Happy New Year, Rotarians and Friends! 💙

As we step into a new year together, I wanted to share something that truly stopped me in my tracks and reminded me why Rotary means so much to me.

When I attended President-Elect Training, we had a very dynamic speaker named Michael Angelo Caruso. He left a lasting impression on me, so much so that I started following him on social media. This clip popped up the other day, and it felt especially meaningful as we begin a fresh year.

He starts by saying:
“I wear my Rotary pin everywhere. When people ask me what it is, I say, "It's my Rotary Pin.”

Naturally, the next question is:
“What is Rotary?”

He replies, “It’s the best decision I’ve ever made!”

And then comes the real moment—the question that matters most:
“Why?”

(This is the key moment. He isn’t selling Rotary. They’re asking. They’re curious.)

And his answer:
“Because it’s bigger than anything I’ve ever done in my life! It has allowed me to be a complete human—and I enjoy it.”

That stopped me. 💎
Because I realized… that’s exactly how Rotary has made me feel. I think many of you will feel the same way when you watch it:
https://youtu.be/0V8VfSwxtHQ?si=8JIWkUAZUMxOsveN

As we begin this new year, I hope we all continue saying “yes” to the things that make Rotary bigger than ourselves. One great way to do that is by supporting our club’s largest service project, the Chili Open, benefiting OUR Rotary Camp. Go ahead—sign up and volunteer! It’s always an incredible time filled with music, games, golf, and of course CHILI provided by Whitey’s Chili, plus so much fellowship.

Please also join us Friday, January 23rd at Whitey’s for our Mini Tour, featuring putt-putt, games, prizes, and dinner. It’s a fun night—and a perfect opportunity to show our appreciation to Whitey’s for their continued support of Rotary.

Yours in Service

Katy Miller
2025-2026 Club President

Roseanne was inducted January 13, 2026.

She was sponsored by Club President Katy Miller.

About Rosanne:

I am a blessed mother of 3 and grandmother of 5! I retired as a Physical Therapist/Director of Rehab in 2023 and keep busy with babysitting my daughter’s 3 children. A member of St Hilary Parish since we moved to Akron in 1993. There I volunteered in various capacities, among them a Girl Scout leader, home Eucharist minister and mass musician. 

And most recently as a member of the Blessings in a Backpack committee. I cared for my father who passed this June and now with some extra time I am looking to contribute to the community in service. 

Greetings Akron Rotarians and Friends of Rotary and Rotary Camp. Some of you may receive this link through more than one list. We are sure that you understand that we don't want to miss anyone. 

You have been invited by Amanda Warner and Doug Hausknecht to sign up for "2026 Chili Open Golf Classic." Please click HERE or on the button below to view the online sign up sheet. Parking instructions etc. will be sent to volunteers the week prior to the event. 

Perhaps you want to play instead (or also) or you cannot attend in person this year but would like to support through raffle tickets, the online auction or a donation? See "chiliopen dot net" for those options. 

Questions? Contact Doug at 330.780.7925. (Amanda is with Rotary Camp so this email comes through her account). If you would like to be removed from this list, let Doug know.

SIGN UP HERE

Congratulations to Cheryl Warren, PDG who received her Paul Harris+6 pin presented by Club President Katy Miller.

Cheryl and her husband Steve are also Level 1 Major Donors and Benefactors.

You can learn more about the Rotary Foundation and its impact by clicking here

Over the years our Club has been honored to have several Paul Harris and Major Donors along with members and honorary members who achieved the highest level of recognition by becoming Arch Klumph Society members.

The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty. The Foundation is a not-for-profit organization supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotary members and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world. This support is essential to making Foundation grants possible, which bring sustainable improvement to communities in need.

The Rotary Club of Akron and the Akron Rotary Foundation 2026 Grant Cycle is officially open. Grants between $1,000 and $15,000 will be considered via an application process which ends January 31, 2026.  Projects must fall within Rotary’s areas of service which include Peace & Conflict Prevention; Disease Prevention; Water &Sanitation; Maternal/Child Health & Welfare; Basic Education/Literacy; Economic/Community Development or the Environment.

ROTARIANS: Spread the word to impactful community service providers!  Encourage them to apply by January 31, 2026, via the application link below.  If you have questions, email Sandy_Naragon@yahoo.com.

https://portal.clubrunner.ca/4456/Documents/en-us/e22d5cf9-b729-41d2-9e6c-4db9dd401d7d/1/

Get ready— Akron Rotary’s 36th Annual Chili Open Golf Classic is almost here, and we need your support. The event will be held at Hale Farm & Village, on February 7, 2026, from 9am-3pm, and is presented by Wayne Homes and will be benefit Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs.

