Sam Harsh is the Major Gifts Officer for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio. Her primary role is to cultivate partnerships with the organization's highest-level donors, as well as align new donors with their mission. She has been in the fundraising field for about five years, and finds a lot of joy in connecting people to causes that are important to them. She spent most of her career working for national, state, and local park systems, including Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Summit Metro Parks. Her area of expertise was education and public programming. Sam is actively involved in the Akron community as a member of Torchbearers, ATHENA Akron, and the Akron chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In her free time she enjoys hiking, visiting new coffee shops, and doing crossword puzzles.
Katy Miller was sworn in as the 2025-2026 President of The Rotary Club of Akron on July 8, 2025 by her dear friend and Past District Governor Julie Brandle. The 2025-2026 Board of Directors was also installed.
Katy is an incredible force in our Club and community, balancing so many roles while maintaining a clear focus on service and empowerment. Her dedication to leadership, especially through Rotary and organizations like the Junior League and Christ Child Society, shows how deeply she cares about making a difference in people's lives.
It’s also impressive how she combines her entrepreneurial spirit with her community involvement, whether through her work as a personal stylist or her consulting roles.
Katy’s approach to leadership sounds incredibly thoughtful and purposeful! The theme "Unite for Good" from Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo seems to align perfectly with Katy’s values. She’s emphasizing the importance of friendship and trust—two essential pillars for any strong community—and it she has already set a tone of collaboration with the last two Club presidents.
The idea of “rowing together” is a powerful image—it speaks to a shared commitment to work in harmony towards the same goals, while ensuring the future of the club is sustained through a unified vision. By focusing on service, building friendships, and expanding membership, Katy is laying the groundwork for a year of growth and positive impact that will carry this club into the future.
We are in need of members to join us August 6th at 11am at Cleveland Airport to help us welcome our new exchange student from Peru - Luciano Anci Ortiz.
If you can help please reach out to Susan Colville-Hall at 330-714-3765 (call or text) or email her at rye6630susan@gmail.com -- we will then able to organize car pooling to the airport, signage, etc.
Are you ready to embark on a rewarding cultural journey without leaving your home or know of someone else who might be? The Rotary Club of Akron is seeking three dedicated host families to welcome a student from Peru at Stow-Monroe Falls High School during the 2025-26 school year. Each family will host the student for approximately 3-4 months, providing a unique opportunity to share your culture and learn about another. You must reside within the Stow-Monroe Falls School District.
Why Host an Exchange Student?
Hosting an exchange student offers numerous benefits for your family and the student. It’s a chance to:
Cultural Exchange: Experience Peruvian culture firsthand and share your own traditions and customs.
Global Connections: Build lifelong friendships and expand your global network.
Personal Growth: Enhance your family’s understanding of global issues and develop a broader perspective.
Community Engagement: Contribute to the global community and support international understanding and peace.
What Are the Obligations of a Host Family?
As a host family, you will be responsible for:
Providing a Room: Offer a comfortable bedroom for the student, ensuring they have a private space to rest and relax.
Study Space: Ensure the student has a quiet place to study and complete their schoolwork.
Meals: Provide daily meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Transportation: Assist with transportation to and from school and extracurricular activities, if necessary.
Support and Guidance: Offer support and guidance as the student navigates a new culture and school environment.
How to Get Involved
If you are interested in becoming a host family, please contact Susan Colville Hall at 330-714-3765 or Jacinto Nunez at 330-634-6876. We will do our best provide you with all the necessary information and support to ensure a successful and enriching experience for both your family and the exchange student.
The Rotary Club of Akron has a proud history of sponsoring students to attend Stow-Monroe Falls High School for many years. Join us in continuing this tradition and making a difference in a young person’s life while enriching your own. Open your home to a Rotary Youth Exchange student and become a part of this global connection!
Mark your calendars for The Rotary Camp for Special Needs Children 16th Annual Cornhole Tournament presented by Buckeye Corrugated.
Join us onAugust 23, 2025, at the beautiful Rotary Campgrounds. This exciting event is more than just a cornhole tournament; it's a chance to make a difference in the lives of children and support the Camp’s mission of Creating a world where there are only abilities!
All proceeds will directly benefit Rotary Camp, helping to send children to camp and providing them with life-changing experiences.
Akron Rotary Camp 4460 Rex Lake Drive Akron, OH 44319
We are seeking 6-8 volunteers to assist at the Summer Camp cookout at Rotary Camp. This is a fantastic opportunity for newer Rotarians to experience Rotary Camp and learn more about its mission. Volunteers will be helping to set up the food in the pavilion (buffet style), serving dinner to campers and guests, and cleaning up after.
Please Park in the Camp’s overflow parking area behind the cabins. Instead of turning onto Rex Lake Drive to turn into Camp’s parking, continue with the road. Parking will be on the right, back of the cabins on the left. Enter camp on the pathway between the corner cabins.
If you're able to join us, please reach out to Katy Miller at katymiller218@gmail.com and Amanda Warner at amandaw@akronymca.org.
Volunteers are needed for the One Hot Meal and Food Pantry at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.
Last Fall, we helped the folks at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church with their One Hot Meal Program the week of Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful Rotarian turnout to help serve.
The Rotarians involved loved the project.
The Church does this once a month, on a smaller scale.
We now have scheduled opportunities to serve once a month through the end of the calendar year.
Time: 4:45 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 S. Union Street, Akron, OH 44304
Click on the respective Tuesday below to view available time slots and book yourself to volunteer directly online.
Are you ready to embark on a rewarding cultural journey without leaving your home or know of someone else who might be? The Rotary Club of Akron is seeking three dedicated host families to welcome a student from Peru at Stow-Monroe Falls High School during the 2025-26 school year. Each family will host the student for approximately 3-4 months, providing a unique opportunity to share your culture and learn about another. You must reside within the Stow-Monroe Falls School District.
Mark your calendars for The Rotary Camp for Special Needs Children 16th Annual Cornhole Tournament presented by Buckeye Corrugated.
We are seeking 6-8 volunteers to assist at the Summer Camp cookout at Rotary Camp. This is a fantastic opportunity for newer Rotarians to experience Rotary Camp and learn more about its mission. Volunteers will
be helping to set up the food in the pavilion (buffet style), serving dinner to campers and guests, and cleaning up after.
