The competition at last year’s inaugural basketball game between the Cuyahoga Falls police and fire departments was so fierce, the community support so huge and the cause so meaningful that they decided to do it again.
“The well-received, family-oriented event started with the firemen presenting the police with a box of doughnuts,” recalled Bonnie Severt, chair of the Hots’n Shots basketball game. Severt also represents the Falls Cancer Club, the object of the fundraiser.
The Falls Cancer Club helps pay cancer-related bills for 56 Cuyahoga Falls residents, ranging in age from 5 to 88.
“During halftime, the spectators were invited on the court for layup, free-throw and half-court competitions. Prizes were awarded,” Severt continued.
The fire department won last year 35-20. So, that means the ball is in the police department’s court this time around — 1 p.m. April 6 at Cuyahoga Falls High School.
Both teams, I’m told, are practicing hard, with fire chief Paul Moledor and his crew determined to keep the trophy and police chief Tom Pozza just as determined to take it away.
The community is again encouraged to show support for the club and for the safety forces, wearing blue for the police or red for fire.
Tickets are $7 adults; $5 seniors (65 or over), $3 children (5-17), under 5 free; maximum of $20 per family. Sponsorship and tribute opportunities are still available. Please call Severt at 330-929-2506.
Last year’s game netted more than $2,200 for the Falls Cancer Club.
Dress giveaway
For the last 12 years, local members of Altrusa International have been making prom dreams come true by providing free gowns through its popular “Princess Night” project.
This year’s dress giveaway is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 20 at Family of Faith United Methodist Church, 800 E. Market St., Akron.
“No recommendations or qualifications needed,” said Jill McKinney, event co-chair. “Any girl who shows up and registers gets to choose from among hundreds of gowns hanging by size on the many racks. Altrusa asks only the girl’s name, the name of her school and how she heard about the Princess Night project.
“Once registered, the girls are turned loose on the gowns with the help of aides to direct them to the proper sizes. The club enlists local college girls to act as ‘personal shoppers’ to help the girls make their selections from the hundreds of dresses. Should the gown need a few alterations to make it fit perfectly, no problem. Altrusa has it covered. A few years ago, three women came to us with their sewing machines and asked what they could do to help. They do repairs and alterations on the gowns right there at the time.”
A large selection of evening shoes and accessories (purses, scarves and jewelry) are available, along with makeovers by Mary Kay representatives with take-home cosmetics for the big night, and drawings throughout the day for prom night dinners and flowers.
Altrusa served more than 120 girls last year.
Donations of new or gently worn prom gowns are accepted 9 a.m. through early evening April 19. For more information, please call Nancy Kuenzig at 330-928-0466 or Jill McKinney at 330-607-4265.
Wine and wishes
Greg and Tiffany Michalec are hosting the eighth annual “An Evening of Wine and Wishes” to benefit Akron Children’s Hospital at 6 p.m. April 26 at Quaker Station in Akron.
The grateful Tallmadge couple created the fundraiser following the 2004 birth of their twins Katie and Cory at 26 weeks. The babies were transported to the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, where they stayed for 18 weeks. The twins are now healthy 9-year-olds.
This special evening includes a tasting of more than 150 wines, craft beers and chef-prepared cuisine samples designed to be paired with the beverages. A silent auction of prizes including autographed sports memorabilia and gift cards also is on the menu.
The Michalecs have pledged to raise $1 million for the hospital over 10 years. To date the event has already raised $900,000.
Tickets are $150 ($125 is tax deductible). Patron sponsorships start at $2,500 (10 tickets, program recognition and signage). All tickets are entered into a drawing for $1,000.
Tickets for this year’s event — made possible with donations and sponsorships from Giant Eagle, WNIR radio, Allen Keith Construction and Montrose Auto Group — are available at www.akronchildrens.org/wineandwishes or call 330-543-3558.
Donations accepted
Janet Shively and her very dedicated posse of volunteers are eager to get to work. They make the fleece blankets and mittens for seriously ill children, and children whose parents serve in the military in harm’s way, who get tapped to ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s popular Polar Express train at the holidays. They also provide blankets for Summit County sheriff’s cruisers for children in stressful situations.
Interested in making donations of colorful, kid-friendly, fleece material or money to this cause? Please email projectcomfort77@sbcglobal.net or call 330-644-9655.
Sale to help orphans
The Dewende Africa Community Development Program is hosting a moving sale from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 6 and noon to 4 p.m. April 7 at 166 Cuyahoga St., Akron, with all proceeds going to pay school fees for orphans in rural Zimbabwe.
Gwendolyn Wilson-Cobbs, treasurer of the small group of volunteers, listed a few of the items for sale: an all-oak bedroom set with desk, chair, full bed with sideboards and night stand; blonde full-size bed with sliding headboard; king-size bed; fold-out full couch; 1949 upright radio/record player and more.
For information, please call 330-253-9066. Donations also are accepted at DADCP, P.O. Box 2944, Akron, Ohio 44309-2944.
Fundraiser for families
Zane’s Foundation is hosting its third annual “Spring Fundraiser and Casino Night” from 6 to 11 p.m. April 26 at Tangier, 532 W. Market St., Akron.
Founder Stacey Youssef said all proceeds help to provide services — including summer camps, therapy, special equipment and other grants — for families who have children with a wide spectrum of needs: autism, Down syndrome, dyslexia, blindness, cystic fibrosis and more.
The $50 ticket includes appetizer station, three meal stations, beverages, desserts, casino entertainment, two raffle tickets, music and more. Please contact Youssef at 330-677-9263 or Stacy.Youssef@zanesfoundation.org, or mail check to Zane’s Foundation, P.O. Box 1642, Stow, OH 44224 or visit www.zanesfoundation.org.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.