SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024
9:00 am - 1:30 pm

Hale Farm and Village  
2686 Oak Hill Rd, Bath, OH 44210

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Welcome to The Rotary Club of Akron, Ohio

We meet on
Tuesday at NOON

Doors open at 11:45am
VIRTUAL MEETING OPTION 
ONLY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING
DECEMBER 
 
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Regular Weekly Club Meetings
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
129 South Union Street
Akron, OH 44304
$20.00 per person
includes buffet lunch by Tangier Catering
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Tom Knauer
2023-2024 Club President

View Calendar of
Weekly Speakers
& Our Events

The Club Board of Directors meet the
2nd Tuesday of each month at 10:45 a.m.
Board meetings are open to Club members. 
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Upcoming Speakers

Bethany Miller
Dec 12, 2023 12:00 PM
RAHAB
RAHAB

Bethany Miller brings nearly twenty years of coast-to-coast nonprofit management experience ranging from direct-care social work to expert-level fundraising. Bethany joined the leadership team of RAHAB Ministries to support the organization’s mission to provide Christ-centered transformational services to those directly affected by sex-trafficking in Northeast Ohio.  She is passionate about sharing the mission of RAHAB, the wide-spread reach of sex-trafficking, and how every one of us can share hope in broken places.

AKRON CLUB HOLIDAY PARTY
Dec 19, 2023 12:00 PM
NO MEETING - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Dec 26, 2023
Mike Wojno
May 28, 2024 12:00 PM
Conscientious Capitalism
View entire list...

 Get Involved

Change Your Community


Change your community with us by volunteering on a local project or attending a community event.
Email our Service Committee Chair.

Partner With Us


We work with groups and organizations of all sizes to accomplish even more.
Email our Service Committee Chair.

Discover and celebrate diverse perspectives with a global organization.  
Email our International Exchange Chair.
 
News and Activities
Annual Meeting  Recap
Posted by KNAUER
Annual Meeting Recap
During the December 5, 2023 annual meeting of The Rotary Club of Akron, we had 53 members in attendance on site as well as online.
 
The members unanimously ratified the results of our election which are included in this edition of the Akrotarian. In addition, we received updates from Treasurer, Michael Gladys; Service Chair, Cyndi Kane; Foundation Chair, Doug Kohl; Membership Chair, Brian Kosarko; Grants Chair, Sandy Naragon and Chili Open Chair, Laura Smiley. 
 
Your club has been active on the service front partnering with several organizations in the Akron community while our financial position remains strong.
 
Please see details about our service projects as well as sign up links for volunteering in this newsletter.
 
Thank you for your continued support of The Rotary Club of Akron.
 
Tom Knauer
President 
The Rotary Club of Akron
 
Akron Rotary Club, Camp and Foundation Officers Elected for 2024
The Annual Meeting of the Rotary Club of Akron was conducted on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.
 
A key purpose of our Annual Meeting is to ratify the election of Officers and Directors for the Club, the Rotary Camp Board, and the Akron Rotary Foundation.
 
Below are the election results ratified accordingly at the meeting:
 
Club, Foundation, and Camp Election Results:
 
Club
Executive Team 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025:
  • President:  Nathanael "Thane" Billow
  • President-Elect: Katy Miller
  • Vice-President: Michael Gladysz
  • Secretary: Terry Dalton
  • Treasurer: Brian Kosarko
 
Directors 7/1/2024-6/30/2027
  • Paul Jarrett
  • Karen Hrdlicka
  • Cyndi Kane

Akron Rotary Foundation 
Board Members term 1/1/2024 – 12/31/2026
  • Carol Marturano-Becker
  • Karen Hrdlicka
  • Laura Smiley
 
Akron Rotary Camp
Board Members term 1/1/2024 – 12/31/2027
  • Tim DelMedico
  • Michael Gallucci
  • Nick George
  • Pamela Kiltau
  • James Redmond
 
Minutes were respectfully recorded by Terry Dalton, Akron Club Secretary & Scholarship Chair 
Akron Rotary Foundation Grant Cycle Open for 2024
Posted by Sandy Naragon
The Rotary Club of Akron and the Akron Rotary Foundation have a longstanding commitment to the greater Akron community.  Rotary is dedicated to causes that build relationships, improve lives, and create a better world—locally and globally.
 
The 2024 Grant Cycle is officially open!  Grants between $1,000 and $15,000 will be considered via an application process which ends January 31, 2024.  Projects must have an Akron Rotarian “sponsor” and must include direct volunteer service opportunities for Akron Rotarians.  Akron Rotary doesn’t just write checks, we’re action oriented and live by the motto, “Service Above Self.”
 
