Stories: Fundholder Stories

An astounding one in three people will suffer from arthritis or joint deterioration in their lifetime, according to Dr. Scott Weiner, director of the orthopaedic surgery department at Summa Health System in Akron. The department sees thousands of patients in...

The quest to be bigger and better: it's what John A. McAlonan was all about. Born in Cuyahoga Falls in 1880, he earned a living moving from place to place across the country, holding a variety of occupations in the process.  But he found his greatest...

Chuck Bond's philosophy in life is simple: "Love God, serve people." These four words have been a constant refrain throughout his life, winding their way through his career at Goodrich, his family and his marriage. Now, they've become the driving force behind...

Like many Akron natives, Mark Allio's fondest Christmas memories include trips to his grandparents' house. There, he, his parents and his four siblings joined 10 aunts and uncles and many more cousins for an Italian feast in his grandparents' basement. "It...

One of the purposes of the Women's Endowment Fund is to enrich the lives of women in our community – all of the mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, nieces and friends who are woven into the fabric of our families.  By improving life for...

During his 21 years as superintendent, John Debo had a looming frustration about the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It wasn't the staff; they were top notch. And it wasn't the numbers; the park attracted millions every year. Ironically, the common element...

In 1930, George Stevens was looking for a way to make a lasting gift to his community. The Akron native had spent much of his life climbing the ranks at a paper company in Hartford City, Ind., and was known for his quiet kindness and dedication to helping...

On Dec. 22, hundreds of people stood waiting in line for food at four local churches. They came hoping to get just enough food for Christmas, but they left carrying much more: whole 12-pound turkeys. "The look on their faces, realizing they were getting these...

From the time he learned to walk, Steven Baach was playing sports. "Steve was either kicking, shooting, throwing, hitting or catching a ball," said his father, Mike Baach. "As he grew, whether it was soccer, basketball, baseball or golf, he occupied all his...

A scholarship fund at Akron Community Foundation is carrying on the legacy of a local hero. Established in 2010, the Dante B. and Joy W. Lavelli Athletic Academic Scholarship Fund honors the career of the Browns football legend by helping athletes at Hudson...