The Medina Sunrise Rotary proudly supports Akron Children’s presence in Medina.
The more than 40 members of the Medina Sunrise Rotary Club prove that communities can be dramatically changed by small groups.
“Each year, we hold an event called Wine & Roses where we raise most of the funds that we give to local organizations. We generally grant a couple thousand dollars to various nonprofits each year,” said David Samuelson, president-elect of MSR and president of DST, a digital marketing firm. “When we learned that Akron Children’s was bringing more services to families in our area, we recognized the need to do something more.”
Rising to the challenge
The chapter, whose name references its 7:15 a.m. weekly meeting times, pledged an “impact grant” of $100,000 – payable over four years – to the Akron Children’s Health Center, Medina. This gift is a practical demonstration of its mission to “make a difference in the lives of children in our community and beyond through our time, talents and treasures.”
With a planned opening in March 2025, the Medina Health Center will consolidate three Akron Children’s offices into a single location with an expanded service offering. The 28,900-square-foot facility will include primary care, specialty services and physical rehabilitative care on Route 18 in Medina in the former Summa Health Medina Medical Center.
In its first full year of operation in 2025, the Medina Health Center expects to serve more than 9,000 individuals through more than 30,000 visits. By the end of 2029, more than 18,000 individual patients may receive care.
Robert Hlasko, president of MSR and superintendent of the Educational Service Center of Medina County, said that the decision was easy as most of the members had taken their children to Akron Children’s facilities for services. “While Akron isn’t too far away, many people do not have transportation. Health care, especially for kids, should be close to home,” he said.
Kerry Gregoire (left), past president, and Robert Hlasko, current president, presented the check to the hospital.
Careful considerations
Chapter Treasurer Kevin Lauterjung, president of Viridi LLC, an energy management company, said the chapter uses a formal process to evaluate grant opportunities. “We’ve given other impact grants, but this grant is the most significant amount we’ve ever committed. We need these critical services in our growing community.”
Since the chapter’s inception in 1994, MSR has raised more than $1.5 million for various organizations and projects, all of which in some way affect children. The group has consistently given to the Children’s Center of Medina County and Feeding Medina County, two organizations that focus on children. The group believes that Akron Children’s will join those ranks.
“This gift is a statement about our faith in the community, our supporters and Akron Children’s as an institution,” said Janet Newcomer, MSR secretary and executive director of Feeding Medina County. “Not a single organization does more work for our community than Medina Sunrise Rotary. I am so proud to be part of this chapter and the impact we’re making.”
To join MSR in helping build out the Akron Children’s Health Center, Medina, contact Matthew Long, director of major gifts at Akron Children’s Foundation at mlong2@akronchildrens.org.
