Register & Bid for items Online
Chili Open Auction
Our Auction, will continue to be online this year. It will open for a week beginning on January 28, 2022 6pm
and will conclude on February 5th at 1:30pm.
Text chiliopen22 to 76278 to register for the auction.
Founded in 1994, the ACE Mentor Program of America (ACE) is a free, award-winning, afterschool program designed to attract high school students into pursuing careers in the Architecture, Construction and Engineeringindustry, including skilled trades.
ACE is a federation of more than 75 affiliates (chapters), operating in 38 states and Canada, and largely based in metropolitan areas. A national office supports the affiliate programs.
Over 10,000 students participate annually, drawn from approximately 1,450 high schools.
The majority of ACE students (69%) are minority, and over 40% are female.
One-quarter of ACE seniors entering college are first generation students.
More than 4,100 volunteer industry professionals mentor student teams through a 35-hour-long simulation of designing and constructing a project.
Approximately $2.5 million in scholarships are awarded annually to high school seniors and alumni studying to pursue industry-related careers.
ACE also offers students summer camp and internship opportunities.
About Donald:
Number one in my life is God followed by my family. I love the outdoors and some of my hobbies I enjoy with my wife/family include: mountain biking, golfing, swing and salsa dancing (how I met my charming wife), bird watching, snorkeling, scuba diving and reading.
In order to provide for my family, I work as the Business Development Director for CESO which is a faith-based Architecture and Engineering firm. I kind of fell into Business Development about 10 years ago after spending 25 years as an environmental/geotechnical geologist and safety consultant. I quickly fell in love with business development and have developed an extensive regional and national network of business friends and acquaintances.
I feel that it is important to be involved in organizations that make a difference in my work and personal spaces. I am the Past Chairperson of the ACE Mentor program which is an organization that mentors high school students to consider careers in Architecture, Construction and Engineering. I also serve on program committee for the Rotary Club of Cleveland, on the membership committee for The Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) Northern Ohio Chapter, and the ACE co-chair for NAIOP Cleveland. I have also served in the Indian Guides, cub scouts and several other professional organizations such as the LEPC, AIHA, CMAA, and the Cleveland Engineering Society throughout the past few years.
However, my most important job is being a loyal husband and loving father who is doing my best to spread God's word in my actions and words as I try to make an impact on this world.
Annually, District 6630 awards grant dollars to Rotary Clubs who qualify to receive them. The matching grant is given to a worthy project selected by Akron Rotary. One of the requirements to qualify to receive funding is by having members of our club attend a mandatory District Grant Seminar.
Mark Seward and I have served as co-chairs for several years and acted as a committee of two! President Elect Lynda Farkas has a goal of engaging more Rotarians in our Club’s community efforts. If community service and reviewing grant proposals sounds like a fit for you, register for ONE of the District Grant Seminars below:
Here are the dates!
2/24 @ 6 pm – Akron Summit Library
3/1 @ 6 pm – Middleburg Heights Library
3/5 @ 9:30 am – Mayfield Branch Cuyahoga County Library
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 be sure to email me(click here) with any news you would like placed here. Note that information is posted only with permission of the individual(s).
CONGRATULATIONS RICH FRY
30 for the Future Award Recipient
We are very happy to share that Akron Rotarian, Rich Fry, is a recipient of the esteemed 30 for the Future Award. Our congratulations go out to all 30 of the recipients (view all recipients)! A total of 106 people were nominated for the award this year.
The award recognizes young professionals between the ages of 25-39 who live or work in the Greater Akron area and have made an impact on the region through industry leadership and community engagement.
The 30 for the Future recipients will be recognized October 7 at 5pm at Canal Park.
In a press release Greater Akron Chamber Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Engagement Brynn Allio Popa stated, “We have a selection committee who reads through the applications and makes the selections. The committee reviews and selects applicants based on a combination of both professional experience and community impact through leadership, mentoring and volunteerism.”
Excerpts from Akron Legal News about Rich Fry:
“It’s great to be recognized along with such an esteemed group of young Akron leaders and professionals,” said Fry, 39. “I am proud to be from the Akron area and I want to do my part to help our community to grow and prosper in whatever way I can. “I believe that by helping others who are less fortunate it raises the fortune of the entire community and makes us all stronger.”
Fry spent his entire career at Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs. When he isn’t serving clients, he is involved in a number of activities designed to improve the community and the lives of young people.
“Unfortunately, northeast Ohio has extremely concerning issues like child poverty and broadband connectivity,” said Fry. “This holds back the region in many ways, including attractiveness for businesses to locate here. I hope to help solve these problems so that the region can return to prominence as a place to live and do business.”
Raised in Stow, Fry received his bachelor’s degree in finance from Kent State University. He first joined Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs as a summer associate in 2007, while he was completing his juris doctorate at The University of Akron School of Law.
“Growing up, I had some very positive experiences with several lawyers who helped our family and friends through difficult situations,” said Fry, who serves as the firm’s Taxation Practice Group Leader. “As an undergraduate, I was not sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to continue my education and law school was appealing because I knew being a lawyer would allow me to help others solve their problems.” A former chair of the Ohio State Bar Association’s Taxation Committee, Fry is currently an active member of the Akron Bar Association’s Finance Committee.
