Stories

For David and Cheryl Venarge, there is no place quite like Akron. Both were born and raised here by hard-working families that struggled to make ends meet. Today, as successful business owners and volunteers, they are passionate about giving back to the...

Record gift funds miraculous recoveries

In July 2005, while people were prepping their barbeques for Independence Day, Larry Soper, enslaved by drugs, was planning his suicide. "I Googled the least painful ways," he said. "There were chat rooms even. It was a very dark place." For years, the...

Grant brings hope to mothers battling depression

It's 2 p.m. and Amanda is just waking up. She's been sleeping a lot lately – sometimes 12 or more hours a day – and she can't seem to find the energy to care for her young children. She knows she needs help, but it isn't until a home visitor from Akron...

Comunale's "can-do" attitude helps others

Losing a child is every parent's worst fear. For Steve Comunale, it became a reality in February 2006 when his 27-year-old son, Stephen A. Comunale Jr., died after a year-long battle with cancer. Although grief-stricken, Steve was determined to...

The business of family legacy

For Marilyn Meyers Buckey, success is the product of smart succession, both in business and philanthropy. Through her family's funds at Akron Community Foundation, Marilyn and her daughters have assumed their forefathers' tradition of working hard,...

Business sale creates legacy of charity

Steve Shechter, son of a grocer and third-generation Akronite, never considered himself a philanthropist. That all changed in 2013 when he sold his business and established a fund at Akron Community Foundation. Now, Steve and his family can give to the...

Ritzman third-graders practice measuring skills at Akron Zoo

Math is a challenging subject for many students, particularly when it comes to abstract concepts like calculating the volume of an imaginary object. But what if students were to measure something more concrete – like an alligator? That's exactly what one...

Dictionary project aims to increase literacy in Akron schools

Nearly one in five adults living in Summit County struggles with literacy. A recent study by the National Institute for Literacy revealed that 18 percent of Summit County residents lack the reading skills needed to complete a job application, find an...

Martial arts program makes striking difference for kids with special needs

Brenda Carneal was feeling overwhelmed: The Barberton resident's daughter had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and her youngest son, Nick, was struggling with autism. As a result, Brenda was getting lost in the never-ending stream of meetings with...

Child safety advocate turns attention to Millennium Fund

Fran Doll knows firsthand what it's like for a child to need help. Raised by alcoholic parents, she often turned to her grandparents for love and protection. Now, as an adult, the Fairlawn resident and Millennium Fund donor is determined to keep other kids...

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