OPEN M’s free clinic is poised to get a much-needed shot in the arm when Michael Graham and friends sponsor a benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. March 22 at Musica in downtown Akron’s Maiden Lane, with free parking at the Akron-Summit County Public Library deck.
The faith-based OPEN M (Opportunity for People Everywhere in Need Ministry) helps people in the Greater Akron community meet the spiritual and physical challenges of living at or below the poverty level.
Graham, who wears several hats — professor of history, director of graduate studies in history at the University of Akron and a member of the House Popes band — is super passionate about the mission of the free clinic, which is serving even more patients who can’t afford health insurance than it did in 2011: 3,300. Most of the time, the waiting room is standing room only.
“The first part of the evening will feature quieter acoustic music, with Johnny G, the Cuyahoga Valley Frackers and the Brick Road Ramblers,” Graham noted. “Then things will get a little more rocked up in the second half, with the House Popes, Freez-R-Burn, and Version: Mary.
“Donation will be $10 at the door for those who benefit from employer-sponsored health insurance, and $6 for those who have to buy their own insurance or don’t have any.”
For more information about the incredible work of the free clinic, please visit www.openm.org.
Truly a good neighbor
Bravo to super volunteer Lee Strawn, who turns 99 Thursday.
Strawn is the oldest actively serving volunteer at Good Neighbors Food Center in Goodyear Heights. He began working at the food pantry, alongside his wife, Virginia, the year after he retired from Firestone in 1976.
“Almost every Tuesday, we can find Lee Strawn there at 10 a.m. stocking shelves,” said George Camilletti, co-manager of the Goodyear Heights center. “He seldom sits down until closing time. … Good Neighbors distributes groceries to over 800 families monthly, which means the pantry volunteers keep busy. … The food pantry is open noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“When Lee Strawn turned 98 last year he renewed his Ohio driver’s license, which now expires when he is 102 years old,” Camilletti continued. “He still cuts his own lawn. When asked about snowblowing this year, he said he has reduced his snowblowing to his home and the homes on each side of his house.”
Happy birthday, Lee, and many more to come!
Swapping purses
“In Pursuit of Fun: The Third Annual Purse Swap” — one of the most unusual fundraisers in Northeast Ohio — is back with even bigger and better prizes. Proceeds benefit the Magical Theatre Company, a professional resident and touring theater for young audiences and families that benefits the community in so many ways.
The popular Purse Swap will be held 6 to 8 p.m. April 16, at Zwisler Hall, 500 Mull Ave., Akron, next to St. Sebastian School. It involves trading in a new or gently used purse for one you simply can’t live without.
Raffle temptations include a week at a Florida condo, Coach purses, gift cards for area restaurants, spas, personal trainers and more.
The first 40 tickets sold will be in the first group to have their pick of the purses. Tickets 41 through 80 will enter the swap 30 seconds after the start, and tickets 81-100 join the swap in the third group.
Tickets are $25 and go on sale 10 a.m. March 20. Please call 330-848-3708.
Girl Scout salute
Big, beautiful bouquets to Girl Scout Troop 227 out of Akron’s Firestone Park, who on Tuesday donated a large, pink Thirty-One bag filled with newborn goodies and Girl Scout cookies to the first baby girl born at Akron General Medical Center, in honor of Girl Scouts of the USA turning 100 that day. This troop of 12-year-olds is led by Carrie Hartman.
Help for foster kids
“House of Zoe,” an inaugural charity event to benefit aged-out foster children, is planned for 6 p.m. to midnight April 6 at the Tangier, 532 W. Market St., Akron.
Founder and CEO Gwenola C. Freeman said the mission is “to provide home(s) for the aged-out foster kids who have been emancipated from the system when they reach the age of 18. Our endeavor is to promote, empower and guide our young adults towards education, enrolling into college, learning a skill or trade and to bring their dreams to fruition.”
The event will feature the Nostalgia Gold Band with Larry Alltop, a DJ, beverages, hors d’oeuvres, 50/50 drawings and gift basket raffles. Tickets are $30 single, $50 couple, and can be purchased at the Tangier box office — 330-376-7171. For more information or tickets, please call Marty at 330-352-4248; Lindy at 330-802-5443; Gwen at 330-962-2609 or Lisa at 330-283-5761.
Grateful for support
The Stark County Hunger Task Force is grateful for the community’s support in helping to feed low-income residents, as it was able to provide more than 3.5 million pounds of food to those in need in the county.
“System-wide, Stark County Hunger Task Force provided free groceries to more than 293,000 individuals last year, an increase of 13 percent compared to 260,000 individuals during 2011,” executive director Amy Weisbrod wrote. “This year we continue to feed more than 25,000 of our neighbors every month.”
The Community Campus at Goodwill is a prime example of the increasing demand. “This one pantry furnished food assistance to more than 22,000 individuals from 6,404 households during 2012 — up from some 12,000 individuals from more than 4,000 households in the previous year,” reports Ralph Norton, Task Force assistant director and pantry manager.
“That averages to 426 individuals a week from 123 households. Of those individuals helped, 39 percent were children, 10 percent were senior citizens and 51 percent were adults. Pantry hours were increased by nearly 50 percent in March of 2012 due to the need.”
Support for swimmer
Major kudos to the Cuyahoga Falls Riverfront YMCA Tigersharks swim team, which raised $734 to help an 11-year-old girl — born with no legs and only one arm — fulfill her dream of becoming a Paralympic swimmer.
Breanna Sprenger, daughter of John and Carrie Sprenger of Avon, was the beneficiary of a fundraiser organized by Tigersharks Julia Fuller, 14, and Paige Coleman, 13.
Breanna is part of the French Creek YMCA Marlins swim team in Avon. The Stow teens were inspired to design and sell “Team Breanna” wristbands after watching her compete at a swimming invitational.
Tigershark Riley Hricik, 10, also sold wristbands at her school, Woodland Elementary in Stow.
All proceeds were used to help defray Breanna’s travel expenses when she attended national meets for disabled swimmers, including Paralympic Swim Trials in North Dakota.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.