I want to express my deepest gratitude for the trust you've placed in me as your District Governor for 2025-2026. I am honored to follow in the footsteps of many great leaders. A special thank you to IPDG Dale Smith for a truly fantastic year. His work on the Club Experience Summit and the Membership Toolbox has laid a strong foundation for us to grow membership and develop new club types. We also have an excellent start with our newly formed Disaster Relief Committee, led by the experienced Mike Dunton, a retired Fire Marshall. We have much to continue working on this Rotary year!
What an impressive event the Rotary International Convention in Calgary was! Rotarians from all over the world united for good. We heard two significant announcements:
The Gates Foundation has agreed to double their matching contributions to The Rotary Foundation up to $450 million for the next three years.
The Foundation's endowment fund has reached its five-year goal of $2 billion in funding!
We also had the pleasure of meeting our new International President, Francesco Arezzo from the Rotary Club of Ragusa, Italy. We are excited about what President Francesco will bring this year. We also keep former President-Elect Mario Cesar de Martins Camargo in our prayers following his resignation due to health and business issues.
July is Rotary Maternal Child and Health Month. Our district has always strongly supported families, and I know many of our clubs will continue their vital work in this area. July also marks the leadership transition, with new Presidents and their boards being sworn in. I wish you all the best of luck for the coming year! Finally, July kicks off my club visits. This is truly my favorite duty as it allows me to meet the dedicated individuals who make our district so great. If your club hasn't scheduled a visit yet, please contact me so we can get one on the calendar. I am truly looking forward to seeing you all!
We will continue the excellent work started last year on Membership. Dale Smith will chair the Membership Committee and has great plans moving forward. Our Disaster Response Committee has just had its charging document reviewed, ensuring we are heading in the best direction. More details will be shared in the coming months.
I also have two additional areas of focus for the year.
Youth Exchange: This is a truly great program that we need to promote more widely to clubs, schools, and Interact clubs. We must dispel misconceptions about cost and time commitments. Kevin Wermer leads our wonderful committee, with a goal to return Youth Exchange to its previous volume of participants.
Drug Addiction and Recovery: I will be forming a committee soon to develop a list of agencies and private 501(c)(3) organizations. This will provide us with resources to help individuals and families in need. We are losing a generation, and Rotary will be there to help.
We are excited to send six district Rotarians (already selected) to the Emerging Leaders program at the RI Zone Institute in Columbus, Ohio, this September. We must continue to support our future leaders with training opportunities to strengthen our district. If you're interested in attending, please visit the RI Zone 30 & 31 Institute information page- click here.
Don't forget our largest fundraiser for Polio Plus is coming up in August: our End Polio Now Guardians game versus the Braves! Doors open at 5 PM, with the first pitch at 7:10 PM. Register now (click here) before you forget.
I believe this covers the essential details for my first newsletter. Please let me know if there are other specifics you'd like me to include in future communications. Remember, my sole purpose is to help make you and your club more successful. Let's have fun doing that together. Let's Unite for Good and make the world a better place!
On July 2, 2025 the District IPDG Dale Smith celebrated the “The Magic of Rotary” during the 2024-2025 Rotary year and also welcomed in our new DG, Bob Oborn.
At the celebration, many members and clubs of the District were recognized for their sharing of their time, talents, and treasures.
