A family’s enduring legacy: The Showers Family Foundation plants seeds for generations of care

The Showers family continues to grow, as does their commitment to giving back to organizations like Akron Children’s.

In the world of philanthropy, few stories illustrate the power of generational giving like that of Dave and Martha Showers. The retired CEO of Wayne Homes and his wife have not only donated millions to Akron Children’s but have also instilled a passion for helping children in their family, ensuring their impact endures.

Dave, now president of Strausser Investment Co., and his wife, Martha, established the Showers Family Foundation in the late 1990s with a clear vision to involve their children in charitable decisions. Today, that vision extends to their grandchildren, including Frankie Martina, a trustee of the foundation and a recent addition to the Akron Children’s Foundation board of directors.

“We started the foundation because we wanted to get our kids involved in giving,” Dave said. “Now our grandkids are involved, and Frankie is third generation at the hospital. It is so rewarding to see my family involved in giving and seeing the benefits of philanthropy themselves. Daughters Tracy and Michelle, son-in-law Scott and 6 adult grandchildren are involved in gifting decisions.”

The Showers’ personal donations to Akron Children’s exceed $4 million, including the establishment of the Showers Family Fund in 1999, which supported the creation of the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders. They have also contributed to funds such as the LOPen Charities and Mawaka Family Chair in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fund, the Children’s Blood and Cancer Fund, the Teacher Fund and the Jeffrey A. Barbour Adolescent and Young Adult Fund.

The Foundation’s most recent gift supports the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders and included a matching donation for the hospital’s Giving Tuesday campaign in 2025.

Giving Tuesday is a global movement encouraging donations, volunteering and kindness on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the U.S. Launched in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation, it promotes generosity after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. For Akron Children’s, Giving Tuesday is a key day for donors to support pediatric care, often boosted by matching gift campaigns like the Showers Family Foundation’s.

A life-changing experience

The Showers’ connection to Akron Children’s began in the late 1980s with the birth of their first grandson, Jeremy, in Canton. Complications arose, and after a dissatisfying experience at a local hospital, they transferred him to Akron Children’s.

At Akron Children’s, the difference was profound. “The experience and what we witnessed is what got us involved,” Dave said. “It was an unexplainable difference. The way the staff worked with patients
and families moved us.”

Inspired, Dave and Martha committed to supporting the hospital. Dave joined the foundation board and later the hospital board, serving alongside leaders like Bill Considine and Phil Maynard. “I was nervous to be on the board with doctors and lawyers, but I’m really glad I did,” he said. “It was a big move for me.”

Dave’s own battle with stage 3 colon cancer in 2001, shortly after retiring and making a major gift to the
cancer center, further deepened his appreciation. “I had a 30% chance of living, but I’m still here,” Dave said.

Planting shade trees

For Dave, giving should be part of everyday community life. “We have an obligation. It’s the right thing to do,” he said. “We should plant shade trees that other people – future generations – can sit under.”

Stories from the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders are meaningful and motivating. “We’ve had wonderful stories from the cancer center – stories from people about how it saved their kids’ lives,” Dave said. “I’m not a doctor, so it embarrasses me. I didn’t do anything but give money.”

The family’s efforts have extended to expanding Akron Children’s presence in Stark County, including the North Canton location. Dave’s late son, Jamie, helped advocate for greater visibility there.

Beyond domestic giving, the foundation supports international efforts, such as a health center in Nebbi,
Uganda, serving 20,000 people. Though separate from Akron Children’s, it reflects the family’s commitment to helping the vulnerable.

Carrying the torch

As a third-generation philanthropist, Frankie Martina embodies the Showers’ legacy. “Almost all our giving is directed toward kids,” Frankie said. “Kids are a unique demographic. They can’t help themselves. You can’t control where you are born.”

Frankie volunteered at Akron Children’s during high school and now evaluates grant proposals with purpose. “I appreciate when families or donors are intentional with their giving, like our family to the cancer center,” he said.

The foundation’s Giving Tuesday match aims to inspire others. “We discussed as a family what we wanted to do in 2025,” Frankie said. “We want to encourage the community to give: If you give, we’ll give. It encourages people to give more, knowing their gift is being doubled.”

Joining the foundation board, Frankie emphasizes involvement beyond funding. “It’s because of the kids, just like my grandpa,” he said. “I have nephews that I adore and want kids to have the best care possible.”

Frankie encourages donors by leading by example. “Get involved and engage with the events. It’s not just about the money,” he said. “I’m grateful that my granddad shows that you don’t need recognition for what you do. You can donate time. Mother Teresa said, ‘It’s not how much you give, it’s about the amount of love you put into your giving.’”

Dave echoes advice for potential donors, quoting Considine: “No man stands taller than when he stoops to help a child.” He adds, “Most people giving large amounts are in the winter of their lives. They won’t benefit from it. We need to focus on planting those shade trees under which we will not sit.”