The continuing challenge of fundraising

According to a recent article in Contribute magazine entitled 'Donor drain: As mistrust grows, loyalty goes,' most nonprofits post an average gain of just 10 percent each year: they lose 52 percent of their donations, which is then offset by a 62 percent gain in new or upgraded donations.

Author Tracie McMillan equates this to 'pouring a river of money into a nearly open drain.'

There are two main points that this article suggests that non-profits must embrace in order to reduce the 'churn' of donors.

First is transparency in accounting and accountability about the community impact contributions make.

And the second is manking sure that donors are adequately thanked.

While United Way of Summit County suffers from some of the same loss of donors that other non-profit organizations face, we take great care in being full transparent with our finances and we strive to appropriately thank all our donors.

So, as we continue to reach out to new donors and increase the money available to our affiliated agencies to help them do more of what they do and do it better, your United Way of Summit County will always work to ensure we keep as many of our current donors as we can.

To read the article in Contribute Magazine, click here.

Shelter for the homeless

By Bill Lilley Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Saturday, Dec 08, 2007

Representatives of about 50 agencies met in Akron Friday to discuss what nearly every group is witnessing: A sharp increase in the number of people seeking shelter.

The Battered Women's Shelter, which has a capacity for 66, reported a significant recent increase and currently is housing at least 90.

Access Inc., a homeless shelter for women and children, reports a 450 percent increase in requests for shelter since July.

The Interfaith Hospitality Network is housing 32 percent more people than last year at this time.

The Haven of Rest is operating above its capacity with nearly 220 men and women per day.

''It's a different problem we have today, especially with the foreclosures,'' said Jerry Egan, manager of the comprehensive planning division for the city of Akron.

The seed for the meeting was planted in mid-November when it became evident to Debra Manteghi that there was a sudden and desperate increase indemand for housing for low-income families.

''I got five phone calls and numerous e-mails in just one day — that's unprecedented,'' said Manteghi, district homeless education liaison for the Akron Public Schools. ''Usually, I can get people who need help into shelters, but all the shelters were full at that time.

''I felt terrible. I had people crying about their situation. I talked to desperate fathers. People — entire families — were living in cars and we had no place to send them because the shelters already had unusually high waiting lists.''

Inspired dialogue

That situation inspired Manteghi to initiate dialogue with other community agencies. The result was Friday's 90-minute meeting, the first of what is expected to be a series.

Several problems cited by participants as causing the sharp increase were:
Home foreclosures.
Closing of subsidized public housing projects.
Decrease in subsidies to landlords who provide housing for low-income families — a program known as Section 8.
Lack of adequately paying jobs.

''It's a 20-foot hole and we've been given a 10-foot ladder,'' said Sylvia Hines of Access.

Reopening shelter?

Pat McGrath, executive director for Catholic Social Services of Summit County, and Egan from the city explained that reopening a temporary shelter in the Ocasek Government Office Building parking area isn't practical today.

''After 9/11, we simply couldn't do that again,'' McGrath said.

Sleeping in garage

That effort ran from Nov. 1 through March 31 for four years. The Salvation Army donated 120 cots and mattresses for people sleeping in the parking garage of the state office building. The cots were torn down by 6 a.m. each day and then put up again after 6 p.m.

The Salvation Army provided one hot meal per day. The program reached its highest total — 130 — in the first year.

''We knew it was going to end because of the construction of the new Haven of Rest,'' McGrath said. ''The economy also picked up at that point in the mid-1990s in the Akron area.''

The problem, although it didn't go away, appeared to have at least leveled out.

Until this fall.

Looking for solutions

Several suggestions for possible avenues to a solution were forwarded by agency leaders in the last 10 minutes of the meeting.

That gave Lois Foster of the United Way hope that a definitive plan of attack is possible.

''There were a lot of good suggestions,'' Foster said. ''What we need to do now is pare the suggestions down to what is viable and get back together soon.''

Foster said the United Way's Basic Needs Council will set up the next meeting. It is expected to be within 30 days. Additional leaders from social service agencies are expected to be invited.

''If we wait longer than that,'' Foster said, ''this whole thing could be doomed. And we can't afford to lose in this battle.''

That gave hope to Sue Pierson, too.

She is vice president of InfoLine — which played host to Friday's meeting — and also is chair of the Continuum of Care for the Homeless.

Akron 'pulls together'

''I was incredibly pleased with the turnout,'' Pierson said. ''What it says is that Akron, as usual, pulls together when we have a problem.

''That's one of the incredible things about this community. And it makes me feel great to be a part of this and gives me hope that we can help more people in more ways.''

Bill Lilley can be reached at 330-996-3811 or blilley@thebeaconjournal.com.

In the cold

Below is the text from an editorial in today's (12/07/07) Akron Beacon Journal and available on Ohio.com.

The community has an obligation to protect the homeless

Published on Friday, Dec 07, 2007

When the weather turns cold, shelters and social service agencies usually expect a spike in the number of homeless people who seek relief from the harsh elements. It is predictable. Park benches and doorways offer no protection against sleet and snow.

Still, a higher-than-usual level of need for shelter and assistance in Summit County this fall has the shelters and service agencies concerned. They report a dramatic increase in the number of people seeking shelter. The 100-bed facility for men at the Haven of Rest Mission is now putting out mats at night to accommodate the overflow. Other shelters likely are straining to provide emergency help for those in need. Shelter operators and agency officials say the situation has not been as acute since the garage under the Ocasek Building in downtown Akron was pressed into temporary service early in the 1990s.

The long, dark nights of winter are here, and there's urgency to the plight of residents who have no place to go. The hope is that an improved capacity to share information will enable the service organizations more efficiently to direct the homeless to centers in the community where they can get the appropriate protection from the cold.

It is reassuring, meanwhile, that the United Way of Summit County and InfoLine have scheduled a public meeting today for the agencies on the frontlines to figure out the dimensions of the problem and the causes behind the upsurge.

United Way of Summit County Seeks Outstanding Volunteer Stories

United Way of Summit County Volunteer Center is seeking stories of volunteers, individuals and/or groups, who inspire by example to celebrate during its 7th Annual Volunteer Celebration. This year’s theme is “Volunteers…Priceless.”

The Celebration will be held Thursday, May 1, 2008 at St. Joseph's Family Center, 610 W. Exchange Street in Akron. This event celebrates outstanding volunteer efforts of individuals and groups in our community. The week of April 27 through May 3, 2008 has been designated National Volunteer Week.

