Laughter is the best medicine, so come see Dr. Terry Gordon at Docs Who Rock this Saturday. It's the cure for what ails you. http://ow.ly/6ZnP9

Docs Who Rock is this Saturday. If you don't have your tickets yet, there's still time. Visit Ticketmaster.com the EJ Thomas box office.

Volunteer Center Remains Part of United Way of Summit County

A public announcement regarding the merger of Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU) and the Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) created some confusion regarding the role and program home of the United Way of Summit County Volunteer Center. The Volunteer Center remains a program of United Way of Summit County, providing free one-on-one volunteer referral and placement, Done-in-a-Day projects for small groups of employees, and our annual Day of Action, enrolling more than 1,100 volunteers in a wide range of community projects.

United Way of Summit County continues to add value to our corporate and workplace donors beyond facilitating the annual fund raising campaign. We have served Summit County residents and employees for 95 years, and will continue to be a year-round community resource. As such we will continue to provide essential programs and services such as:

• Our Volunteer Center also provides Summit County’s only community-wide celebration of volunteerism, coordinates Corporate Volunteer Council activities, and provides educational training programs and volunteer management workshops,

• United Way’s Project Blueprint has just graduated our tenth class of Minority men and women who are committed to helping community agencies become more inclusive, responsive and reflective of our culturally diverse community. The program provides training, guidance, placement opportunities and networking related to being on a nonprofit Board,

• Our Neighborhood Leadership Institute partnership has just graduated its third class of men and women who have been trained to increase grassroots leadership engagement. Project Blueprint and the Neighborhood Leadership Institute are important components of the leadership development continuum in Summit County,

• With our Project Blueprint database, our association with community groups such as Torchbearers and Leadership Akron, and our knowledge of community agencies and their volunteer requirements we help employers access appointments to Boards and committees that may interest their employees.

Bob Kulinski, president of United Way of Summit County said, “United Way of Summit County encourages and supports programs that increase the service capacity of non-profit organizations, especially during these challenging economic conditions. Center for Non Profit Excellence has been one of Summit County’s leading capacity-building organizations, and we count on the new BVU: Center for Nonprofit Excellence as well as other organizations – including United Way of Summit County – to actively engage in this important work.”

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.

United Way volunteers are the best anywhere. This morning's meeting of the Business Model Task Force was thoughtful and insightful. Thanks!

United Way's 9th Power of the Purse Luncheon to be held June 21

The Women’s Leadership Council of the United Way of Summit County is hosting its annual Power of the Purse Luncheon on June 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Quaker Station located at the intersection of Broadway and Mill Streets in Downtown Akron. The cost is $25 per person or $190 dollars for a table for eight.

The 2011 Power of the Purse will commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the Families of Flight 93, a local remembrance of the community outreach through the Greater Akron Fire Truck Fund, and the presentation of the ‘Barbara Mathews Woman Philanthropist of the Year’ award.

The keynote speaker is Deborah Borza, the executive board member and treasurer of Families of Flight 93, a non-profit organization which has vied for the construction of a memorial at the crash site of Flight 93. Her daughter, Deora Frances Bodley, was the youngest female passenger on Flight 93, the fourth airliner hijacked on September 11, 2001. The passengers overpowered the hijackers, and the plane crashed in Shanksville, PA, no doubt saving hundreds of lives in Washington, D.C., most likely the terrorists’ intended target.

Following the death of her daughter, Ms. Borza led the charge for a Flight 93 memorial and co-founded Families for Flight 93. She is committed to a promise for the world, where all people know themselves for the difference that they make. She makes sure that her daughter Deora’s life is a catalyst for Peace. Debby is planning to have a book written about Deora’s life experiences for all to relate to and creating a foundation that promotes world peace among all people, especially utilizing youth from around the world, making a difference regardless of cultural, religious and geopolitical diversity.

The topic of her address for the Power of the Purse luncheon will be ‘Your Choices Change Lives.’

The luncheon will also feature the presentation of the ‘Barbara Mathews Woman Philanthropist of the Year’ award, which since 2004 has been be given to one woman in recognition of her outstanding philanthropic activities. This year’s recipient is Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio.

Judge Teodosio has shown a great enthusiasm for children and advancing their best interests. She has worked alongside agencies that help serve abused and neglected children such as the Summit County Children Services, the local Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Board, as well as schools and counseling agencies.

Recently, Judge Teodosio acted as a key figure in the development and implementation of the inaugural “Summit for Kids” forum. The two-day event featured professional workshops, medical, dental, and mental health resources and family entertainment and drew an audience of more than 8,000.

Judge Teodosio has also been involved with the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program/ Guardian ad Litem Program (CASA/ GAL) of Summit County since entering office in 2004. The CASA/GAL program has since grown to over 300 volunteers, making it the largest such program in the state. The program trains community volunteers to serve 1,200 abused and neglected children annually.

Another highlight of the event will be a drawing for a Coach designer handbag donated by Dillard’s at Summit Mall. Deadline for reservations is June 14, 2011. To RSVP call Andi at United Way (330.643.5502) or email areed@uwsummit.org.

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, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or come to our offices at 90 N. Prospect St., Akron, Ohio.

United Way of Summit County Seeks Musical Acts for Docs Who Rock 8

United Way of Summit County’s annual Docs Who RockTM physician talent show will be held at The University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall on Saturday, ‘Roctober’ 22, 2011 beginning at 7:00 pm. Docs Who Rock has become an entertainment and philanthropic phenomenon, providing local doctors an opportunity to showcase their musical talents and men and women a chance to see their physicians in a whole new light.

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 June 24, 2011 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, “This show continues to evolved and improve each year. Last year’s winning act was Dr. Todd Beyer and Meleah Backhaus, who performed a beautiful classical piano piece. They certainly expanded the definition of what it means to ‘Rock,’ just like seeing their doctors in this very different setting has helped many people redefine their doctor/patient relationship.”

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, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or come to our offices at 90 N. Prospect St., Akron, Ohio.

Summit Dislocated Workers meet again

The second meeting of the Summit County Dislocated Worker Support Group was held on Thursday, May 12, 2011, from 12 noon to 2:00 pm, at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect Street, This support group was been organized by United Way of Summit County, Tri-County Labor Council, Rapid Response and The Job Center of Summit County.

The group is open to all unemployed men and women, not just Union members. Representatives from The Job Center, Goodwill Industries, Department of Job and Family Services and local unions spoke on the current job situation and services available through their respective organizations. Additionally, there was a presentation on the unique employment struggles of ex-offenders. Attendees had the chance to ask questions and network with presenters and each other.

Refreshments were provided courtesy United Way of Summit County. All those in attendance were entered in a drawing for a $50 gasoline gift card.

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, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or come to our offices at 90 N. Prospect St., Akron, Ohio.

WAKR Radio and AkronNewsNow.com covered the event. A link to that coverage is avilable here: http://www.akronnewsnow.com/news/itemdetail.asp?ID=45349§ion=news&subsection=localnews&title=AUDIO_Support_Group_Formed_For_Area_Jobless