News Release

Contact: Michael G. Gaffney, APR
Vice President, Marketing
Office: 330-643-5532
Cell: 330-701-8080

Date:  March 19, 2008

UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT COUNTY HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING,
MARKS 90^TH ANNIVERSARY

The United Way of Summit County (UWSC) will hold its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 2, 2008, at the John S. Knight Center, 77 E. Mill Street, Akron from 5:00 to 8:30 pm.  This event will celebrate the organization’s 90^th Anniversary of service to the community.

Festivities will begin with a Cocktail Reception from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, sponsored by United Way’s partner in fundraising and community service, the American Red Cross – Summit County Chapter. Dinner will be served at 6:00 pm and the business portion of the Annual Meeting will commence at 7:00 pm.

2007 Campaign Chair Thomas Strauss, President & CEO of SummaHealth System, will announce the results of the recently completed United Way/Red Cross Campaign, and will present some awards to those organizations that made significant contributions to the success of the drive.

The organization will present its 2008 Distinguished Service Awards (DSA) to Charles M. ‘Chip’ Billow and Richard C. ‘Rick’ Fedorovich.  The DSA has been presented annually since 1959 to individuals who consistently demonstrate the highest degree of interest, personal dedication and service in a volunteer capacity to the improvement of health, welfare and education Summit County.

Chip Billow has given of his time and talent to a wide variety of local organizations for many years.  He currently serves on the Boards of the Akron General Health System, Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service, Akron Area YMCA Foundation, and the Akron Better Business Bureau.  Over the years, Chip has volunteered with Akron Zoological Park, WKSU Advisory Council, Tallmadge Rotary Club and the Commerce Club of Akron.  He is President of the Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, and he lives in Tallmadge with his wife Patty.  

Rick Fedorovich has a record of service to our community that is remarkable in its depth and breadth.  In addition to serving as Chairman for the 2003 United Way of Summit County/Red Cross Campaign, he has for the past four years, chaired the Major Gifts division of the United Way drive.  During those four years, the number of donors of $10,000 or more annually had doubled and these 128 individuals contribute more than 10% of the total campaign.  Rick also volunteers with Akron General Health System, Greater Akron Chamber, The University of Akron, Visiting Nurse Service, Leadership Akron, and Archbishop Hoban High School.  He is Managing Partner with the accounting firm Bober, Markey, Fedorovich & Co. and he lives in Bath with his wife Lisa.  

Donald J. Pavlik, Vice President of National City Bank Corporate Lending, has been named Young Philanthropist of the Year by United Way’s Young Leaders Society in the inaugural presentation year of this award. The award was established to annually recognize a young philanthropist, 40 years of age or younger, who has demonstrated a passionate desire to help others through financial support and service to non profit organizations and institutions within Summit County including United Way.

Don is a long-standing supporter of United Way and has been a leadership donor for six years. He is currently serving as 2008 chair of United Way’s Torch Society and was vice chair of the Torch Society in 2007. In addition to consistently encouraging an outstanding United Way campaign at National City Bank and an annual Day of Caring volunteer, Don supports many other community organizations including Weaver Industries, Downtown Akron Partnership, Downtown Akron Kiwanis, Area Agency on Aging, Easter Seals, Bridgestone Invitational and the American Heart Association.

Two other recognition awards will be presented: The Spirit of Caring Award is given annually to a local company that exhibits exceptional and ongoing community support.  The 2008 Spirit of Caring Award will be awarded to ExxonMobil Chemical.  The Community Builder Award is presented annually to an individual or individuals who make a measurable difference in the community through United Way’s Community Investment process. Bruce Rowland will be the 2008 recipient.

Eleven new members will be welcomed onto United Way of Summit County’s Board of Directors:  Kenneth Dorsett, FirstMerit Bank; Steven L. Farnsworth, Hudson City Schools; Valerie A. Geiger, National City Bank; Jay T. Griffith, ExxonMobil Chemical; Phillip Kane, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.; Randy S. Katz, City Scrap & Salvage; James J. Keeslar, Brockman, Coats, Gedelian & Co.; Rabbi David A. Lipper, Temple Israel; Brian J. Moore, Roetzel & Andress; Kathleen A. Rice, Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital-Summa; and Jeff E. Rovnak, Morgan Stanley. 

Tickets for the Annual Meeting are $75 each or a table of 10 for $725.  To register for the United Way of Summit County’s Annual Meeting and 90^th Anniversary Celebration, visit the website at http://www.uwsummit.org/Annual_Report/annual_meeting.htm or by calling Barb at 330-643-5533.

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services.  For more information on any program or to volunteer, call the office at (330) 762-7601, visit our website or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, OH 44309-1260.