Through my work, at Global Ties Akron and in the community my focus is on building mutual understanding and respect, helping others to realize the value of diversity, especially through global education and citizen diplomacy, and connecting the Akron area and Northeast Ohio to world leaders and changemakers to build a global network of community builders. Michelle has served as the Executive Director of Global Ties Akron for the past 20 years. She has been with the organization for over 30 years as a volunteer, board member, and program officer. Through the programs of Global Ties Akron- globaltiesakron.org , Michelle leads the organization and coordinates community professional visits of leaders from around the world participating in the International Visitor Leadership program administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State and the Open World Leadership Program sponsored by the Congressional Office of International Leadership. She has built bridges to support ongoing initiatives between international leaders and Greater Akron Ohio. Michelle has also created several education initiatives including the online magazine focused on preserving the cultural heritage and traditions of refugee and immigrant populations-Global Threads-https://global-threads.world/; and launched the Know Your Community- Know Your World global education initiative - know-your-world.org. Michelle serves as an Ohio representative to the US Global Leadership Coalition and is on the board of Himalayan Arts, Language and Cultural Academy. She is also an origami artist and social entrepreneur who runs Global Ties Akron's Global Threads Boutique to empower local and global artisans and fund our education programs.
I hope you are enjoying your Spring. It is time again to sign up to volunteer for the Akron Canton Regional Food Bank service project!
I am looking for volunteers (spouses and friends are welcome; they just need to signup for volunteering with ACRFB!) for Wednesday, June 28th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at the Akron location which is located at 350 Opportunity Parkway, Akron, OH 44307. After the food bank service project anyone is welcome to join me in going out to dinner for more social time at a downtown Akron restaurant to be determined later.
The service project involves breaking down large containers of food into smaller portions for redistribution to area food pantries. The two hours flies by as we all have fun with the project and we get the opportunity to work with our fellow Rotarians and strengthen our friendships and maybe meet a few new people from other organizations/companies that are there volunteering as well.
IF YOU HAVE NOT VOLUNTEERED BEFORE AT THE FOOD BANK THEN I NEED YOU TO REGISTER. See volunteer application link below.
If you have any questions please call or text me at 330-714-1044.
I need a head count by noon Friday June 23, so if you would please let me know by then if you plan on attending by sending me an email or text: dhall@preferredlegacy.com or 330-714-1044. I would greatly appreciate it!
The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s Main Campus is located at 350 Opportunity Parkway, Akron, OH 44307, at the corner of Dart Avenue and Opportunity Parkway off of OH-59 near Downtown Akron. Get Directions.
When you arrive, please park in the front of the building or in the Dart Avenue parking lot. Use the front glass doors to enter the building.
If the parking lot is full, please park in the grass lot or proceed to the Shipping and Receiving parking lot on the other side of the building.
If entering through Shipping and Receiving, enter through the RED visitor door and proceed to the front desk.
We also recommend carpooling when possible.
What to wear:
Face Masks are optional.
Safety is our priority! Please note that open-toed shoes are not permitted in the warehouse.Jewelry is not permitted in the clean- room and we recommend wearing limited jewelry when volunteering.
Comfortable shoes are recommended as you may be on your feet the entire time.
It is best to dress in layers. The weather outside may affect the temperature inside the warehouse.
Thank you for volunteering at your Foodbank! We look forward to welcoming you.
Tasha R. Ledrich // Volunteer & Guest Experience Supervisor
AKRON-CANTON REGIONAL FOODBANK Main 330.535.6900 // Direct 330.777.1065 Main Campus 350 Opportunity Pkwy, Akron, OH 44307 Stark County Campus 1365 Cherry Ave NE, Canton, OH 44714
Sunday July 16th will be our “Rotary Day at the Tournament"
The TICKETS Fore CHARITY™ (TFC) program is designed to generate revenue for local charities where PGA TOUR Champions events are held.
Tickets are $25 per person and a minimum of $20 of each ticket sold will benefit the Akron Rotary Foundation.
How can you help? By selling the tickets! That's it ... the more we sell the more our local foundation will receive.
I will create a sign up sheet and can also can help folks navigate the online payment portal to pay for and receive the digital tickets. More information will be forthcoming soon!
We hope you will get behind this initiative to help our local Akron Rotary Foundation!
We will designate Sunday July 16th as our “Rotary Day at the Tournament” .
Yours in Service -
Thane Billow
Club Vice President and Co-Chair for The Rotary Foundation
Since 1924, Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs has offered children and adults with special needs, the opportunity to experience all the friendship, fun and excitement of camp.
