An Akron native, Evan joined the Billow team in 2020 as an Advance Funeral Planner. In his role, he assists families with pre-planning their funeral arrangements. He is a graduate of Revere High School and the University of Akron, where he was a decorated student athlete. He helped Akron’s Football Team win their first and only MAC Championship in school history in 2005. Prior to working in the funeral profession, Evan worked for his family business Laube Imaging Products, est. 1910 in Akron. He then transitioned to work in the Health Insurance industry where he provided employee benefits to local employers in the Akron area. Evan has been a volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club of Western Reserve in Akron for the past 10 years and is an active member in the Fairlawn Chamber of Commerce and Akron Executives Association. He resides in Bath with his wife and two children.
I recently volunteered for the OPEN M service project and want to share the well-oiled process to give you an idea of what to expect -- we hope you will sign up to participate!
This week, it started with four Akron Rotarians packing 100 bags on Wednesday from 3-4pm.
Thank you Mark Seward, Marcia Holcomb, DG Julie Brandle and Katy Miller for volunteering!
Each bag contained bottles of Propel, cans of Chicken Chili, Macaroni & Cheese, snack items and crackers.
Carleigh from OPEN M said "we strive to provide the children with breakfast, lunch and snack items".
The next morning (Thursday) a Rotary volunteer arrives at 9am to pick up the bags.
This week, Carleigh Lape, Marcia Campo and Darryl Millirons from OPEN M were on hand to load up my car.
About 10 minutes later my car was loaded and Carleigh and Marcia gave perfect instructions for the delivery site and they also called ahead to let the school know I was on the way.
Off I went to Innes School (about 5 minutes away) where two teachers, Caitlyn Gilley and Samantha Little,were waiting with carts and a few students to unload the car.
Thank you to all - it was very well organized and efficient.
A big thanks also goes out to Sandy Naragon for coordinating this project for our Club - see more details from Sandy below the photo.
Yours in Service -
Cheryl Warren
A message from Sandy Naragon:
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
Entertaining as well as informative, this unique offsite meeting will be initiated by trustees Betsy Hartschuh, Children’s Museum co-founder, and Ben Tegel. After their introductory remarks conclude, around 12:20, we will not just “recess,” but have recess, i.e. time for discovering the exhibits in the museum. The meeting will end at 1 pm, but attendees may stay longer if desired.
OUR HOSTS, THE AKRON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
The Akron Children’s Museum was founded by a small group of young parents who, after visiting numerous children’s museums throughout the U.S. and querying their peers, determined that such an institution was indeed needed, and could serve Akron and the surrounding region well with Akron-centric, unique experiences. Their plans were set in motion in 2012 and 2013, when the founding board commissioned feasibility and market studies. In 2014 ACM received its nonprofit status from the IRS, added new board members and began fundraising to realize the vision. In 2015, a partnership with The City of Akron was forged with ACM’s Holiday Pop-Up Site at Lock 3. The museum opened on November 25, 2016.
WHAT IS A CHILDREN’S MUSEUM?
Children’s museums are places where children learn through play and exploration in environments created JUST FOR THEM. Reflecting their diverse communities, children’s museums create playful, interactive learning experiences. In an increasingly complex world, children’s museums provide a place where kids and their families can experience learning and playing together.
More and more families visit children's museums each year for the unique, face-to-face fun, enlightenment and shared experiences not available at other attractions. Children’s museums also contribute to the local economy and, in ACM’s case, also support efforts to continue the renaissance of our downtown area through addition of more safe, inspired and accessible family activities.
Tangiers will be providing the box lunches and delivering right to the Children’s Museum on November 14th.
There are 3 options to choose from.
Option 1
New York Style Corned Beef Brisket
Swiss Cheese
Marble Rye
Option 2
Smoked Turkey Breast
Cheddar Cheese
Sourdough
Option 3
Mediterranean wrap
ALL SANDWICHES ARE PREPARED FRESH AND SERVED WITH LETTUCE, TOMATO, INDIVIDUAL PACKETS OF MUSTARD, MAYONNAISE, SALT AND PEPPER.
