The United Way of Summit County (UWSC) held its 93rd Annual Meeting on Tuesday, April 26, at the Sheraton Suites, to a capacity crowd of 370. In the Annual Meeting, the organization recognized its community activists who act as Superheroes, sometimes unknowingly, through their commitment to giving, advocating, and volunteering.
The Board of Directors elected nine new members: William L. Caplan, Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs; David C. Jennings, Akron-Summit County Public Library; Christine Amer Mayer, The GAR Foundation; Russell M. Pry, Summit County Executive; Richard J. Noechel, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.; Mark Scheffler, Leadership Akron; Thomas M. Welsh, TM Welsh Consulting; Bernett L. Williams, Akron Children’s Hospital; and Henry C. Zelman, Rubber City Radio Group. The Board also re-elected nine members for a second three-year term: Philip J. Cajka, Audio-Technica, U.S.; William H. Feth, AESCO Electronics; Valerie A. Geiger, PNC Bank; Dennis L. Gladin, GOJO Industries; Jay T. Griffith, ExxonMobil Chemical; Randy S. Katz, City Scrap & Salvage; James J. Keeslar, BCG & Company; Brian J. Moore, Roetzel & Andress; and Jeff Rovnak, Wells Fargo Advisors.
New officers for the Board will be: Chair, Theresa Carter, OMNOVA Solutions; Vice Chair, William R. Feth, AESCO Electronics; Treasurer, James J. Keeslar, BCG & Company; and Secretary, Margaret Williams, AT&T Ohio.
This year’s program included the presentation of the Distinguished Service Award (DSA). Since 1959, this award has been presented annually to individuals who consistently demonstrate the highest degree of interest, personal dedication and service in a volunteer capacity to the improvement of education, income, and health in Summit County.
The 2011 Distinguished Service Award recipient is David A. Brockman, who has volunteered his time and talents to the United Way for more than 20 years, including a term as chairman on the board, and the chair of the Regional United Way Task Force. He also served in leader roles with United Disability Services, Portage Country Club, Rockynol Retirement Community, Weathervane Community Playhouse, Akron City Club and others.
Also at its Annual Meeting, United Way presented the Lois A. Foster Community Builder Award to recipient Ethel L. Chambers. Ms. Chambers has served for 15 years on the community investment/allocations teams. She has shown outstanding dedication to the betterment of the community through a variety of projects, including the Perkins Street Area Action Group, the rebuilding of Lane Field, and the rehabilitation of Grace Park. Ms. Chambers retired from the U.S. Employment Service and the U.S. Postal service after 31 years. Now, she continues her trail of activism through her participation in the Neighborhood Leadership Institute.
Each year, the Young Leaders Society of UWSC recognizes an individual who is 40 or younger and embodies the spirit of philanthropy through charitable giving to United Way and also volunteer service to non-profit organizations in the area. This year’s Young Philanthropist of the Year Award was presented to Mark Krohn, who has taken on executive leadership roles for United Disability Services, Habitat for Humanity, and the Rotary Camp. His fundraising abilities and support for the Rotary Camp through the annual Chili Open helped to raise more than $1,000.000 over the past few years. Along with his wife Lori, Mark is a member of the Tocqueville Society.
The United Way of Summit County Annually honors a local company that exhibits exceptional and ongoing corporate community support with the Spirit of Caring Award. This year’s recipient is Myers Industries, Inc. The drive of this company shows to our community that they are dedicated to improving the life of Summit County. Myers Industries employees participate in Day of Action, the Corporate Volunteer Council, and annually hold some of the most entertaining and fun campaign events anywhere. From special guests like Indians mascot Slider, and Cavs mascot Moondog, to informative quizzes to test employees’ knowledge of Akron history, Myers is always looking for fun ways to promote the betterment of the community.
The Lorry Vishnia Staff Excellence Award is named after a United Way staff member whose work ethic and character were a shining example for all with whom she came in contact. After her death in February 2004, this award was established to honor a staff member who best exemplifies the attributes most admired in Lorry. The winner of the 2011 award is Brian Duchon. Brian is an energetic young leader who has not only strives to do his job very well , but he is also constantly on the lookout for ways to make United Way a better organization and make our community a better place to live, work and raise a family. Two years ago, while working full-time and pursuing his Masters degree, Brian created the Student United Way chapter at the University of Akron. For three years, he led teams of college students from Summit County to devastated communities in the Gulf Coast region still struggling to recover from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Recently, Brian has joined 25 other participants from around the world in the United Way’s Global Resident Fellows Program, just another way that he has displayed his motivational drive and talents as a young professional in the United Way.
United Way of Summit County encourages everyone to LIVE UNITED. Each of us has the power to improve lives and advance the common good when we give, advocate and volunteer. For more information on how to give now, on programs and services in our community, or to volunteer, call your United Way of Summit County at (330) 762-7601, explore our website at www.uwsummit.org, or visit our offices at 90 N. Prospect St., Akron, Ohio.