As part of the festivities, various “Volunteer Stories” of individuals or groups who have displayed extraordinary volunteer services within organizations and/or within their own neighborhood will be acknowledged. Stories must be submitted by 3 p.m., Thursday, January 10, 2008. Volunteer Story Submission Forms are available by contacting the United Way of Summit County at 330-762-7601 or by visiting our website at http://www.uwsummit.org/.

Cindy Kellett of the Akron Art Museum, and chair of the Volunteer Celebration Committee, said, “It’s a natural that we get stories from many non-profit organizations about those wonderful people who volunteer so much of their time to those organizations and we love hearing those stories. But this year, we also hope that people will use this as a chance to celebrate and honor individuals who give of themselves in their neighborhoods. For example, if you know of someone who regularly shovels snow or rakes the leaves of a neighbor for free, those are the type of stories that we would really love to hear about as well.”

“The individuals in our community who volunteer reach above and beyond to give back to all of us,” said Bob Kulinski, President, United Way of Summit County. “This community has enjoyed a rich legacy of caring volunteers for generations, and we are very proud to honor them.”

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information on any program or to volunteer, call the office at (330) 762-7601, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.

Philanthropy gets serious for some companies

Growing number are making donations from revenue, not from profit
By Drew Armstrong
Inc.com

With the holidays gearing up, companies will soon start preaching about "the season of giving," in hopes that their products will be the ones customers put under the tree at Christmas. But some companies have made the giving spirit a part of their year-round operations and have turned the idea on its head — making good deeds and charity a part of their business plans, and donating revenue to non-profits that matter to their CEOs, employees and customers.

Last year, philanthropic giving in the United States grew 6 percent to $260.28 billion, according to data by the Chicago-based Giving USA Foundation. While corporate giving made up only 5.3 percent of that total in 2005, it represented a 22.5 percent increase from the previous year — in large part due to the outpouring following the South Asia tsunami and Hurricane Katrina.

Most of these gifts go to charities and foundations — the usual routes for philanthropic contributions. But a growing number of companies have taken their philanthropy a step further, not in how much they give, but in how they do it. Instead of just making donations, they’re making philanthropy a core part of the company's mission. With each item they sell, a portion of the revenue automatically goes to the company’s chosen cause, often a specific non-profit that has become a de facto partner.

According to Dwight Burlingame, associate executive director at Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy — which wrote the Giving USA study — the old style of corporate giving is now almost matched by this new brand of corporate philanthropy, which he estimates at a near-equal 5.2 percent of total philanthropic contributions.

Most corporate giving today is focused on, 'How can I do good at the same time I do well for the company?'" Burlingame says.

For companies following the new charitable path, that means finding causes that relates directly to their products and helps tie customers' philanthropic values to the companies'. It also lets consumers combine their shopping with their philanthropy — important, since not everybody has the time to spend hours searching out a charity that fits their passions, or wants to receive reams of junk mail asking for contributions.

Outdoor gear manufacturer Patagonia helped pioneer the trend, and now gives away 1 percent of sales to environmental causes. Ethos Water, purchased by Starbucks in 2005, gives away 5 cents of each bottled-water sale to clean drinking water programs in developing nations such as Bangladesh and Honduras. Even Internet companies are getting into the act. GoodSearch.com, an Internet search engine, gives 50 percent of its advertising revenue to a huge slate of charities chosen by its users.

It’s important to note that these companies are giving away a percentage of revenue, not profit. That means they’re putting their balance sheet more at risk than an organization where giving is dependent on making money for its owners first. “I think customers are pretty savvy, and they smell a fraud a mile away,” says Kim Jordan, whose New Belgium Brewing Company gives away $1 of every barrel of beer sold to local causes like care for kids with learning and developmental disabilities. “If [corporate philanthropy] turns out to be a hollow promise, there’s huge backlash. And that kind of thing gets found out eventually.”

With more companies than ever jumping onto the branded philanthropy bandwagon — you can buy a pink food mixer made by KitchenAid to support breast-cancer awareness for $299.95 — customers are likely to pay closer attention than ever to the sales pitch. To make sure they’re not just buying into a marketing gimmick, consumers need to check the fine print.

To make that easier, one organization brands philanthropy-involved products with the “One Percent for the Planet,” label, which promises that one percent of the product’s revenue will go toward environmental causes. One Percent for the Planet has about 450 member companies, up from just 90 a year and a half ago, says executive director Terry Kellogg. Mostly made up of small and midsize businesses, the group also allows bigger companies to join with specific branded product lines, like hats and shirts from clothing maker Volcom’s “v.co-logical” label.

While these companies are giving away a share of their revenue, their generosity hasn't exactly been bad for business either. Casey Sheahan, Patagonia’s president and CEO, explains the company’s philosophy: “Every time we do good, we end up making money.” Along with food company Newman’s Own, which gives away 100 percent of its profits to charity through owner Paul Newman, Patagonia helped lead this new wave of company philanthropy. In 1985, the company decided to give 10 percent of profits as an “earth tax,” to offset the resources the company used. As Patagonia grew, that number turned into 1 percent of revenues, and to date, the company has given over $26 million to environmental causes.

“This is in large part enlightened self-interest,” Sheahan says. “To have a business, our customers need to have wild places to recreate…. There’s no business to be done on a dead planet.”But it also helps the company appeal to its nature-loving customers, when it comes down to choosing products from a wealth of competing outdoor clothing makers. “We see it as a tie-breaker,” Sheahan says. To that end, the company has started looking for other ways to grow the philanthropy brand. A few years ago, they switched to all-organic cotton, a risky move that they weren’t sure would pan out, because of a shortage of suppliers. The move was a success, and other manufacturers — including Nike — have since followed suit. Customers, meanwhile, have responded by picking up the items in droves.

Others have started to follow Patagonia's lead, according to the Center on Philanthropy's Burlingame. “Today, almost all of the giving is thought of strategically as, ‘How can it increase my brand recognition?’”
GoodSearch.com has done philanthropy branding one better, making giving its entire identity. The company has partnered with Yahoo, which lets GoodSearch borrow its technology on the site so that Web searchers are using the exact same tool they would at Yahoo.com. But instead of just clicking and surfing, users choose a charity from a list of thousands that have registered with the site.

Each time the user searches the Internet, half of GoodSearch’s advertising revenue gets funneled to the charity of their choice. So far, GoodSearch has registered around 20,000 charities and is growing at a steady clip — donating thousands of dollars to charities ranging from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to the Elephant Sanctuary.

