Ken & Friends 2026 Raises $238,000 to Support Adults with Disabilities in Greater Cincinnati 

More than 250 community leaders, supporters, and friends gathered at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati on Friday, June 5, 2026, for the 3rd Annual Ken & Friends. Together, the KAA community celebrated a shared belief that every adult with a disability deserves opportunities for connection, purpose, independence, and belonging. By the end of the evening, that belief had translated into something extraordinary: over $238,000 raised to expand Ken Anderson Alliance’s programs and reach more adults with disabilities across Greater Cincinnati.

Ken & Friends is Ken Anderson Alliance’s signature annual fundraising event supporting Creative Arts, Work & Job Readiness, and Community Integration programs for adults with disabilities throughout Greater Cincinnati.

Every dollar raised helps create more opportunities for adults with disabilities to build friendships, gain confidence, develop skills, showcase talents, and participate fully in community life. Those opportunities are what Ken & Friends is all about — creating a community where every person is valued, included, and empowered to thrive.

An Unforgettable Evening

A Night Guided by Lindsay Stone

We were honored to have our Master of Ceremonies, Lindsay Stone, guide the evening’s celebration of impact, connection, and community — from dinner and a live auction to a Hudepohl Jewelry raffle.

Born to Be Wild — Live on the Ken & Friends Stage

One of the evening’s most powerful moments came early, when Daniel Hunt, a member of KAA’s Advanced Band and Art programs, took the stage alongside KAA Direct Support Professional Brad Meinerding and KAA Manager of Adult Day Services Sarah Meinerding. Their performance of Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild” and blues standard “Sweet Home Chicago” was a living example of the confidence, creativity, and community that KAA works to build every single day, and a reminder of exactly why everyone in that room showed up.

A Night with the Bengals

The evening’s signature segment was a Bengals Outlook panel that brought the energy of Cincinnati’s NFL team right into the room. Special guests Head Coach Zac Taylor, Offensive Coordinator Dan Pitcher, and 2026 Bengals Draft Picks, Cincinnati native Brian Parker II and Jack Endries joined the evening, moderated by Bengals radio legends Dave Lapham and Dan Hoard. It was a night Cincinnati football fans and KAA supporters won’t soon forget.

Honoring the Thrive Honorees

Among the most meaningful moments of the evening was the inaugural Thrive Honorees recognition, a new tradition celebrating individuals whose journeys reflect the very heart of KAA’s mission.

More than a decade after Ken Anderson founded what would become the Ken Anderson Alliance, he joined KAA CEO Patrick Ober on stage to present the first-ever Thrive Honorees. Together, they recognized two individuals whose lives and service embody the purpose behind KAA’s work.

The Thrive Honorees represent what becomes possible when people are supported, encouraged, and empowered to pursue their goals. This year’s honorees were KAA participants, Daniel Hunt and volunteer Mark Meinerding — each embody the resilience, growth, and community connection KAA strives to foster every day. Through their leadership, perseverance, and commitment to others, Daniel and Mark demonstrate what it truly means to thrive.

Congratulations to both on this well-deserved recognition. Watch Daniel’s and Mark’s stories in our videos below to hear their journeys yourself.

The Mission of Ken Anderson Alliance That Started with Family

In 2014, Ken Anderson — former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, four-time Pro Bowler, NFL MVP, and NFL Man of the Year — founded the Ken Anderson Foundation after recognizing the limited opportunities available to his nephew Drew, who lives with autism. Two years later, the foundation merged with Lighthouse Landing, a nonprofit founded by parents of children with Down syndrome, creating today’s Ken Anderson Alliance.

What began as one family’s desire to create more opportunities has grown into an organization serving 270 adults with disabilities across Greater Cincinnati. Under the leadership of CEO Patrick Ober, who joined KAA in December 2024, KAA continues to expand programs that empower adults with disabilities to thrive in their communities.

The Mission Behind Ken & Friends

The heart of Ken & Friends has always been bigger than a single evening, and the impact of KAA’s programs is felt every single day.

Ken Anderson Alliance exists to empower adults with disabilities to thrive in the community. We currently serve more than 270 adults with disabilities throughout Greater Cincinnati each month through three core programs:

Every dollar raised at Ken & Friends goes directly toward the bold strategic plan goal of growing programs up to 50% in the next three years, creating more opportunities for the adults we serve every day.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

The generosity of our sponsors made the entire evening possible, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to expanding opportunities for adults with disabilities in Greater Cincinnati.

A heartfelt thank you as well to our Table Hosts — Ken Anderson, Kit Brunner, Chris Collier, Peter Hiltz, Lawrence McHaffie, Patrick Ober, Ken Rinehart, Tony Schweier, Billy Thomason, Terry Tomlinson, and David & Karen Troup — and to every guest who attended, bid, donated, and cheered alongside us.

Together, We Are the Alliance

Professional photos from the evening are available on our Facebook page. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to see more highlights and stay connected to the impact you’re making.

Want to keep the momentum going? Join the Kenny Club, KAA’s community of monthly donors, and help create opportunities for adults with disabilities to thrive every month of the year.