Virtual
Akron Rotary Chili Open Raises
$315,961.00
THANK YOU!!!
The generosity from all of our fellow Rotary Club members, sponsors and volunteers made this Chili Open a monumental success.
 The celebration for 31st Chili Open Classic took place this past Saturday, February 6th. The total amount raised this year was $315,961(photo was taken prior to the final tally)! Our presenting sponsor Wayne Homes has been a part of the Chili Open since 1993. This year they stepped up their support with a matching raffle ticket purchase which resulted in $7,420 in raffle ticket purchases. Wayne Homes leadership also presented the Chili Open with a $5000 donation in addition to the presenting sponsorship. Thank you again to all the sponsors listed below in this newsletter. 1st Prize: Rhonda Mele Vandevere Sponsored 2021 Chevrolet Trax LS 2nd Prize: Keith Anstine S Group Sponsored 55" 4K Smart LED TV 3rd Prize: Julie Lehman Steve Warren Sponsored FOX Sports Ohio Media Package Snowmania Winner: David Miller Our club members went above and beyond in securing sponsorships, camperships, raffle ticket sales, donations, and silent auction items. It was truly a remarkable day to celebrate as a club. Mark your calendars for the 32nd Chili Open on Saturday, February 5, 2022 where we hope to be back at Hale Farm. |
We welcomed two new members
Steve Bossart and Zach Prosser!
Steve Bossart was sponsored by Julie Brandle. Steve has been attending our meetings routinely before his induction.
He is the Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for Coleman Professional Services and has over 30 years of professional experience, his past 14 years were in the healthcare and behavioral health industries.
At Coleman, he leads a team that includes regional development and marketing executives and grant writing staff. He is also charged with exploring avenues to expand the Coleman business throughout the state.
He has an established history in the nonprofit sector of our community and is very passionate about community service and philanthropy.
Julie wrote, "Steve embodies the word service. He is optimistic and enthusiastic about serving others".
Steve is very involved with his fraternity, Delta Chi, and serves as an alumni advisor.
He is married to Lorrie and they have two young children.
Steve earned a degree in Public Relations from Kent State University and a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.
Zachary (Zach) Prosser is not new to the Akron Rotary Club, he was a member of our Club previously but had to step away temporarily and is thrilled to be back. He was originally sponsored by Sam Lupica and recently, Tom Knauer helped him get back into our Club.
Zach and his wife Heather life in Stow. He leads a very busy professional life. He has completed his tenure as the president of a nonprofit coaching organization, and now remains active as Lead Pastor in North Hill at Celebration Church. He also founded Zach Prosser Coaching and is a Master Facilitator and Coach Trainer.
As a trainer, Zach provides International Coaching Federation (ICF) approved coach training to those desiring to utilize coaching skills either professionally as a coach or those looking to advance their skills in leadership. He received the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Young Leader Award (Prague) and the ICF Chapter Recognition Award (Dublin).
In addition, he is now the Director of Coaching & Coach Training for Emerge in Akron.
He shared that he "always enjoyed being a part of Rotary and the projects and is looking forward to re-engaging and serving".
Akron Rotary Foundation & Akron Rotary Members Help Refugio de Ancianos San Cristobal in Medellin
Claudine Schooley shared the following thank you sent to the Foundation and Club Members. The report of how the funds were used along with photos are also included below their thank you.
Rotary Club of Akron District 6630 Ohio Mrs. Claudine Schooley Dear Rotarians, As legal representative of the Refugio de Ancianos San Cristobal in Medellin I wanted to express my deepest appreciation for your kind donation to our institution. Your donation is very important and will help us maintain a dignified and brighter life for our 60 seniors, all of them coming from a previous life of neglect and abuse. Please remit our appreciation for your generosity to the members of your club. Warm regards  DORA LUZ MEJIA PIEDRAHITA Director AYUDAR A UN ANCIANO ES PREPARAR NUESTRO INCIERTO FUTURO Teléfono 216 16 58 - 216 16 40 Nit 890 984 879-8 Personería Jurídica 12191 | ||
When Claudine Schooley first reached out to me about a donation to buy food for families on the dam where the Alberto Chedrani School is located, they were suffering from the pandemic. Many people lost their jobs, others could not even leave the area due to government restrictions.
Then, in November, two tropical storms impacted Honduras within 10 days. The general area of the dam was among the hardest hit, and thousands of families lost everything in the floods.
2020 was a truly tragic year, and this year will be complicated, too. This is why I am so happy and grateful for your donation of $500 for food for poor families on the dam. It brings a ray of hope in a time of great suffering. Thank you so much for allowing us to serve.
With the funds, equivalent to 12,192 Lempiras, we purchased 300 lbs of rice, 200 lbs of beans, 50 lbs of coffee, 82 lbs of sugar, 144 lbs of wheat flour, 75 lbs of spaghetti, 50 lbs of fat, 50 tomato sauces and 270 lbs of corn flour. This is the basic Honduran diet. The kids at El Refugio packed 50 bags for equal number of families. We think that each bag feeds a family of six for up to a week.
We distributed the bags all along the dam, all the way from the beginning to the school. We handed one bag to each mother or grandmother present and took many pictures.
I hope you can feel how happy these families are to receive your gift.
Again, thank you so much for your kind donation.
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