Donna Skoda, MS., RD., L.D.
Health Commissioner
Summit County Public Health
Donna Skoda, MS., RD.,LD. is the Health Commissioner for the Summit County Public Health. She has worked in community based public health programs for over25years. Her current responsibilities include overall management of the health district including the assessment and epidemiological components within the Health District, data and information systems and general strategic planning for the health district in the community. She has served as staff for the Summit 2020: A Quality of Life Project from the beginning and continues to assist with the local management.
Previously, Ms. Skoda was employed in Cuyahoga County for 15 years implementing community-based programs in the areas of nutrition and many other areas in public health, the community and within hospital systems. She is a registered, licensed dietitian with a Master’s degree in Public Health and Nutrition from Case Western Reserve University.
Well, since we can't be social in person yet, how about a fun way to be active and social in tandem with your fellow Rotarians?
Here is a fun idea I came up with as your Social Chair to participate in the Summit County Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree together but apart.
As Julie Brandle, our Assistant District Governor shared, The Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors have both unanimously approved adding a new area of focus: supporting the environment. This seems like an opportune time to get out there and reconnect with our local environment, Maybe a project that supports this focus will come to mind as you are enjoying our park system.
This years theme for the Fall Hiking Spree is From Fields to Forest. This year, the Fall Hiking Spree celebrates the rich history of the properties they proudly manage for our enjoyment and their successful return to nature. Take a journey on this year’s spree and explore the former farms and fields that are now forests.
As you hit the trails, snap a picture on your trail of choice, pre hike, while on the hike or post hike and send to me, You can email me, text me or post to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #AkronRotaryHikes
Each week I'll collect the photos and post to our Rotary Club of Akron FB Page and our Akrotarian to see your fellow Rotarians out taking advantage of our amazing park system.
Please remember that if you choose to hike with fellow Rotarians while distancing, please keep your distance in your photo! I will not be featuring photos that don't follow social distancing guidelines.
Anyone who finishes the whole spree, and sends me a copy of their completed form will be entered into a drawing for a Fall Basket of goodies!
The Rotary Club of Akron welcomed our fellow Rotarian and Rotary Camp Director as our guest speaker during our Tuesday, September 15th Club meeting. Dan provided fellow Rotarians with an update on what is happening at camp, the impact of COVID-19 and shared ways we can provide support to the camp. Click here view the video presentation.
For readers who don’t know much about Dan, let me share a little about him. Dan started his YMCA career as a camp counselor at Rotary Camp in 1995. In 1999 he became the director at Akron Rotary Camp. Under his leadership camp has grown from serving 200 campers each summer to over 1800 throughout the year. In addition to program growth, Akron Rotary Camp has completed over $5million in capital improvements over the past eight years. In 2014 Dan’s leadership role expanded to provide leadership to the Camp Y-Noah team. Today, Dan’s current title is District Executive Director working with Rotary Camp and Camp Y-Noah and the branch day camps.
He earned a bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Slippery Rock University. He is a member of the American Camp Association (ACA), served on their National Standards Commission for seven years and is the current co-chair of the Standards Committee for ACA, Ohio. Dan also serves on the YMCA of the USA Overnight Camping Cabinet.
The newest feature of the camp is the Bud Rogers Adventure Park. The Adventure Park allows individuals living with a disability the opportunity to experience the thrills that were previously unavailable to them. The park was constructed by Adventure Experiences out of Texas. The cost for the adventure park was approximately $315,000. Individual Rotarians interested in experiencing the adventure park are encouraged to contact the camp staff to arrange a time. Due to the current pandemic, social distancing will be required. To view more information about the Adventure Park, please view the recording of today’s presentation.
This year’s camping experience was drastically reduced but staff were able to hold several weeks of camping experiences with many adjustments, reduced campers, etc. The camp will resume respite this weekend.
Financially, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the budget. A number of action steps have been taken to control costs and maximize available revenues.
Some current updates include:
The Camp Regatta has been postponed until 2022.
The Cornhole tournament held last weekend will provide approximately $10,000 in revenue
The camp will be initiating some Family Events for campers
Camper backpacks will be filled shortly
Partnership with the Super Learning Center will continue
Preparing for a modified 2021 Summer camp experience
Beginning strategic planning for the 100th anniversary in 2024 of the camp
How can Rotarians help the camp staff?
Help with the 31st Annual Chili Open
Participate in volunteer opportunities
Share the Rotary Camp Story – come for a tour, bring a friend
Support donations through Amazon Smiles, Facebook campaigns, etc.
Club President, Dr. Rob McGregor, was able to attend the recent ceremony for the ICC and wanted to be sure we shared this exciting news!
The Akron Club thanks our members who participated on the Inter-Country Committee (ICC) that was headed up by Claudine Schooley:
Dr Rima Muakkassa
Stew Buchanan
Susan Colville-Hall
Doug Hausknecht
Saturday, September 12 a brand new Inter-Country Committee agreement between the United States and Ukraine was ratified. A signing ceremony was held via Zoom and 61 Rotarians from six countries, plus 15 Ukrainians were on the call (U.S., Ukraine, Germany, France, Armenia, and Canada) directly from the beautiful city of Mykolayiv, on the Black See . This new ICC will help facilitate projects among our clubs in the US and those in Ukraine. The members of ICC are peace ambassadors and help to build friendship between countries. If you want to learn more about ICC go to rotary-icc.org.
The President of Rotary International, Holger Knaack, could not attend the ceremony but sent us his support and congratulations. Rotary International General Secretary, John Hewko, sent us a 2 minute introduction video. Thank you to Rotary International Director Johrita Solari and Rotary International Director Elect Vicki Puliz for being on the call, and to DG Deborah Linden and DGE Dana Moldovan, from District 5240, for making this happen!
I recently became member of Rotary E-Club of One World (District 5240) to implement the new ICC with Ukraine and to start a new Global Grant with “Hearts of Europe” with the support of Rotary International and USAID. I am planning to keep close relationship with the Akron club, even if I don’t attend the zoom meetings regularly I will stay in contact with all my Rotarian friends. I thank the members of the ICC planning committee for their support and will continue to work with them and the District 6630 with the hope they can join the ICC in 2021.
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.
over $5million in capital improvements over the past eight years. In 2014 Dan’s leadership role expanded to provide leadership to the Camp Y-Noah team. Today, Dan’s current title is District Executive Director working with Rotary Camp and Camp Y-Noah and the branch day camps. 
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