Fry also serves on the boards of Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio, the Greater Akron Chamber and Stewart’s Caring Place and is currently taking part in Leadership Akron Class 38.
He is also an adjunct professor for The University of Akron’s Master of Taxation program, where he teaches State and Local Taxation.
“I have a strong commitment to inspiring the education of our youth, which can open up endless doors and opportunities to help kids, especially those in less fortunate situations to become successful.” Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs Managing Partner Steve Dimengo said he’s “very proud” of Fry’s accomplishments at the firm and his commitment to the community.
“Rich is not only a strong leader at our firm, but he is quite excited about being fully connected and involved in the community to make positive things happen.
“He actively participates in several boards, attacking any opportunities he has to make a difference in our community.
“I believe he has a very bright future ahead of him,” said Dimengo. “He is very deserving of a 30 for the Future award.”
The Rotary Club of Akron had the privilege of listening to Lisa A. Gray, the founding president of Ohio Excels during our Tuesday February 1st meeting. Gray’s career has been dedicated to improving the educational outcomes of ALL of Ohio’s students.
Prior to leading Ohio Excels, Gray had her own consulting practice specializing in public policy development, government relations, advocacy, strategic planning, and project management with an emphasis on public education. Her clients included the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Achieve, Inc., Philanthropy Ohio, Battelle for Kids, Ohio Business Roundtable, Teach for America, Jobs for the Future and the Office of Governor Taft, among others.
What is Ohio Excels?
Ohio Excels is a nonpartisan coalition of business leaders committed to helping improve education for every Ohio student. Their mission is “To provide an informed business perspective to help improve and transform Ohio’s education system so that it better prepares students to meet the demands of our evolving economy.” Their vision is “All Ohio students have access to and are supported to excel in early childhood, K-12 and post-secondary experiences that prepare them for life and success in a changing economy.”
What are their Core Principles?
Ensure Equity – All students deserve the right to educational success Too many of Ohio’s students currently do not enjoy that opportunity.
Expect Academic Excellence – Education is a critical foundation for life success, and our students deserve the opportunity to develop foundational skills and knowledge that will enable them to achieve in school, the workforce, and life.
Focus on Students – Students needs must be the center of all policy and practice decisions.
Use Data – Education decisions must be informed by data that honestly illuminate student, school, and system performance.
Strengthen Implementation – Leaders must create consistent, innovative policies and support crucial implementation challenges to ensure student success.
Coordinate Investments – The state should better coordinate all of its investments to serve students’ needs by identifying existing state resource, eliminating barriers and silos, and requiring state agency partnerships that meet the comprehensive needs of students.
Offer Quality Choices – Families and students deserve the right to choose the school that best meets their students’ unique needs and have funding for that choice.
Build on Success – Share examples of success and replicate the best educational practices, interventions, and schools so that students have access to proven options at all levels of the education system.
Why Has Ohio Excels Chosen Business as Their Strategic Partner?
Improving the quality of education will give students a better chance to succeed and will help Ohio businesses grow and innovate, fueling a robust state economy.
Why Was Ohio Excels Formed?
Ohio Excels’ initial coalition began by assembling a diverse board of business leaders from across the state, developing core principles to guide their work and attracting a growing number of others from Ohio business community to join their cause. With this strong foundation, Ohio Excels was formally launched in March 2019 and the organization has quickly emerged as a leading voice at the Statehouse, bringing an informed business perspective to improve and transform Ohio’s education system.
What are Ohio Excels’ Current Education Priorities?
Early Childhood Advocacy
Covid Catch-Up & Early Literacy
School Funding & Student Wellness Supports
Report Cards for Districts & Schools
Computer Science & STEM Education
Columbus New Skills Ready Network
College Enrollment and Re-Enrollment Study
Complete to Compete Attainment Coalition
Strengthening Business Advisory Councils
4th Annual Aim Hire Education & Workforce Conference
What Have Been Some of Their Accomplishments?
Putting In Place Stronger Graduation Requirements
Working to Address Ohio’s Digital Divide
Helping to Ensure Quality & Equity of Remote Learning
Strengthening Ohio’s Business Advisory Councils
Developing a Plan to Increase Educational Attainment
Leading Discussions on the Future of the Workforce – Aim Hire
Reforming Ohio’s School Report Cards
To learn more about Ohio Excels and see how you might get involved, check out their website at www.ohioexcels.org.
Founded in 1994, the ACE Mentor Program of America (ACE) is a free, award-winning, afterschool program designed to attract high school students into pursuing careers in the Architecture, Construction and Engineering industry, including skilled trades.
We are very happy to share that Akron Rotarian, Rich Fry, is a recipient of the esteemed 30 for the Future Award. Our congratulations go out to all 30 of the recipients 
Prior to leading Ohio Excels, Gray had her own consulting practice specializing in public policy development, government relations, advocacy, strategic planning, and project management with an emphasis on public education. Her clients included the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Achieve, Inc., Philanthropy Ohio, Battelle for Kids, Ohio Business Roundtable, Teach for America, Jobs for the Future and the Office of Governor Taft, among others.
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