tom Sawyer play and other local attractions.
- Framed classic Jim Borgman Cartoons
- Villa Hills Civic Club hall rental with a half barrel of beer and a bottle of booze
- Complete eye exam by Dr. Halpin
Sports memorabilia such as:
- Carson Palmer autographed Jersey
- Anthony Munoz autographed Jersey
- Johnny Bench autographed bat and helmet
- Tiger Woods four-time Master Champ framed picture
Grand Raffle - $5 donation
1st Prize - 50" Widescreen, HD, Plasma TV (Donated by Pomeroy IT Solutions, Inc. & PJ Thelen)
2nd Prize - Pendant and Earrings by SaraBlaine cushion shape line citrine set in 18K gold (Donated by Herzog Jewelers)
3rd Prize - Autographed Johnny Bench baseball