“Companies are finding that they can grow their businesses by being socially responsible," says GoodSearch co-founder and president Ken Ramberg, who also founded job search engine JobTrak and eventually sold it to Monster.com. "That’s generating interest in their products where they may not have had it before. Sure, they may be giving a percentage away to charity, but their overall revenue is growing."

GoodSearch's motto? "Why wouldn't you use it?"

Copyright Mansueto Ventures, LLC 2007

United Way Seeks Historical Items

In preparation for the organization’s 90th Anniversary to be celebrated throughout 2008, United Way of Summit County is seeking photos, videos, films, news clippings or promotional materials about the organization dating back to its establishment in 1918. Any items would be returned after being scanned or copied.

The organization has had many names over the years. From its inception we were known as Better Akron Foundation. In 1938, the name changed to Akron Community Chest, and during the years of World War II, Akron Community and War Chest. The name from 1946 to 1956 was United Community Chest, and from 1956 until 1975, The United Foundation of Summit County. In 1975, a merger with United Community Council and a name change formed United Way of Summit County.

According to United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski, “As we prepare to produce an historical video for our Annual Meeting in April and our 90th Anniversary Annual Report, we realize that there may be items about our history that we don’t have. Some people might have saved their ‘Red Feathers’ or other buttons they’ve received over the years. Or perhaps a family member was featured in a campaign film and they’ve saved that over the years. We’d appreciate any participation and will of course take the utmost care with any loaned memorabilia.”

Any questions about historical materials can be directed to Michael Gaffney at 330-643-5532 or via email at mgaffney@uwsummit.org.

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information, call 330-762-7601, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.

Scores of Community Leaders Have Lunch With Congresswoman Sutton

United States Representative Betty Sutton (13th District) was the featured speaker at a luncheon sponsored by United Way of Summit County's Public Policy Committee held on Monday, November 19 at the Jerry Shaw Jewish Community Center.

After introductory remarks by UWSC President Bob Kulinski and Shaw JCC Director Todd Rockoff, the irrepressible Frank Comunale, chair of the Public Policy Committee and Summit County Council Member, introduced his friend Betty Sutton in his 'one-of-a-kind' fashion.

(l to r: Bob Kulinski, Frank Comunale, Rep, Betty Sutton)

Rep. Sutton began her remarks with high praise for Bob Kulinski, Board Chair Thom Mandel, and everyone affiliated with United Way. She reflected on her first 11 months in office and shared what she feels are some of the successes and some of her frustrations.

Among the accomplishments of the 110th Congress to which she pointed with pride were the Lobbying Reform measures, increasing minimum wage, and fully funding the Veterans' Administration - amazingly representing the first time the VA has been fully funded in 70 years.

One of her main goals as she looks to the future is controlling college costs, which have risen 40% in just the past five years.

But it hasn't been all sunshine and roses for the Freshman Congresswoman. She spoke with rising passion and indignation about the partisan politics blocking the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The bill passed in the House of Representatives, but not by a sufficient margin to override the Presidential veto.

"There is simply no excuse for leaving any child behind," said Sutton. "In the most powerful, most prosperous nation on earth, it's unethical and unacceptable to let children go without basic, essential health care."

She answered questions from the crowd of more than 60 community leaders focusing on everything from healthcare to homelessness.

Our thanks to Rep. Betty Sutton for sharing her time with us, and to the Public Policy Committee for bringing this event to fruition.

Listen to Dr. Post

Dr. Stephen Post's presentation to the Akron Roundtable (see below) is archived here.

Giving Leads to Happier, Healthier Life

People often talk about the 'warm fuzzy feeling' that they get from philanthropy or from just doing the right thing, but now there's scientific evidence to prove it. Dr. Stephen Post of Case Western Reserve University recently spoke at an Akron Roundtable event, and below is an article from the 11/16/07 Akron Beacon Journal about his presentation.

Do good, feel better, expert says
Bioethicist shares views at Akron Roundtable
By Carol Biliczky Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Friday, Nov 16, 2007

Public health is more than washing your hands and avoiding lead paint, a Case Western Reserve University bioethicist told the Akron Roundtable on Thursday.

Stephen Post quoted from his newest book, Why Good Things Happen to Good People, on how doing good benefits both the doer and those who are helped.

''When we engage in compassionate behavior, when we show kindness to others, science tells us that we will be happier, shielded from stress-related diseases and will live longer,'' he said in a news conference before his talk. ''It's good to be good. It benefits those who give.''

Post is president of the not-for-profit Institute for Research on Unlimited Love, founded at the private Cleveland university in 2001 with $4 million in seed money from the John Templeton Foundation near Philadelphia.

The institute has awarded millions of dollars of research grants to scientists from many disciplines nationwide who are studying the altruistic, unselfish nature of love.

That means everything from the bravery of emergency rescuers to the neurobiology of parental love to organ donation and the ways altruistic behavior affects health.

The work flips the coin, from the negative, disease-based study of health to the attitudes and behaviors that people can adopt to make themselves happier and healthier while living longer.

''Virtue is its own reward,'' Post told about 200 Roundtable guests, quoting the Greek philosopher Plato and adding a touch of his own. ''And science says it's so.''

At the Roundtable, Post cited his mother as a powerful influence in his life.

When he was bored as a child, she encouraged him to do something for someone else. That led to the young Post raking a neighbor's leaves or helping to pull a tarp over a boat.

By the time he came to Case Western Reserve in 1998 with triple appointments in religion, philosophy and ethics, he was focusing on the needs of Alzheimer's patients and their families, he wrote in his book.

That changed when philanthropist Sir John Templeton offered to fund research on the emerging field of love and to solidify the evidence of the benefits of something so simple as writing a check to a charity to provide the ''helper's high.''

''Human needs are complicated and you will find no shortage of opportunities to give,'' Post wrote in his book, which cites study after study that builds his case for happiness.

Post's Why Good Things Happen to Good People was published in May with science writer Jill Neimark. He also was editor-in-chief for the five-volume Encyclopedia of Bioethics and has written more than 130 scholarly papers.

Stories about his work have appeared in 3,000 newspapers, he said, and he has been featured on such television shows as 20/20 and Hour of Power.

Carol Biliczky can be reached at 330-996-3729 or cbiliczky@thebeaconjournal.com.

Here's a link to a recent story about Dr. Post in The Christian Science Monitor.

AED saves another young life

Another young person is alive today because of the mission of our friend, Dr. Terry Gordon.

