Members of Akron Firestone High School's swim team and aquatics association have long been making a splash in the pool, winning all sorts of competitions.

In the last five years, they've been quietly creating another legacy — one that will have a lasting impression for children.

The super swimmers have raised more than $125,000 through the annual Kids Helping Kids swim marathons for Akron Children's Hospital.

They recently earmarked $25,000 to renovate and refurbish a treatment room, and hired Stow muralist Marcia Lowery to create a marine-life scene for the room.

Hospital personnel involved in brainstorming with Lowery to come up with a vision for the room were child-life specialists Gena Valloric and Libby Haley-Rechin and nurses Sandy Gardner and Kim Grinstead. ''The goal was to make the room kid-friendly and interactive,'' Valloric said.

Lowery settled on a Caribbean reef theme with sand caves, more than 100 fish, a sea turtle and more. It works very well with the earlier-installed blue linoleum floor that looks like the bottom of a swimming pool.

Several graduating seniors — members of the swim team — who helped raise the funds attended Friday's unveiling, including Charlie Wagner, who swam an amazing 12 hours straight in the marathon.

The students also presented a check for $9,114 Friday for yet another project.

Cindy Alkire — who with her husband, Toby, chaired the school's 19th marathon — said that money will be used for the neonatal unit, which cares for the tiniest and most critically ill babies, and to create an entertainment center.

The neonatal gift seemed like a natural for the swimmers, as two of their coaches, Jamie and Mike Moore, became the parents last fall of twins Abigail and Andrew, who were born 12 weeks early. Sadly, Andrew didn't make it.

So, join me in applauding Firestone High School's water angels.

Benefit breakfast

More than flapjacks will be on the menu when the Marlboro PTO (Marlington school district, Stark County) hosts a pancake breakfast and raffle from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at The Chapel in Marlboro, 8700 Edison St., (state Route 619), Marlboro Township.

This is a way to help the family of Trevor Weigand, 5, with expenses related to his medical problems.

Trevor has been diagnosed with low-grade glioma cancer and is expected to undergo weekly chemotherapy for the next two years.

He is the son of Terry and Jodi Weigand. Terry is an assistant basketball coach at the University of Akron and Jodi is a physical therapist.

''The past year has been a difficult year in our home,'' Jodi writes on the CaringBridge Web site.

''We have been faced with trials that at times have felt insurmountable. It has felt like a roller coaster in many senses. We've felt the uphill calm and exhilaration when the storm is quiet or we receive what seems like great news, and we have felt the downhill plunges that make your stomach turn and your face go pale.

''We've described moments of joy that were followed by what felt like a sucker punch from behind. . . . ''

So, keep the Weigands and little Trevor in your prayers.

There will be more than 20 themed raffle baskets and other big-ticket items, including a 2008 autographed LeBron James jersey and a laser-engraved Dallas Cowboys football.

Advance tickets — $5 for
adults and $3 for children— are available at Marlboro Elementary School. For information, please call 330-935-2469.

Free Aeros tickets

Thank Tom Spencer and the Masons for this one.

''As part of the fundraising efforts for the 32nd Degree Masonic Learning Center for Children with Dyslexia, Scottish Rite Masons are donating 500 Akron Aeros game tickets to area schools, church youth, scouting groups, and youth sport teams,'' Spencer writes.

''These tickets were made available by Masons who purchased tickets under the 'baseball buddy system.' Youth team sponsors, school officials and interested groups can obtain these free tickets for the Aeros game at Canal Park on Tuesday, May 20, at 7:05 p.m. by calling the Scottish Rite office at 330-666-8443 between 9 a.m. and noon Monday-Friday. ''

Tickets must be picked up by Friday at the Valley of Akron, 91 Springside Drive, Bath Township.

Please don't call unless you know you're going to use the tickets.

Coins for a Cure

A huge tip of the hat to students at Hazel Harvey Elementary School in Doylestown for not only educating themselves about cancer but also for collecting $3,746 for the American Cancer Society by way of coins they earned from odd jobs.

''In May, Rittman schools will also be conducting their own Coins for a Cure campaign,'' writes Joan Lowe, a spokeswoman for the Doylestown, Rittman, Sterling Relay for Life.

''Teams of Doylestown, Rittman and Sterling residents will gather at Rittman High School on June 21 at 6 [p.m.] for an overnight relay against cancer. . . . They are already halfway to their goal of $45,000.''

Doll project

Akron Public Schools' Project RISE is hosting a Love and Learn Doll how-to meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ott Staff Development Center, Room 107, 65 Steiner Ave., Akron.

The invitation reads: ''Please come and meet with other Project doll makers to get the latest update on family homelessness and to plan the summer Love and Learn Doll project. This meeting is for anyone who is interested in making dolls. . . .

''These special dolls and supporting projects are for the purpose of enriching the educational world of young children and their parents who are without stable housing. ''

There will be a special showing of America's Invisible Children: The Homeless Education Crisis in America. Popcorn and lemonade will be served. R.S.V.P. to Sharon Woods at 330-699-4185.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church's Community Advancement Fund is a major sponsor of the doll project.