Akron Children's Foundation

Recently, we had the honor of recognizing two organizations at National Philanthropy Day that we work closely with here at Akron Children's. The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company received the Corporate Leadership Award. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company has donated nearly $5 million in support of Akron Children’s to support efforts to educate and encourage safe mobility practices, resources and education. This includes providing car seats to families and helping them with safe installation, as well as courses for teen drivers to help prevent distracted driving. Their employees also dedicate their time through volunteering at our Safe Mobility events and their Week of Volunteering. Creative Motion Studios, LLC received the Youth in Philanthropy Award. These young dancers, partnering with our local celebrities, provide all the choreography for our annual Dancing for the Kids fundraiser. Their creativity and support, which includes fundraising for the event, resulted in our highest fundraising year this year, raising over $230,000 for Akron Children’s Hospital Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders.

#GivingTuesday?is right around the corner and your gift to Akron Children's will have an even bigger impact thanks to two special donors. The Hull family will be matching donations dollar for dollar up to $50,000, which means your gift will be doubled! Plus, Wild Republic?will be giving a stuffed animal to a patient for each?#GivingTuesday?donation made to Akron Children's??? You don't have to wait until?#GivingTuesday?to give! Give now at?https://lnkd.in/g29-CT-a?and your donation will be matched by the Hull family, plus Wild Republic will give a stuffed animal to an Akron Children's patient!

Decorators and volunteers were hard at work last week transforming the John S. Knight Center into a holiday wonderland, and now it's open for everyone to enjoy! Join us for the 43rd Holiday Tree Festival presented by the Volunteers of Akron Children's through Nov. 24. Admission is free to see the hundreds of beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and holiday gifts ?? Festival hours and more information available at https://lnkd.in/gZ6sAhPG

We were honored to welcome the Cynthia Parker Matthews Family Foundation to Akron Children's last week. It was a great opportunity to show them the renovated occupational therapy space, which the foundation helped fund. It was named Cindy's Place in honor of their generosity. Thanks to everyone who joined us, and for the opportunity to show how their support is making an impact on the lives of our patients and families.

#GivingTuesday?is a few weeks away and this year, we have a very generous family who will be matching each gift, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000! In 2004, Jeff and Jessie Hull's then 14-year-old son Christopher was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease called MPGN and started treatment at Akron Children's. Christopher and his family became very close with his physicians and nurses in our nephrology department. Christopher passed away in 2016, but Jeff, Jessie and family are continuing his legacy by helping patients like him at Akron Children's??? You don't have to wait for?#GivingTuesday?to double your impact for patients at Akron Children's. Give now at?https://lnkd.in/g29-CT-a?to have your donation matched by the Hull family.

Earlier this week we welcomed Janet Tussing for a tour of our recently renovated rehabilitation room in The Adult and Pediatric Burn Institute, supported by The Paul and Carol David Foundation at Akron Children's. Janet is a dedicated supporter of our burn patients, and she donated funds to purchase the equipment for the rehab room. Thank you, Janet, for all you've done and for the opportunity to show how your support is having an impact on our patients every day.

Recently, donor Bobby Ina held his 10th annual shopping spree to benefit patients at Akron Children's. Together with his family, friends and clients, Bobby spent $12,000 on Legos, Bluey playhouses, Spiderman masks, dolls, action figures and many other toys to brighten the holidays for patients. On top of that, an additional $5,000 was given to the hospital as a donation. Over these 10 years, Bobby and his donors have raised and spent $175,000 on toys for our patients ?? You can read more about Bobby's shopping spree and the donors who make it possible at https://lnkd.in/gbWH3uK9 Thank you so much, Bobby, for your and your donors' continued and generous support of our patients and families! It means so much to them, and to us.

Breakfast with Santa is coming up soon and we still have spaces available! Join us the mornings of Nov. 16 and Nov. 23 at the?John S Knight Center?for food, fun and, of course, Santa! Tickets are free for ages 3 and under, $15 for children ages 4-12, and $20 for ages 13 and up. Registration form and more details are available at?https://lnkd.in/gKNGJjTp

Today it's officially November, which means it's almost time for the Holiday Tree Festival! Join us at the?John S Knight Center?in downtown Akron Nov. 16-24 for the 43rd annual event presented by the Volunteers of Akron Children's.??? There will be hundreds of beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and holiday gifts on display to start your holiday season merry and bright. Plus, admission is free! For more details, visit?https://lnkd.in/gZ6sAhPG

Thank you to everyone who supports programs at Akron Children's like Dance Unlimited. You are so important to giving all our kids more childhood. To learn more about how you can help visit https://lnkd.in/gC-v47Cq