Helpless to do much else, dedicated and loving mother Judi Loomis is sponsoring her second annual “ALS Yard Sale” 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at 994 Center Road, New Franklin, with all proceeds to go to the ALS Association, Northern Ohio chapter.
Loomis is all too familiar with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a debilitating neurologic disease for which there is no cure. Her daughter, Gretchen Freund, has been held hostage by it for nine years. To call this battle relentless is a major understatement.
“This has been a hard year for Gretchen, not only physically but also mentally,” Loomis said. “We are finding out that even with her motorized chair, which she calls her BMW, it still is not easy getting into or going places.”
About the sale: “Over 10 families have donated to our sale so you will find we have everything from A to Z,” Loomis noted. “Clothes for everyone from dad to children’s, household goods, furniture, baby items, books, toys and jewelry. … All donations much appreciated!”
For more information, please call 330-882-0503 or 330-338-3724.
Fund to aid blast victim
A benevolent fund has been established at FirstMerit Bank (any branch) for Kevin Michael Skubic, the 34-year-old Akron man who was critically injured by fireworks that detonated July 1 in his hands as he was carrying them to his truck.
In addition to severe burns, Skubic lost an arm in the blast. At this writing, he is at risk of losing the other arm and an eye. The fund was established by Skubic’s motorcycle club, the Akron Urban Knights.
Camp for bereaved kids
The GriefCare Place in Stow is sponsoring its third annual Kids’ Camp for bereaved children ages 5-15 to help them grow through the grieving process. The free camp runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 17, 18 and 19 at Adell Durbin Park in Stow. GriefCare Place counselor Mandy Seymour is coordinating these creative sessions that will feature music and therapy dogs.
For more information, please call 330-686-1750
Memorial balloon release
Akron’s Toka S. Clayton is requesting the pleasure of your company at 7:21 p.m. July 22 at Akron’s Garfield High School parking lot for a balloon release in celebration of her son Mychal Clayton’s meaningful life, a year after he died from complications of sickle cell, after he graduated from that high school.
The Mychal Clayton Memorial Sickle Cell Awareness Walk and Motorcycle Ride is planned for 10 a.m. Sept. 21.
Registration will get underway at 8 a.m. For more information, please call Toka at 330-283-5066 or LaTonya at 330-543-3521.
Summer social
The LeBron James Grandmothers Fan Club is hosting a summer social and NBA Championship Celebration from noon to 4 p.m. July 20 at Goodyear Heights Metropolitan Park (East Room Pavilion), 2077 Newton St., Akron, with proceeds going to the club’s mentoring programs.
On the schedule are food, games and entertainment by the Robert Arnold Steel Warehouse Band, jazz saxophonist Daryl Smith, Timbo & the Freaks (D.J. King of Disco), and vocalists Mery, Andrea Sherfield and Valerie Wood.
Cost is $10 adults; $5 children ages 4 to 12; free for children 3 or younger. Bring your blanket and lawn chair. Craft and art vendors welcome, but vendor space is limited. For more information. please call Alder Chapman at 330-784-2544, Linda Gilbert at 330-690-9475 or Selaria Woodall at 330-701-6619.
Roarin’ for a Cure
Lace up your sneakers and get ready for Cliffside Key Club’s second annual “Tunnel of Thunder’s Roarin’ for a Cure,” a breast cancer fundraiser July 28 in Akron. The event supports Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Northeast Ohio.
The route starts at Firestone Stadium and ends at Firestone Country Club. “One of the functions that is happening during the race is a ‘Tunnel of Thunder’ in front of Cliffside Key Club, 2118 S. Main St.,” wrote event spokeswoman Sue Cook. “This is where motorcycles line up and rev their engines in support of the runners and walkers as they go by. … Last year, we had 20 bikes. This is a free event for riders and their passengers. Also, Cliffside will be providing a free pancake breakfast to any rider and passenger. We also have shirts available for $15 and $18.”
Event planners are encouraging participants to “pink up” their bikes.
For more information, please email cliffsidetodd@yahoo.com or sgkomen route2013@gmail.com.
Breast cancer walk
Sisters with a Vision will host its 10th annual Walk for the Cure Breast Cancer Walk July 20, with registration ($10 per walker; children 12 and under, bring a canned good) at 7 a.m. followed by a 7:30 a.m. step-off at St. John CME Church, 1233 S. Hawkins Ave., Akron.
Activities include games and door prizes. All proceeds go to Stewart’s Caring Place at 2955 W. Market St., Fairlawn, a nonprofit providing services for free to cancer patients and their families.
For more information, please contact Allie Nicholson at 330-835-4187 or allieswav@gmail.com.
National Suit Drive
Men’s Wearhouse, partnering with local nonprofits through Towards Employment, is hosting its sixth annual “National Suit Drive” through the end of the month.
Here’s how it works: Men who bring in one of their gently used, still-in-style suits to a Men’s Wearhouse store to help prepare a disadvantaged man for the workplace will receive a 50 percent off coupon good in-store or online.
Locally, job candidates associated with the Akron Urban League will benefit from this collaboration.
School supplies needed
Summit County Children Services is asking for community support in getting the more than 1,000 children in its care ready to go back to school by donating backpacks and school supplies.
“A donation of $25 will purchase a backpack and school supplies for the youngest children and a donation of $35 will provide essentials for a middle school or high school student, including a scientific calculator. … Individuals can also mail a donation to the agency, 264 S. Arlington St., Akron, Ohio 44306; in care of the Community Relations Department.
“For those who prefer to shop for school supplies and then donate the items, a list of essential supplies needed is also available on the agency’s website — www.summitkids.org — by clicking on Donor/Volunteer Opportunities/School Supplies. … It is requested that all donations be delivered to the agency between Monday, July 22, and Friday, Aug. 2.”
For more information, please contact community relations manager Sandy DeLuca at 330-379-1994 or sdeluca@summitkids.org.
Benefit boosts Boston
Big, beautiful bouquets to Revere High School sophomore and Bath Township resident Dana McKinney who organized the recent “Bath Loves Boston” fundraiser at Bath United Church of Christ fellowship hall that featured food, raffle prizes, a runway fashion show, music and more with generous donations of time, talent and resources from several local businesses.
The $800 raised will go directly to the victims of the Boston Marathon tragedy through the HALO (Hope Always Lives On) Foundation.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com