ROTARIANS:  Spread the word to impactful community service providers!  Encourage them to apply by January 31, 2024, via the application link below.  If you have questions, email
 
 
 
 
K-3rd GRADE READING PROGRAM UPDATE - SCHEDULE CHANGE FOR DECEMBER
K-3rd GRADE READING PROGRAM UPDATE - SCHEDULE CHANGE FOR DECEMBER
Thank you to all who have signed up to support Akron Youth Mentorship's K-3rd Grade Reading Program. There has been a change in the schedule for December and there is no program on December 18th, that event has been cancelled. The good news is that I have entered all the dates for 2024! 

The State of Ohio has a 3rd Grade Reading Guarantee that ensures that students in grades K-3rd grade are provided with resources to get them to the appropriate reading level by the time they enter 4th grade and aren't falling behind. Akron Youth Mentorship's K-3rd Grade Reading Program puts a tutor in front of them to read books for one hour a week. This extra reading time gives our K-3rd grade mentees a little extra help making sure they are on track to meet state standards and be set up for success as they move into 4th grade.
 
One hour a week helps kids catch up! As a club, we have committed to send two Rotarians on Monday evenings from 4:45 pm - 6:00 pm, October 2023 thru May 2024.
 
Location: Macedonia Baptist Church
 

Please e-mail me if you have any questions or would like to volunteer and the times are filled. We have the opportunity to add students from the waitlist if we have enough interest from our club. I will add dates for  2024 later in the year. 


Thank you,
Darethann Krill
Akron Rotary Service Committee


 
Akron Club Welcomes New Members
SARAH BUCCIGROSS
 
Sarah is a former Akron Rotarian who participated in the Chili Open, coordinated the dictionary program, secured grants for the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank and International Institute of Akron, and served on the Board.
 
She took a hiatus from Akron Rotary while working in Twinsburg as their Finance Director.
 
Her accounting career has brought me back to Akron as the Assistant Director of Finance & Budget for Summit County under Executive Ilene Shapiro.
 
Currently, she serves on the Women in Public Finance Committee for the Government Finance Officer’s Association, Municipal Finance Officer’s Association Board as President, and the Board of Women in Public Finance.  She said "I look forward to re-joining Akron Rotary and supporting the Akron Rotary Camp."
 
 
 
 
 
GINAKAYE MADDOX
 
Ginakaye (GK) is a prior Akron Rotarian and served as President for the 2006-2007 Rotary year.
 
Maddox is a native of Akron and twice graduate of Kent State University Currently, I'm the Diversity and Training Officer for RedOak Behavioral Health.
 
Her current community involvement includes Summit County Children Services Board, Secretary; Akron Roundtable Board of Directors; Summit County Historical Society Board and Chairperson for the John Brown Institute.
 
She has one son, and three grandsons.
 
Maddox also serves as a musician for her church and enjoy readings, biking, and quiz shows.
 
 
 
Mayor-Elect Malik 

Mayor-Elect Malik shared his story of growing up in Akron, educational background and passion for the community.

He spoke of his early political inspiration and the impact his mother, a long time educator, had on him, instilling his love for education and dedication to the community and its people.
 
He touched on critical initiatives he and his administration plan to address once in office.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

  

Photos courtesy of Katy Miller

Support the Chili Open with Raffle Tickets!
Support the Chili Open with Raffle Tickets!
 
The Chili Open Golf Classic will be here soon after the Holidays and we need your help to make this another successful event!
 
Purchase or sell a minimum of 10 raffle tickets, (or more), at only $20 each, and stand a chance to win one of the following great prizes:  
  • 1st prize is a 2024 KIA K5, or $19,000 cash payout – Thank you The VanDevere Bunch! 
  • 2nd prize is a $2,500 Flooring Credit courtesy of Barrington Carpet & Flooring Design
  • 3rd prize is a 55” 4k Smart LED TV, courtesy of the S Group, Inc. – Thank you, Rotarian Jeff Sheeks! 
Please bring any sold raffle tickets to our weekly club meetings, or mail them to the Camp Office (4460 Rex Lake Drive, Akron, OH 44319). Tickets can also be purchased online, by clicking on this link. Also share this fantastic opportunity with your friends, family, and colleagues.
 
Funding from the Chili Open helps ensure that no camper is ever turned away from Akron Rotary Camp due to inability to pay. Thank you for your support in making the Chili Open a continued success for our Club to benefit the campers who attend Akron Rotary Camp! Together, we are "Creating a world where there are only abilities!"
 
