Charities and Philanthropy
May/June Community Outreach: ECO
ECO stands for Empowering Community Outreach and is a non-profi organization serving more than 20,000 prepared meals to individuals who are in veteran's homes and to RAHAB Canton that house women rescued from sex trafficking. Volunteers prepare meals from scratch twice a month to 4 veteran homes and 2 RAHAB homes. There are veteran homes in surrounding counties and our own Summitt County Valor House plus the 2 RAHAB houses. This charity was honored in 2024 as SCORES small business of the year with congressional recognition by Emilia Sykes. ECO was also recognized as Client of the Year by the State of Ohio, Gov, DeWine and Lt. Gove Husted.
The following items are some of the needs of this organization:
Egg noodles, Penne pasta, Elbow noodles(macaroni), flour, sugar, cans of corn, cans of green beans, velveeta cheese, chicken broth, brown sugar, powdered sugar, cake mix and icing, cans of pineapple, ranch dressing and jars of spaghetti sauce.
Gift cards to stores like Giant Eagle and Gas cards to help with the expense of delivering the prepared meals.
MONETARY DONATIONS: Send a check payable to AWCC and write on the memo line ECO. You will receive a statement for tax purposes. At the end of the second month, one check will be sent to the charity for the total amount collected.
CHARGES: You must come to AWCC to charge donations.
CASH: Please put your donations in the wishing well in the lobby.
Gift cards/Gas cards: Please in an envelope with your name on the front. Place the envelope in the large plastic envelope with a snap closure located at the receptionist's desk. A tax receipt will be sent to you for your donation.
Food Donations: Please place food donations in the wicker basket at the front entrance. If that is full, please place your items behind the counter of the boutique. There are shopping bags available behind the counter that can be used to store your donations.
Thank you for your donations!!
TAKE A LOOK AT OUR CHARITIES FOR 2024:
January-February: We collected hats, gloves and scarves for the students at Helen Arnold CLC.
February-March: We collected new or gently used purses, wallets and totes for the Friends of Akron Children's Hospital fundraiser in April.
March-April: We chose the HUGS program from the Salvation Army. We collected hats, underwear, gloves and socks for the homeless.
May-June: We did an actual “baby shower” for Pregnancy Solutions.
July-August: We collected items for Grace House, which serves those in their final stage of life.
September-October: We provided items for the Humane Society of Summit County. Congratulations on a brand new facility for furry rescued pets.
November-December: We provided items needed by boys and girls housed at Safe Landing, which is managed by Shelter Care.
Thank you to the members who donated items or money to these worthwhile
organizations. They were all so appreciative and have sent thank you letters to us.
Looking forward to what lies ahead in 2025:
Charities for 2025:
January-February: OPEN M which assists low income families and the homeless with medical, dental and legal needs.
February-March: We collected new or gently used purses, wallets and totes for the Friends of Akron Children's Hospital fundraiser in April. This is our second year to assist in this project.
March-April: We worked with the Jr. League of Akron on their project to provide hygiene products to those in need. Products were given to the food pantries for distribution.
May-June: We collected non-perishable food items for ECO, which stands for Empowering Community Outreach. They provide home cooked meals for 4 veteran homes and Rahab Akron and Canton that provide a safe place for women who have been trafficked.