4/26/2012 - West Side Leader
     

Junior Achievement

AKRON/BRUNSWICK — Junior Achievement’s (JA) 22nd Annual Bowl-a-Thon consists of bowlers and their families from local companies getting pledges and bowling for a three-hour period to raise money for JA programs. The dollars generated by this event help provide in-school education programs for 23,000 students in grades kindergarten through 12 throughout North Central Ohio, according to JA officials. These programs introduce students to key concepts about how businesses work, career planning, job interviewing skills, budgeting, savings, credit card risks and entrepreneurial skills, according to JA officials. The 2012 JA Rock-n-Bowl Tour will take place at the following locations and dates: Stonehedge Lanes, 580 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave. in North Akron, May 4 and 19, and Dick Hoover’s Lanes, 1480 Pearl Road in Brunswick, May 11. Each Bowl-a-Thon team consists of five team members, and the cost is $10 per person. This includes three games of bowling, shoe rental and ball. To participate, call Amanda at 330-434-1875, ext. 15.

Kelly’s Grief Center

STOW — Kelly’s Grief Center’s second annual Family 5K Run/1 Mile Walk will take place May 5 at 10 a.m. at Roses Run Country Club, 2636 N. River Road. The route will go through Pambi Farms and surrounding areas, beginning and ending at Roses Run. Strollers are welcome. There will be prerace refreshments, a water station at the halfway point and a postrace cookout with goody bags, as well as awards for the top three males and females in several age categories. Packet pick-up will be available May 3 and 4 at the Second Sole store in Kent, and registration and packet pick-up will begin at 8 a.m. on the day of the race. The 5K will begin at 10 a.m. and the walk at 10:15 a.m. Registration is available at www.active.com. For details, visit www.kellysgriefcenter5k.com or call 330-603-6545. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available. For details, email kellysgriefcenter.race@gmail.com.

Arthritis Foundation

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Arthritis Walk will take place May 5 at 9 a.m. at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Registration will open at 7:30 a.m. The noncompetitive 5K walk (3.1 miles), with a 1-mile option, will raise arthritis awareness and funds. Zoo and RainForest admission are included with walk registration and donation. Walkers who raise $100 will receive an official 2012 Arthritis Walk T-shirt. Festivities will include live music by The Burning River Ramblers, complimentary refreshments, exhibit booths, raffle prizes and a Kids’ Korner. Participants can sign up as an individual walker or form a team of family members, friends or co-workers. To register, visit www.2012clevelandarthritiswalk.kintera.org or contact Angela Smith at 800-245-2275, ext. 6409, or angelasmith@arthritis.org.

OPEN M

STOW — OPEN M, a neighborhood faith-based organization dedicated to serving the underprivileged in the Akron community, will host its Eighth Annual Walk for Kids fundraiser May 5 at Silver Springs Park’s Heritage Barn. Summa Health System is the Walk for Kids Event Sponsor. Akron General Health System, Akron Children’s Hospital and Superior Staffing are the picnic sponsors of the event. The goal is to raise $50,000 to support the OPEN M education programs and overall mission. Registration will begin at 11 a.m., with the walk starting at noon. According to organizers, the park is both wheelchair-friendly and stroller-friendly. The focus for the walk is to promote healthy well-being physically, emotionally and spiritually while raising money for the education programs at OPEN M, which reach out to at-risk teens. OPEN M also is in the process of adding new programs for children ages 5 and younger. This years’ Walk for Kids’ location offers a variety of family fun, including a fenced-in dog park with lake, catch and release fishing (bring your own gear), playground for all ages, basketball area and open area for picnics and play. The goal is to have each walker raise $100 by asking friends, relatives and coworkers for donations. For every $100 turned in to OPEN M before the day of the walk, the participant will receive a free tote bag. Contact Tiffany Stahl to learn more about OPEN M and the Walk for Kids at 330-434-0110, ext. 404, or projects@openm.org.

Akron Children’s Hospital

FAIRLAWN — Bowling for Babies will take place May 6 from noon to 3 p.m. at the AMF Riviera Lanes. The cost is $15 for children up to age 12 and $25 for those ages 13 and older. A ticket covers bowling, shoes and snacks during the event, and prizes will be awarded to the individual and group that raises the highest amount of money through fundraising for the Palliative Care Unit at Akron Children’s Hospital. There will be a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and entertainment provided by Magic Mot. Volunteers are needed to help with planning in addition to sponsors and participants. For more information, visit www.bowlingforbabies.net or contact the event organizer, Zaina (Zee) Ennis, at 330-285-7318.

Benefit concert for Wilson family

FAIRLAWN — The Summit Choral Society will present a benefit concert May 6 at 3 p.m. at St. Hilary Church, 2750 W. Market St. Donations (cash and checks accepted) will be collected during this free concert performed by the Summit Choral Society’s adult Masterworks Chorale and the Touring and Concert Choirs from the Summit Children’s Choir Program, with proceeds benefitting the Wilson family of Akron. On Feb. 19, 2011, Mia Wilson, daughter of Bobby and Wendy Wilson, was born with a rare congenital heart disease called Ebstein’s anomaly. Immediately after birth, Mia was transported to the University of Michigan’s Mott Children’s Hospital. The Wilsons lived at the Ronald McDonald House near the hospital for the past year, uprooting their lives and careers to care for Mia, only recently returning home to Akron, according to event officials. Mia has had multiple surgeries and medical procedures and remains in tender condition, according to event officials. The Wilsons have three other daughters, with the oldest, Nina, being a member of the Summit Choral Society’s children’s Touring Choir. If you are unable to attend the concert but would like to learn more about the Wilson family and how to help, visit www.miasbigheart.com. Donations, including a tax-deductible option, are accepted at any time. For information, visit www.summitchoralsociety.org.

ACCESS Inc.

DOWNTOWN AKRON — The FedEx Custom Critical Kick up Your Heels 5K and Stiletto Sprint benefitting ACCESS Inc. will take place May 12 on the Towpath Trail, starting and finishing at Lock 3 Park. Registration will begin at 7 a.m., with the Stiletto Sprint following at 8 a.m., the 5K at 9 a.m. and the 1-mile walk at 9:10 a.m. Registration is required and free for the Stiletto Sprint, $25 in advance and $30 on race day for the 5K, and $20 and $25 for the walk. The first 250 who register will receive a T-shirt. Visit www.access-shelter.org to register. Men are encouraged to wear high-heel shoes May 1 until they raise a designated amount in support of ACCESS and homeless women and children. For details, contact Joy Trachsel at 330-376-0997 or jtrachsel@access-shelter.org.

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