 
Laura Smiley
Chair, 2024 Chili Open Golf Classic
Akron Rotary Members Help Second Chance Village!
Posted by Douglas Hausknecht
Akron Rotary Members Help Second Chance Village!
Second Chance Village November 5
Our first volunteer opportunity with Second Chance Village was on Sunday Oct 5. Carol and Doug Hausknecht prepared some of the biscuits and gravy that were served. Cyndi Kane and Brandon Haverlick (volunteer friend of Rotary) joined in serving along with Ryan Scanlon and one of his board members.
 
The day was sunny and warm (for November anyway) so the tarps that were needed the previous week were not in use.  Trauma survivors who have become unhoused or were recently unhoused are invited to the park at E. Market St. and Case Avenue for the hot meal and other supplies that Second Chance Village is able to supply.  In addition to the usual socks, gloves and hats SCV had on hand such necessities as toilet paper rolls, Narcan, and even cotton swabs.  It became obvious that first hand knowledge of needs was paramount in the selection. 
 
That day maybe 2 dozen friends came to eat, gather a few things, sit and talk with each other, with the friends from SCV and with us.  As we wrapped up leftover food was packaged as individual servings and Ryan went to where others stay and delivered the still warm meals.  Not a crumb was wasted and all was appreciated.
 
 
 

 
 
Akrotarians take Action for ShelterCare!
Posted by Marissa Rufe
Akrotarians take Action for ShelterCare!
 
On July 25th, 2023 Dr. Wes Fair, President and Jessica Purdy, Director of Development of Shelter Care, Inc. presented to our Club about the work that Shelter Care does in Summit County. Shelter Care, Inc. is a private non-profit agency that has served young people and families in crisis since 1972. Shelter Care has six distinct programs that together provide a continuum of residential and non-residential care including short-term crisis intervention, intermediate or respite care, long-term care en route to independent living, residential services for pregnant teens, outreach services, and outpatient counseling. Shelter Care's Mission Statement: To provide healing, restore hope and recognize the value of young people and families in need.
 
As part of our ongoing commitment to serving our community, Akron Rotary recently partnered with Shelter Care for a service project. On November 8th, 2023, Rotary members organized a special event to prepare cooked and ‘ready to bake’ meals for two of their youth programs (The Highlands and Shelter Home). Those meals were delivered the next day; lasagna -ready to bake- and salad to The Highlands as well as a fully stocked and ready to assemble taco bar to The Shelter Home.
 
We could not have done it without the teamwork and guidance from Shelter Care’s own Jessica Purdy, who followed up with this heartfelt message: “I wanted to thank you and the Akron Rotary Club for your kindness and generosity in preparing and delivering meals to the Highlands and Shelter Home programs last week. What a wonderful blessing! I haven't gotten to touch base with all those that received the meals yet but I heard that they smelled delicious (and I'm sure they tasted that way too!). We are so grateful for the time, effort and care that you all put into them.” The Akron Rotary Service Committee plans to have more of these events in the future, so stay tuned!
 
 
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Akron Rotarians Recognized
Congratulations to Stew and Cherie Buchanan!
 
They were recognized for their years of service on events to raise funds for End Polio Now.  They have hosted numerous events over the years at Progressive Field and other venues that have raised much needed funds and awareness.  Stew and Cherie are amazing individuals and truly exemplify Service Above Self.
Photo L-R: 
Frederick T. "Rory" McGuire, Grandson of Arch C. Klumph, Father of The Rotary Foundation, Rotary Club of Cleveland, Cherie Buchanan, Stew Buchanan, Kevin Kelly, CFRE, Regional Gifts Officer, Rotary International
Akron Rotarians Graduate from Leadership 6630 
District 6630 invites Rotarians to participate in Leadership 6630 each year. 
 
Akron Rotarians Brian Kosarko and Katy Miller were part of the 2023 Leadership 6630 class.
 
They spent many months studying and learning about our Rotary District 6630 operations and Rotary International programs.
 
The entire class of 2023 was recognized on November 16 at the District Foundation Gala.
 
SERVICE PROJECT:  OPEN M
Posted by Sandy Naragon
SERVICE PROJECT: OPEN M
Every week, 100 students at Innes Community Learning Center receive packs of non-perishable food on Fridays to ensure they have enough to eat over the weekend.  The Feeding Kids Backpack Project is provided by Open M and is partially funded by a grant awarded by the Akron Rotary Foundation.  Food insecurity negatively impacts a child's ability to learn and grow.
 
Rotarians pack food on Wednesday and deliver it to Innes on Thursday.  The school distributes it to the children to take home on Fridays.
 
