Imagine the vision of the Akron Rotarians in 1924 to provide a place where kids with dreaded polio could find respite from their daily routine of therapy and enjoy therapeutic camping, just being kids. Fast forward to 2010 when the Rotary Club of Akron and the Akron Rotary Foundation said “yes” to a proposal to honoring the past, and driving the future by committing to tackle a $3.5 million renovation of “The Camp”.  Faith in yourselves and the greater Akron community made it happen. As the family of Rotary you attained a goal that most said was impossible. You did it because Rotarians always do what they promise to do. As the Saturday evening Regatta at the Camp unfolded, many donors and future donors saw what you have done. They would say, “Congratulations, you must be very proud.” The first thought that came to our minds was this is not about what the leadership team has done; it is about what the family of Rotary has accomplished. We feel a great sense of pride, not in ourselves, or the campaign committee; instead we feel proud of the family of Rotary and the greater Akron community. As co-couple chairs, Nick & Ruthie George, Vivian and Jack Harig are grateful that you caught the vision, took up the cause. You will be changing the lives of kids and their families for another 90 years and longer. 

We are grateful for leaders like Rennick and Dee Andreoli and the RDA team who offered their skill, professionalism, and leadership to navigate an event that raised $500,000 in one evening. We are thankful for Dan & Wendy Reynolds and the Camp staff, the family of Rotary throughout District 6630 and their friends, the Akron Rotary Foundation, the Akron Community Foundation, Wayne Homes & the Chili Open Committee, the Homebuilders of Greater Akron, Rotarian Bill Bennett, Bennett Construction Management Co. and the many volunteers who have made a dream into a reality

The job is not done. There is more, as your pledges are paid off, the camp board will continue to honor your trust by investing your money wisely, building the future. As your director, Mella Caster, working with the Akron Rotary Foundation will grow the endowment fund to insure the sustainability of the camp for the next 90 years. It is our hope that as Rotarians and the family of Rotary you will consider the legacy you can leave as part of your estate planning to “Honor the Past and Drive the future.”

Nick & Ruthie George, Jack & Vivian Harig