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By Jewell Cardwell
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 05:28 p.m. EDT, Jun 29, 2009
This is one of a series of columns about what local folks are doing to ''Make a Difference'' in these economically challenging times.
Karen S. Hamilton with Miller's Healthcare Products brought me up to speed on that company's kindness revolution: ''The staff at Miller's makes a difference and has been [doing so] for approximately 15 years. In years past, we regularly had two fundraising seasons, one for Relay for Life and one for our own Adopt-a-Family program. And this year, we have expanded our program to be yearlong and incorporate the needs of many people — including co-workers, friends of co-workers and others — with health issues, unemployed spouses, family members suffering from serious illness, financial hardship cases, etc. This month, we have two fundraiser days: one for a staff member who is out of work for four to six weeks, recuperating from surgery; and one for the daughter/sister-in-law of two of our staff members who is taking chemotherapy and radiation treatments for brain cancer and has no health insurance.
''The month of July is being dedicated to Casey Miller, the young man (13 years old) who has been mentioned in your column, who suffered a spinal stroke earlier this year. Casey's tragic circumstances made him one of our clients. But we are embracing him as a member of our family and will be holding 'fun' fundraisers all through July to assist him and his family.''
According to Hamilton, Miller's staff of about 100 has raised more than $6,000 to help families. ''It is important to note that all of the monies raised are from within our own staff (we do not seek contributions from outside sources) and these funds are raised through dress-down days, bake sales, meal functions, raffles, auctions and more. Just as important is that our staff is not made up of individuals with high incomes, but rather of many people who are themselves fighting the financial battle on nominal wages.''
Staying strong
Mary Myers Tschantz, who chairs the combined Social Justice ministries at St. Sebastian and St. Vincent Catholic churches, reports that they have sponsored two community forums this year ''to help folks stay strong in tough economic times.''
''These forums have featured presenters from Child Guidance and Family Solutions, Community Legal Aid, Summit County Office of Consumer Affairs, East Akron Community House, and others. Informational booths, and representatives from these and other agencies like the Job Center were included in the first forum,'' she said.
''The second forum focused on basic money management, financial literacy, and strategies to avoid foreclosure. There is a wealth of information and support available in our community, many of these services are free, and we are trying to educate our parishioners and help spread the word.
''We are also in the process of forming a support network of church members to help with counseling and support for those in the parish area who find themselves in financial or employment need. This network will provide anything from help with resume writing and interview skills to baby-sitting for those going on job interviews.''
Statue replaced
Beautiful bouquets to Renee DeMaio of Munroe Falls, who volunteered to replace the statue of the Blessed Virgin stolen from the front yard of Joseph and Cecelia Petrasek of Akron.
The blue-and-white statue, about 3 feet tall, was a gift to the Petraseks on their 50th wedding anniversary and was stolen on their 60th anniversary.
After reading about the theft in my column, DeMaio phoned to inquire if the thief or thieves had returned the Madonna statue. Upon learning that was not the case, she volunteered to replace the statue with a similar one she had.
Words cannot describe the Petraseks' gratitude.
If the shoe fits
''I spend a lot of time in the local McDonald's reading the Beacon Journal, books and so forth. I know all the employees and each has a story about why they must work at a relatively low-paying job like that,'' writes Dave Micire.
''One day recently, a part-time employee and mother of three was leaving and as she walked by my booth, I commented about how nice her children were. She had an injured foot and I asked how it was coming along. She said, 'Not too well.' During the short talk, she let it slip that it probably didn't help that she hadn't gotten a new pair of shoes in five or six years.''
After she left, he decided that was ''just not acceptable. I got into my car and headed for Kohl's. After looking around the shoe department, I bought the best pair of New Balance shoes that they carried (I had a discount coupon). I took the shoes back to McDonald's and left them with a trusted employee to give to the woman in question the next day. I left a receipt so she could go back and get the right size if need be. . . .Even though I live on a reduced police pension, I can always tighten my belt if necessary.''
Rita's raises funds
Bravo to Rita's ice and custard stores, which have donated more than $1.5 million over the last three years to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation to help fund pediatric cancer research.
Stephan J. Linek, owner of the local Rita's at 2328 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, offered paper lemons for sale during June, with funds going to this great cause.
''Our store's average contribution has been about $1,000 a year for the last three years,'' Linek said.
Linek said Rita's was ''started on the front porch of a house in 1984 by Bob Tumolo, a Philadelphia firefighter. Rita's now has over 550 franchised locations throughout the eastern half of the country.''
Rudy at Civic Theatre
The CYO & Community Services and the St. Vincent Knights of Columbus are joining forces to present the inspirational movie Rudy at 7:30 p.m. July 29 at the Akron Civic Theatre.
The movie — billed as a must-see for families — is about a student whose big dream was to attend Notre Dame University. Against all odds, that dream came true and so did another: becoming a member of the football team and playing a pivotal role in a win.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for family activities, which include giveaways, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle and a special presentation by Gerry Faust, former head football coach at Notre Dame and the University of Akron.
There is no admission charge, but donations will be appreciated. For information, please call Louise Grizer at 330-762-2961, ext. 220.
Soup kitchen praised
''This note comes to you from Milwaukee. I read your request for tips about people who make a difference,'' wrote Katheen (Jordan) Hohl. ''I would like to nominate the team at the Annunciation Soup Kitchen who serves lunches to the indigent and homeless every Thursday. This is a dedicated group of (mostly) seniors who provide an important service to Akron-area residents who need the assistance.
''This is a selfish nomination. My grandmother, the late Jean Jordan, started the Soup Kitchen and my mom and dad, Nancy and Harry Jordan, often volunteer there. My son and I also help when we've been back home. As meaningful as it is to give folks a much-needed meal, it's a really rewarding experience.''
