As the year draws to a close, area residents again are asked to consider a modest request from the Akron Community Foundation’s Millennium Fund for Children: to donate an hour’s wage to the charitable organization.
The Millennium Fund for Children is a permanent endowment founded in 1999 from a partnership between the Akron Beacon Journal and the Akron Community Foundation with a mission to support service projects for children in the area.
The concept was for residents to donate their last hour’s pay of the millennium to create a permanent source of funding for local children’s programs. Cumulative grant-making is about to surpass the $500,000 milestone.
This year, the Millennium Fund for Children awarded $48,000 to 34 programs that support arts, education, social service and health programs for Akron-area kids.
John T. Petures Jr., president and chief executive officer of the foundation, said many of the programs that received funds are from grass-roots organizations and work closest to the needs of the community.
He also said the Millennium Fund helps stretch charitable dollars.
“Your gift will be combined with thousands of others and will grow over time, so even a small amount can make a big difference,” Petures said.
Grant recipients this year include:
ACCESS Inc., $2,000; Act II Productions Illusion Factory, $1,825; Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, $2,000; Akron Community Health Resources Inc., $2,000; Akron Community Service Center & Urban League, $500;
Akron Rotary Foundation, $500; Alchemy Inc., $1,680; Asian Services in Action Inc., $500; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Summit & Medina Counties, $500; Blessings in a Backpack, $2,000; Caring for Kids Inc., $1,600; CASA Board Volunteer Association Inc., $1,979;
Children’s Concert Society of Akron, $1,500; Christ Child Society of Akron, $2,000; Christian Fellowship Basketball League, $800; Community Pregnancy Center Inc., $2,000; Firestone High School Instrumental Music Association, $1,000; First Congregational Church of Akron, $2,000; Good Neighbors Inc., $1,500;
Hattie Larlham Foundation, $1,000; Here’s Hope Horse Farm, $2,000; Jennings Community Learning Center, $785; Magical Theatre Co., $2,000; Mobile Meals Inc., $2,000; Pajama Program, Eastern Ohio Chapter, $1,000;
Pregnancy Care of Summit County Inc., $2,000; Project GRAD Akron, $1,500; RePlay for Kids, $1,931; Victim Assistance Program, $1,500; Victory Gallop, $1,500; Weathervane Community Playhouse Inc., $1,000; Women’s Auxiliary Board of Summit County Children Services, $1,000; Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, $900.
To donate to the Millennium Fund for Children, visit www.akroncf.org/givenow or call 330-376-8522. A form also can be found at www.ohio.com/millenniumfund.
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.
