ENDOWMENT FUND RECIPIENTS TO SPEAK ON THEIR ORGANIZATION
Posted by Curt Werren on Oct 14, 2016
The Rotary Club of Canton Endowment Fund consists of monies held at the Stark Community Foundation for the benefit of the charitable endeavors of The Rotary Club of Canton.
The Endowment Fund consists of assets donated by Rotarians along with memorial gifts. The Fund has two sub-funds: The Leo Punches Sub-Fund; and the Ed and Ruth Wilkof Foundation Sub-Fund.
The Endowment was created with the passing of Leo Punches, a long time Rotarian who operated a jewelry store in Canton, Ohio. Leaving no heirs, and having been impressed by the Handicapped Scouts Program (as it as called at the time), Leo Punches decided to contribute a sizeable portion of his Estate to The Rotary Club of Canton. His donation ultimately began the Endowment Fund.
Past President Judge Curt Werren is the Chair of the Committee. Currently the Endowment Committee meets once a year at the Stark Community Foundation to review unfunded or underfunded grant requests the Foundation has received. Particular attention is given to organizations or members of those organizations that have had a history with Rotary and, secondly, organizations that provide benefits in and around Canton, Ohio.
In honor of Mr. Punches’ affinity for children with disabilities, the Endowment Committee provides a distribution to support the Rotary Scouts Program. Additionally, the Endowment Committee has provided a distribution to support membership activities of the Club which currently consists of leadership scholarships and a new program to provide some first year memberships at no dues costs to certain prospective member.
In addition, the Endowment Committee has chosen in 2016 to support four agencies and/or programs within the Canton area. These programs are: Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health; Hammer and Nails Inc.; Elves & More; and the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Program.
Hammer & Nails, Inc.
Hammer & Nails grew out of a temporary outreach ministry from North Industry Christian Church. Mike & Darlene Leghart are co-founders. Hammer & Nails received its 501C3 nonprofit status in 2000. To date we have served over 1,600 struggling Stark County homeowner families. Our ministry campus is located at 11th & Shorb Ave NW, Canton. Those we partner with are elderly, mentally/physically challenged and low-to-moderate income level homeowners. Youth and adult volunteers, local and out-of-area, partner with us and bring their willing hearts and eager hands to complete select home improvement projects such as: interior and exterior painting; dry wall repairs; yard work; replacement of rotted porches; single story roofing; and construction of much needed wheelchair ramps. We are blessed with between 1,700 and 2,000 volunteers annually. Currently, 253 homeowners are waiting for our assistance! To read more about this organization please follow this LINK.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters began providing mentoring programs to Summit County children in 1972, originally as Big Brothers of Akron. In 1975, the program expanded to include women and girls and was renamed Big Brothers and Sisters of Greater Akron. In 1995, our agency expanded to include Medina County and the agency was renamed Big Brothers Big Sisters of Summit & Medina Counties. Stark County joined our service area in June of 2013. Our organization is affiliated with the national chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, which has been active since 1904. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.To read more about Big Brothers Big Sisters please follow this LINK.
Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health
In the early years, five professional staff provided treatment, diagnostic, and consultation and education services from two locations. By 1977 a relationship had developed between C&A and the Stark County Juvenile Attention Center which continues today. Our licensed psychologists and staff conduct comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and develop service plans for youth referred by the court.To read more about this organization please follow this LINK.
Elves & More
Elves & More is an organization bringing hope to approximately 1,000 children living in the Northeast Ohio area. The mission is to design programs to meet the needs of children which are not being met, focusing on entire neighborhoods. We mobilize financial and human resources to implement these programs.To read more about Elves and More please follow this LINK.