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.
This is one of a series of columns about what local folks are doing to ''Make a Difference'' in these economically challenging times.
Karen S. Hamilton with Miller's Healthcare Products brought me up to speed on that company's kindness revolution: ''The staff at Miller's makes a difference and has been [doing so] for approximately 15 years. In years past, we regularly had two fundraising seasons, one for Relay for Life and one for our own Adopt-a-Family program. And this year, we have expanded our program to be yearlong and incorporate the needs of many people — including co-workers, friends of co-workers and others — with health issues, unemployed spouses, family members suffering from serious illness, financial hardship cases, etc. This month, we have two fundraiser days: one for a staff member who is out of work for four to six weeks, recuperating from surgery; and one for the daughter/sister-in-law of two of our staff members who is taking chemotherapy and radiation treatments for brain cancer and has no health insurance.
''The month of July is being dedicated to Casey Miller, the young man (13 years old) who has been mentioned in your column, who suffered a spinal stroke earlier this year. Casey's tragic circumstances made him one of our clients. But we are embracing him as a member of our family and will be holding 'fun' fundraisers all through July to assist him and his family.''
According to Hamilton, Miller's staff of about 100 has raised more than $6,000 to help families. ''It is important to note that all of the monies raised are from within our own staff (we do not seek contributions from outside sources) and these funds are raised through dress-down days, bake sales, meal functions, raffles, auctions and more. Just as important is that our staff is not made up of individuals with high incomes, but rather of many people who are themselves fighting the financial battle on nominal wages.''
Staying strong
Mary Myers Tschantz, who chairs the combined Social Justice ministries at St. Sebastian and St. Vincent Catholic churches, reports that they have sponsored two community forums this year ''to help folks stay strong in tough economic times.''
''These forums have featured presenters from Child Guidance and Family Solutions, Community Legal Aid, Summit County Office of Consumer Affairs, East Akron Community House, and others. Informational booths, and representatives from these and other agencies like the Job Center were included in the first forum,'' she said.
''The second forum focused on basic money management, financial literacy, and strategies to avoid foreclosure. There is a wealth of information and support available in our community, many of these services are free, and we are trying to educate our parishioners and help spread the word.
''We are also in the process of forming a support network of church members to help with counseling and support for those in the parish area who find themselves in financial or employment need. This network will provide anything from help with resume writing and interview skills to baby-sitting for those going on job interviews.''
Statue replaced
Beautiful bouquets to Renee DeMaio of Munroe Falls, who volunteered to replace the statue of the Blessed Virgin stolen from the front yard of Joseph and Cecelia Petrasek of Akron.
The blue-and-white statue, about 3 feet tall, was a gift to the Petraseks on their 50th wedding anniversary and was stolen on their 60th anniversary.
After reading about the theft in my column, DeMaio phoned to inquire if the thief or thieves had returned the Madonna statue. Upon learning that was not the case, she volunteered to replace the statue with a similar one she had.
Words cannot describe the Petraseks' gratitude.
If the shoe fits
''I spend a lot of time in the local McDonald's reading the Beacon Journal, books and so forth. I know all the employees and each has a story about why they must work at a relatively low-paying job like that,'' writes Dave Micire.
''One day recently, a part-time employee and mother of three was leaving and as she walked by my booth, I commented about how nice her children were. She had an injured foot and I asked how it was coming along. She said, 'Not too well.' During the short talk, she let it slip that it probably didn't help that she hadn't gotten a new pair of shoes in five or six years.''
After she left, he decided that was ''just not acceptable. I got into my car and headed for Kohl's. After looking around the shoe department, I bought the best pair of New Balance shoes that they carried (I had a discount coupon). I took the shoes back to McDonald's and left them with a trusted employee to give to the woman in question the next day. I left a receipt so she could go back and get the right size if need be. . . .Even though I live on a reduced police pension, I can always tighten my belt if necessary.''
Rita's raises funds
Bravo to Rita's ice and custard stores, which have donated more than $1.5 million over the last three years to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation to help fund pediatric cancer research.
Stephan J. Linek, owner of the local Rita's at 2328 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, offered paper lemons for sale during June, with funds going to this great cause.
''Our store's average contribution has been about $1,000 a year for the last three years,'' Linek said.
Linek said Rita's was ''started on the front porch of a house in 1984 by Bob Tumolo, a Philadelphia firefighter. Rita's now has over 550 franchised locations throughout the eastern half of the country.''
Rudy at Civic Theatre
The CYO & Community Services and the St. Vincent Knights of Columbus are joining forces to present the inspirational movie Rudy at 7:30 p.m. July 29 at the Akron Civic Theatre.
The movie — billed as a must-see for families — is about a student whose big dream was to attend Notre Dame University. Against all odds, that dream came true and so did another: becoming a member of the football team and playing a pivotal role in a win.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for family activities, which include giveaways, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle and a special presentation by Gerry Faust, former head football coach at Notre Dame and the University of Akron.
There is no admission charge, but donations will be appreciated. For information, please call Louise Grizer at 330-762-2961, ext. 220.
Soup kitchen praised
''This note comes to you from Milwaukee. I read your request for tips about people who make a difference,'' wrote Katheen (Jordan) Hohl. ''I would like to nominate the team at the Annunciation Soup Kitchen who serves lunches to the indigent and homeless every Thursday. This is a dedicated group of (mostly) seniors who provide an important service to Akron-area residents who need the assistance.
''This is a selfish nomination. My grandmother, the late Jean Jordan, started the Soup Kitchen and my mom and dad, Nancy and Harry Jordan, often volunteer there. My son and I also help when we've been back home. As meaningful as it is to give folks a much-needed meal, it's a really rewarding experience.''
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.
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