United Way Announces Winners of Youth Creative Arts Contest

The United Way of Summit County (UWSC) is pleased to announce the winners of its Fourth Annual Youth Initiative Creative Arts Contest. A total of 171 entries were submitted from all over Summit County illustrating the theme: ‘Everyone Can Make a Difference.’

Winners will be displayed at the Main Branch of the Akron Public Library from May 4th – 17th and at Chapel Hill Mall from May 18th – 31st.

The artwork was evaluated based on three criteria: conceptualization of the theme, originality, and clarity in depicting the theme. This year's judges included: Theresa Carter, President, OMNOVA Solutions Foundation and United Way of Summit County's 2008 Campaign Chair; Bernett Williams, President and CEO of the Akron Urban League; Rocky Richardson, Vice President/Director of Community Development, Charter One Bank; Mike Derr, Akron-Summit County Public Library and Carol Gilbert, Women's Leadership Giving Committee Member.

You can see the winners here.

First, second and third place winners were selected in three categories – elementary, middle school and high school. The winners are:

Elementary
First Place
Maci Woyat, Grade 5
Norton Middle School
Second Place
Aubriana See, Grade 4
East Woods Elementary – Hudson City School District
Third Place
Michael Bellman-Loper, Grade 1
Turkeyfoot Elementary – Coventry Local School District



Middle School
First Place
Maureen Moffitt, Grade 7
Hudson Middle School
Second Place
Hailee Sellers, Grade 8
Coventry Jr. High School
Third Place
Briana Saffles, Grade 8
Coventry Jr. High School


High School
First Place
Brandon Campbell, Grade 10
Buchtel High School
Second Place
Ellen Wood, Grade 9
Barberton High School
Third Place
Johnathan Coleman, Grade 10
Buchtel High School

The winning artists will be acknowledged at United Way’s ‘Day of Action’ (formerly Day of Caring) kickoff breakfast on June 20 held at the Shaw Jewish Community Center, and will receive a gift certificate for art supplies.

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.

Creative Art Contest Judging Takes Place

The 4th Annual Creative Arts Contest wrapped up this week with a judging event Thursday, April 16 at the Akron Urban League. With 171 entries from elementary, middle school and high school students from around Summit County, this year proved to be a banner year for the contest. All of the artwork is currently on display at the Urban League and will remain there until the end of April.

This year's judges included: Theresa Carter, President, OMNOVA Solutions Foundation and United Way of Summit County's 2008 Campaign Chair; Bernett Williams, President and CEO of the Akron Urban League; Rocky Richardson, Vice President/Director of Community Development, Charter One Bank; Mike Derr, Akron-Summit County Public Library and Carol Gilbert, Women's Leadership Giving Committee Member.

Judges rated each piece of artwork on three criteria: Conceptualization of this year's theme, "Everyone Can Make a Difference," Originality of the artwork, and Clarity of the artwork in depicting the theme.

The winners will be tallied and announced in the next newsletter, and the winning artwork will be on display at the Akron Library, Main Branch from May 4-17 and at Chapel Hill Mall May 18-31.

UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT COUNTY’S CHICKEFEST RETURNS TO BARBERTON

United Way of Summit County will once again host ‘Chickenfest!TM’ at Barberton’s Lake Anna Park on September 5th and 6th, 2008. After a seven year absence, the popular food and entertainment festival made a successful return in 2007.

Large and appreciative crowds were on hand last year for the Friday evening and Saturday festival. In keeping with Barberton’s claim as the ‘chicken capital of the world,’ food vendors are required to serve only chicken. Variety is encouraged – chicken sausage, chicken gyros, chicken-kabobs, etc. – but any meat products sold at Chickenfest must be chicken. Other food items, such as fries and elephant ears will be available.

The event will run Friday, September 5 from 5:00 to 10:00 pm and Saturday, September 6, from 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm. Live bands will be performing in the Gazebo both nights from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.

United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski said, “It was so great last year how many people made a point of coming up to our staff and volunteers and saying how glad they were to have Chickenfest back. This is a great tradition that we’re proud to continue for the entire Barberton community.”

Food vendors and crafters interested in participating in Chickenfest can call Michael Gaffney at 330-643-5532.

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.

United Way of Summit County Announces Funding Amounts For 2008

The United Way of Summit County Board of Trustees has approved the following community investment package totaling $9,695,761 for the 2008 fiscal year.

Community and Program Services Funding - $9,695,761

Net Fundraising and Administrative Costs - $1,196,239

Net Allowance for Pledges Not Paid - $450,000

Because of a number of factors, including reduction in staff and improved investment income, United Way of Summit County has budgeted a decrease in net fundraising and administrative (overhead) costs. The organization also has reduced the amount it sets aside in expectation of pledges not paid.

Decisions about how much funding goes to each of the 101 programs at 49 affiliated agencies funded by United Way were made by more than 100 local volunteers who have been meeting and reviewing detailed program and financial information for several weeks. These volunteers made site visits, reviewed program outcomes and deliberated over allocations based on the amount of money available in particular areas of need. Total affiliated agency support increased nearly 1% this year.

