Firefighters and others in the safety forces are assisting one of their own, 44-year-old Akron Fire Department secretary Robin Petrus-Wagner, who is preparing for her second kidney transplant early next month at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Robin, wife of Dave Wagner (a fire department mechanic), received her first transplant in 1991. The donor was her brother, Rob Petrus of Canal Fulton.
“I had kidney problems all of my life but did not go into kidney failure until I was 22 years old,” Robin said.
“After 18 years with that successful transplant, I started experiencing kidney failure again and had a heart attack in July of 2009. I was placed on the transplant list and have been on dialysis since that time.”
To help Robin on her next journey, a benefit is planned from 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 28, at Firestone VFW Hall Post #3383 at 690 W. Waterloo Road, Akron (use west side entrance).
A sandwich bar, coffee and soft drinks will be provided, and there will be raffles, gift baskets and a 50/50 raffle (winner need not be present). Donations are appreciated to help with lodging, food, travel and other expenses.
Also, a Robin Wagner Fund has been set up at the Akron Firefighters Credit Union, 161 Massillon Road, Akron, Ohio 44312.
Team Barb results
Many thanks to Kyle Klever for reporting back on the Team Barb ALS Benefit Concert and Raffle.
Tallmadge’s Barbara Klever, Kyle’s mother, was diagnosed with the fatal neuromuscular disease in November 2010.
“I had hoped to raise $800. We brought in just over $2,000! This includes $250 given by Erie Station Grille … Plans are under way for a second event next year … Perhaps the same thing or maybe something even bigger!”
Kudos to Lions
Big, beautiful bouquets to the Stow-Munroe Falls Lions Club, which recently provided free eye screenings to 125 preschool and kindergarteners at Holy Family School in Stow, wrote Stow Lion Marty Dennis.
“The Vision Screening Project was adopted by the International Association of Lions Clubs as another way to serve and fulfill their mission to prevent blindness …
“The process is of tremendous value because it helps to identify serious eye conditions in preschool children while medical treatment is the most effective at avoiding significant sight impairment and blindness … The eye screening process is completed by using a Welch Allyn Sure Sight Vision Screener, testing for common vision problems such as astigmatism and anisometropia (unequal power between eyes). A second test is conducted to detect signs of stereopsis, or as the kids call it, the ‘smiley face test.’ ”
Several Stow-Munroe Falls Lions and Tallmadge Lions have responded to a request to assist the Greensburg Lions Club to test more than 250 preschool children within the Green school district.
For more information on the Vision Screening Project, please call Lion Dave Harlow at 330-688-6520.
Fleece blankets
David Parks, who teaches ninth grade at Akron’s Firestone High School, is asking for help for his annual freshman community project. “We make the tie-knot fleece blankets for Akron Children’s Hospital in accordance with Project Linus,” which provides patients with colorful security blankets to hold during tough times and lonely nights.
“Over the last few years my students have made over 40 blankets. I would like to continue the tradition and continue getting my students involved with the community … I am looking for fleece material to be donated and dropped off at the school before Thanksgiving break, which is Nov. 20. The colors and design is not important but the size of the fleece must be 5 feet by 5 feet or a little larger.”
For more information, please contact Parks at dparks@akron.k12.oh.us
Loggers festival
Those good-hearted loggers are at it again.
I’m talking about the upcoming Forest Heritage Festiva from, Oct. 19-20 at Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds in Dover.
The event began in 1996, when the New Philadelphia Walmart and the East Ohio Loggers chapter partnered to raise money for Akron Children’s Hospital. And it’s still going strong after 16 years.
“The festivities have grown from a one-day event in the Walmart parking lot to a fall family favorite at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds,” wrote Anne C. Merchant, spokeswoman for the Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation.
“The Forest Heritage Festival has raised more than $913,000 for Akron Children’s Hospital, including more than $60,000 last year.”
Activities include Great Lakes Timber shows Ohio Farm Bureau demonstrations, forest equipment displays, and more on Friday; and on Saturday, pancake and sausage breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m., a benefit auction starting at 10 a.m. of handmade Amish furniture, quilts and more, horse-drawn wagon rides and other activities.
For more information, please visit www.forestheritagefestival.com.
Help for homeless
Cross Road Unity Church at 920 Brown St., Akron, is collecting gently used winter coats, gloves, mittens, socks. blankets, sleeping bags, shoes and boots to help keep the homeless warm in this cold-weather season.
Donations are accepted every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 5 p.m. at the church or call Bill DiPaolo Sr. at 330-310-5787.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com