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.