Big beautiful bouquets to an amazing team of nurses and doctors in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Akron Children’s Hospital for their day-to-day efforts in helping the littlest and most fragile of newborns survive and for the extra medicine — the passion — with which they operate.
Take little Bobby Younkin. And I do mean little.
Hospital media relations specialist Laurie Schueler shared this recent gem about what the staff did for Bobby and family Saturday to celebrate his first birthday:
A cadre of nurses and doctors, who have become quite attached to Bobby as he has been a patient in the NICU for nearly a year, pulled out all the stops to make the party special.
“His parents — Amber and Dana Younkin — reside in Berlin Lake but have spent most of the last year at Akron Children’s Hospital and our home away from home, the Ronald McDonald House,” Schueler wrote.
“Bobby was born at 24 weeks gestation and only weighed only 1 pound 4 ounces. Because he was born so premature, his lungs were underdeveloped. He relies on a ventilator to breathe so he’s unable to leave the hospital.”
Here’s thanking little Bobby’s extended hospital family. And here’s hoping he’ll soon be healthy enough to celebrate his second birthday at home.
Power of kindness
It is my hope that this letter from Joan Bader, and her daughter and son-in-law Jill and Terry Sluss, will serve as a reminder of the healing power of kindness:
“My husband, retired Chief James H. Bader from Springfield Township Police Department, had bowel surgery on Feb. 5, 2010. The doctor removed a cancerous tumor along with two-thirds of his bowel during a three-hour surgery. His bowel surgery upset his gall bladder that was full of stones. On May 13 the doctor removed his gall bladder.
“Jim did well until October 2012 when he experienced pain in his right side. After many tests and X-rays they diagnosed him with cancer of the liver.”
Surgery followed on Oct. 26, but he didn’t respond well afterward.
“For 15 days he was in the Intensive Care Unit at Akron General Medical Center, during which time his fellow brothers and sisters from the Springlake Lodge #157 coordinated a Baders’ Yard Clean-up Day,” the letter continued. “Eighteen people came, including Chief John Smith of the Springfield Township Police Department, Debbie Smith, township trustee, retirees from surrounding police departments and State Highway Patrol. J&W Tree Service volunteered time and equipment and his wife made cookies and fudge. Secretary Rick Poling brought supplies, coffee and doughnuts. After three hours of cutting grass, raking leaves, cleaning out mulch, our acre and a half was beautifully groomed!
“On Nov. 10 we transferred Jim to Hartville Altercare, where unfortunately he passed away the next day from respiratory failure …
“Springlake Lodge #157 donated $1,000 to help with his burial, hand delivered by lodge president Billie Laurenti. I am going to use that money to place him on the Avenue of Flags at Northlawn Cemetery. I thought it would be fitting since Jim died on Veteran’s Day and was a Navy veteran.”
The Bader family also is grateful to the Springfield Township Police Department for providing two police cruisers for escort to the cemetery, for the five Honor Guards who stood during all of the services, and the Mogadore VFW Post #8487 for the military service.
Just thought you would like to know of the kindness of others at a difficult time.
‘Speakeasy Charity Casino’
Rotary Club of Fairlawn will host its third annual “Speakeasy Charity Casino” fundraiser 6 to 10:30 p.m. March 2 at Portage Country Club, with proceeds going to help local organizations that support children’s education, health and welfare.
It will offer poker, blackjack, craps, roulette and slot machines; gourmet food stations, raffles, cash bar and a best-dressed costume contest.
Jason Milczewski, a Revere High School teacher, will be recognized as an honorary Paul Harris Fellow for his work in connecting Revere’s International Club with Rotary’s Interact Club. A $1,000 donation will be given to the Rotary International Foundation in his name.
Rotary Club of Fairlawn has raised more than $1 million for children since 1964.
Tickets are $75 and can be ordered by contacting Nancy Kropkoat 330-658-8201 or Andy Troutman at andy@wolfcreekwinery.com. Corporate and table sponsorships still available. Donations also accepted; please make checks out to Fairlawn Rotary Foundation Inc., and mail to P.O. Box 13063, Fairlawn, Ohio 44334.
‘Bowl to Rebuild’
Rebuilding Together Greater Cuyahoga Valley will sponsor “Bowl to Rebuild” March 9 at Riviera Lanes in Fairlawn and Twin Star Lanes in Brady Lake, with all proceeds going to support its annual Rebuilding Day on April 27. That’s when more than 450 volunteers, skilled and unskilled, will converge on about 12 homes in Summit, Portage and Stark counties to assist income-eligible senior, veteran and disabled homeowners with repairs they otherwise would not be able to afford. The lofty goal of Rebuilding Together is to keep these homes “safe, warm and dry.”
Bowl to Rebuild includes several raffles: an Orlando vacation for four, an HDTV with a Sony PlayStation PS3 gaming package and more. The goal is to raise $35,000.
Deadline for team registration is March 1; donations for the raffle will be accepted through 5 p.m. March 8. For more information, please call 330-773-4100.
‘Cones for Kids’
Friendly Ice Cream Corp. recently launched its 32nd annual “Cones for Kids” campaign to benefit the Easter Seals Northern Ohio’s summer camp programs.
“For a $1 donation, Friendly’s provides restaurant guests with five Valentine’s Day cards, redeemable for free Friendly’s Kids Cones and one BOGO (buy one, get one free) coupon good for an adult entree,” Melissa Kocher, Easter Seals spokeswoman said. “The campaign runs through Feb. 13.
“Funds raised will support Easter Seals Northern Ohio campership and summer camp programs which are essential to building a sense of independence and accomplishment for hundreds of children annually. Easter Seals Camp Program provides an opportunity for children with disabilities to enjoy many traditional camping activities like fishing, swimming, sports, nature programs, crafts, meeting new friends and much more.”
Participating restaurants include: 3921 Medina Road, Akron; 2934 S. Arlington Road, Akron; 4490 Everhard Road, North Canton; and 2030 Wales Ave. NW, Massillon.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.