The Kappa Foundation and the Zeta Theta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., both of Akron, are again hosting “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 3, at the University of Akron’s Martin Center, 105 Fir Hill Road, with proceeds going to the DOVE program of Summa Health Systems. DOVE is an acronym for Developing Options for Violent Emergencies, and addresses domestic violence.
Attendees are encouraged to wear all-white semiformal attire for the event, which will include a jazz band and a DJ, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres. Cost is $40 ($15 is tax deductible).
“Domestic violence is a disturbing trend that has become a public health problem in modern society,” the Kappa Foundation and the sorority said in a joint news release.
“Approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States. Around the world, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime. On average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in this country every day. In 2000, 1,247 women were killed by an intimate partner. The same year, 440 men were killed by an intimate partner.”
All patient services offered by the DOVE program — 24 hours a day, seven days a week — are free. “The DOVE program helps to bring peace to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault by providing compassionate, confidential and specialized care to victims,” the release noted. “The DOVE Program is only the third of its kind in the United States and has been recognized as a model program by the Ohio Department of Health and the Attorney General’s Office.”
For tickets to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” please call Cameron Mack at 330-573-3481 or Treva Mathews at 216-323-4101.
Covering all the bases
“Nearly 74 years ago, Major League Baseball Hall of Fame legend Lou Gehrig stood before his legions of fans at Yankee Stadium and declared himself the ‘luckiest’ man alive. His public battle with the disease that now bears his name was thrust into the national spotlight for the first time that day,” wrote Mary Wilson Wheelock, executive director of the ALS Association Northern Ohio chapter.
To heighten awareness about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a devastating, incurable neuromuscular disease, the ALS Association has teamed up with Major League Baseball for a campaign, “Covering All the Bases Hitting Challenge.”
“One of our loyal and passionate supporters has stepped up to the plate by matching any new contribution up to $25,000,” Wheelock continued.
To learn more about how you play the game and support the local care services, programs, research and more, simply visit www.alsa.org/.
Also, a big round of applause to all who supported Judi Loomis and her yard sale last weekend to benefit the chapter.
The New Franklin woman’s daughter Gretchen Freund has been in that inescapable battle for nine years.
“We raised over $2,300 for ALSA Northern Ohio chapter,” Loomis said. “This was $1,000 more than last year.
“Thank you to all of the strangers who became our friends who dropped off donations also helped make our ALS yard sale a success. And to the ones who just stopped and made a cash donation or shared their story of a loved one they lost to this devastating disease.”
Jamaican Night Out
A fun-filled “Jamaican Night Out” benefit concert is being hosted by the Akron-based nonprofit Biodynamics Foundation (whose focus is growing fresh food and global job creation) for 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday at Todaro’s Party Center, 1820 Akron-Peninsula Road, Cuyahoga Falls.
The goal of the event — sponsored by Red Stripe, a Jamaican beer — is to raise $5,000 to help the foundation build two hydroponic greenhouses, powered by Hydrogen Energy Systems (HES) generators, at the Jamaica Deaf Village, a 100-acre community for the deaf in Kingston, Jamaica.
“An Akron Biodynamics greenhouse also will be constructed this summer by Carmen Construction Inc., Tallmadge, Ohio, at the Family Promise of Akron family intake center to demonstrate the versatility and potential worldwide impact of Biodynamics Controlled Environment Agriculture technology,” Biodynamics Foundation spokesman Timothy J. Madden wrote.
Headlining the local benefit will be Akron reggae band Umojah Nation (led by husband and wife Tracey and Stefano Nguma) and a solid lineup of other musicians.
Cost for the program is $30, $50 for two, which includes all-you-can-eat authentic Jamaican food, an open bar serving Red Stripe and white rum, dancing, a silent auction and prizes. Tables of 10 with VIP seating is $200. For more information, please contact Timothy J. Madden at 330-524-7181 or tim@biodynamicsfoundation.org.
Help for Camp Quality
Hats off to the following local businesses for their generosity in providing furniture or appliances for Camp Quality Ohio, a free, summer camp experience for children with cancer and their siblings at Craftsmen Park in New Franklin:
• Mattress & Furniture Liquidators on Romig Road in Akron donated several items of furniture for free or at cost.
• The previously mentioned 20 ladies from Strongsville, who picked up the tab for air conditioners, also paid for two couches.
• C.C. Mitchell Appliance in Brecksville donated a much-needed refrigerator for medications.
• Appliance & More in Massillon donated a stove.
Several other businesses, including Lowe’s, were spotlighted in an earlier column.
Rocking for a cause
The Falls Cancer Club is rolling out the red carpet, encouraging people to attend its multilayered, multihour “Cancer Awareness Rock Charity” benefit July 27 at the Bailey Road Tavern, 2920 Bailey Road, Cuyahoga Falls.
The club pays for hospital and pharmacy bills for Cuyahoga Falls residents diagnosed with cancer and registered with the club; it also provides free medical equipment, and it does so anonymously.
The party starts at noon with these bands on the bill: 1 p.m. Zak Hamlin, 2 p.m. A Song for Her, 3 p.m. Average Joe, 4 p.m. Clyde Hensley, 5 p.m. Hair Trigger Johnson, 6 p.m. Jim Dotson, 7 p.m. Mr. Wrong/Mitch Ury, 8 p.m. the Just Wait Band, and 9 p.m. the Delta Dogs. There is a 50/50 raffle and other prize raffles.
Please bring a $5 minimum donation or a new or gently used, laundered bra.
Co-sponsoring are the Delta Dogs, the Bailey Road Tavern, Smith Printing Co. and dentist Dr. Maria Papich-Forsyth.
For more information, please contact Melinda Dull at Melsbterry@att.net.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.