The United Way of Summit County joined Akron Public Schools (APS) by supporting An Evening with Our Family fundraising event held Sunday, December 13, 2015, at Portage Country Club in Akron, Ohio.
Nearly 160 community family members attended this inaugural event to celebrate the holidays. Guests enjoyed participating in a number of activities that showcased the APS family engagement vision. Cookies provided by Jeannine and Steve Marks and ornaments provided by Lori and Mark Krohn (the event co-chairs) were decorated by young and old alike. Family photos were taken by the massive fireplace and tree adorning Portage Country Club’s main gathering room. An assortment of family-friendly auction items donated by generous community supporters, as well as a lotto tree donated by Time To Spare LLC, were instrumental in raising more than $2,100 at the event. A gourmet dinner buffet, complete with a hot chocolate and dessert display, rounded out the evening activities.
The APS district values family engagement in supporting student success. APS Superintendent David James and Community Relations Director Carla Sibley explained the program to the adults in attendance during the dinner program. A parent representative, who has successfully applied the values learned during this program within her own family, gave a heartfelt testimony explaining the value of this mission.
Joining United Way in support of APS were Honorary Event Chair Eileen Burg and Event Co-Chairs Jeannine and Steve Marks and Lori and Mark Krohn. Additional high-level sponsors of the event included Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron Community Foundation, Harpst Ross Ltd., Kastner Wetstman & Wilkins LLC, and Omnova Solutions Foundation.
Through the generosity of area sponsors and donors, more than $35,000 was raised during An Evening With Our Family which will enable APS to expand its work, with family liaisons, in building school and community-based networks to engage families in creating supportive learning environments at home. Scaling up the work of APS family liaisons will requires additional support to meet the $200,000 annual budget. For more information about APS programs, visit online at AkronSchools.com. Visit United Way online at www.uwsummit.org/.