Akron Children’s Hospital is on the lookout for Change Bandits to support the 13th annual “Have a Heart, Do Your Part” radiothon Feb. 9-11.
“The Change Bandits campaign is a popular, grass-roots fundraising effort designed to turn spare change into miracles for children treated at Akron Children’s Hospital,” said Anne C. Merchant, spokeswoman for the hospital’s foundation.
“During the month of January and the first week of February, volunteers collect change, dollars and checks from family, friends and co-workers.
“Serving as a Change Bandit gives everyone, from elementary students to those in corporate offices, the chance to raise money for Akron Children’s Hospital. One hundred percent of the money that is raised by the Change Bandits as well as the money raised during the radiothon will benefit the patients treated at Akron Children’s Hospital.”
Since its inception, the radiothon presented by WKDD (98.1-FM) has raised $7 million for medical research, education and patient care programs at the hospital.
According to Merchant, more than 600 Change Bandits (each with a goal of raising $100) donated more than $145,000 of the $445,360 raised during last year’s campaign, the hospital’s largest-ever fundraiser.
Prizes will be awarded to the top Change Bandits in various categories: individuals, schools/organizations, small companies (less than 100 employees), large companies and hospital department.
Interested in becoming a Change Bandit? Register online at www.akronchildrens.org/changebandits or fax your name, address and phone number to Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation at 330-543-4335. Kits will be mailed.
Change Bandits are sponsored in part by Charles Schwab and Dairy Queen, Merchant noted.
Foster care meeting
Summit County Children Services is hosting a free Foster Care and Adoption information meeting 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 8 at the agency, 264 S. Arlington St., Akron.
“As of December 2011, 73 children in agency custody were waiting to be adopted, and of those, 66 were aged 12 and older,” spokesman Chris Vasco said.
“Area residents who attend this informational meeting will learn more about foster care and adoption, including what and how long the process is, what kind of support is provided by the agency, and the costs involved with adopting a child. Agency staff will also share basic information about the children coming into care.”
Attendees can also view the agency’s recruitment DVD featuring children in permanent custody who are waiting to be adopted. Reservations not needed. For more information, please call 330-379-1994 or visit www.summitkids.org.
Memorials of Angels
Memorials of Angels is hosting its ninth annual fundraiser buffet dinner, raffle of gift baskets, 50/50, auction and Money Hat at 4 p.m. March 25, at Casa Perfetto, 2214 Manchester Road, Akron.
Memorials of Angels, designed to assist grieving parents in need, is funded solely by contributions.
“Perhaps the most difficult thing any parent can face is the death of a child,” MOA’s informational card reads. “It can be devastating. Between the huge medical bills and the cost of burial, oftentimes, there is no money left for a headstone.
“Memorials of Angels funds grave markers when parents cannot afford them. We are committed to helping grieving parents preserve the memories of their babies and children by providing grave markers to show that these children lived, were loved, and will never be forgotten.”
According to the board of directors (Barbara Freeman, Barb Brock-Hersman, Chris Watson, Donna Long, Tim Peterson, Ellen Alt and Frank Sasz), eligibility requirements are simple: The child must be under 18 at time of death, the grave must be in a Summit County cemetery, and the death must have occurred after Dec. 31, 1999. For more information, please call 330-773-2385.
Cost of Italian buffet event is payable to Casa Perfetto (not MOA) at $40 a person or $70 a couple, not including tax and tip. Cash bar available. A $100 bounty will be paid on the most bid-upon gift basket. For reservations, please call 330-745-4447 or 330-773-2385.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or emailed at jcardwell@thebeaconjournal. com.