Advisory Council of PDGs: PDG Beverly Ghent-Skrzynski
Shelter Box: Douglas Hausknecht
International Service: PDG Dave Skrzynski
Strategic Planning: Carol Marturano-Becker
Board of Directors: DG Dale Smith
Sunshine: Kathy Berkshire
Finance Committee: Kelly Tremaine
Website: PDG Cheryl Warren
Foundation Chair: PDG Larry Lohman
Youth Safety & Protection: Alexandra Jeanblanc
LEAD: Steve Warren
4-Way Test Speech Contest: DGN Rich Cole
Leadership 6630: PDG David Jones
Interact: Chelsea Talty
Membership: PDG Jim Mckee
Rotaract: LuLu McKee
Newsletter: PDG Cheryl Warren
RYLA: Marc West
Nominating Committee: PDG Julie Brandle
RYE General Chair: Patrick Kelley
Public Image: Tina Ingraham
RYE Inbound & Compliance: Shelia Hedrick
RI Convention: PDG Bob Johnson
RYE Outbound: David Lariviere
RI Foundation Grants: Patrick Scherer
RYE Short Term: Jacinto A. Nunez
RI Peace Fellowships: Rick Pollak
RYE Trainer: Susan Colville-Hall
Retiring Position Certificates
AG Ashtabula Cluster - Lou-Ann Wilkinson AG Cuyahoga NW Cluster - Eric Jolly AG Coordinator - Julie Brouhard Board of Directors At-Large - Patrick Scherer Finance Committee At-Large - Toni Francis
AZ Baker Awards
Akron
Hudson
Ashtabula
Hudson Clocktower
Aurora
Kent
Bedford
Lakewood Rocky River
Berea
Medina Sunrise
Brunswick
Mentor
Burton-Middlefield
North Ridgeville
Chagrin Valley
Northampton Cuyahoga Valley
Cleveland
Rotaract PLUS Northeast Ohio
Garrettsville-Hiram
Stow Munroe Falls
Geauga West
West Shore
Heights of Greater Cleveland
Wickliffe
Hillcrest Sunrise
Club Award – Training & Education
Berea, Burton-Middlefield, Cleveland
Individual Award – Training & Education
Cheryl Warren – Akron Tina Ingraham – Cleveland W. Stewart Buchanan – Akron Steve Warren – E-ClubNEO
Literacy
Wickliffe
Appreciation Award
Scott Andrew Mills
Ken Smith
Julie Brouhard
Lajoyce Harris
Kim Polatas
Phil Weiss
Albert Tien
Eric Jolly
Lou-Ann Wilkinson
Home Club Representative Award
Wayne Brodnan
Appreciation Award Vice Governor
PDG David Jones
Outstanding Leadership Award
Carrie Heppner
Toby Butt
Bruce Corson
Gabe Pytel
Larry Fox
Tom Morehouse
Elena Koh-Bonnell
Nick Kelley
Tiffany Moss
Frank Gambosi
LuLu McKee
Maria Ferra
Robert Heydorn Youth Award
Patrick Kelley
Special Award – Governor’s Award of Excellence
Marc West
Distinguished Service Award
PDG Bev Ghent-Skrzynski PDG Mike Davanzo Kathy Berkshire Rich Warfield
Why Continued Giving Is Crucial for Global Polio Eradication
Dr. Albert Tien, District 6630 Polio Plus Chair and Mr. Stew Buchanan, Past District Governor and Mr. Baseball
Few global health initiatives have unified the world as powerfully as the campaign to end polio. Rotary’s Journey with determining the root cause of Polio spread helped to define and strengthen our Seven Areas of Service. While tremendous progress has been made, our mission is not yet accomplished, and your ongoing support is essential to achieve a polio-free world. Here’s why continued donations by you are critical in this final stretch against one of humanity’s most persistent diseases.
The Cost of Vigilance: Global Polio Surveillance
Eradicating polio requires more than simply vaccinating children—it demands relentless monitoring. Global surveillance involves tracking virus samples in sewage, rapid reporting systems for acute flaccid paralysis, and maintaining laboratories capable of detecting wild poliovirus even in remote corners. This vigilance ensures any new case is identified and contained immediately. The annual cost for global polio surveillance is estimated at $300 million, a figure that cannot be reduced without risking a resurgence.
