The Ohio Fire Safety Coalition is hoping for the community’s support for its Burn Invitational Golf Tournament on July 15 at Glenmoor Country Club, 4191 Glenmoor Road NW, Jackson Township. All proceeds go toward bathing units for Akron Children’s Hospital’s Paul and Carol David Foundation Burn Institute.
Founded in 2005 by Matthew Kuwatch, the coalition was created to educate the public on fire safety and the lifesaving value of residential sprinkler systems.
“Since its inception, the organization has collected $198,000 for medical equipment, education and patient programs at the burn institute,” Kuwatch said. Most recently, the coalition donated 22 lifts, which help transport and bathe patients with burn injuries.
“Janet Taylor was a recent patient at Akron Children’s Hospital who credits the staff/equipment for saving her life … On May 2 Janet awoke at 12:30 a.m. to her husband screaming there was a large fire in the kitchen. While Janet’s husband was trying to rescue their three dogs, a back draft caused the fire to spread up the stairs, reaching Janet as she was trying to escape.”
Janet ended up in the burn unit, barely recognizable to her family.
“Over the course of four weeks, Janet had two surgeries [skin grafts] and participated in daily therapy,” Kuwatch continued. “Janet explained that she never knew the intense care that is needed for burn patients. Every day, she was cared for both emotionally and physically … Every day she most looked forward to her long bath. ‘Water was the only real source of relief and relaxation I had to look forward to every day,’ Janet has said.
“Janet and her husband survived the devastating fire, but lost their three dogs, all of their belongings and their rental home in Canton. The fire was caused by a deep fryer in the kitchen.”
So Janet and other burn victims, this golf tournament is for you.
Registration is 10:30 a.m. followed by 10:45 lunch and 12:15 p.m. shotgun tee-off; 4:30 p.m. social hour, buffet dinner, auctions, awards and prizes with closing remarks at 7:45 p.m.
Sponsorships are still available. Golf is $300. Local fire safety officials can golf at a reduced rate of $85. To register, please call Matthew Kuwatch at 216-447-6331 or Julie Schade at 216-447-5677.
Helping Oklahoma
Big doings Saturday at Tallmadge Lutheran Church, 759 East Ave., Tallmadge, to help raise funds to rebuild a school in Oklahoma.
“We’re on a mission! The recent tornadoes in Moore, Okla., touched the hearts of all of us,” wrote Pastor David Zachrich. “People have asked, ‘What can we do to help?’ ”
The answer? The church, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Bierce Hardware are hosting a carnival from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the church. All proceeds benefit Lutheran Disaster Relief, earmarked to raise funds to rebuild the school.
The event will feature entertainment, carnival-style games and activities, a bounce house, food and so much more. A dunking booth is planned featuring familiar Tallmadge faces, including school district teachers and staff Kim Ruesch and Diane LeVan, school board president Rick Kellar, TLC youth leader Todd Miller, Ritchies Sporting Goods representative Shawn Ritchie and more. Park at the Tallmadge Recreation Center lot.
Here’s the schedule:
• 1:30 p.m., music by dsquared: classic rock featuring 1973 Tallmadge High School grads David Rogers and David “Chris” Henderson.
• 2:30 p.m., magician Drew Murray.
• 3:30 p.m., music by TimeMachine: classic rock, ’60s, ’70s and British Invasion.
For more information, please contact Pastor Zachrich at pastorzachrich@tallmadgelutheranchurch.org or 330-633-4775 or Lorna J. Henderson, mission and community outreach at 330-414-0208.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com