Dr. Gordon has has practiced cardiology at Akron General Medical Center for 20 years. Following the death of a Barberton High School football player, Gordon helped raise funds to place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in every junior and high school in the community.

For his efforts, the American Heart Association named him the 2002 National Physician of the Year, and in 2006, he received the United Way of Summit County's 'Physician Volunteer of the Year.'

In 2005, Gordon worked with the State of Ohio, Akron General Medical Center, the American Heart Association and Medtronic PhysioControl to place more than 2,262 AEDs in schools throughout the state. He recently convinced the state legislature to allocate funds to make Ohio the first state with an AED in every school.

Below is a story from the Tribune-Chronicle about a young man from the small southeastern Ohio town of Vernon whose life was saved by and AED that was placed in his school, JUST THE DAY BEFORE! Thanks, Dr. Gordon.

Defibrillator saves teen’s life

By MARLY KOSINSKI Tribune Chronicle

VERNON — Janet Zuga said God must have been standing over her son’s shoulder when he went into cardiac arrest during school last week.‘‘We have Zack with us today because God plans every second of our precious lives,’’ she said Tuesday. ‘‘But those teachers and paramedics are his angels.’’

Zackery Zuga, 13, was walking to science class at Maplewood Middle School about 12:40 p.m. Nov. 7 when he collapsed to the floor. His teacher, Jason Lee, immediately began to perform CPR and called the school nurse, who used the Automatic External Defibrillator to shock his heart back into rhythm.

The quick efforts saved his life, according to Johnston Fire Department medical director Dr. Jeff Bedlion. Bedlion said a Johnston paramedic was eating lunch about a half-mile away from the school when the call came in for a student who had collapsed. He said the paramedic got there before the rescue squad arrived and he took over using the AED.

Zackery was taken to Greenville Hospital, where doctors used a defibrillator on him several more times and then transferred him to Rainbow Babies Hospital in Cleveland. Zuga said her son died once while doctors were working on him, but managed to bring him back.

On Monday, the teenager was taken off a ventilator and is breathing on his own.

‘‘All he asked for when he woke up was a glass of water and to take a shower. He was apologizing to the nurses for making them work so hard. That’s the kind of kid he is; always thinking about others,’’ Zuga said.

She said Zackery has had numerous fainting spells during his childhood and doctors have no explanation other than a rare arrhythmia caused by exercise.

‘‘But he was just walking to class when this happened,’’ she said.

Maplewood Middle School principal Kevin Speicher said the school was placed on Level 1 lockdown in order to clear the hallways and give paramedics room to work.

‘‘You could have heard a pin drop in that building,’’ Bedlion said.

Speicher said he, school nurse Robin Mermer and Lee are trained to use the school’s AED, which was put into service just one day before Zackery collapsed. He said there is one device in each of the district’s three buildings and they were purchased with state grant money.

‘‘I appreciate the efforts of our staff, students and the Johnston Fire Department for their quick response during this incident. We have procedures in place to deal with events like this and we hope we never have to use them, but the plan worked well in this case,’’ Speicher said.

Zuga said the school nurse travels from one building to another and wasn’t supposed to be at the middle school when Zackery collapsed. She also said Lee usually takes a lunch break and normally wouldn’t have been in the room, but he ate lunch in his class that day.

‘‘I really believe that Mr. Lee saved my son’s life,’’ Zuga said.

She said that although doctors are almost certain Zackery has no brain damage from his heart stopping, he has a long road to recovery ahead.

‘‘The doctors at Rainbow Babies are going to put a defibrillator in him before he leaves the hospital,’’ she said.

Zuga said it’s unclear how long Zackery will remain at the hospital, but said the nurses and doctors there have been ‘‘phenomenal.’’ She said the Cleveland facility is amazing in terms of its level of care and compassionate staff.

She and her husband, Bill, are rotating visitation days to the hospital so their 10-year-old daughter, Erika, can maintain a schedule.

‘‘She has been a rock through all this. She misses her brother,’’ Zuga said.

She said Zackery, a seventh-grader, loves Ohio State football and is a member of 4-H, where he raises steers and pigs. She said he loves school, noting her son maintains a 4.0 GPA.

Charles Jarvis, publisher of the Tribune Chronicle, said his farm is close to the Zuga farm and he knows the family.

‘‘Zack is an energetic young man. He raises animals for the Trumbull County Fair and won the reserve champion steer this summer. The Tribune bought one of his steers at the fair several years ago. He is a hard-working kid and we wish him well in his recovery,’’ Jarvis said.

Area Students Distribute Funds for Youth Programs

On October 26 and 27, a group of students from several area schools participated in the United Way of Summit County Youth Initiative Allocations Team. The students, from schools that run a United Way Student Campaign, learned about United Way and made decisions about funding youth-oriented programs based on proposals submitted by United Way of Summit County affiliated agencies. With $5,000 available to allocate, the students examined each proposal before ultimately deciding to fund programs at four agencies: the Akron Community Service Center & Urban League, Boy Scouts of America, Catholic Social Services of Summit County and CYO & Community Services.

This year's participants were Shawatha Covington, North High School; Kara Whiting, Buchtel High School; Megan Bryant, Spring Hill Junior High; Nathan Bryant, Springfield High School; Pierce Sparks, Spring Hill Junior High and Kirsten Sparks, Schrop Intermediate School.

United Way of Summit County's Youth Initiative focuses on raising awareness of community needs among our youth by providing opportunities for students to learn about philanthropy and become more involved in their community through fundraising and volunteering. For more information about the Youth Initiative, visit our website or contact Margaret Sell at 330.643.5516.

United Way goal reaches halfway mark

Summit County raises more than 50% of $11.4 million campaign

Published on Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007

Beacon Journal staff report

The United Way of Summit County's 2007 campaign has raised more than 50 percent of its $11.4 million goal.

''That puts us slightly ahead of where we've been in past years during the last week in October. We're on the right track,'' said Michael Gaffney, United Way spokesman. ''We're feeling very comfortable about where we are and we're confident we're going to reach our goal.''

Last year's campaign fell short $450,000 of the $11.5 million goal. That drop, however, was anticipated because of changes in accounting procedures and the loss of Wadsworth, which became part of the United Way of Medina County after the 2005 campaign.

That year, the $11.6 million campaign goal was exceeded by $30,000.

In 2004, the campaign fell short, raising 97 percent of its $11.75 million goal.

Gaffney credits stronger corporate United Way drives with this year's success. Most of the workplace campaigns are expected to be completed by the end of November. Donations received after that will come primarily from individual donors.

