Stories

Martial arts program makes striking difference for kids with special needs

Brenda Carneal was feeling overwhelmed: The Barberton resident's daughter had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and her youngest son, Nick, was struggling with autism. As a result, Brenda was getting lost in the never-ending stream of meetings with...

Child safety advocate turns attention to Millennium Fund

Fran Doll knows firsthand what it's like for a child to need help. Raised by alcoholic parents, she often turned to her grandparents for love and protection. Now, as an adult, the Fairlawn resident and Millennium Fund donor is determined to keep other kids...

Millennium Fund preserves founders' passion for helping kids

In 1999, the Millennium Fund for Children was just a glimmer in the eye of former Akron Beacon Journal editor Jan Leach. The paper had just published a series of articles on the needs of local children, most notably those affected by shaken baby syndrome. The...

Adapted toys bring joy to children with disabilities

Interactive toys like Hokey Pokey Elmo are among the most popular items on children's Christmas lists. Kids of all ages light up when they see Elmo dance and are eager to squeeze his hand for more. But what happens when a child isn't physically able to press...

Pajama Program warms kids' heads, hearts for the holidays

Unwrapping a pair of cozy pajamas is a beloved Christmas tradition in many families. But for children in homeless shelters and impoverished neighborhoods, pajamas are often an impossible luxury. It's not unusual for these children to spend the holiday season...

Fatherhood initiative brings more focused resources to Summit County fathers

Having active fathers in children's lives can make all the difference between success and failure for that child. And a new Fatherhood Initiative facilitated by Akron Community Foundation will combine the services of three prominent organizations to provide...

Hudson resident's legacy lives on through fund

Everett Shumate had a heart for Hudson. In the 1930s, he grew up as one of the few African Americans in the small town. After graduating from Hudson High School, Everett joined his father as an employee of the Peterson Nut Company, and for five years,...

The Allard family preserves nature for Medina County residents

Conservation of nature has been an important focus of the Allard family for many generations, both in general and also specifically to Allardale Park in the Medina County Park District. Before the park became the go-to place for Medina County residents to...

Preservation of the Abolitionist Movement Fund

Although most people study history in school, it was at the dinner table that longtime Akron native Marna Becker started gathering her vast knowledge of U.S. and world history. Becker grew up listening to her father talk about the stories he learned in...

Donovan Veterans Fund

For four days and nights, Harry Donovan was lost at sea. His entire crew had been attacked, so there he sat, stranded in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, where hope seemed as distant as the shoreline. Deliverance came in the form of a U.S. landing ship. Its...

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