Those of us who serve on the Rotary Club of Akron Foundation board wish you the best as 2020 comes to a close. Many members of Rotary have asked what the Akron Rotary Foundation does as opposed to Rotary International Foundation. Some even didn't know a local foundation existed. Below is a communication to help concisely answer what your Foundation focuses on and supports. Please read on (click on image to enlarge)...
If you have the ability, we hope you will include the Akron Rotary Foundation in your year end giving. You canclick here to donatenow or simply send a gift by US Mail to the Rotary Camp. Thank you for your consideration and let's have a great year in 2021!
We are currently accepting donations of toys and gift cards for our annual Holiday Party on December 20th. Like all of us, our campers’ and their families’ lives have been completely turned upside down this year. This year’s Holiday Party for Camp will most likely be a drive through event due to COVID-19 precautions but for many of our campers it is the only time they see Santa, so our goal is to make it as joyous as possible. Help us spread a little joy by purchasing a gift that Santa can share or a gift card for groceries.
Gift cards in any amount from major stores such as Target, WalMart, ACME, and Giant Eagle are also being accepted.
Gift cards and donations can be mailed or dropped off at Akron Rotary Camp, 4460 Rex Lake Dr., New Franklin, OH 44319. Questions? Call camp at 330.644.4512 or email Dan Reynolds at danr@akronymca.org.
At our Holiday Gathering December 15th, members were encouraged to wear their holiday tops. We had some great spirit and fun before doing the virtual tour with Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens.
Secret judges awarded for Tackiest, Most Unique and Classiest. Here are screen shots of some of the participants (we did our best - sorry if some are blurry or small!) you can click here to watch the video to see all of them!
The winners are:
Tackiest: Steve Buie and Wanda Whipkey
Classiest: Rob McGregor
Most Unique: Cheryl Warren - she deferred her award so we could give out TWO for Tackiest!
The Rotary Club of Akron had the privilege of virtually touring Stan Hywet Hall during our Tuesday, December 15th holiday club meeting. In addition to the virtual tour, listed below are a few interesting facts about Stan Hywet that might intrigue you to visit Stan Hywet for the first time or make a return visit.
Stan Hywet Beginnings: In 1910, F.A. Seiberling, co-founder of The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, began to purchase land in Portage Township, a farming area on the west side of the Akron city limits. Seiberling and his wife, Gertrude, wanted to build a home large enough for their growing brood and their extended family. They also wanted the house to function as a center for entertainment and events for the greater Akron community. They named it Stan Hywet, Old English for stone quarry — after the property’s most prominent natural feature. Seiberling hired architect Charles Schneider, landscape designer Warren Manning, and interior decorator Hugo Huber to create Stan Hywet. Construction began in 1912 and the Seiberling family moved to their new house in December,1915. The Seiberlings enjoyed Stan Hywet Hall for the next 40 years —opening their doors countless times to the community, as well as marking family milestones throughout the estate.
The Stan Hywet estate includes:
70 acres
5 historic buildings
10 fully restored historic gardens
collection and furnishings with 95% original to the estate
Historic House Museum and Garden:
After the death of F.A. Seiberling in 1955, Stan Hywet became a non-profit historic house museum, opening for tours so that the public could benefit from the cultural, educational, and inspirational riches of one of the most significant achievements in architecture and horticulture to come out of America’s Industrial Age. Stan Hywet is open Tuesday-Sunday for tours, April - December.
Stan Hywet Hall: Construction 1912 – 1915:
Architectural Style: Tudor revival
Construction materials, exterior: red brick, steel, sandstone, Vermont slate, copper, oak and plaster
Construction materials on the interior include American oak, chestnut, black walnut, sandalwood, teak and rosewood
Manor House Square Footage 64,500 sq ft.
Length: 300 feet; the basement extends the length of the house
Height: Main Structure, three stories; Music Room, two stories; Tower, four stories
The Estate became a beacon of progress for F.A. and his business associates, who often met at Stan Hywet to discuss and negotiate the challenges of the day.
Gertrude Seiberling:
F.A. Seiberling's wife, Gertrude, established her own reputation as an accomplished artist, musician and patron of the arts. The home served as an international stage for well-known figures in music, the arts, and politics. She applied her passion for gardening, music, and the arts to help found Tuesday Musical and the Akron Garden Club, institutions that remain strong, vibrant, and iconic organizations and that still support the estate today.
Alcoholics Anonymous:
The Gate Lodge has its own important history. On Mother's Day, 1935, Henrietta Buckler Seiberling daughter-in-law of F.A. and Gertrude Seiberling, brought together Bill W. and Dr. Bob, so they could talk to each other about their drinking problems. The conversation lasted well into the evening, a discussion that led to the creation of Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization that continues to benefit millions worldwide.
IMPACT ON AKRON
Stan Hywet is Akron’s first and largest National Historic Landmark
The 6th largest historic home open to the public
Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums
Throughout their lifetimes, F.A. and Gertrude Seiberling set an unparalleled example to their children, who made the choice in 1957 to carry forward their parents’ generosity by gifting Stan Hywet to the Akron community. We follow the example set by F.A., Gertrude and their heirs as we usher it forward for the benefit of future generations. Above the Manor House entryway, the crest bearing the motto Non Nobis Solum (Not for Us Alone), welcomes guests as warmly today as it did a century ago.
Stan Hywet is clearly an Akron treasure. If you haven’t had the opportunity to tour the home and grounds, I encourage everyone to do so. There are special events throughout the year and there is an annual membership option that is reasonable. For further information on Stan Hywet, please check out www.stanhywet.org.
Nearly 200 local nonprofit organizations have been awarded $5,135,000 in grants from the County of Summit and Akron Community Foundation through the Summit County COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Program, as well as through an additional contribution from Summit DD. The program, announced earlier this fall, is providing federal CARES Act funding to 501(c)(3) organizations throughout Summit County that provide for the basic needs of underserved County residents, as well as nonprofits in the arts and cultural sector.
The Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs was one of the recipients. Thank you!!
Thank you and please keep up the great work...we WILL get there!!
Although the Chili Open will look different from previous years due the impact of COVID-19, and whether you choose to attend in person or virtually, your gift will make a significant impact allowing us to continue to serve the vulnerable youth in our community.
The annual fundraiser represents 30% of operating costs to the Rotary Camp's annual budget. This ensures that no child is turned away due to their family’s inability to pay. We are extremely thankful to our Chili Open Presenting Sponsor, Wayne Homes for their continued commitment to the camp.
Fellow Rotarians, it's that time again! Help Akron Rotary Camp earn $ to send kids to Camp! Save your ACME receipts from August 6 to December 26 to earn some Community Cash Back on ACME Fresh Market Store Brands. Receipts can be mailed or dropped off to Akron Rotary Camp, 4460 Rex Lake Drive, Akron, Ohio 44319. As always, thank you for your support!
Do you shop on Amazon? If yes, AmazonSmile is an easy way to support Rotary Camp with every purchase. Just takes a few minutes to set up.
At no cost to you, Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases
If you are not already an AmazonSmile member, sign up on your web browser. Simply select Rotary Camp for Children With Special Needs Inc to start generating donations.
AmazonSmile customers can now support Rotary Camp for Children With Special Needs Inc in the Amazon shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones. Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations.
Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into 'Settings'
Tap 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process
If you do not have the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app, you will need to update your mobile app. Click here for instructions.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Mella Castner, director of development at Rotary Camp (330) 644-4512.
Your health and safety is important to us.
Our thoughts are with all of you and our sincere appreciation goes out to every individual working to help keep us safe and healthy.
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