''We would love for people to give as much as they're able to,'' Gaffney said. ''We appreciate all that people do to make our campaigns successful.''

The kickoff event for the 2007 campaign was a breakfast in August, featuring former Indians player Andre Thornton. Other events have included a two-day Chickenfest in Barberton and the annual Corporate Basketball Skills Competition.

Currently there are 101 programs at 49 affiliated agencies that receive funding through United Way. The programs focus on improving lives in four impact areas attaining independence, improving health and wellness, reinforcing basic needs and building successful children and families.

Donations can be made at http://www.uwsummit.org./

Docs Who Rock Another Big Success For United Way of Summit County

United Way of Summit County’s fourth annual ‘Docs Who RockTM’ physician talent show was another rousing success this past weekend. And at the end of an amazing display of talent by nearly 70 musicians (including 26 physicians), the first-place winning band was ultrasound, a high-energy R&B band.

Sponsored by The University of Akron, the show was held Saturday, October 13 at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall before a raucous crowd of more than 1,900.

The 11-member ultrasound features seven local physicians – Dr. Akida Green, vocals; Dr. George Kefalas, bass & vocals; Dr. Costas Kefalas, drums; Dr. Michael Wells, congas/bongos; Dr. Matt Taylor, guitar; Dr. Nick Papas, first trombone; Dr. Edward Esber, second trumpet; along with Jan Goddard, saxophone; Greg Kefalas, keyboards/vocals; Costa Papas, second trombone; and Steve Hadgis, first trumpet.

In second place was Big Adventure featuring Dr. Drew McIntosh and in third place was Accent, with Dr. Fred Slezak.

In just four years, Docs Who Rock has grown from a free show at the Downtown Akron Main Library auditorium’s 430 seats to a major theatrical production at one of the region’s top venues.

Local cardiologist Dr. Terry Gordon served as co-host for Docs Who Rock and treated the audience to his unique versions of classic songs by Michael Jackson (see left) and Barry Manilow (picture on the right).

United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski said, “This event continues to grow – not just here in Summit County, but across the nation. We have trademarked ‘Docs Who Rock’ and have licensed several United Ways in other regions to produce their own show. One of the reasons these talented doctors and their bands are willing to donate their time to this project is because we’re able to hold it in the beautiful E.J. Thomas Hall. We appreciate the support of The University of Akron for making that possible.”

To purchase a DVD copy of this year’s Docs Who Rock show for just $15, call United Way at 330-643-5533.

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information, call 330-762-7601, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.

Here's the information about our fourth Impact Area

Reinforcing our Basic Needs

Problem:

- 12.4% of all persons in Summit County in 2006 lived in poverty

- 9.1% of all families in Summit County in 2006 lived in poverty

- 16.1% of all children in Summit County in 2006 lived in poverty

- Summit County's primary information & referral agency received more than 14,000 (approximately 2,300 per month) requests for assistance with basic life needs during the first half of 2007, including the following requests/referrals:

- 7,675 requests for emergency food assistance
- 3,453 requests for utility payment assistance
- 1,509 requests for rent & security payment assistance
- 1,472 requests for general financial assistance including medical assistance
- 493 requests for emergency shelter assistance

- 837 requests were received for assistance with emergency medical prescriptions

- 88% of persons participating in basic needs/emergency assistance services of a local agency have annual incomes of less than $10,000

- The number of families experiencing actual utility shutoffs or threatened shutoffs continues to increase

Solution:

United Way of Summit County works with affiliated and community agencies to build an environment to ensure that individuals, seniors and families have access to temporary emergency services. Some of the programs that produce these results include:

* Emergency shelter for men, women and families
* Rape Crisis Hotline and sexual assault services
* Single family disaster assistance
* Civil legal services
* Emergency community health care
* Information and referral services
* Limited assistance with utility bills


Results:

# Nearly 80,000 persons learned where to turn for help when they needed it through information and referral programs
# Emergency shelter in a safe, supportive environment was provided to 625 women and children
# Over 400 women were served by crisis intervention services enabling them to free themselves and their children from domestic violence in their home
# Nearly 50,000 persons in Summit County received emergency food, shelter, prescription drugs, utility assistance, and clothing and furniture to provide short term basic needs

Impact Areas

United Way of Summit County is striving to create sustanined change in our community through four specific Impact Areas. Here are some results in three of these areas:

Attaining Independence

Problem:

- Nearly 23,000 persons in Summit County 65+ years of age live alone.
- Over 6,000 children under the age of 5 live below the poverty level.
- 51% of African American children under 5 live below the poverty level.
- 25% of Summit County households have rent/mortgage payments greater than 30% of their household income.
- Summit County has insufficient community based long term care and affordable assisted living for seniors.
- 14.1% of Summit County residents are over 65; 6.8% are over 75 years of age.
- Summit County has insufficient jobs and job training for low income and low skilled workers


Solution:

United Way of Summit County works with affiliated and community agencies to build an environment where individuals, seniors and families are provided the means to live independently and productively, and to achieve financial stability. Some of the programs that provide these results include:

* GED training for high school dropouts
* Court advocacy for battered women
* Vocational and job training services
* Homemaker and Home Health Aid services
* Respite Care services for caregivers
* Employment services for seniors and immigrants
* Transportation services for necessary trips



Results:

# Homemaker services enabled 230 elderly persons to continue living independently in their home
# Over 1,000 persons obtained or retained employment as a result of receiving vocational services training
# 300 persons learned to read last year as a result of adult literacy programs
# Over 1,100 non-driving older adults were provided transportation to medical appointments
# Twenty nine homeless and substance abuse addicted women obtained housing, employment and sobriety through residential treatment programs


Improving Health & Wellness

Problem:

- Over 50,000 persons in Summit County have no health care coverage – this restricts access to health care and the availability of prescription drugs
- 22% of Summit County children did not receive their complete immunization series by their second birthday; in parts of Akron over 50% did not
- Summit County residents in areas where the poverty rate is greater than 20% live 5.1 years less than those in areas where the poverty rate is less than 10%
- Summit County greatest health care need is dental care for poor children
- Childhood obesity in Akron and parts of Summit County is a growing problem


Solution:

United Way of Summit County works with affiliated and community agencies to promote the overall mental and physical wellness of individuals and families in our communities. Some of the programs that produce these results include:

* Drug & alcohol prevention and treatment
* Health and Safety instruction programs
* Health information and education
* Cancer wellness services
* Support services for persons with HIV/Aids
* Physical education and recreation programs
* Prescription services
* Health and wellness programs
* Athletic leagues