The Value of a Dose: Polio Vaccine Costs
Vaccination remains the frontline defense against polio. The oral polio vaccine (OPV), costing as little as 12-15 cents per dose, has enabled mass immunization campaigns across continents. The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), now essential for post-eradication security, costs between $1 - $3 per dose. While this might seem modest, reaching every child—often in conflict zones or the most isolated regions—significantly drives up operational costs. Transportation, refrigeration, and community engagement amplify the financial requirements, making sustained funding indispensable.
Champions of Eradication: GAVI, WHO, Gates Foundation, and Rotary International
The global fight against polio is a story of partnership to “Unite for Good.”
GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance accelerates access to vaccines in lower-income countries, ensuring that cost is never a barrier to protection.
The World Health Organization (WHO) leads on surveillance, outbreak response, and technical support, coordinating efforts at scale.
The Gates Foundation drives innovation, funding research, and bridging resource gaps with significant philanthropic investment.
Rotary International has been the people-powered engine behind PolioPlus, raising over $2.6 billion and mobilizing tens of thousands of volunteers worldwide.
Rotary has committed to raising $50 million per year for the next three years. Bill Gates announced that the Gates Foundation will continue to match Rotary donations to End Polio Now: Two dollars for every One dollar raised! This expanded agreement will translate into up to an additional $450 million to support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. These organizations, alongside local governments and other partners, form the backbone of the effort, but their impact is only possible with your continuous donor support.
Successes and Setbacks: Strains of Polio Eliminated
There are three strains of wild poliovirus: Types 1, 2, and 3. Thanks to persistent immunization, wild poliovirus type 2 was certified eradicated in 2015, and type 3 in 2019. Only type 1 remains, circulating in a handful of locations. This achievement is a testament to what coordinated funding and action can accomplish and a reminder that the finish line is within reach.
The Numbers Tell the Story: Vaccines Delivered and Impact
Since 1985, over three billion doses of polio vaccine have been administered globally, protecting hundreds of millions of children from paralysis. This herculean effort has reduced the worldwide incidence of polio by more than 99.9%. In 1988, over 350,000 children were paralyzed by polio annually across 125 countries; in recent years, reported cases have dropped to less than a few hundred, concentrated in just a couple of countries.
The Challenge Remains: Polio’s Spread and Endemic Locations
Poliovirus is notoriously infectious. Just one case in a community signals that thousands more are likely to be circulating silently. The virus spreads via contaminated water and can travel quickly across borders, especially in areas with limited sanitation and healthcare. Today, wild poliovirus transmission remains endemic in only two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, as long as polio exists anywhere, children everywhere remain at risk.
Why the World Must Keep Giving
Surveillance and Response: Surveillance systems and rapid response teams must remain funded to detect and respond to outbreaks instantly.
Vaccination Campaigns: Ongoing immunization, including supplemental campaigns, is necessary to maintain herd immunity and prevent re-emergence.
Equity and Reach: The battle’s last mile is often the hardest—reaching children in conflict, remote, or marginalized communities is the most expensive and complex part of eradication.
Legacy Infrastructure: The polio eradication infrastructure supports fighting other diseases, such as measles, Ebola, and COVID-19, amplifying the value of every dollar donated.
Rotary International announced at the 2025 International Conference in Calgary, Canada, that once polio has been eradicated it will concentrate on the elimination of human papillary virus (HPV), the causative agent of cervical cancer in women.
Conclusion: One Last Push
The world has come tantalizingly close to ending polio, but history shows that complacency could allow the virus to roar back. Sustained donations fuel the surveillance, vaccination, and rapid response activities that keep us on track. Every contribution—no matter its size—brings us closer to a world where no child will ever again suffer from polio. Our District is sponsoring and coordinating the following activities to End Polio Now:
Guardians Baseball End Polio Event (August 15, 2025) sponsored by Districts 6600,6650 and 6630. Atlanta vs Cleveland. Private Pennant District Event - $72/ticket. View Box (section 438) - $46/ticket. Tickets can be purchased BY CLICKING HERE before July 25th.
