Fourth Quarter 2012 • This issue is sponsored by:
Spotlight Young Professionals Spurred to Action As part of the Spotlight Program for young professionals we were introduced to the Refuge of Hope, one of only two men’s shelters in Stark County which also provides six meals a week to anyone who needs it.
The Spotlight young professionals class presented a check to Refuge of Hope director Duane Wykoff.
We received a tour of the dining room and sleeping quarters and listened as Duane Wykoff, Executive Director, shared with us the astounding numbers of homeless and hungry people in Ohio. By October of this year, all of their beds were already being used and Duane expressed his growing concern about the need for beds with winter on its way. He’d been hoping to be able to purchase 10-12 cots to help them get through the winter. Each of these cots cost $100, which is also the amount of my monthly cell phone bill to put it in perspective.
As we left, I felt compelled to donate enough money to purchase at least one cot for someone who has nothing but the clothes on his back. Kristin Green, a fellow classmate, and I came up with a donation plan, and formally asked for the support of our peers hoping to put together a $1,000 donation to Refuge of Hope for the purchase of 10 cots. The outpouring of support was amazing. We presented Duane with a check for $1,645 at our last session. In another effort, class members got permission to harvest the remaining produce from the Canton Community Garden and also donated that to the Refuge of Hope for the meal program. We were truly inspired by the work being done at the Refuge of Hope and by the support and compassion of our Spotlight class members. (See page six for class list!)
Key Program Dates
JANUARY 7 Signature Program applications available
JANUARY 21 Government Leadership Academy applications due
FEBRUARY 1 Role of the Board seminar
FEBRUARY 21 Board Matching session
MARCH 19 Government Leadership Academy graduation luncheon
Submitted by Laura Perry Event Manager, Pro Football Hall Fame Enshrinement Festival
Volume 3, Issue 4 Page 1