The $9.69 million package is a combination of:
· Investment decisions made by these volunteers and gifts specifically designated by donors
· United Way’s fundraising partner American Red Cross, Summit County Chapter contractual amount
· Community Services, including The Volunteer Center, United Way’s Community Impact Program, Labor/Community Services Liaison
· Designations to other community agencies and United Ways in other communities:
· Designations to targeted areas of service (Impact Areas).
· Approximately $240,000 for Community Impact Priority Funding for programs addressing school readiness for children and/or economic stability for families

At the organization’s 90th Anniversary Annual Meeting held April 2, Campaign Chair Thomas J. Strauss of Summa Health System announced that the community has pledged $11,372,000 to the 2007 United Way/Red Cross Campaign.

“We are grateful and inspired by another generous response from our community to the 2007 annual campaign. To raise nearly $11.4 million in spite of tough economic times is a tribute to the compassion and generosity of thousands of men, women and children who donate time or money to make Summit County a better place for all. Our staff and volunteers will continue to work hard to honor their stewardship and help organizations in our community do more of what they do, and do it better,” said Bob Kulinski, President, United Way of Summit County.

In keeping with the organization’s new Community Impact Priorities agenda announced last fall, 5% of undesignated and unrestricted United Way revenue has been set aside for distribution through an open Request for Proposal process. Proposals have been accepted from qualified health and human service 501 (c) 3 agency serving Summit residents, including current United Way Affiliated Agencies. The proposals are being reviewed and recommendations made to United Way’s Board of Directors by a separate United Way Priority Funding committee.

Thom Mandel, Chair of the Board of Directors for United Way of Summit County and President of Rubber City Radio Group, said, “As we mark our 90th Anniversary and celebrate the fact that since 1918, this organization has raised more than $400 million in and for this community, we continue to improve the ways we do business. We will continue making a difference in the lives of individuals and families to honor the trust and stewardship our donors and volunteers expect from us.”

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. For more information about specific designations to particular agencies, visit our website.

United Way Hosts Annual Meeting and 90th Anniversary Celebration

United Way of Summit County held its Annual Meeting and 90th Anniversary Celebration last night at the John S. Knight Center and announced that the 2007 United Way/Red Cross campaign met the aggressive goal of $11,372,000, representing an increase of about 2% over last year’s campaign. Additional funds are expected, but have not been received yet.

Campaign Chair Thomas J. Strauss, President & CEO of Summa Health System, told the crowd of more than 350 about the tens of thousands of donors and the hundreds of volunteers who made this success possible. “Throughout this year, as I witnessed countless volunteers giving so passionately of their time and effort, I was reminded of the quote, ‘the miracle is this – the more we share, the more we have,’” Strauss said.

Several companies were recognized for their outstanding support of United Way and the entire community. The Spirit of Caring Award, given annually to a local company that demonstrates outstanding corporate community involvement, was presented to ExxonMobil Chemical (formerly known as Advanced Elastomer Systems). Two outstanding companies were acknowledged for raising more than $1 million for United Way of Summit County. Cornerstone Awards were presented to The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and FirstEnergy Corporation.

The organization also presented its 2008 Distinguished Service Awards (DSA) to Charles M. ‘Chip’ Billow and Richard C. ‘Rick’ Fedorovich. The DSA has been presented annually since 1959 to individuals who consistently demonstrate the highest degree of interest, personal dedication and service in a volunteer capacity to the improvement of health, welfare and education Summit County.

Other awards presented at the Annual Meeting included the Community Builder Award, presented annually to an individual who makes a measurable difference in the community through United Way’s Community Investment process, given to Bruce Rowland; The Young Philanthropist of the Year Award to Donald J. Pavlik; and the Lorry Vishnia Staff Excellence Award to Brenda J. Cox and Jacqueline A. Pritchard.

Twelve new members were elected onto United Way of Summit County’s Board of Directors: Kenneth Dorsett, FirstMerit Bank; Steven L. Farnsworth, Hudson City Schools; Valerie A. Geiger, National City Bank; Dennis Gladin, GoJo Industries; Jay T. Griffith, ExxonMobil Chemical; Phillip Kane, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.; Randy S. Katz, City Scrap & Salvage; James J. Keeslar, Brockman, Coats, Gedelian & Co.; Rabbi David A. Lipper, Temple Israel; Brian J. Moore, Roetzel & Andress; Kathleen A. Rice, Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital-Summa; and Jeff E. Rovnak, Morgan Stanley.

United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski said, “I’m very proud of this community for coming together to reach this goal even in these challenging economic times. Our staff and the hundreds of committed volunteers, under the inspired leadership of Tom Strauss, worked tirelessly to ensure we can help our affiliated agencies do more of what they do and do it better.”

Thomas A. Mandel, President of Rubber City Radio Group and Chair of the United Way of Summit County Board of Director said, “As this organization marks its 90th Anniversary, it’s making some significant changes in how it does business. The way we did things in 1918 wouldn’t work for us today, and frankly neither would the way we did things in 1990. Every business has to change and keep up with the times. United Way of Summit County is utilizing modern technology in addition to the face-to-face ask to stay connected with donors and potential donors.”

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.