Community Comes Together for a Day of Action!

On Friday June 20, volunteers throughout the community came together in support of United Way of Summit County’s “Day of Action.” The event, formerly known as “Day of Caring,” was a tremendous success. Nearly 1,100 people donated their time and effort to help at various non-profit organizations throughout Akron and Summit County.

The day began with a Kickoff Rally/Celebration at Jerry Shaw Jewish Community Center at 8 a.m. After a continental breakfast, first, second and third place prizes were presented for the “Creative Arts Contest.” The theme for the contest was “Everyone Can Make a Difference.”

Following a brief address from United Way of Summit County Board of Trustees Chair Thom Mandel, and United Way’s 2008 Campaign Chair Theresa Carter, all of the volunteers assembled for a unique photo opportunity. It was an inspiration to see so many people in one place wearing their Live United tee-shirts.

With the sun shinning in the bright-blue sky, it was a perfect day to work outdoors. Volunteers from First Energy, OMNOVA Solutions, WAKR/WONE/WQMX, and many others, headed out to 109 different sites to work for the day. Some of the non-profit organizations that received assistance included United Disability Services, YMCA Riverfront Facility, and Hattie Larlham Supported Living.

“After seeing first-hand the real differences these non-profit agencies make in people’s lives, the generous organizations who encourage their associates to volunteer their time on Day of Action gain a greater understanding of community needs and resources. More than $100,000 in volunteer services is provided to these organizations,” said United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski.

A tremendous amount of care and effort went into making Day of Action the success that it was. It was amazing to see how seemingly small acts of kindness can have such a large impact on a community, especially when those acts are united and organized. Suffice it to say, Day of Action more than lived up to its new name.

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 http://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.

AEDs in Schools Bill Passes U.S. House

On Monday, June 9, H.R. 4926, the Josh Miller HEARTS (Helping Everyone Access Responsive Treatment in Schools) Act passed the US House of Representatives. This legislation was introduced in the House by Congresswoman Betty Sutton (D-OH)(pictured at right with Dr. Terry Gordon) in December, 2007.

The Josh Miller HEARTS Act will establish a grant program through the Department of Education that will provide schools with funds for lifesaving AEDs and AED/CPR training. The legislation is modeled on the successful School AED Program recently completed in the state of Ohio, which has already saved 13 lives.

H.R. 4926 is named in memory of Josh Miller, a 15-year-old student from Sutton's hometown of Barberton, Ohio. Josh suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during the final game of the 2000 Barberton High School football season, but by the time his heart was shocked with an AED, it was too late to save him. The Josh Miller HEARTS Act will help prevent such tragedies.

"H.R. 4926 bears Josh Miller's name, but it is truly in memory of all those who might have been saved, and in celebration of those who, because of this program, will have the opportunity to live to their fullest potential," said Congresswoman Sutton. "AEDs are the single most effective treatment for those suffering a sudden cardiac arrest. By ensuring that schools have access to these lifesaving devices, we can prevent needless deaths in communities across the country."

Ken Miller, Josh Miller's father said: "We are very pleased that this bill has passed the House of Representatives. It certainly gives meaning to us for the tragic loss of our son, Josh. We wish to thank Congresswoman Sutton and all of those who have worked so hard on this initiative. Our hope and prayer is that no other family will ever endure the needless loss of a child, especially when it is preventable by a device as easy to use as an AED."

Dr. Terry Gordon, who spearheaded the School AED Program in Ohio, said: "Today's vote is for the thousands of children who have experienced sudden cardiac arrest and crossed over to the other side of life. Their sacrifice as well as that of their families has been the driving force of this initiative. With the Josh Miller HEARTS Act, we now have the ability to save the lives of our most precious resource, our children. As it is written in the Torah and the Koran: `If you can save one life, you can change the world.'"

Congresswoman Sutton and Dr. Gordon are both good friends of and strong advocates for United Way of Summit County, and through this project and so many others, the offer a shining example of how we can LIVE UNITED.

The Josh Miller HEARTS Act has 100 bipartisan cosponsors and has been endorsed by a broad coalition of organizations in education and public health, including the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, American Red Cross, American Federation of Teachers, Heart Rhythm Society, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Education Association, National Safety Council, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, and the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition.

UNITED WAY SEEKS MUSICAL ACTS FOR THE 5TH ANNUAL 'DOCS WHO ROCK'

United Way of Summit County’s Docs Who RockTM annual physician talent show will be held for the third consecutive year at The University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall. Docs Who Rock V, scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 7:00 pm, is an opportunity for local doctors to showcase their musical talents.

Docs Who Rock was held at the Main Library’s 430-seat auditorium in 2004 and the 800+ seat theatre at North High School in 2005. Beginning in 2006, The University of Akron agreed to host the event at the beautiful E.J. Thomas Hall, and in the past two years, attendance has grown from 1,600 to nearly 2,000 people in 2007.

Because of growing interest from the region’s many talented musicians and singers, musical acts will be asked to submit an application and support materials by July 11, 2008 to United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect Street, Akron, OH 44304. A committee of musical experts, led by Docs Who Rock co-founder Dr. Terry Gordon, will select participating artists based on the information and materials available to them, so the applications should contain as much of the following as possible: current CD, audio and/or video tapes; press reviews/articles; posters/flyers; and a one-paragraph description of the group or artist.

As in the past, musical acts must have at least one member who is a Doctor (M.D. or D.O.) and who lives or practices in Summit County. Solo acts are also welcome, and all musical styles are encouraged to apply.

United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski said, “We are thrilled with the growth of Docs Who Rock year after year. Not only is the show a fun and highly entertaining evening of wonderful music, we’ve forged stronger ties with our local medical community and heightened awareness of the community services we develop and support in the areas of education, income and health.. Our collaboration with Dr. Terry Gordon and the partnership with Dr. Luis Proenza, Dave Osterland and the University of Akron have produced a signature event for 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.

PR Industry The Latest Victim of McClellann Book

CBS News Legal Analyst Andrew Cohen took to the airwaves last Sunday morning and mocked the Public Relations Society of America for condeming former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, who admitted in his just released book What Happened that he lied to the American people about certain vital policy decisions within the Bush Administration.

In Cohen's 12-paragraph deflection, (read it here), he spews " Apparently, an industry the very essence of which is to try to convince people that a turkey is really an eagle has a rule that condemns lying."

He also says, "Show me a PR person who is "accurate" and "truthful," and I'll show you a PR person who is unemployed."

As a communications professional, and certainly a significant portion of my duties fall under the tradtional definition of Public Relations, I take great umbrage at Mr. Cohen's entire column.

Jeffrey Julin, Chairman & CEO of the Public Relations Society of America, sent a letter to Cohen expressing the organization's outrage at his charicture of our industry.

There are less than honorable people in every field, but it's unfair to paint any industry with such a broad brush - condemming all based on the actions of a small percentage of those feeding at the bottom.

You can be assured the information released from your United Way of Summit County is 'accurate' and 'truthful.'