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:
Kathleen Biggins is the Founder and President of C-Change Conversations, a national nonprofit dedicated to fostering understanding about the risks of climate change to our economy, health and security, and geopolitical stability. In 2014, Kathleen recognized that climate change was a significant risk but that few people were talking about it because it was seen as such a polarizing and far-off topic. That year she pulled a team together to create C-Change Conversations with the goal of depoliticizing the issue and helping others understand how it might impact them personally.
Kathleen wrote the C-Change Conversations Primer – a nonpartisan, science-based presentation – that has been lauded by both conservative politicians and chief scientists of internationally known climate organizations. The Primer has been presented to a wide range of businesses and associations, reaching over 25,000 people in 34 states and internationally. C-Change has received accolades from leaders in government, finance, health, and education, as well as recognition by the southeastern conference of the World Presidents Organization, the Financial Executives Networking Group, the Garden Club of America, Rotary International, and the Land Trust Alliance. In 2023, Kathleen represented C-Change at COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, which hosted 85,000 climate leaders from around the globe.
Kathleen hails from New Orleans and is a graduate of the University of Virginia and attended the Albert Ludwig University in Freiburg, Germany, as a Rotary Scholar. Prior to founding C-Change, she had a career in journalism and advertising. She now lives in Princeton with her husband and their dog.
On behalf of The Rotary Foundation Trustees, District 6630 Governor Bob Oborn and District 6630 Foundation Chair, PDG David Jones, presented PDG W. Stewart “Stew” Buchanan the Citation for Meritorious Service at the Rotary Club of Akron meeting on May 12, 2026.
Stew, along with his wife Cheryl (Cherie), have continually provided enthusiastic service to support the Rotary Foundation.
Through his ongoing efforts, Stew has ensured the continued success of vital Rotary programs.
Here is the transcript from the presentation:
Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service
W. Stewart “Stew” Buchanan, The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service recognizes individual Rotarians and Rotaractors who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the Foundation—through leadership, stewardship, and a sustained commitment to advancing Rotary’s mission. Your service exemplifies all of these qualities and more.
For countless years, you have been a steadfast champion of The Rotary Foundation and its work. Your leadership in PolioPlus fundraising has inspired clubs, energized volunteers, and strengthened our collective resolve to finish the job of eradicating polio. Your efforts have not only raised critical dollars but have also elevated awareness across our district and beyond.
Your vision and determination were especially evident in the End Polio events with the Cleveland Indians / Guardians, where your coordination and advocacy brought Rotary’s message to thousands. Through your work, families, community partners, and baseball fans alike were reminded of Rotary’s unwavering commitment to a polio‑free world.
The Foundation’s programs are the means by which Rotarians transform generosity into sustainable, life‑changing projects. Each year, districts may nominate one member whose commitment, enthusiasm, and passion for these ideals stand out in extraordinary ways. This year, the review committee’s choice was clear.
It is therefore with great pleasure that, on behalf of The Rotary Foundation Trustees, I bestow this honor upon you today.
Stew, we deeply value and appreciate your enthusiastic service to the Foundation. Your leadership strengthens the impact of Rotary’s most vital programs and ensures their continued success. Thank you for all that you do to advance our mission of creating lasting change.
Congratulations on receiving this prestigious and well‑deserved recognition.
About the Citation for Meritorious Service
Criteria The Citation for Meritorious Service recognizes individual Rotarians who have demonstrated outstanding active service to The Rotary Foundation for more than one year. Examples of eligible service include, but not limited to:
• Service on Foundation committees at the club, district, or international level • Participation in Foundation grants or programs • Support of Ambassadorial Scholars, Rotary Peace Fellows, Group Study Exchange teams, or vocational training teams Financial contributions to the Foundation, however notable, are not relevant considerations for this award.
Eligibility An individual may receive this award only once. Any active Rotarian in good standing may be nominated, with the exception of current and incoming district governors, current and incoming RI directors, and current Foundation trustees.
Selection procedure Nominations must be endorsed by the current district governor. Each district may have only one recipient per year.
The Club is thrilled to welcome back Janey Ames with her re-induction on Tuesday, May 14, 2026!
Janey first became a member of our Club on July 3, 2007, and although she stepped away for a brief time, we are delighted to have her return to our membership family. Janey is overjoyed to be back, and we could not be happier to once again have her serving with us.
Janey’s sponsor is Mella Castner.
Welcome back, Janey!
About Janey:
Janey has been with S.A. Comunale for 6 months. She recently changed industries 25 years into her professional career and is currently seeking new organizations and leadership positions that align more with construction, facilities management and Women in Construction. Currently she is a member of Chambers in NEO and the newly formed BIANEO.
She’s been married for 22 years to everyone’s favorite Auctioneer, Brooks Ames. Their son Trace just turned 16 years old and attends Hoban. When they aren’t at Hoban XC or track meets, they enjoy boating on the PLX.
They spend a lot of time at various benefit auctions working as a team to raise funds for many local organizations, including the Rotary Camp, Comunale Cancer Foundation, Stewart’s Caring Place and many more.
She enjoys networking with other like-minded people, both men and women, but is highly focused on helping other young women and professionals with their self-confidence and living up to their own potential.
She shared, “I love all things health and wellness and beauty products and enjoy helping women glow from the inside out (hence my two side businesses that I’m also growing and loving with Make Wellness and Rodan & Fields).”
Photo L-R:
Club President Katy Miller, Janey Ames, Mella Castner
Hey everyone! You’re invited to a cozy bonfire night—good company, warm flames, and plenty of laughs. We will be building Rotary friendship while sending Luciana back to Peru with fond memories of her year and our club.
When: Sunday, June 28, 2026, from 5-8 pm
Where: Home of Jeff Jones and Karen Hrdlicka: 3087 Endicott Way, Silver Lake, Ohio 44224 (lots of street parking)
Rain plan: Still on, will just move to our garage and covered patio.
What to bring (optional):
Side dish to share. Hamburgers, hot dogs and a s’mores bar will be provided.
A chair or blanket
Your favorite drink, but we will have some options if you are not picky.
A jacket—nights get chilly by the fire
Please RSVP by Club Meeting on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, so we can plan accordingly. There will be a sign-up at the club meetings. Or you can text/call Karen Hrdlicka at 330-329-7723. Hope you can make it!
If calling or texting - please let Karen know
Name(s) of those attending (family is welcome)
What side dish will you bring? OR if not a cook but you are attending just let us know!
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.
