Crown Point Ecology Center welcomed its new Executive Director, Kevin Gross in April of 2022. Kevin comes to Crown Point with a diverse background of experiences garnered through service in several different positions over the last decade. Kevin earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey in 2012. Kevin grew up in southern New Jersey just outside of Philadelphia and developed an appreciation of nature, green spaces, and fresh sustainable food at an early age. This early passion led to him becoming an environmental educator for the New York State Board of Cooperative Educational Services, crafting and facilitating programming for K-12 students and teachers. After spending some time living and teaching in the Hudson Valley, Kevin began to lay down roots in Ohio when he joined the staff at the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park in 2016 as the Program Coordinator for the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center. Later, Kevin went on to run the national park’s volunteer program, one of the most robust and prestigious volunteer programs in the National Park Service. Kevin then went on to serve as the Director of Community Engagement where he led the organization’s strategic advocacy efforts while promoting equitable access to the park and green spaces in surrounding communities. Now at Crown Point, Kevin is overjoyed to be able to lead such a dynamic and creative team and to assist in the advancement of such an important and worthy mission. As the organization continues its renaissance coming out of the tumultuous times of the pandemic, Kevin's strategic goals for Crown Point include increasing organic produce donations, fostering a welcoming and inclusive space, and a renewed focus on education and engagement programs.
The purpose of Rotary Cares is to show our support for Akron Rotary members and their families when dealing with the loss of a loved one, the hardship of illness and also to celebrate the joy of a new baby, job, marriage or other events in their lives. Please <Click to Email us> to let us know of any news you would like placed here. Note that health related information is posted only with permission of the individual(s).
CONDOLENCES TO TOM KNAUER AND FAMILY
Theresa Frances Knauer passed away on October 1, 2023, at the age of 93. She was born on December 10, 1929, in Akron, Ohio, the ninth of eleven children born to Marie and Francis Clark. She graduated from Our Lady of the Elms School, attended The University of Akron, and worked at the Ohio Edison Company.
She enjoyed music, charitable work, church, golf, bridge, vacations, books, ice cream, and would try anything once. She could sew or knit anything, and made the best chocolate chip cookies. Despite her mild manner, those close to her knew she had a keen sense of humor and was a fierce competitor in any game. She loved her family most of all, and she was our role model for her goodness and empathy. Her family wishes to thank the aides who helped care for her in the last years of her life.
Theresa was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Charles; her beloved daughter, Lisa; her parents; and all of her siblings. Theresa is survived by her children, John (Cindy), Lynn (Ed), Dave (Cathy), and Tom (Missy); her nine grandsons, David, Mark, Brian, Michael, Josh, Andrew, Zach, Jason, and George; her only granddaughter, Frances; and six great grandchildren.
Rite of Christian Burial Mass will be celebrated 11:00 A.M. FRIDAY October 6, 2023 at St. Sebastian Church, 476 Mull Avenue, Akron, Ohio. The family will receive friends one hour prior to mass at the church. Inurnment at Rose Hill Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Theresa’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or to St. Sebastian Parish. (www.stsebastian.org)
Services in care The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N Miller Road Akron, OH 44333.
ROTARY CLUB OF AKRON WELCOMES REV. DEAN KOKANOS AS NEW MEMBER His sponsor is Nathanael Billow
Fr. Dean is the Pastor of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, where the Rotary Club of Akron currently meets.
He and his family moved in the fall of 2022 from Pittsburgh (yes, he is Steelers Fan).
Prior to moving to Akron, he served as the Pastor of a smaller church in East Pittsburgh, PA.
During his tenure in East Pittsburgh, his parish focused primarily on building community through social outreach programs. We founded a soup kitchen, food pantry, clothing pantry, and numerous other community outreach programs.
He shared that he is passionate about making the city aware of the social services available at the Church. He stated "it is our obligation as a community of believers to love and care for those around us through our many programs".
Along with his wife, Gabrielle, and two children, he resides in Fairlawn.
Their children are in Elementary school. Gabrielle works for The Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes) from their living room.
Fr. Dean said, "I am excited to be a part of the Rotary. I look forward to opportunities to engage the Akron community through service projects and other events".
Thanks to all who came out to Hoppin' Frog to have some fun social time and help in our fight to eliminate polio!
