NOTE NEW PARKING LOT FOR VOLUNTEERS; SEE INFORMATION BELOW:
Volunteer parking is located in the Blue Lot, which should be accessed via Entrance A on Dart Avenue. Please use this entrance rather than entering from Opportunity Parkway.
Dart Avenue is a one-way street. Depending on your route, you may need to circle the block to reach it (Opportunity to Pier to Bartges to Dart).
When heading north on Dart Avenue, Entrance A will be the first entrance on your right.
Once you've parked, please follow the sidewalk toward Dart Avenue and use the city sidewalks to walk to our main entrance on Opportunity Parkway.
Handicap-accessible spaces remain available in front of the building on Opportunity Parkway.
This is a great opportunity to bond with fellow Rotarians while making an impact in our community.
The service project typically involves breaking down large containers of food into smaller portions for redistribution to area food pantries.
>>>IF YOU HAVE NOT VOLUNTEERED BEFORE AT THE FOODBANK OR WITHIN THE PAST 2 YEARS - WE NEED YOU TO PLEASE REGISTER WITH ACRFB:
In January 2023, Dr. David W. James became the Executive Director of Summit Education Initiative (SEI). With almost 30 years of experience in public education leadership, he is dedicated to advancing SEI's vision of preparing Summit County students for success and promoting prosperity through education. Before joining SEI, Dr. James served as Deputy Superintendent of Operations at Columbus City Schools after he retired from Akron Public Schools in 2021.
His role with Columbus City Schools included oversight of the following departments: Human Resources, Information Technology, and Business Operations, which provides for Buildings and Grounds, Custodial Services, Capital Improvements, Food Services, Outreach, Purchasing, Warehouse and Printing, Real Estate, Shared Services, Safety and Security, and Transportation.
Dr. James is best known in Akron for his 13-year tenure as Superintendent of Akron Public Schools. During this time, he initiated a unique collaboration between the school district, the City of Akron, and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, leading to the reconstruction or major renovation of most APS school buildings to create Community Learning Centers.
Dr. James, his staff, and key community partners successfully collaborated with Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL) to develop the College and Career Academies of Akron. This experiential learning model transformed the entire educational experience for all students. As a result, the Akron Public Schools earned designation as a Ford Next Generation Learning Community. Ford NGL, a branch of Ford Motor Company, is well known across the country for its innovative educational methods that help high school students get ready for both college and future careers.
Under Dr. James's leadership, a partnership with the LeBron James Family Foundation led to the creation of the I PROMISE School, which opened in July 2018. This educational model offers comprehensive support to at-risk students, providing them with the resources needed to stay on track for graduation. In partnership with Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA), he led the effort to have Akron Public Schools partner with AMHA in constructing the Reach Opportunity Center. This center provides access to early learning opportunities provided by Akron Public Schools, the local Head Start Program, and community programs offered by AMHA to an underserved community.
Dr. James is the recipient of the 2025 Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, Building for Tomorrow, Reach Higher Community Excellence Award; the 2022 Downtown Akron Kiwanis, David James Excellent Educator Award; 2021 Community Action Akron Summit, Hubert H. Humphrey Humanitarian Award; and the 2019 Leadership Akron, Lieberth Community Vision Award. He is a Leadership Akron Class 24 graduate.
Dr. James earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and his Master of Public Administration from Cleveland State University, and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Phoenix.
We extend a heartfelt thanks to the Wayne Homes team for their invaluable contribution in building a stronger community. They brought not only their enthusiasm but also their talents, helping us to stain, clean and prepare Rotary Camp for another great summer! Thank you for spending your day with us!
The purpose of Rotary Cares is to show our support for Akron Rotary members and their families when dealing with the loss of a loved one, the hardship of illness and also to celebrate the joy of a new baby, job, marriage or other events in their lives. Please <Click to Email us> to let us know of any news you would like placed here. Note that health related information is posted only with permission of the individual(s).
CONGRATULATIONS VIRGINIA
Akron Rotarian Virginia Addicott was recognized as a Woman of Distinction at Girl Scouts of North East Ohio's annual luncheon. Fellow Rotarians Sandy NaragonJulie Brandle and Olivia Pilon were on hand to celebrate!
CONGRATULATIONS LAURA
Akron Rotarian, Laura Duda, graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Learning.
She shared on social media "this one hits a little differently… and more intensely because I never made it to my MBA graduation years ago after getting the flu. As small as that sounds, it always made the achievement feel slightly incomplete.
So after six years of work, it was nice to actually be in Nashville today and mark the moment properly. And to be officially hooded by Eve Rifkin and Matthew Campbell, Ed.D. was another level of special.
I’m so grateful for the experience, the people I met along the way and the chance to keep building the next chapter around education, workforce development and opportunity."
Your continued membership is essential to the success of our Club, and we greatly appreciate your support!
Please watch your email for your new 2026-2027 Club membership invoice. They were emailed electronically April 15th from our club administrator, Cheryl Warren.
We send them now to give you time to pay or advise us if something may be changing regarding your membership in the Club.
Dues must be paid prior to the start of the new Rotary year as we are billed by Rotary International and our District accordingly.
You can also log into the website member area to view and pay your invoice.
If you need another invoice or help processing your credit card, please contact Cheryl Warren at 330-495-9814, and she will be happy assist you.
Thank you for being an important part of our club and our community!
We appreciate you and look forward to continuing to serve alongside you in Rotary.
For over 100 years, Rotary Camp has served children with special needs throughout Northeast Ohio. Thanks to the generous support of so many in our community, we have made tremendous strides to fulfill our mission of “Creating a world where there are only abilities!” We need your support as we continue this voyage of making a difference in the lives of special needs children and their families.
Mark your calendar for September 26,2026, and join us for our Akron Rotary Camp Regatta, held at our facility in the scenic Portage Lakes. Come enjoy an evening filled with cocktails, entertainment, delicious food, and fireworks as we celebrate embracing the future together.
A formal invitation will follow. Please visit rotarycampregatta.com for additional information, or contact Amanda Warner at 330.644.4512, ext. 3205 or email amandaw@akronymca.org.
Catering by Beau’s Grille and the Doubletree by Hilton Akron/Fairlawn.
