Look Who it Was Random video

Local businessman from humble beginnings donates 1,000 coats to Cincinnati Police

108 views · Published 18 December 2018 · 3:00 · Indexed 30 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2018 · News & Politics

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BOND HILL, Ohio (WKRC) - A special delivery pulled up to Cincinnati Police Department's District 4 Tuesday morning.

Cincinnati officers lined up to unload a box truck and stack boxes neatly in the auditorium. In the back of the crowd, there was a business owner who has taken time out of his day to bring 1,000 new coats, blankets and pillows to CPD so officers can distribute them to people in need.

Marcella Lamb is a civilian who works for CPD. She helped organize the delivery.

Lamb said, "We love the community, and we always have our projects. So when I got the call from Sherry and she said, 'Oh we have an overabundance of things for you guys,' I was glad I was sitting down because I would've fell. I couldn't believe the generosity of this company."

The gifts are from Rocky Rokvic. His is a story of living the American dream. He's originally from Bosnia, but he fled the country with his family because of the Bosnian war. Eventually, he came to the Cincinnati area with almost nothing.

Rokvic said, "I was dropped at CVG Airport without knowing a word in English besides 'OK' and 'thank you.'  That's the words I know when I came here in 1997."

He built a multi-million-dollar company through hard work, talent and help. His business is RIW Ornamental Metal, Inc. in Wilder.

"I'm trying to make a better living, a better life, and United States is the land of opportunity where we could succeed and make a better living," Rokvic said.

That's why he wanted to give back. The immigrant who barely spoke English is now in a position to give people jobs and help in other ways. The company has already donated 2,000 coats to Matthew 25 Ministries.

Rokvic said, "I believe in karma. If you're doing good, God will return all the good you're doing. That will return to you."

The coats and other items delivered will go to the neighborhood liaison officers who will give them to people in need, and they're a reminder that even if you can't give 1,000 coats, each of us can give something.

Lamb said, "I was very touched, very touched. As I said, I believe in that song 'It Only Matters What You Do for Others.'"

There's a holiday party at District 4 in Bond Hill Friday. This year, the focus is on senior citizens.

Officers will be able to give some of those donated coats to the seniors at the party.

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