This service project is so needed that it has been extended to the end of the school year.  Open M Volunteer Link
 
Thank you to these most recent volunteers who packed the bags!
SERVICE PROJECT: Akron Youth Mentorship K-3rd Grade Reading Progam
SERVICE PROJECT: Akron Youth Mentorship K-3rd Grade Reading Progam
Akron Youth Mentorship K-3rd Grade Reading Program has started! 

The State of Ohio has a 3rd Grade Reading Guarantee that ensures that students in grades K-3rd grade are provided with resources to get them to the appropriate reading level by the time they enter 4th grade and aren't falling behind. Akron Youth Mentorship's K-3rd Grade Reading Program puts a tutor in front of them to read books for one hour a week. This extra reading time gives our K-3rd grade mentees a little extra help making sure they are on track to meet state standards and be set up for success as they move into 4th grade.
 
Our club has committed to send 2 volunteers every Monday from 4:45pm-6:00pm.
Location: 940 McKinley Ave, Akron, OH 44306
 
 
Yours in Service,
 
Darethann Krill
SERVICE PROJECT:  Salvation Army Bell Ringing - December 1st and December 15th
Posted by Mark Seward
SERVICE PROJECT: Salvation Army Bell Ringing - December 1st and December 15th
This year Club members (and guests) will have the opportunity to participate in the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign on two different dates and locations. 
Below are details regarding dates, times, and locations. You can sign-up online to participate in these events. We need two Rotarians (or guests) to cover each hour of the day(s) we will be at each location. We are also seeking substitutes.
 
This is a great opportunity to get in the holiday spirit and spend time with loved ones, friends, and the local community near North High School and in West Akron. 
 
Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Location: ACME #1
1835 W. Market Street
Akron, OH 44313
 
Please contact Mark Seward with any questions
330-414-2075
 
Thank you for your participation!
 

The Salvation Army Meets Human Need Wherever, Whenever, However We Can! 

The donations we collect by our Bell Ringing efforts will be used to support hard-working families stay in their homes, and provide food, shelter, and utilities to those in need in your community.  

SERVICE PROJECTS AT A GLANCE - Help Us Take Action!!
 
If you are interested in serving on the Service Projects Committee, please contact Cyndi Kane:  cyndi@cyndikane.com. 330-606-6041
 
REGISTRATIONS ARE SET UP WHERE INDICATED


 
 
 
 
Club Service Projects List 
 
Akron Youth Mentorship K-3rd Grade Reading Program
Rotarian Coordinator: Darethann Krill
  • Every Monday starting October 16th  4:45pm – 6pm
  • Location: 940 McKinley Ave, Akron, OH 44306
 
 
 
 
 
OPEN M
Rotarian Coordinator: Sandy Naragon
  • Wednesdays in October - December from 3-4pm. (filling backpacks)
  • Thursdays in October - December from 9-10am. (distributing backpacks)
 
 
 
 
 
Well CDC - Akron Hope Service Project
Rotarian Coordinator: Doug Kohl
  • December 7th, 5:30pm. (Gift Wrapping)
  • Location: Mason CLC, 700 E. Exchange Street, Akron, OH 44306 
The Well CDC's Akron Hope project provides year-round support to its neighborhood elementary school, Mason CLC.  This project received grant funding from the Akron Rotary Foundation.

One of the ways Mason CLC is supported is through Akron Hope's annual Holidays of Hope outreach that spreads joy to Mason CLC students, teachers, and families during the Holiday season. This is done by providing every student (250+) with a new, wrapped gift that gets hand delivered by volunteers.

Akron Rotarians are invited to help wrap 500+ gifts at this December Service Project opportunity.
 
 
 
 
 
Salvation Army - Bell ringing - Two Dates and Locations! 
Rotarian Coordinator: Mark Seward
  • Date: Friday December 15th Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Location: ACME #1
    1835 W. Market Street, Akron, OH 44313
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
S.U.P.E.R. Learning Center Christmas Program
Date:  December 21st  11am - 2 pm
1584 Wilson Avenue
Lakemore, OH 44250
 
 
 
 
No sign up required
 
 
Akron Canton Regional Food Bank 
Rotarian Coordinator: David Hall
  • 2024 dates: February 28, 2024, April 24, 2024, June 26, 2024
 
 
Follow the instructions that will be sent out from David Hall before each date.
 
 
Coming up in February, 2024:
  • Assemble bikes at the bike kitchen for the annual "LeBron James Ride"
Please mark your calendars and meet up with us for Service Above Self!
 
Cyndi Kane
Service Projects Chair 2023-2024
330-606-6041
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Celebrating Over a Century of Service in the Akron Community!

 
The History of The Rotary Club of Akron
 
Honoring the Past.  Driving the Future.
 
April 5, 2014 Centennial Celebration