Funding from the Chili Open help ensures that no camper is ever turned away from Akron Rotary Camp due to inability to pay. The Chili Open provides significant operational camperships for families who otherwise would not have the opportunity to send their child with special needs to camp. 

Your involvement as a Rotarian will assist in helping to send children and adults with disabilities to summer day and overnight camps, as well as year-round respite programs. For over 101 years, Rotary Camp has been a viable resource for the Akron community, in providing campers with the opportunities to experience traditional camping activities, develop friendships, learn life skills and create memories that will last a lifetime.

The easiest way to support the cause is by purchasing Raffle Tickets. 

1st prize is a 2026 Buick Envista Preferred, or $17,000 cash; 2nd prize is a $2,500 Flooring Credit; and 3rd prizes is a North Course Foursome Package. 

Tickets are only $20 each, with a bonus of 1 extra ticket, 6 for $100, this year! Any individual purchasing six (6) Chili Open raffle tickets (for a total of $100.00) will be automatically entered into the Chili Open SNOWMANIA drawing for a chance of winning $50,000. This is in addition to the six (6) chances for the regular drawing. 

For SNOWMANIA to go live we need 6-inches of newly fallen snow accumulation on February 21, 2026, between 12:01am and 11:59pm at the Akron-Canton Airport, Ohio as independently determined by Weather Command.

 Purchase tickets today at Chiliopen.net, or call Akron Rotary Camp at 330-644-4512. 

Tickets must be purchased by February 7th, 1pm to be included in the drawing. Raffle winners will be announced at the Chili Open. Winner need not be present to win.

Other ways to support the Chili Open would be through sponsorships, donations, or register as a golfer or foursome. For registration information and to learn more about the Chili Open, please visit chiliopen.net.

 SILENT AUCTION

We will also again have a great Silent Auction, including a Wheelbarrow of Cheer. To register, please text 36chiliopen to 76278.

We sincerely appreciate your support in ensuring that this year's Chili Open remains a success for the Rotary Club of Akron, benefiting the campers at Akron Rotary Camp! Together, we are "Creating a world where there are only abilities!" 

Yours in Rotary,

Katy Miller and Michael Gladysz
Co – Chairs, 2026 Chili Open Golf Classic

• Visit the Chili Open Website
• Register
• Become A Sponsor
• Buy Raffle Tickets

William “Mac” Love spoke to our club on January 13th. He is an international artist, branding professional, and diehard Cleveland sports fan. 

Born in New York City, Mac grew up in Brussels, Belgium, studied Fine Art & Synaesthesis at Skidmore College, and earned his MFA in Painting from the Edinburgh College of Art. He has led and produced thousands of private and public art projects around the world. 

Mac is the president of Leadership Akron Class 38, serves on the board of Akron Roundtable and the Akron Bicentennial Commission, and is an inaugural graduate of Creative Ohio’s Advocacy Leadership Institute.

Art x Love is a creative agency based in Akron (OH), co-founded by Allyse and Mac Love in 2015. Art x Love produces interdisciplinary art projects that engage diverse communities, support emerging artists, and achieve an enduring impact. Art x Love’s downtown Akron studio is also home to the Forever Changes gallery, featuring work by more than 40 local artists.

Did you know: 

1. Even if you don't know if you want to be on a committee we would like your input!  It may turn out that one of the companies or individuals we are trying to make contact with, you may have a better connection!  

Help Needed:

• We would like help approaching new sponsors (please check with Mella, Michael or Katy to see if they are already being approached before reaching out)

• Securing Camperships (again check with above to see if they are being approached)

• Silent Auction- Secure donations, help with set up, help with data input.

• Door Prizes - Secure freebies for golfers, help man the table, set up.

• Course Set up - Day prior (Friday) at Hale Farm

2. Dates of upcoming Chili Open Committee Meetings:

Following these Tuesday Rotary Meetings: 30-minute Chili Open Committee Chair Update Meeting 

(open to anyone who would like to help and learn more!)

January 20^th, & 27^th

February 3^rd

EVENT on February 7^th

Monthly Committee Chair Breakfast at Eye Opener:

January 23rd

Our District 6630 conference is for ALL Rotarians and your guests.