2017, Another Record Year for the Rotary Club of Akron’s Chili Open
Since becoming a Rotarian in 2012, few things have amazed me more than what our club does with the annual Akron Rotary Chili Open fundraiser. And the more time I spend around Rotary the more I realize just how special our club is. In 2012 I, couldn’t image how a golf outing in middle of a cow pasture on the first Saturday in February could raise over $150,000! Then two things changed, I started to get to know the incredible people who make up our club and I could see the remarkable why that drove them to produce such a remarkable event year after year. The why of the Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs was made clear on a summer evening cookout when I saw kids who could be themselves, even if only for a moment. At that point it became clear what drove the members of our club and community to support this event. Extraordinary people with an incredible purpose and why = unstoppable.
Obviously, this event does not go off without people, because we all know that you win with people. The Chili Open has allowed our club to create a pipeline for the future leaders of our club to learn and grow. While I fully appreciate that this event is not everyone’s favorite way to spend a Saturday in February the support of even the sale of just a few raffle tickets does make a difference!
Our corporate partners are what help us make this event even more special year after year by allowing us to step up our baseline with longstanding support. That support comes from the same thing that drives many of us as Rotarians and that is the work of our Rotary Camp. Without Wayne Homes unwavering support as our title sponsor this event simply wouldn’t be the same. [removed commas]
Last but not least are the staff members at the Rotary Camp. Without them this event wouldn’t be nearly the success that it is today. Amanda, Mella, Dan and the rest of the team out there spend countless hours preparing, invoicing, making phone calls and doing all the things that most people will never see or appreciate to make sure things go off without a hitch.
All in all, it was another one for the record books and that’s all because of each one of you at The Rotary Club of Akron!
February 4, 2017 was quite a chilly day, but that didn’t stop over 500 attendees from joining together for the 27th annual Chili Open Golf Classic, presented by Wayne Homes. The grounds of Hale Farm and Village in Bath, Ohio were transformed into five unique golf courses with 9 holes each that ranged from 65-125yards. Participants also had a chance to take a shot at the hole-in-one and closets-to-the-pin to win some great prizes!
The day was a huge success and together we raised over $239,000 benefiting the Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs. Funds from the event will help more than 1,800 children to attend summer camp and year round respite programs which will help them build independence, social skills, and memories that last a lifetime. Last year, Akron Rotary Camp provided over $180,000 in direct financial assistance to campers and families in need.
We are grateful to each and every one that contributed in some way. Thank you to all Rotarians that supported the cause by purchasing raffle tickets, sponsorships, camperships, donated prizes or volunteered their time. We appreciate the continued support. Thank you also to our two co-chairs, Julie Brandle and Rick Rockich for steering this event as well as other committee members for all your efforts and support.
Mark your calendars to join us for Akron Rotary’s 28th annual Chili Open Golf Classic on February 3, 2018!
If you have more pictures, please send them in jpg formats (not in the body of the email) to Cheryl Warren (click to email her). They will be added to our archived photo directory on the website. If you names of those in the photo(s) include it with your email please.
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.
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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February 28
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February 28
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March 17
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Join Date
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February 3, 2015
2 years
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February 3, 2015
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February 7, 1989
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Keith Doyle
February 9, 2016
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February 9, 2016
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February 10, 2009
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Charlie Solley
February 12, 2013
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Linda Conrad
February 12, 2013
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February 23, 2016
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March 1, 2016
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Michael Gladysz
March 1, 2012
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March 6, 1984
33 years
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March 8, 2016
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March 8, 2016
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March 13, 2001
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March 15, 1988
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March 15, 2005
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March 18, 1997
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March 22, 2016
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Rick Rockich
March 26, 2013
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March 26, 2013
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Bill Manby
March 27, 1973
44 years
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March 29, 2016
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Joseph Horak
March 31, 2015
2 years
Katy Miller
March 31, 2015
2 years
Scott Kolligian
March 31, 2015
2 years
Since 1914, The Akrotarian has been the
official publication of The Rotary Club of Akron, Ohio.