Results:
# Nearly 1,600 adolescents became more knowledgeable about the risks of substance abuse and developed skills to resist pressure to experiment with illegal substances
# Nearly 500 children improved their academic and social skills through year round academic enrichment and physical fitness programs


Building Successful Children & Families


Problem:

- Nearly 52,000 Summit County citizens 25+ years old lack a high school diploma
- Immigration patters are changing Summit County – Asian American population increased 58.2% and Hispanic population increased 54.8% according to the last census
- Summit County has a lack of child care for sick kids and children with special needs
- Nearly 13% of African American men in Summit County are unemployed, compared to 4.2% for white males
- 12% of Summit County births were to mothers who had no first trimester prenatal care; for African American mothers the rate is 23.7%
- Summit County is experiencing growing rates of family violence and child abuse


Solution:

United Way of Summit County works with affiliated and community agencies to develop and support programs that ensure children are ready to succeed in school and are on track to become productive adults, as well as programs to nurture safe and self-sufficient families. Some of the programs that produce these results include:

* Youth mentoring programs
* Individual and family counseling
* Adoption services
* Teen Parent programs
* Immigration counseling
* Before & after school child care
* Pre-school development programs
* Parent/child family life education
* Leadership development for girls
* Skills development for children

Results:

# Over 1,000 middle school students understood the consequences of postponing sexual involvement and learned self esteem and assertiveness skills to help them put off sexual activity
# Nearly 1,300 persons increased awareness of their triggers for aggression and gained skills to manage their anger and deal with daily challenges in constructive ways.

United Way of Summit County Establishes Community Impact Priorities

United Way of Summit County’s Board has, as a core part of its mission, voted to establish Community Impact Priorities by considering relevant data and studies, the work of United Way’s Impact Councils, and the recommendations of its Community Impact Cabinet.

United Way of Summit County commissioned the Center for Marketing and Opinion Research (C-MOR) to analyze a number of recent community research sources and to identify high priority community issues that United Way could target for increased resources and community awareness efforts to improve these conditions through positive and documented outcomes.

The research sources included the Thriving Communities Needs Assessment, a partnership that included United Way of Summit County, The Akron Community Foundation, and the University of Akron; The Summit County 2010 Quality of Life report; Voices and Choices recommendations; INFOLINE requests for services; The University of Akron Summit Poll, and others.

The report and recommendations have been under review for nearly a year, and the United Way Community Impact Cabinet recommended to the United Way of Summit County Board of Directors the following Community Impact Priorities: School Readiness for Children and Economic Stability for Families.

Community Impact Priorities will be addressed beyond allocation of additional revenue. Public policy advocacy, mobilization of volunteers, facilitated discussion and collaboration among community partners and implementing sound business practices to increase efficiency will all be mechanisms to move the needle on these priorities.

A portion of undesignated and unrestricted United Way revenue will be set aside for distribution through an open Request for Proposal process. Proposals will be accepted from any qualified health and human service 501 (c) 3 agency serving Summit residents, including current United Way Affiliated Agencies. The proposals will be reviewed and recommendations made to United Way’s Board of Directors by a separate United Way RFP committee.

According to United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski, “We believe that an open RFP process will provide the greatest opportunities for collaboration with education, health care, human services, private sector and local government to help United Way and these partners create sustained beneficial change in our community.”

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information, call 330-762-7601, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.

Wine Tasting Event for Dorothy O. Jackson Society

On Wednesday September 26, 2007 the Dorothy O. Jackson Society held a ‘wine tasting’ event at the lovely home of James Stewart. Guests were welcomed by Mr. Stewart's son, Preston Stuart of Stewart and Calhoun Funeral Home. The crowd -- comprised of current and prospective Society members -- spent a wonderful evening sampling wines, eating, networking, and listening to a testimonial from the Society’s namesake, Dorothy O. Jackson.

All in attendance were eligible for a drawing for several great prizes provided by Mr. Stewart, including tickets to an upcoming Cleveland Browns game. The Dorothy O. Jackson Society plans to hold events such as this twice a year. Four new members joined the Society because of this great event. Thanks to everyone who attended!

(photo - Dorothy O. Jackson and United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski)

United Way Participates in 9/11 Remembrance

AKRON TO REMEMBER 9/11 IN MUSIC AND DANCE
NOON CEREMONY TO FEATURE GOSPEL, ISLAMIC AND JEWISH YOUTH CHOIRS JOINING IN SONG

Greater Akron will mark the sixth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks with The Rhythms of Remembrance and Renewal, a ceremony sponsored by the Greater Akron Remembrance Coalition. This is the fifth time the coalition has brought the community together to remember September 11, 2001.

On Tuesday, September 11, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at St. Bernard's Church on Broadway at University Avenue in downtown Akron, Mayor Don Plusquellic, Akron Fire Department Chief Larry Bunner and others will gather to remember, through words and music, the significance of this anniversary to our country.

Mayor Plusquellic asks residents of Greater Akron to take time out Tuesday to reflect upon the events of 9/11 and how they have changed our world.
"Very few of us could have known at the time just how significantly our lives would be altered in the coming years because of that day. I feel it is important for us to spend time thinking about that," said Plusquellic.

Akron also conducts this September 11 commemoration to honor the service of brave men and women who, since 9/11, have been deployed in foreign wars. This public ceremony is also an invitation for our community to pray for peace.

Numerous vested clergy members from all parts of the community will join in the processional at the beginning of the ceremony. St. Bernard's music minister Jim Kintz will provide musical reflections along with: the Kenmore Sr. High Madrigals; Salvation Army Brass Choir; Paul Callahan, chief of the University of Akron Police Department will sing the National Anthem; Piper, Linda Rignodin will play Amazing Grace and there will be a performance of a liturgical dance by Eric Carvill and Jessica Schroeder.

Also featured are the Unity Gospel Singers, Shaw Jewish Community Center/Lippman Day School Choir and the Islamic Center School Choir. Each will perform individually. This will be followed by all three choirs joining to sing Bill Withers' Lean on Me.

"I think everyone could agree that this is more than a symbolic moment," said Mayor Plusquellic, "to have the Islamic children and Jewish children unite in song at St. Bernards. This is very special."

Transportation to the event will be available for veterans or military dependant families through the American Red Cross - Summit County Chapter and Salvation Army - Summit County. Those needing a ride may call 330-535-6131.

