Gabbi Roszman is currently the Community Impact Director for the American Heart Association, sitting in this role for just over a year, having joined the Northeast Ohio team in August of 2024. Before this, she worked for the American Heart Association in tandem with AmeriCorps as a “HeartCorps” member, serving the cardiovascular needs of Portage County. Prior to her work with the American Heart Association, Gabbi earned her bachelor’s in biology with a minor in psychology from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2020, then interned with the Portage County Health District while earning her Master’s of Public Health degree in Biostatistics from Kent State University, earning that degree in May of 2024. She and her fiancé have lived in Akron with their beloved dog Lenny for over 3 years after moving here from Northwest Ohio and she can’t wait to continue improving the health of our local residents.
Basic Reading and Literacy Month ended September 30th with the successful culmination of our book drive for the Summit County Sheriff's Office Summit County Jail, organized at the request of Sheriff Kandy Fatheree.
During last month’s club visit, Susan Colville-Hall asked the Sheriff a simple but powerful question: “What can Rotary do?” The Sheriff responded by asking if we could help stock the jail’s library—its shelves were nearly bare.
As always, Akrotarians, along with their friends and family members, sprang into action. Thanks to your generosity, hundreds of books were donated!
A heartfelt thank you to: Julie Brandle, for coordinating the book drive, Cheryl Warren, for creating our marketing graphics, and of course, Susan Colville-Hall, for asking the question that made this all possible,
Extra thanks to Susan's stepson David Hall for transport and delivery assistance, as well as President Elect Michael Gladysz for help with delivery.
Akron Rotary is continuing its support of the supplemental food service program through Open M to help provide food for insecure students at Innes Middle School.
SIGN UP to view available slots and book yourself directly online.
Event:
Open M Backpack Food Packing
Date:
Wednesdays Through Dec 17, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Chair:
Sandy Naragon 330-256-5315
Location:
Open M 941 Princeton Street Akron, OH United States of America 44311
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).
Congratulations to these Akron Rotarians!
AKRON POLICE CHIEF BRIAN HARDING
Chief Harding has been honored with the 2025 Judge William P. Kannel Child Advocate of the Year Award by Summit County CASA Program. Rotary Club of Akron is excited to celebrate his success! Chief Harding has dedicated his career to public safety and building positive community relationships, making this recognition especially meaningful.
AIMEE WADE Aimee has been named a finalist for the 2025 Athena Leadership Award! ATHENA Akron, Inc. will honor the 2025 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients and Finalist Honorees at a dinner and awards program on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Akron/Fairlawn. The event recognizes exemplary women leaders for their professional achievement, community involvement, and for actively assisting women in reaching their full leadership potential. This year's Leadership Award recipients will join more than 80 local women leaders who have been honored as Recipients or Finalists of this important award. To register and celebrate Aimee in person click here.
Volunteers are needed for the One Hot Meal and Food Pantry at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.
We began helping the folks at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church with their One Hot Meal Program the week of Thanksgiving in 2024 and had a wonderful Rotarian turnout to help serve.
The Rotarians involved loved the project and the the Church now does this once a month, on a smaller scale.
We have scheduled volunteer 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.
If you have not yet completed the training - another email will be coming your way!
All members of The Rotary Club of Akron should have received an email from "NAYEN Training Administrator noreply@nayen.org" regarding the mandatory annual Youth Protection training for the 2025 Rotary year.
This training is required for all active Akron Rotarians. Please check your inbox—and don’t forget to look in your spam or junk folders.
Additionally, Rotarians who expect to have more direct interaction with our exchange student or youth programs will receive a separate email from "Rotary Youth Volunteer Management RYEmail-YVM@yehub.net" for a more in-depth background check, including vetting of references and an interview.
Your prompt attention to this matter is appreciated to ensure compliance, and your ability to participate in Rotary events where youth are present.
Please contact Youth Protection Officer, Mike Gladysz, with any questions or if you need me to resend the training to you. I can be reached at Michael.h.gladysz@huntington.com or by phone at 330-807-7986.
