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Summit Freemasons deliver food baskets
Published on Saturday, Dec 26, 2009
The ripple effect of Marissa Norwood's ''Legacy of Kindness'' is already at work.
The 12-year-old Akron girl — whose calling hours and funeral are today — battled a malignant brain tumor for 21/2 years and endured multiple surgeries and therapies before her death last Saturday.
But she believed in doing good things for others in the precious time she had left.
Dr. Gary Minorik and his staff at Akron's Minorik Chiropractic — upon reading that Marissa wanted everyone at her funeral to be happy and to be served vanilla ice cream (her favorite) at her calling hours and funeral — are assisting with picking up the tab.
Others helping with purchasing the ice cream are Dave Foltz of Strickland's in Fairlawn and the employees of Key Bank in Montrose.
Kim Ryan — a chiropractic assistant — said enough vanilla ice cream has been ordered to serve 300 people.
''We knew her from our office, and we all are blessed to have known her,'' Ryan said.
Local Make-A-Wish coordinator Bunny Oldham — a regular fixture in Marissa's life over the last several months — has been a real friend to her and her family.
She even took it upon herself to call around for better hotel rates for the family coming into town this weekend ''as airline costs are higher because of the holidays.
''At first I got a good rate at Marriott Courtyard in Fairlawn . . . The manager just called after reading your news article today and comped the three family members' rooms.''
And there's this: The folks at Jared's jewelry store in Montrose — after reading about Marissa — designed and made a beautiful Pandora bracelet for Marissa's mother Roz Lee Norwood.
It's in pink (Marissa's favorite color) with the letters F.O.M. — friends of Marissa.
Donations can be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Marissa's name to help another sick child who needs a wish to come true.
Calling hours for Marissa are 9 a.m. to noon today with the funeral at noon at Stewart & Calhoun Funeral Home.
Food baskets
Major and endless thanks to more than 50 Summit County Freemasons and caring community members who assembled and delivered 100 food baskets and certificates to area families in need last Sunday.
''The effort is part of the charitable work of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons in Ohio,'' said Robert L. Jamison, secretary-treasurer, Symbolic Lodge Officers Association.
''The Masonic Assistance Program is a year-round outreach by Summit County Blue Lodges and the Scottish and York Rite bodies and is designed to assist those in need.''
Huge holiday food baskets — which included a ham, potatoes, a gallon of milk, a dozen eggs, cans of soup, fruit, bread and more — were delivered to families in Summit, Portage, Medina, Cuyahoga, Stark, Wayne and Tuscarawas counties.
Some of the families were nominated by myself, others by area churches, the Salvation Army, social service agencies, members of the Masonic fraternity and included military veterans who require assistance.
''This effort, which began over 19 years ago as a Christmas food basket program — has expanded to a larger year-round helpful initiative,'' said Ernie Spencer, event chair. ''It is consistent with the foundational beliefs of Freemasons, which are brotherly love, relief and truth . . .
''In addition to food donations, the 116,000 Freemasons in Ohio provide approximately $15 million in charitable giving annually. This year they gave $94,000 in college scholarships, contributed $125,000 to Special Olympics Ohio Summer Games, and funded $70,000 in free training for hundreds of Ohio school teachers to recognize students at non-academic risk. They also provided $12 million in elderly care and helped many needy Ohio families and individuals through their Charitable Foundation.''
Christmas gift program
A heartfelt thanks to the Akron firefighters who in their off hours delivered gifts and toys to families of the city's laid-off, rookie firefighters.
''Akron Firefighters Credit Union started a Christmas gift program for the children of the laid-off firefighters,'' Akron firefighter Brian Santee shared.
''Along the way Akron Fire Local No. 330 held a fundraiser and received donations from both the members of the Akron Fire Department and the public. Akron Police Lodge No. 7 and Cuyahoga Falls Local No. 494 also contributed substantially.
''The proceeds from the campaign far exceeded our expectations, totaling in the several thousands of dollars. This money as distributed to the 38 laid-off firefighters and their families as well as Christmas gifts for all of their children. Nineteen children received gifts delivered from Santa on Monday night.''
Blankets delivered
Kudos to Field High School's Student Council members who worked hard to complete 30 blankets in time for Santa to deliver to patients at Akron Children's Hospital.
So, thanks again to teacher and Student Council adviser Pat Lynch and her students: Zach Horovitz, Billy Darmon, Brian Haverkamp, Emily Mortimer, Christian Bochkor, Mike Robinson, Audrey Schroyer, Erica Hughes, Adam Wise, Holly Largent, Melody Puzuc, Tanaka Mupinga, Kayla Renicker, Morgan Kline, Alyssa Coleman, Kelsey Coleman, Kayla Titko, Sarah Coury, Taylor Fisher-Grabowsky, Shawna Sacre, Madeline Staats, Emma Gainer, Kaitlin Morris and Miranda Titko.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.
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Barberton, OH
Posted 07:58 PM, 12/26/2009
*Stands up and applauds*
