Association of Fundraising Professionals  
 North Central Ohio Chapter 

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2004 Children & Philanthropy Awards

Lucas Rife
Nominated by Laura Jo Hawk, Director, Annual Programs/Children's Miracle Network, Akron Children's Hospital, and John Fay, Executive Director, Akron Children's Hospital Foundation

Students of Seton Catholic School
Nominated by Norman J. Kutz, Development Director, Seton Catholic School of Hudson

 

Lucas Rife
Nominated by Laura Jo Hawk & John M. Fay, Director, Annual Programs/Children's Miracle Network, Akron Children's Hospital

In 2002, then 9-year-old Lucas Rife of North Canton was chosen by the medical staff of Akron Children's Hospital as a Miracle Child featured in the annual Children's Miracle Network Celebration Telethon. By 2004, Lucas—who has been in remission from osteosarcom (a cancer of the bone)—decided that it was time to give back to the hospital that had saved his life.

Lucas,  now 11, organized a lemonade stand at his home during the summer of 2003, moving indoors and selling hot chocolate at Fisher Foods. He spoke to various church and community groups, and singled-handedly raised $1,434.97 as a Change Bandit for Akron Children's Hospital & 98.1 WKDD's 5th Annual "Have A Heart, Do Your Part" Radiothon, which raised $550,469 in just three amazing days.

Lucas continues to be an advocate for Akron Children's, riding on the Children's Miracle Network float during the Professional Hall of Fame Parade. Most recently, he was chosen as one of the 100 nationwide winners of the Kohl's Department Stores' "Kohl's Kids Who Care" volunteer recognition program for raising money to support Akron Children's Hospital.

Students of Seton Catholic School
Nominated by Norman J. Kutz, Development Director, Seton Catholic School of Hudson

In the fall of 2003, Seton Catholic School launched a $1.6 million capital campaign for construction of a new classroom wing. Mrs. Aimee Laulette, a fourth grade teacher, wanted to energize the students so that they would feel part of the campaign, part of the success for the new building, and at the same time, provide an educational tool. She launched the "How Much is a Million?" project and challenged students to save one million pennies to be used toward the cost of construction.

The project was a huge success. The goal of raising one million pennies was reached on June 4, 2004 ... less than two years after it was launched. (Recently, a school in Logan, Utah, was given national media coverage for raising one million pennies, but it took them eight years.)

 

 

Honorable Mention

Archbishop Hoban High School Seniors Group
Nominated by Katrina A. Speelman, Development Specialist/Volunteer Coordinator, ACCESS, Inc.

Cuyahoga Falls High School Senior Marketing Education Class
Nominated by Ashley Kelliker, Development Director, Junior Achievement of Akron Area, Inc.

Elaine Thompson's Piano Students
Nominated by Laura Jo Hawk & John M. Fay, Director, Annual Programs/Children's Miracle Network, Akron Children's Hospital

Holy Family Youth Ministry
Nominated by Bonnie Lass Wojno, Director of Development, Holy Family Parish

 


Honorable Mention

Archbishop Hoban High School Seniors Group
Nominated by Katrina A. Speelman, Development Specialist/Voluteer Coordinator, ACCESS, Inc.

Each summer, the CYO's JAM volunteers spend a week building community and spirit throughout Summit County. ACCESS has been a JAM service site for five years, and we look forward to their return every year!

In 2004, they assisted with our children's program. They tie-dyed t-shirts for our child residents to wear during summer field trips, arranged a VIP fire station tour, got our summer toys ready for use (including the repair of several bikes), and spent numerous hours of one-on-one time with the children.

 

Cuyahoga Falls High School Senior Marketing Education Class
Nominated by Ashley Kelliker, Development Director, Junior Achievement of Akron Area, Inc.

The Cuyahoga Falls High School Senior Marketing Education class implements Junior Achievement's GLOBE program every year. GLOBE centers around an international business formed between two student groups culminating in a product exchange which generally generates revenue for both groups.

In January, a classmate's house burned down. The family escaped, but all possessions were lost. The students in the Marketing Education program immediately donated their projected earnings of $280 from the GLOBE partnership to their fellow classmate. In addition, the class rallied the whole school. The students collected and donated approximately $1,700 in cash and gift cards, as well as clothing and personal items for the family.

According to teacher Mr. Perry, the most touch aspect of this philanthropy was how Barbara Watson was overwhelmed by the unexpected outpouring of support by her fellow classmates in her (and her family's) time of need. These students experienced the true meaning of social responsibility and philanthropy.

 

Elaine Thompson's Piano Students
Nominated by Laura Jo Hawk & John M. Fay, Director, Annual Programs/Children's Miracle Network, Akron Children's Hospital

Since 2000, the piano students of Elaine Thompson of West Akron have helped raise money for Akron Children's Hospital by holding their annual Piano-A-Thon event. Ms. Thompson's talented students memorize many beautiful pieces of music while collecting pledges. The students hold their recital each spring in the Hospital's atrium lobby, where family, friends, hospital employees, and patients enjoy the performance.

Several of the students have been treated at Akron Children's Hospital, including the Anderson twins who spent their first months of life in the Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The students have donated $5,900.48 to support patient care programs at Akron Children's Hospital.

 

Holy Family Youth Ministry
Nominated by Bonnie Lass Wojno, Director of Development, Holy Family Parish

Holy Family Youth Ministry's BLAST (Believe in the Lord and See the Truth) engages in philanthropic projects every year. Over the last three years, they have sponsored raffles and held car washes and pancake breakfasts to benefit the American Cancer Society. As a Relay for Life team, they raised $1,977 in 2003; $4,067 in 2003; and $5,825 in 2004.

Additionally, BLAST holds a soup supper on Ash Wednesday to raise money to sponsor a child through the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging. They also purchase items for the 250-300 Easter baskets they prepare for Access and Summit County Children's Services each year.

 

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