ALSO INCLUDES:
POTATO CHIPS
HOME-STYLE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE
BOTTLED WATER
$20.00 PER PERSON – INCLUSIVE
PARKING:
Parking is available in the O’Neil’s/State Street Parking Deck at 51 W. State Street (behind Barley House) for $2 when you have your parking ticket validated at the Children’s Museum (free for Rotary members on November 14, 2023).
After you park, take the elevator to the ground level, take a right to go under the breezeway, and doors to the museum (with monsters on them) are straight ahead.
For additional information, please visit https://akronkids.org/visit#direction-parking.
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.
The Rotary Club of Akron had the pleasure of listening to Ken Fanger, during our Tuesday, October 24 Club Meeting.
Ken Fanger, President of On Technology Partners and a CMMC-RP (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Registered Practitioner), has over 30 years of experience specializing in cybersecurity and information technology systems management and design, and project management. Ken is one of fewer than 2,000 people to hold the designation of CMMC-RP, helping businesses with federal contracts to meet the new Department of Defense cybersecurity standards.
Currently focusing on the manufacturing sector, he’s also worked in the pharmaceutical, legal, medical, nonprofit, and government fields. His MBA in Operations Management enables him to understand work/process flow, while allowing him to develop strategies for an organization’s future.
Ken began his presentation with a couple of examples of things that have happened to him as well as his customers when it comes to cybersecurity breaches. He emphasized that we are not “dumb” when it comes to cybersecurity but did say that Users are the weakest link. When we get that “questionable” email or phone call we need to be extra careful and not provide information that can allow access to important documents, accounts, etc. If in doubt, hang up or delete the email. Emails can infect your computer by opening attachments, but they can also infect your system if you click on a link in the content of the email.
Ken discussed the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI). While AI can be beneficial in our business and personal lives, it can also be harmful when it comes to issues around cyber security.
Ken continued his presentation discussing the Triple A’s: Aware, Address, Arise.
Awareness Phase: Share stories of what happened to you. Don’t be embarrassed. Share with others to save others from a similar experience.
Address Phase: When the attack phase happens, hang-up.
Arise Phase: Ensure your system has all available updates, virus protection, etc. Don’t pay “ransom.” Large companies sometimes do pay, which only empowers those who are hijacking companies’ systems.
Ken informed Rotarians that because of a grant they received they can provide a free scan to businesses to assess their vulnerabilities. They can also provide some free services to schools.
Ken concluded by stating that cyber security threats can be frustrating and confusing. He stated that it can help to have a partner that knows how to navigate those processes and compliance standards.
Mission: Second Chance Village is a Nonprofit Service Club founded for bringing support and relief to trauma survivors recovering from homelessness.
One of the best ways to understand the needs of others is through their own eyes. Ryan Scanlon operates Second Chance Village as a support network to those experiencing and recovering from homelessness based in part on his own experience. This enables him to have unique access and empathy with others in the group.
The Akron Rotary Foundation and District 6630 approved a grant to further the efforts of Second Chance Village. The grant funds longer lasting items which enables the organization to focus on some immediate needs such as warm clothing, a meal, conversation and often connections to additional community resources.
OUR SERVICE PROJECT:
Rotarians can help to make the community connections a reality by volunteering at some of the weekly hot meal service provided in the East Akron/Middlebury neighborhood.
Trauma survivors come for a hot meal and contact with others.
OUR ROLE:
To serve and, at times, prepare the meal.
Second Chance Village has been providing this weekly and we are looking to participate on some of those weekends.
WHEN:
The first trial is scheduled for November 5th from 11:00am - 2:00pm. There are TWO Shifts: CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
It will likely be cold, but that’s when a hot meal may be most welcome. We only need a few members each time.
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.
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.
Location: 997 E. Market Street / Lest We Forget Memorial Park
Rotarians can help to make the community connections a reality by volunteering at some of the weekly hot meal service provided in the East Akron/Middlebury neighborhood.Trauma survivors come for a hot meal and contact with others.
Location: Akron Rotary Camp Kitchen, 4460 Rex Lake Drive, Akron, OH 44319
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. As part of our ongoing commitment to serving our community, we are excited to host this service project in partnership with Shelter Care.
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.
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.
Ken Fanger, President of 
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If you are interested in serving on the Service Projects Committee, please contact Cyndi Kane: 
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