The Greater Akron Remembrance Coalition was formed in 2002 to produce the area's September 11th commemorations, and has also presented the Korean War Commemoration Ceremony in 2003. Members of the Coalition include the City of Akron, Salvation Army, American Red Cross - Summit County Chapter, United Way of Summit County, and the University of Akron.

Chickenfest? Are you ready to cluck?

United Way of Summit County is hosting the return of ‘Chickenfest!TM’ to Barberton’s Lake Anna Park, Friday September 7, from 5:00 to 10:00 pm and Saturday, September 8, from 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm.

Local restaurants participating include DeVore’s Hopocan Gardens, Belgrade Garden, Milich’s Village Inn, and Hodge’s Café along with concessionaires Destefano’s and Byers.

Entertainment will include the local band ‘Accent’ on Friday night from 7:00 to 10:00 pm in the Gazebo. Accent is a local, high-energy top 40 dance band playing hits from the 60s to the present. They were the winning band at United Way’s Docs Who RockTM physician talent show in 2006.

On Saturday night from 7:00 to 10:00 pm, the Gazebo will rock to the sounds of ‘The New Flames Band’ from Barberton. These crowd-pleasers play the hits from the 50s and 60s.
There will also be vendors on hand with home-made crafts and other business people displaying and selling their wares. Our media partners for Chickenfest are WAKR, WONE & WQMX radio stations.

United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski said, “We are pleased to be returning this tradition to the people of Barberton. We hope this will be just another reminder of the many ways the people of Barberton and surrounding communities are being served by United Way of Summit County.”

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information, call 330-762-7601, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.

Pacesetters are off and running

Thanks so much to all the companies running pacesetter campaigns, getting our 2007 Campaign off to a great start.

Acme Fresh Markets
Albrecht, Incorporated
The ARC of Summit & Portage Counties
Battered Women's Shelter
Bober, Markey, Fedorovich & Company
Boys & Girls Clubs of Summit County
Brennan Management Group, LLC
Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire
CBIZ/Mayer Hoffman McCann
Charter One Bank
City of Akron
City Scrap & Salvage Company
Cohen & Company
Coleman Data Solutions
ComDoc, Inc.
Community Legal Aid Services, Inc.
CYO & Community Services
FirstEnergy Corp.
Greenleaf Family Center
Hitchcock Fleming & Associates
Humility of Mary Housing, Inc.
Ikon Office Solutions
Mobile Meals, Inc.
OMNOVA Solutions Inc.
Sam's Club #4750
Sam's Club #6404
Stark & Knoll
State and Federal Communications, Inc.
Sterling Jewelers Inc.
United Way of Summit County
UPS
Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, LLP
Wal-Mart #1895
Wal-Mart #1911
Wal-Mart #1927
Wal-Mart #2323
YMCA - Akron Area

Pacesetters receive unique recognition opportunities through media and our website and will be invited to our campaign kick-off event as a special thank you. Pacesetter campaigns should be completed by September 14, 2007. If your company would like to run a Pacesetter Campaign, contact Katie Rennard, Vice President Resource Development at 330.643.5517 or email krennard@uwsummit.org.

National Association of Letter Carriers Says Thanks

The following letter was sent to United Way of America President Brian Gallagher:

Dear Brian:

With the tremendous support of United Way of America and local United Ways, we once again had a successful food drive this year - increasing to 70.7 million pounds of donations to help stock our nation's food banks and pantries.

I thank you for your personal support of the drive and the premendous amount of work and dedication by United Way officials such as Bud Biscardo and Judy Parkins and I am sure many, many others. With this kind of support, the NALC was again able to encourage our postal customers to help needy families in their communities.

We are especially appreciative of your request to United Way chief volunteers and executive officers to support the drive.

On behalf of our 300,000 members, and I am sure the millions of needy children and adults who will benefit from the food drive, we are very appreciative of your generosity. Please pass on our thanks to all at United Way who were involved in this effort.

Sincerely,

William H. Young

President

National Association of Letter Carriers

On a local note, Letter Carriers Branch #148 collected 47,000 pounds of food in Akron this year, and during the 15 years since this program began, have collected nearly 1 million pounds for our local food bank. Way to go!

Thanks to our friends at Main Street Gourmet

This uniquely Akron company celebrated their 20th anniversary with a wonderful celebration at Lock 3 on July 17, and all the proceeds are being donated to United Way of Summit County.

Our sincere thanks to owners Steve Marks and Harvey Nelson, and event co-chairs Melissa Mayberry and Nate Searls.

Enjoy some of the pictures from the event above.

Rockin' Out at Lock 3 Live

Spend your July Fourth rockin’ downtown Akron's Lock 3 Live stage with Accent, 2006 Docs Who RockTM Champion.

This gig was made available to the band through the City of Akron as a prize for their winning performance.

The one-hour set begins at 3:00 pm on the Lock 3 Live stage (on Main Street, next to the Civic Theatre). Your $5 admission gets you into the Akron Family Barbeque and all the ‘Star Spangled Fourth of July’ festivities, including performances by ‘Classic Albums Live – Fleetwood Mac, and Survivor, as well as fireworks at 9:45 p.m.

For more information on all Lock 3 Live events, visit http://www.lock3live.com/.

For more information on Accent, visit http://www.accentlive.com/

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information on any program or to volunteer, call the office at (330) 762-7601, visit our Web site at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.

To donate to United Way of Summit County, click on: https://ipledge.uwsummit.org/Personal.aspx

Day of Caring

For the twelfth consecutive year, United Way of Summit County is hosting ‘Day of Caring’ on Friday, June 15, 2007. This year, 1,267 volunteers from 59 area businesses and corporations will take the day off from work and volunteer on 97 projects at 73 nonprofit organizations. FirstEnergy Foundation is the sponsor of the 2007 United Way of Summit County Day of Caring.

The Day of Caring allows individuals hands-on experience with non-profit agencies and the opportunity to see the important ways they serve the community. Many of these agencies rely on United Way donations for a portion of their funding. “After seeing first-hand the real difference these non-profit agencies make in peoples lives, the generous people who volunteer their time on Day of Caring gain a greater understanding of community needs and resources.
Thanks to the coordination of our Volunteer Center and the time commitment of these community-minded individuals, more than $100,000 in volunteer services is provided to these organizations,” said United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski.

In addition to those participating in Day of Caring on June 15, approximately 160 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. employees provided two days of volunteer service at Camp Y-Noah on June 7 and 8.