Raffle tickets (1st Prize First Pitch, 2nd Prize Box seats, 3rd Prize Autographed Guardian’s baseball) $20 for 3 tickets or 1 ticket for $10
Silent Auction (each club is asked to put together baskets with a minimal value of $100 USD) $20 for an arm’s length of tickets
Corporate Sponsorship of the End Polio Now tee-shirts are being solicited.
Pours and Pints for Polio Events across Northeast Ohio. Locations and date to be announced on the District Website.
Purple Donuts with Dunkin Donuts. Dates and locations to be announced.
Local Club events to raise awareness and funds to End Polio Now
Inviting Designated Donations to End Polio Now
Scheduling speakers to build Polio Awareness
Arrange community talks and fundraising events around World Polio Day (Friday, October 22, 2025)
Now is the moment to keep the bases loaded and bring everyone home—safe, healthy, and free from polio forever.
Tina Ingraham here, Public Image Chair for District 6630.
I wanted to share this link to a YouTube video the Public Image team created at our District 6630 Conference in April to answer "Why Rotary". I hope it helps tell the story of why we love Rotary, what it means to be a Rotarian, and why someone should join. We think it can be a great tool to use in your own club's public image efforts and for membership initiatives too. In fact, we just shared it to our District's Facebook page and have included a link to it in theDistrict'sMembership Toolbox.
Thank you to all who gave us a minute for a quick interview while at the conference. I wish we could have used them ALL in this short video, but know we are going to use each one individually throughout the year. You'll likely see your smiling faces sometime soon. It's so wonderful to be a part of a District with such enthusiastic members.
My ask is simple: please share it out on your club social pages, personal social pages as well as any community groups you participate with to help share our Rotary mission with all. Here is the link again:
July 2, 2025 - Medina Sunrise Rotarians celebrated our exchange student Elia with a going-away lunch at On Tap Grille.
Elia shared with the group that she plans to study physical therapy at University back in Belgium in the fall. The Rotary presented Elia with gifts unique to Medina and Medina Sunrise Rotary.
The club is incredibly proud of Elia for all she has accomplished during her exchange year in Medina! We will miss her and hope to welcome her back for a visit soon!
Are you ready to embark on a rewarding cultural journey without leaving your home or know of someone else who might be? The Rotary Club of Akron is seeking three dedicated host families to welcome a student from Peru at Stow-Monroe Falls High School during the 2025-26 school year. Each family will host the student for approximately 3-4 months, providing a unique opportunity to share your culture and learn about another. You must reside within the Stow-Monroe Falls School District.
Why Host an Exchange Student?
Hosting an exchange student offers numerous benefits for your family and the student. It’s a chance to:
Cultural Exchange: Experience Peruvian culture firsthand and share your own traditions and customs.
Global Connections: Build lifelong friendships and expand your global network.
Personal Growth: Enhance your family’s understanding of global issues and develop a broader perspective.
Community Engagement: Contribute to the global community and support international understanding and peace.
What Are the Obligations of a Host Family?
As a host family, you will be responsible for:
Providing a Room: Offer a comfortable bedroom for the student, ensuring they have a private space to rest and relax.
Study Space: Ensure the student has a quiet place to study and complete their schoolwork.
Meals: Provide daily meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Transportation: Assist with transportation to and from school and extracurricular activities, if necessary.
Support and Guidance: Offer support and guidance as the student navigates a new culture and school environment.
How to Get Involved
If you are interested in becoming a host family, please contact Susan Colville Hall at 330-714-3765 or Jacinto Nunez at 330-634-6876. We will do our best provide you with all the necessary information and support to ensure a successful and enriching experience for both your family and the exchange student.
The Rotary Club of Akron has a proud history of sponsoring students to attend Stow-Monroe Falls High School for many years. Join us in continuing this tradition and making a difference in a young person’s life while enriching your own. Open your home to a Rotary Youth Exchange student and become a part of this global connection!
