Akron Children’s to host 121st Charity Ball on Dec. 28
12-19-2024 (Akron, Ohio)
The 121st Charity Ball, presented by the Women’s Board of Akron Children’s, will take place at the Doubletree by Hilton on Sat., Dec. 28, 2024. All proceeds benefit Akron Children’s.
Nineteen Honorees will be presented at the annual event in recognition of their volunteer contributions and those of their parents and grandparents to the local community. This year’s Honorees, representing a variety of high schools, are:
Caroline Babbitt, daughter of Craig and Barbara Babbitt of Uniontown, Green High School, Miami University.
Reese Baird, daughter of James and Tara Baird of Akron, Revere High School, Miami University.
Cassidy Cook, daughter of the late John Cook and Tracy McCool Cook of Wadsworth, Highland High School, The University of Akron.
Annie Cors, daughter of Bradley and Elizabeth Cors of Wooster, Walsh Jesuit High School, Loyola Marymount University.
Erika Forster, daughter of Laura DeYoung of Peninsula, Walsh Jesuit High School, Miami University.
Lillian Gottlieb, daughter of Nathan and Shilo Gottlieb of Fairlawn, Copley High School, Miami University.
McKenzie Henretty, daughter of McKay and Amy Henretty of Copley, Revere High School, The Ohio State University.
Maggie Hummel, daughter of Paul and Jennifer Hummel of Copley, Revere High School, Ohio University.
Grace Iero, daughter of Chris and Maureen Iero of Copley, Walsh Jesuit High School, The Ohio State University.
Hailey Janke, daughter of Gregory and Mandy Janke of Copley, Revere High School, The Ohio State University.
Emma Lenz, daughter of Nick and Heather Lenz of Hudson, Hudson High School, the University of Tennessee.
Kristina Martucci, daughter of Brian and the late Katherine Dilley Martucci of Cuyahoga Falls, Archbishop Hoban High School, Kent State University.
Addison Nessel, daughter of Kimberly Lloyd of Danville, Western Reserve Academy and Perkiomen School, the University of Minnesota.
Corrine Sanders, daughter of Beth Sanders of Akron, Walsh Jesuit High School, Miami University.
Audrey Sevald, daughter of Matthew and Jennifer Sevald of Akron, Firestone High School, John Carroll University.
Sarah Silver, daughter of Jason and Carolyn Silver of Wadsworth, Highland High School, the University of Dayton.
Alexa Strandberg, daughter of Brent and Susan Strandberg of Copley, Copley High School, the University of South Alabama.
Jocelyn Tielsch, daughter of Byron Tielsch and Cynthia Chen of Copley, Copley High School, Arizona State University.
Mia Winkelmann, daughter of John and Sandra Winkelmann of Copley, Archbishop Hoban High School, Miami University.
Doors open at 6 p.m. The presentation of honorees will take place at 7:30 p.m., with dinner and dancing to follow.
Event History
The first Mary Day Nursery Ball was held on Dec. 18, 1895 to raise money for the
Mary Day Nursery and Kindergarten, which opened in 1890 and was the predecessor to Akron Children’s.
The third ball, in 1897, was called the “Charity Ball” and has remained a community tradition. The Charity Ball continued through both World Wars, and, in 1951, the presentation of Honorees was added.
Community Service
Continuing the commitment of service demonstrated by their families, this year’s participants completed a service project of their own, volunteering for Project Linus to make blankets for Akron Children’s patients. The national non-profit organization makes and donates homemade blankets to children in the hospital or others in need.
This year’s Charity Ball has been sold out. If you would like to be included on the mailing list to receive an invitation for next year’s ball, please email womensboard@akronchildrens.org