We need your help in reducing our programming costs to allow us to provide financial assistance to our families in need of sending their child to camp. With your donation of any wish list item, you are helping us to fulfill our mission of “Creating a world where there are only abilities!”
CAMPER/PROGRAM SUPPLIES
Arts and Crafts Supplies (beads, colored pencils, construction paper, crayons, Elmer’s glue, glue sticks, washable markers, washable paints, paint brushes, pipe cleaners, scissors, etc.)
Beach Toys
Dress Up Costumes and Hats (children to adult sizes)
Friendship Bracelet String/Thread
Pool Noodles
Poster Board
Sidewalk Chalk
Small toys for the treasure chest (good behavior awards for campers)
Sports and Games Equipment (bean bags, hula hoops, assorted balls – basketball, football, kickball, soccer, tennis and large inflatable balls)
Water Guns for kids – Blasters, Soakers, etc. (all sizes)
OFFICE SUPPLIES
Copy Paper (20lb white and colored)
File Folders
Markers & Highlighters
Masking Tape
Pens
Scissors
Staplers and Staples
MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES
Clorox Wipes
Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets – Sensitive Skin
Insect Repellant
Laundry Detergent - Sensitive Skin
Sunscreen
Toothbrushes
Travel size Toothpaste
CAMP COUNSELOR APPRECIATION GIFTS
Gift Cards for staff appreciation (Chipotle, Panera, Starbucks, Subway, Target, Wal-Mart, etc.)
Single Serving Packaged Snacks (Chips, Pretzels, Granola Bars, Hostess Snacks, Little Debbie Snacks, etc.)
Single serve drinks (Gatorade, Ice-tea, Powerade, Vitamin Water)
Questions, please call the camp office at 330.644.4512 for additional information. Akron Rotary Camp is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations can be considered tax deductible.
The Rotary Club of Akron had the pleasure of listening to Lisa King at our Tuesday, May 16, 2023, Club meeting. Appointed in September 2015, King is the seventh director of Summit Metro Parks and the first woman to lead the park. As director she serves as the chief executive and chief financial officer, leading the organization to ensure achievement of its mission, financial viability, growth, and stability.
An employee since 1998, King has also served as the park district’s landscape architect and its chief of planning and development. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University, a state-registered landscape architect, a champion of sustainable design, and a certified parks and recreation professional through the National Recreation and Park Association. View the presentation by clicking here.
What is the mission of Summit Metro Parks (SMP)?
The SMP was created in 1911. The mission is inclusive of Ohio legislative language that created the park system in Ohio. The mission is – “We conserve, sustainably manage and value natural resources for the health and enjoyment of our community and inspire people to connect with nature through clean and safe parks.”
Interesting Facts about the SMP
The SMP consists of:
16 Parks.
3 Nature Centers
150 + miles of Trails covering 15,000 acres.
73% voter approval of latest levy request in 2020 during the pandemic.
Annual attendance averages 5.2 million visits.
Where are the Nature Centers?
F. A. Seiberling Nature Realm – Akron
Liberty Park Nature Center – Twinsburg
Summit Lake Nature Center – Akron – Award winning urban nature center, opened in 2021.
What’s In Store For 2023?
Naturalist – Led Programs
Spree for All:May 1 – June 30
Hiking event for all abilities
Hike five trails to earn rewards.
No minimum distance required.
Rewards are free for Summit County residents.
Native Plant Festival:May 20, 2023 Munroe Falls Metro Park
Explore benefits of native plants.
Learn how to incorporate them at home.
Browse native plants for sale.
Wild Back Yards
Take action at home.
Get tools, resources, and information at bit.ly/wildbackyards.
Track your progress and earn rewards.
Touch-A-Truck: August 12, 2023, Munroe Falls Metro Park
Climb on and touch park vehicles.
Meet local first responders.
Free activities for the whole family.
Fall Hiking Spree September 1 – November 30, 2023
Largest and longest-running event of its kind in the nation.
Hike eight trails to earn rewards.
Free rewards for Summit County residents.
Fall Family Outings: September 30 & October 1, 2023 Munroe Falls Metro Park
Free family fun
Lumberjack show is back!
Hayrides, campfires, snacks, music, and more.
Truck-Or-Treat: Silver Creek (10/21) and Goodyear Heights (10/28)
Free family fun
Trucks, treats, activities, and more.
Costumes encouraged.
Current Projects:
Restoring and Protecting Sand Run
Valley View Area – Restoring Land and Water
Free the Falls – Removing the Gorge Dam
For additional information about Summit Metro Parks and all SMP has to offer, check out their website at www.summitmetroparks.org.
Yours in Rotary Service
Terry Dalton
Akron Club Secretary and Scholarship Program Chair