Among the sites where volunteer work will be done are: United Disability Services, 701 S. Main Street (volunteering will be employees from FirstEnergy); Jerry Shaw Jewish Community Center, 750 White Pond Drive (volunteering will be employees from SummaHealth System); and Community AIDS Network (Harmony House) 1950 McTaggart Drive, Suite 105, (volunteering will be employees from WAKR/WONE/WQMX).

A Kickoff Rally/Celebration will be hosted by the Jerry Shaw Jewish Community Center, 750 White Pond Drive, beginning at 8:00 am on Friday, June 15. United Way of Summit County Board of Trustees Chair Thom Mandel, President of the Rubber City Radio Group, will welcome and thank the participants at the Rally. January Paint & Wallpaper has made a significant contribution of paint and painting supplies to help in the ‘Day of Caring’ effort.

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information, call 330-762-7601, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.

UW/Labor Community Service Dinner

Akron/Medina County Labor Council, AFL-CIO and United Way of Summit County served as co-hosts for the annual Community Service Awards Dinner last night, Wednesday, June 6th, at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn. United Way of Summit County and Organized Labor have a long history of working together to make our community a better place to live, work and raise a family.

As always, the event ran flawlessly, thanks to the coordination of United Way's Labor Liason, Beth Curley. (pictured at left)

A crowd of more than 200 was on hand to recognized the honorees, Rose Juriga, who received the Peter Bommarito Award, and Don Bingman, who was presented the Leo E. Dugan Award.

Rose Juriga is the executive director of the Tri-County Independent Living Center, Inc. Since joining the organization in 1990, she had grown the Tri-County ILC from its grassroots beginnings to the progressive, vital advocacy and service agency it is today.

From the offices in Akron, Rose (pictured at right) provides leadership, vision and guidance in directing the organization in its mission to serve people with disabilities in Summit, Stark and Portage County. During her 17 years at the helm, she has increased the organization’s funding base from $75,000 to more than $400,000.

In fact, Rose had dedicated her life to serving those in need. She has served as Director of the Training and Employment Institute in Washington D.C., and held a variety of positions with the Akron Urban League, Goodwill Industries of Akron and the Vocational Development Center. She is a past member of the Mayor’s Commission on Children, the Tuff Stuff Committee, the Bishop’s Task Force on Church in the City, and Christmas in April, and has served as chair of the Catholic Commission, and president of the Community Welfare Forum. Rose has been listed three times in Marquis’ Who’s Who in America. She lives in Tallmadge, Ohio.

The 2007 Leo E. Dugan Award is presented to Don Bingman. Don is a 39-year member of the National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 148. Although he retired in 2003, he is still active in the Union.

He has served terms as Steward at North Hill Station for 10 years, Trustee for 2 three-year terms, and currently is the Treasurer of Branch 148, a position he has held from 1991 to the present. Don is active in the NALC Food Drive, which has collected over one million pounds of food, locally, since its existence in 1993.

He is a graduate of the Tri-County Regional Labor Council, AFL-CIO Union Counselor class, jointly sponsored by the United Way. Like his mentor and friend, Julian O’Neill the 1996 Leo Dugan Award winner, Don (pictured at left) was coordinator of the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon from 1990 to 2001, Jerry’s Kids Labor Day annual event. Don is responsible for the Letter Carriers appearing in the Barberton Labor Day Parade for the last five years.

Don and his wife Cathy are the proud parents of three children, Ann, Donald & Rebecca, and the proud grandparents of Nicole.

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information on any program or to volunteer, call the office at (330) 762-7601, visit our Web site at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.

To donate to United Way of Summit County, click on: https://ipledge.uwsummit.org/Personal.aspx

Good friends of UWSC among Akron's Honored Alumni

The University of Akron held its annual 'A-Day' celebration on June 3 at the beautful Student Union and honored distinguished alumni and others, many of those who received the accolades are good friends of United Way of Summit County.

Among the Alumni Honor Award recipients were:

Shari Whitfield of Robert W. Baird Co., and a long-time United Way Board of Trustees member.

Marty Hauser of SummaCare, who is currently serving as a member of the Campaign Cabinet.

And the Honorary Alumni Award Winner was:

Dr. Terry Gordon, with the Heart Group, and our partner with the successful 'Docs Who Rock' event.

Congratulations to all the winners, and congratulations to the University of Akron on a very successful event.

Development Fund Applications Available

Applications for 2008 Development Fund Grants from United Way of Summit County (UWSC) are now available to 501 (c) (3) non-profit health and human service agencies.

A volunteer group serving as the Development Fund Review Committee will consider proposals for new and/or expanded programs that address critical community needs. “New” programs are defined as services not previously furnished by the submitting agency. “Expanded” programs are currently furnished with plans for expansion into a new geographic area or provision to an additional or replacement population.

Development Fund Grants are awarded based on the merits of the proposal, how well it addresses a critical community need, and the benefits to program participants. The proposals are also compared to currently existing programs and agencies. Proposals that involve collaborative partnering are strongly encouraged.

Organizations submitting proposals should be sure that the programs for which they are seeking funding are in alignment with areas of greatest need as determined in the County’s Healthy Summit 2010 and/or United Way’s Thriving Communities Survey.

Applications must be received at United Way of Summit County’s office by 4:00 pm, Friday, July 13, 2007. For further information and an application, call the United Way of Summit County Community Impact Division at (330) 643-5510.

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets. For more information on any program or to volunteer, call the United Way of Summit County at (330) 762-7601, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.

To donate to United Way of Summit County, click on: https://ipledge.uwsummit.org/Personal.aspx

Expanding our reach

When United Way of Summit County created Docs Who Rock in 2004, none of us imagined that the event would grow as it has - from the 430-seat auditorium at the Main Library, to the 800-seat theatre at North High School, and now to the beautiful E.J. Thomas Hall at The University of Akron.

Through the expertise of our friends at the law firm Brouse McDowell, we've trademarked the name and logo 'Docs Who Rock.'

We've created and sold t-shirts and coffee mugs with the Docs Who Rock logo on it, so we're immersing the Summit County and Northeast Ohio area with the name.

And now, we're disseminating the concept across the country. We've already reached an agreement with the United Way of Southern Illinois. For a small copyright fee, we're allowing them to produce a 'Docs Who Rock' event in their community.

We're also currently in conversation with United Way organizations in Omaha, Nebraska and Tyler, Texas about similar arrangements.

So, not only have we raised money and public awareness by holding the event, and increased campaign donations from our medical/health care divisions, we're now looking to bring in additional funds from sharing our good idea with other United Ways across the country.