"This has been a truly life-changing week and I'm excited to use everything I've learned at RYLA and continue these amazing friendships!" - Lucas, a 2025 RYLA participant.
RYLA 2025 is in the books and this youth program just keeps getting better. Almost 40 student leaders from high schools in R.I. District 6630 were sponsored by their local Rotary Clubs to attend this week-long camp full of workshops, breakout sessions, group projects and social events to help these rising seniors (and a few juniors) develop their leadership skills. In talking to the students, they all had a truly impactful week.
We must say a big Thank You to:
All the clubs who sponsored students
RYLA District Chair Marc West and On-site Program Director David Vale for launching and leading the camp.
Our 2025 Counselors, previous RYLA participants, speakers and presenters for their energy and dedication
The families who made sure the students were able to attend
Rotary Club of Ashtabula, Ohio for being a “Friend to Camp RYLA” and generously covering the cost of transportation to the bowling excursion
Many Friends of RYLA who support us each year
If your club has not sent students from nearby schools - please mark your calendars for next January when we will begin sharing information on RYLA 2026. You'll make an impact greater than you can imagine!
Congratulations to President Tim Manion and the Wadsworth Rotary Club, proudly celebrating their 100th Anniversary!
This year's Wadsworth Blue Tip Festival Parade Grand Marshal was the Wadsworth Rotary Club, which is celebrating 100 years.
Rotary President Tim Manion and President-elect Terri Whitlam were in the lead car with Manion lighting the ceremonial blue tip match. The match will be lit for the remainder of the festival.
Projects had to fall within Rotary’s areas of service which include Peace & Conflict Prevention; Disease Prevention; Water & Sanitation; Maternal/Child Health & Welfare; Basic Education/Literacy; Economic/Community Development or the Environment.
The Akron Rotary Foundation is a fund established to benefit the programs of the Akron Rotary Club. It benefits select charitable causes throughout the Greater Akron community.
The Akron Rotary Foundation is dedicated to:
•Community Development
•Youth Empowerment
•International Understanding
•The Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs
Sandy Naragon, who has served as the Grant Chair for Akron Rotary since 2020, presented checks at the last meeting of the 2024-2025 Rotary year to the following:
The Rotary Club of Akron and the Akron Rotary Foundation are proud to be able to support the Akron community.
These grants and the scholarships recently presented are a testament to the commitment of The Rotary Club of Akron and the Akron Rotary Foundation to the Akron area.
Photo L-R:
Doug Kohl, President, Akron Rotary Club Foundation; Sandy Naragon, Grants Chair, Akron Rotary Club; Doug Wurtz, Akron Cooperative Farms; Amber Barkoukis and Anna Film, Embracing Futures; Jeff O’Brien, First Tee Greater Akron
Finished rooms 4 & 5 this week at the Harvest Home with 3 to go! Our Cluster Project is a labor of love and the truest reflection of service above self!! Thank you to all the Rotarians that have volunteered.
“Cabinets of Curiosity” and Iceland, June 1-July 31, 2025
The title of the June-July AWCC show, by Akron artist Geraldine Kiefer, is "'Curious and Curiouser'": Cabinets of Curiosity and the Fascination of Iceland." It will comprise original drawings; inscribed maps and engravings; shadow box-framed, hand altered prints; and inscribed illustrations from travel and diaristic books (several of which will be on display). The originals date from the late 16th through the 19th centuries, and are in Dr. Kiefer’s collection.
A number of shadow boxes will contain actual objects, namely Icelandic spar and Icelandic lava specimens. Dr. Kiefer takes her lead from the AWCC library's design, with multiple shelves in glass-lined cabinets, to show how the exotic shape and feel of Iceland (as mapped by Icelandic clerics, then remapped by northern European geographers) may have drawn inspiration from the exotic object cabinets assembled first, by Dutch wealthy merchant families and later, by the publications of explorers and writers primarily in northern Europe.
