Annually, Akron Rotary Camp serves almost 2,000 children and adults with a wide range of developmental and physical disabilities and mental health disorders through our daytime, overnight and year-round respite camp programs. Campers get to experience traditional camping activities, develop relationships, learn life skills, and create memories that last a lifetime.
The Chili Open has raised over $2.7 million since its inception to support the families of children with special needs. Please consider purchasing tickets where 100% of proceeds go directly to Akron Rotary Camp. Our goal is $250,000 and we could use your help in supporting campers and their families!
There are many ways to get involved…
To purchase a sponsorship, Clubhouse pass, raffle ticket, register to golf, or find out more about the Chili Open, please visit Chiliopen.net.
Thank you for helping us achieve the mission of Rotary Camp “Creating a world where there are only abilities!”
Join us on February 4, 2017 for the 2017 Chili Open, at Hale Farm and Village benefiting the Akron Rotary Camp. (Watch Chili Open Video Here)
Since its inception, the Chili Open has raised over $2.7 million to provide support to families with children with special needs. At Rotary Camp, campers are provided the opportunity to experience traditional camping activities, develop relationships, learn life skills, and create memories that last a lifetime. Currently, Rotary Camp annually serves almost 2,000 children and adults along with their families with a wide range of developmental and physical disabilities and mental health disorders through our day, overnight, and year-round respite camp programs.
Our goal for the 27th annual Chili Open is $250,000 and in order for us to have another successful event to support the Camp WE NEED YOUR HELP. If you or your company would like to provide a Sponsorship, please contact the Akron Rotary Camp Office (330) 644-4512.
There are also many other ways to get involved:
Purchase a CAMPERSHIP for only $500. It will provide one week of camp for a child with special needs.
Purchase ADVERTISING in the Chili Open Tabloid Newspaper that is distributed to over 135,000 households throughout Summit County.
Purchase RAFFLE TICKETS or ask friends, family, and co-workers to buy tickets at only $20 per ticket. Every one stands a chance to win one of four great prizes, that includes a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic LS, a LG 55” 4k Smart TV, a Fox Sports Ohio Behind-the-Scene Media Package to a 2017 Cleveland Indians Game, or 2 tickets to the 2017 Bridgestone Invitational Golf Tournament. 6 tickets for $100 will give you an entry into Snowmania for a chance to win $50,000.
Sign up to VOLUNTEER. We have lots of volunteer opportunities available.
Please visit Chiliopen.net for more information about the Chili Open, to purchase a sponsorship, register to golf, purchase a Clubhouse pass, or to purchase a raffle ticket. Thank you for helping us achieve the mission of Rotary Camp “Creating a world where there are only abilities!”
With Gratitude, in the spirit of camping,
Julie Brandle and Rick Rockich
Co-Chairs, 2017 Chili Open
The purpose of Rotary Cares is to show our support for Akron Rotary members and their families when dealing with the loss of a loved one, the hardship of illness and also to celebrate the joy of a new baby, job, marriage or other events in their lives. Please be sure to email me with any news you would like placed here.
Our thoughts and prayers are with:
--- Vivian Harig who had a health scare recently and spent a few days in the hospital being checked out. She is now resting comfortably at home.
--- Beckett Christy, the son of Shon & Brittany Christy, was in the hospital with pneumonia this week. He made a miraculous recovery and is now home.
--- Steve Warren is on the road to recovery after his scare with a blood infection.
We would like to thank the SUPER Learning Center for allowing us to bring Christmas cheer to 150 very special children on December 15, 2016.
The event started with Santa arriving on a firetruck, sirens ablaze. You, however, cannot hear the sirens over the sounds of the children screaming with joy, their faces pushed up against the window, to see Santa Claus. The school has transformed their library into a winter-wonderland, complete with a throne clearly meant for no other but the jolliest of them all. Shortly after Santa settles in, he is greeted by his elves (teacher’s aides), who also provide specific information about each child through an earpiece receiver.
One at a time they enter and sit with Santa, smiles glued on their faces, but then a glow brighter than any star appears when Santa asks “Hey Jimmy, I’ve heard you have been helping a lot around the classroom this year” or “Good morning Susie, congratulations on winning the singing contest” (See image).
150 children sit with Santa and receive a gift, which was hand-picked by that child’s teacher (with some help from the parents).
After each class receives their gifts, they head back to their classrooms’, through the halls which each class has decorated in the spirit of Christmas, to open their presents. If you were to go back to the classroom with them and watch as they open their presents, you would think that each one of them received the perfect Christmas present. Unfortunately for some, this may be their only Christmas gift.
To say “thank you” to Rotary and Santa Claus, the children put on a show which includes the story of Christmas and several yuletide carols, some of which are performed in sign-language only.
Thank you again to SUPER Learning Center for letting us experience the joy of Christmas through these very special children’s eyes. VIEW MORE OF OUR PHOTOS HERE
Members: Brian Chima, Susan Colville-Hall, Marcia Holcomb, Wanda Whipkey, Doug Hausknecht, Brian Kosarko, Jack Harig, Keryl Whetstone, Barry Hollis, Stew Buchanan, Cathryn O’Malley, Leslie Tierney.
Brian Chima reported on the November RYE meeting. He developed the sheet on likes and dislikes for Sky and made announcements so that other Rotarians and families will take advantage of the opportunity to interact with her while inviting her to do something. Brian will continue to make these announcements on a regular basis and will also help set up these up with Sky and the Rotarian at hand.
Our RYE student, Sky (Yi-Chieh CHEN) made the transition to her 2nd home with the Laber family (Jim, Laurel, Grace, Aby and Ally) before Christmas and all has been well. The move was during her exams so it wasn’t the easiest, but Sky rose to the occasion and has been very happy. Sky also attended the Strongsville Rotary Christmas breakfast with one of the RYE students, Margot Dussauge.Sky will be performing in the Cheerleading event on January 27 (Friday) around 6:30 at the American Elite Club in Tallmadge. Rotarians are invited to attend. Wanda will make announcements at Rotary meetings.
A THANK YOU card for Sky’s 1st host family, Terri Harris and Kim Marmash, was circulated during our last luncheon for all Rotarians to sign.
For other committee news dealing with outreach:
Enoch Wang, Outbound Candidate, for 2017-2018 from Akron decided NOT to apply for the exchange program.
Brian Kosarko will work on developing a Short video with bios of RYE Outbound students
and Susan will take more bios of current exchange students that Brian can add later.
For the next District RYE Activities:
Strongsville will be hosting the toboggan run January 15.
Our own Akron Club is planning for RYE Games Overnight at Akron Rotary Camp, Feb. 18-19. Susan and Brian Chima will handle the program of activities for the. Brian Kosarko and Doug Hausknecht may also be involved.
Annually, the Rotary International President Elect announces the theme for the year in which he will serve as RI President. This announcement always takes place at the January training assembly for the incoming class of District Governors. To learn more about our incoming RI President you can click here.
Promote your product or service to Akron Rotarians! Each week, IT sponsorships are available for $50. Sponsors get their name and logo (or name if no logo submitted) on screen as part of the loop of announcements. Sponsorship dollars are offsetting the cost of projector and screen used by speakers and to promote upcoming Rotary activities and programs.
Are you willing to help get the weekly sponsor PowerPoint going on the projector? Knowledge of PowerPoint is helpful in case last minute updates are necessary. Email me if you’re interested.
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