Our community gathered in heartfelt unity for the annual Wave of Light, a global event honoring the babies who left us too soon. Held at the Knight Center for Truth inside of United Way of Summit & Medina’s downtown Akron office, the evening was intimate, deeply moving and a space where love, remembrance, and hope came together under one shared light.
At 7 p.m., as candles were lit around the world, the Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza filled with a gentle glow as each flame represented a story, a memory, and a family’s enduring love. Parents, friends, and supporters came together not only to grieve but to celebrate the lives that, while brief, continue to inspire strength and compassion within our community and serve as a reminder that we owe it to every baby born, the best chance at a healthy, long life.
For us at United Way of Summit & Medina, the Wave of Light isn’t just a moment of remembrance, it’s a call to action and a reminder of why Bold Goal 4: Healthy Babies matters so deeply. Every life deserves the chance to begin in health and safety. Yet, too many families in Summit County still face barriers that put those first precious moments at risk.
Our Healthy Babies initiative works to reduce the county’s infant mortality rate and ensure that every family has access to care, resources, and support from pregnancy through early childhood. Because when babies thrive, so do their families and so does our entire community.
We’re grateful to every person who joined us, shared their stories, and lit a candle for a life. Your presence reminds us that healing grows stronger when shared, and that each of us has a role to play in creating a community where all babies are born healthy and loved.
Thank you for helping us honor the past, stand with families in the present, and build a future where every child celebrates their first birthday.
Together, we remember. Together, we hope. Together, we work for healthy beginnings.