Geraldine Kiefer holds the title Professor Emeritus of Art. A native of Akron, she taught art, art history and art appreciation at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, for 17 years. The Iceland work displayed here derives from her second sabbatical year, 2019-20, with additions and alterations completed in 2025.
Direct questions to gkiefer@su.edu
Classic Iceland, 2016, colored pencil, pen and ink
Kleidon Has Solo Art Show at The Little Art Gallery
Dennis Kleidon, a member of the Rotary Club of Fairlawn, Professor of Art Emeritus of the University of Akron Myers School of Art, and co-founder of Kleidon & Associates, a marketing communications firm in Bath, will show more than twenty recent paintings at The Little Art Gallery in North Canton, Ohio. The Gallery adjoins the North Canton Public Library. The show runs from July 10 through August 16, 2025, with an opening reception July 10, at 5:30-7:30 PM.
Kleidon is represented by the Walter Wickiser Gallery in New York City. His paintings have been shown in major exhibits and galleries throughout the United States, including the Los Angeles Modern & Contemporary Art Show, Seattle Art Fair, Art Miami Context, Art on Paper in New York City, Palm Beach/Art Miami, the Vista Center for the Arts in Phoenix, Gallery Andrea in Scottsdale, Art Space 349 in Palm Desert, California, and many others.
His work has been recognized by the world-renowned art critic, Edward Luci-Smith, as “deeply personal” and bursting with life.” Recent reviews have appeared in Art & Antiques Magazine, White Hot Magazine, Art Miami, and the Frank Lloyd Wright Quarterly Newsletter.
Art critic Lorien Suarez-Kanerva says “He works to create paintings where all the compositional elements with their distinct details achieve a unifying form of balance that draws inspiration from the beauty of nature….It’s an aspiration that Kleidon has extended towards his creative way of being.”
Among the most recent work, Transcendence paintings symbolize the conversion of one’s life to a new and exciting future vision. In another recent series, Transformation, paint explodes from graphic shapes to contrast an aggressive dynamic over a thoughtfully relaxed background. This series shares its title with a book by Kleidon, Unleash Your Imagination: Transform Your Life, which encourages readers to unleash their imaginations and find their hidden passions.
Kleidon has dedicated his professional life to advancing excellence in design and art and to improving the visual environment. His Designer Grids and other products have been used by designers, architects, and artists around the world. Always a teacher, Kleidon wants the freedom, power, and optimism of his paintings to enrich the lives of all who see and own them. He says, “Experience the excitement of bold colors in motion and their abstract implications. Become saturated with their visual and transformative potential.”
Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Club Art Fest Celebrates 5th Anniversary—Join the Fun!
Mark your calendar for Saturday, July 26, 2025, as the Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Club hosts its 5th Annual Art Fest—a vibrant celebration where creativity and community service come together. Set on the scenic lawn of the Westlake Porter Public Library in Westlake, Ohio, this event is more than a showcase of local talent—it’s a fundraiser that fuels meaningful change right here in our community.
Event Highlights
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Westlake Porter Public Library lawn, Westlake, Ohio
Admission: Free, with plenty of free parking
Features:
- Over 60 artists displaying and selling their work
- Food trucks
- Beer and wine garden
- Live music performances
Making a Difference
Proceeds from Art Fest support Rotary initiatives, including youth scholarships, educational programs, and local nonprofit organizations, helping us make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors. For event details and photos from last year’s celebration, visit: http://www.westlakebayvillagerotaryartfest.com
Meet Our Featured Artist
This year’s featured artist is internationally recognized JoAnn DePolo, celebrated for her expressive cityscapes, serene waterscapes, and bold abstract works. Attendees will have the chance to meet JoAnn in person and experience the creativity that has inspired art lovers across Northeast Ohio and beyond. Learn more about JoAnn at: http://www.joanndepolo.net
Get Involved
Artists: Interested in exhibiting your art? Applications are still open—registration materials are available on our website.
