United Way Celebrates Volunteerism
The United Way of Summit County Volunteer Center, in conjunction with National Volunteer Week, celebrated the spirit of volunteerism through its 6th annual Volunteer Celebration "Volunteers Inspire by Example," on Thursday, April 19th.  Guest speaker was Bud Rogers, Community Philanthropist, Volunteer, past Campaign Chair of the United Way campaign, and retired President and CEO of his family business B.W. Rogers Company.  Mary Dunn, a student at The University of Akron, shared her volunteer experience as a participant in the 2007 United Way/Alternative Spring Break program.

Over 325 people attended the event celebrating volunteerism in our community. As part of the Volunteer Celebration, four volunteer stories of individuals who displayed extraordinary volunteer services within their organization were represented in a profile video. Keith Aukeman and Georges Yazbek, students from Professor Gabriel Giralt's class at the University of Akron's School of Communication, created the video stories as a class project.

To learn how you can volunteer, contact Pam Beals, Director, Volunteer Services with the United Way at 330.643.5512 or pbeals@uwsummit.org or check out volunteer opportunities on our website.

Visiting Nurse Hospice Hosts Brown Bag Seminar
Visiting Nurse Hospice Center hosted a brown bag on 'Balancing Home and Work' that was presented by Wanda Hively, LPCC of Catholic Social Services of Summit County.  Wanda gave the group tips on how to be more aware of the triggers that stress you during the day and methods to positively cope with and manage your life at work and home.  Wanda discussed how deep breathing, laughter, forgiveness and self acceptance are ways to help free you of stress.  United Way's Brown Bag seminars inform and educate employees or groups on subjects of interest in both the workplace and personal life.  If you would like more information about this or other Brown Bag topics contact Brenda Farrell at 330.643.5513 or email bfarrell@uwsummit.org.

Kiren Bansal has been on staff with United Way of Summit County since 2003. As a Senior Resource Development Director, Kiren is responsible for the fundraising territory known as Greater Akron East.  Kiren also directs the Youth Initiative effort of UWSC, helping to develop programs such as the Youth Allocations Team, Creative Arts Contest, Youth & College Brown Bag Seminars, and much more. These efforts help raise awareness and educate young people about United Way and the need within our community.

 

As a part of the Youth Initiative, Kiren recently completed a second tour of Hurricanes Katrina & Rita relief work in the national United Way effort called Alternative Spring Break. Positioned as a Team Leader, Kiren guided and kept motivated a team of over a dozen young volunteers between 18-24 who volunteered during their spring break. This youth engagement program exemplified Kiren's belief that those who volunteer at a younger age will continue to do so the rest of their lives.

 

Kiren has also been involved with United Way's national drive to promote inclusion and foster diversity and is a graduate of United Way of Summit County's Project Blueprint Class of 2004.

 

Kiren was awarded the 'Lorry Vishnia Staff Excellence Award' at our Annual Meeting for her work ethic, character and entrepreneurial spirit.

 

Kiren obtained her B.A. Degree in Environmental Studies, Public Policy & Management from the University of Southern California in 2002.  A loyal USC Trojan fan and California native, Kiren now resides in Northeast Ohio where she enjoys theater, arts, music, dance, and traveling.