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Meeting ID: 989 441 809
Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at Noon via ZOOM
LISA A. GRAY
Founding President
Lisa A. Gray is the founding president of Ohio Excels. Gray’s career has been dedicated to improving the educational outcomes of ALL of Ohio’s students.
Prior to leading Ohio Excels, Gray had her own consulting practice specializing in public policy development, government relations, advocacy, strategic planning, and project management with an emphasis on public education. Her clients included the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Achieve, Inc., Philanthropy Ohio, Battelle for Kids, Ohio Business Roundtable, Teach for America, Jobs for the Future and the Office of Governor Taft, among others.
Prior to starting her consulting practice, Gray was the Director of Policy and Communications at Battelle for Kids from 2001-2005. In 2000, Gray served as the Project Director of the Governor’s Commission for Student Success. The bi-partisan commission, appointed by Governor Taft, developed recommendations for improving Ohio’s K-12 public education system.
Gray also served as the Deputy Executive Assistant to Columbus Mayor Greg Lashutka. Prior to joining the Mayor’s office, Gray served in a number of positions at the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
Gray graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, with a BS in Elementary Education. At the start of her career, she served as an elementary school teacher. She and her husband have four wonderful sons, all of whom have been educated in Ohio’s public schools.
On the personal side, Holly is a wife and mother to 5 children. She spends her free time spending time with her family, attending athletic events, and reading.
The 2022 Chili Open Online Auction will again feature Dr. Rob McGregor’sWheelbarrow of Good Cheer and Wanda Whipkey’s Wine Fridge! Your help is needed to fill both of these auction items with a donation of unopened bottles of alcohol, bottle of wine, mixers, bar glassware, mixing tools, cocktail napkins, etc. If you don’t have time to shop, we can shop for you! Send a check payable to Akron Rotary Camp, 4460 Rex Lake Drive, Akron, OH 44319. The Wheelbarrow and Wine Fridge are popular and high bidding items in the Auction.
We still need items for the online auction, and to be used for door prizes.
If you know of anyone that will be able to donate something, please let us know. If you need someone to pick up any items, please call or email Amanda at Akron Rotary Camp (330.644.4512 or amandaw@akronymca.org), and we would be happy to make those arrangements.
Autographed sports memorabilia, behind the scenes tours, brewery packages, Country Club/Golf Club packages, family entertainment
packages, food gift baskets, restaurant gift cards/certificates, spa packages, sporting event packages/tickets, are some great items!
One More Collection Date:
Mark your calendars and drop items off to us on Tuesday, February 1: 5pm-6pm at Rotary Camp, Hilton Akron/Fairlawn and World. We will be happy to collect your raffle tickets, door prizes and silent auction items.
Akron Rotary Camp is located at 4460 Rex Lake Drive, Akron, OH 44319
World Elite Kids is located at 81 Northwest Ave, Tallmadge, OH 44278 Hilton Akron Fairlawn is located at 3180 W Market St, Akron, OH 44333
Fellow Rotarians, thank you in advance for your donations to help make the Chili Open a continued success for Akron Rotary Club to benefit Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs!
Our Annual Chili Open Golf Classic is back and we need everyone’s help to make this a successful event!
Please SIGN UP HERE to volunteer where you can! You are welcome to come part of the day, or help out with a couple of tasks. Some of the tasks are outside, so please dress appropriately for the weather.
We ask that all Volunteers park at Old Trail School which is located at 2315 Ira Road, Akron, OH 44333. There will be a shuttle bus to transport you to Hale Farm.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!
We are grateful for your support!
Kind regards,
Dr. Doug Hausknecht Chili Open Volunteer Chair chiliopen.net Gotcamp.org
The Rotary Club of Akron enjoyed a very enlightening presentation by Kitrael Chin. Mr. Chin is the President/Director and Founder of Hearts For Music, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3. Hearts For Music is the world’s first special needs orchestra that attempts to unite all disabilities of all ages in creating and performing music. Mr. Chin is a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) with over 20 years of clinical experience. He has a specialty certificate in Hospice and Palliative Care Music Therapy from the New York Center for End-of-Life Care (HPMT).
Kitrael noted that he has been blessed with the joy and privilege of working with many kids and young adults displaying a wide range of disabilities ranging from mild to severe intellectual disabilities to cerebral palsy and Autism. In 2000, Kitrael started Musical Fingers LLC a music therapy and instruction company in Mantua OH, which to this present day serves many families throughout NE Ohio.
Hearts For Music was created to provide opportunities and avenues for individuals with special needs wanting to pursue their love for creating and performing music in a professional ensemble setting. At the core of Hearts for Music, is an orchestra made up of 20 to 25 children and/or young adults with a variety of special needs. The philosophy behind Hearts For Music
By manipulating and playing a combination of acoustical instruments, digital instruments and adaptive instruments, the Hearts For Music Special Needs program tackles a broad range of musical works ranging from classical symphonies to modern pop and rock.
Where Does Hearts For Music Meet?
Currently HFM have Ohio sites in Brecksville, Mentor/Willoughby and Solon. Additional Hearts For Music sites will be appearing in 2022! The Aurora High School will be adding HFM as part of their daytime school programing in 2022.
Who Can Participate?
While their youngest is 4 years of age, and the oldest is in her 60s, there is no age limitation. Members have diagnoses ranging from Autism to Down syndrome to chromosomal abnormalities such as Turner’s Syndrome. HFM also welcomes children/teens without special needs to participate so that they learn how to be caring and compassionate towards others with special needs.
Do Participants Need to Have Musical Experience?
While an understanding of music is helpful, it is unnecessary for participation. If a child or loved one desires additional music training, HFM can offer recommendations. Kitrael’s philosophy is “Just come with a love and heart for music!”
Can I Help In Any Way?
Absolutely individuals can help! Donors and volunteers are at the heart of Hearts For Music. Please consider donating to HFM or contacting them about being a volunteer. Volunteers don’t need formal music training, just a love for music and a sincere desire to see each child succeed. Even simply spreading the word about Hearts For Music on social media is a big help.
Our Auction, will continue to be online this year. It will open for a week beginning on January 28, 2022 6pm and will conclude on February 5th at 1:30pm.
Text chiliopen22 to 76278 to register for the auction.
Your participation in Akron Rotary’s Chili Open Golf Classic presented by Wayne Homes will help serve more than 1,800 children and adults along with their families with a wide range of developmental and physical disabilities and mental health disorders through our day, overnight and year round respite camp programs.
At Rotary Camp, campers are provided the opportunity to experience traditional camping activities, develop relationships, learn life skills and create memories that last a lifetime. When campers leave Rotary camp at the end of each session, they not only leave with lifelong memories and friends, but they often show more independence as well as a greater understanding of themselves and their abilities.
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