DG Julie Brandle and DGE Dale Smith welcomed Akron Rotarians along with Rotarians from other clubs who joined together for fellowship, good food and beverages.
Stew Buchanan won the 50/50 raffle and then donated it back to the cause. Thanks Stew!
Dale Smith's ticket was pulled from the hat and he took home a basket of goodies from Hoppin' Frog.
Pours and Pints to End Polio is taking place around the district to celebrate the success to date in our fight to eliminate polio from our planet.
There is no cost to attend - you will be responsible only for the food and drink that you purchase from the venue.
The next venue will be on October 12th at Winery at Wolf Creek 2637 S. Cleveland Massillon Road, Barberton, OH from 5:30-7pm. Join us!!
The Rotary Club of Akron welcomed Ron Kent to our Tuesday, October 3, 2023, Club luncheon meeting and appreciated their presentation on the programs offered by Akron Youth Mentorship.
Why Does Akron Youth Mentorship (AYM) Exist?
AYM exists to mentor youth with biblical teaching to make life's eternal, emotional, educational, and occupational decisions.
Their pillars of Mentorship, Education, Work readiness, and Experiences help them holistically care for their students and foster relationships built on trust between mentors and mentees.
Their Purpose:
To help youth make the best decisions every moment of every day.
Their Programs:
Akron Youth Mentorship is founded on the pillars of Mentorship, Education, Work Readiness, and Experiences. These pillars help AYM holistically care for students and foster relationships built on trust between mentors and mentees. AYM serves school-aged youth that live in the city of Akron.
Mentorship:
Mentorship puts positive adult influences in the lives of 100+ students and provides a safe atmosphere for students to grow and develop into successful young adults. Through the time that mentors spend with mentees, trust is built to give a platform for mentors to help guide mentees to make decisions that will put them in a position of success as they grow older. Ultimately, AYM’s goal is to help youth make the best decisions, every moment of every day.
Education:
Education is a key factor in learning positive work-ethics and decision-making skills. They support students wherever they attend school (most in Akron Public Schools, a few in surrounding Charter Schools) with advocating between teachers and parents, providing tutoring, and a 3rd grade reading program that supports the 3rd grade reading guarantee.
Work Readiness:
The Work Readiness Program provides tangible soft-skills training, financial literacy education, and opportunities to learn healthy work habits and skills that students can carry into any workplace.
Experiences:
The Experience Initiative helps AYM stay connected to their students outside of their regular weekly group mentoring. Some of these other experiences are One-on-One mentoring sessions, summer camps and retreats, Outings to different Akron local places to expand students’ knowledge of the world around them.
Mr. Kent stated that there is a waiting list. Challenges include recruitment of mentors and on-going funding.
For further information about their programs, check out their website at www.saymentor.org.
OPEN M is a Christian non-profit organization that serves more than 50,000 individuals annually with food, health and employment services—all intended to create pathways out of poverty. OPEN M leverages a community alliance of churches, businesses and volunteers to offer programs to those in need.
Open M received grant funding from the Akron Rotary Foundation for its Feeding Kids Backpack Project. Our service project with Open M has started! Weekend meals will be packed for 100 low-income and food insecure students for Akron's Innes Middle School.
We are booked for a total of 6 days so far in September and October. Check out thevolunteer link to see where volunteers are still needed!
Save the Date for Messiah Lutheran Church's annual Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, October 7, 2023, 6-8pm benefiting Rotary Camp! Leave cooking for another day and join us for delicious pasta and meatballs. We hope to see you there!
Please mark your calendar and plan to attend our morning meeting on Friday October 13th from 7:30am to 9am at the Akron Family Restaurant.
President Knauer will provide club business updates and report on our recent service projects. I will provide the latest update for upcoming service activities.
I look forward to a casual meeting focused on fellowship and seeing those of you who cannot always attend a lunchtime meeting.
Please note: This is NOT in lieu of our regularly scheduled meeting(s).
After you Park Take the elevator to the ground level, take a right to go under the breezeway, and doors to the museum are straight ahead. If you are coming through Lock 3 Park, an entrance door is to the left under the red awning; ground level of the parking deck.
Open M received grant funding from the Akron Rotary Foundation for its Feeding Kids Backpack Project. Our service project with Open M has started! Weekend meals will be packed for 100 low-income and food insecure students for Akron's Innes Middle School.
.png)