Sponsors: Want to support the cause? We’re accepting individual and corporate sponsorships. Details and forms are available online.
Join the Celebration!
Whether you’re coming for the art, live music, food trucks, or the opportunity to give back, we look forward to welcoming you to this special milestone celebration!
Mark your calendars for The Rotary Camp for Special Needs Children 16th Annual Cornhole Tournament presented by Buckeye Corrugated.
Join us onAugust 23, 2025, at the beautiful Rotary Campgrounds. This exciting event is more than just a cornhole tournament; it's a chance to make a difference in the lives of children and support the Camp’s mission of Creating a world where there are only abilities!
All proceeds will directly benefit Rotary Camp, helping to send children to camp and providing them with life-changing experiences.
The Rotary Club of Fairlawn will host its14th Annual Gala on October 4, 2025, from 5:30 -10:30, at the Doubletree (Hilton) in Fairlawn.
This year’s theme is “Benefit Children’s Health, Education, and Wellbeing.” The Rotary Club of Fairlawn joins forces with the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, the New Leaf Center, The Blick Center, and the Fairlawn Rotary Foundation to make this a very special event. This year’s Community Service Award will be presented to Dan Flowers, for his service and dedication to our community. Mr. Flowers is president and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. At this event Mr. Flowers will also be presented with Rotary’s distinguished Paul Harris Award.
The Rotary Club of Fairlawn has raised over $1.5 million for children in this community and around the world since 1964. The Annual Gala is the club’s only fundraiser. Its purpose is to help fund special projects for local charities. Through the Fairlawn Rotary Foundation, this year’s proceeds will help local organizations that support children’s health, education, and wellbeing. As this year’s recipients, the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, the New Leaf Center, The Blick Center, and the Fairlawn Rotary Foundation will receive proceeds from this event. At our last event, the Rotary Club of Fairlawn raised nearly $50,000 for local organizations.
The Annual Gala fundraiser will be a fun-filled evening including a sit-down dinner, an open bar, a live and silent auction and entertainment. The ticket price is $150 per person. Table sponsorships are also available. Raffle tickets for many wonderful gifts are also available for purchase. Of course, the real winners will be the children of our community.
The Rotary Club’s efforts to support local charities and build goodwill throughout the community stem from Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.” Rotary’s compassion stretches well beyond Akron as it works to combat polio, poverty, and illiteracy on national and international levels. Rotary was started in Chicago in 1905 by Paul Harris bringing together professionals with diverse backgrounds to exchange ideas and to form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Now it is an international organization spanning the globe. Rotary focuses on service projects encompassing peace and conflict prevention and resolution, disease prevention and treatment, maternal and child health, and economic and community development.
To purchase event/raffle tickets or to donate to the Gala fundraiser, visit gala.fairlawnrotary.com. For additional information, please contact Mark Whitlam at 330-321-8141 or at mark@jcwhitlam.com.
Corporate sponsorships start at $395, and program advertising starts at $75.
If you are unable to attend, but would like to help, please send your check to the Fairlawn Rotary Foundation, Inc, at P.O. Box 13063, Fairlawn, Ohio 44334. The Fairlawn Rotary Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3).
On July 2, 2025 the District IPDG Dale Smith celebrated the “The Magic of Rotary” during the 2024-2025 Rotary year and also welcomed in our new DG, Bob Oborn. 
Champions of Eradication: GAVI, WHO, Gates Foundation, and Rotary International
All the clubs who sponsored students
Akron Woman’s City Club Art Gallery
Dennis Kleidon, a member of the Rotary Club of Fairlawn, Professor of Art Emeritus of the University of Akron Myers School of Art, and co-founder of Kleidon & Associates, a marketing communications firm in Bath, will show more than twenty recent paintings at The Little Art Gallery in North Canton, Ohio. The Gallery adjoins the North Canton Public Library. The show runs from July 10 through August 16, 2025, with an opening reception July 10, at 5:30-7:30 PM.
