Janet DeYoung, with her father, Russell DeYoung, and escort/future husband Dr. James Mungo at the 1963 Charity Ball. (Mungo/Woodburn family photo)
Christine Woodburn remembers her first view of an Akron Children’s Charity Ball at Goodyear Hall. She was too young to attend the dinner and dance, in which her cousins were being presented as debutantes. But those long, twinkling lights dangling from the ceiling left a lasting impression.
“That’s my visual,” she recalled. “We were too young to be on the floor, but we were allowed on the balcony to watch the presentation. I remember looking through the railings – those lights. That room. It all just looked magical.”
1963 Charity Ball (Mungo/Woodburn family photo)
1963 Charity Ball (Mungo/Woodburn family photo)
This year will be the third generation of young women from Christine’s family to participate in Charity Ball when her youngest daughter, Alexandra (Lexi), is presented by her father, David. Lexi is a senior at Hoban High School.
“I’m glad she is able to complete our trifecta,” Christine said, referring to her two older daughters. Lexi’s sister Victoria was presented in 2017, and her sister Gabriella was presented in 2022.
Christine herself was presented with her father, Dr. James Mungo, in 1990. Her mother, Janet DeYoung Mungo, was presented at the 1963 Charity Ball.
Christine Mungo, being presented by her father, at Charity Ball in 1990. (Mungo/Woodburn family photo)
Christine (then Mungo) and David Woodburn at the 1990 Charity Ball (Woodburn family photo)
Cousins Laura DeYoung (1979), Wendy DeYoung Susi (1981), Ashley Darlene Susi (2014), Taylor Anne Susi (2017) and Erika DeYoung Forster (2024) have also participated.
Christine, who works in the Admissions and Financial Aid office at Hoban High School, has always loved this event because she believes it’s uniquely Akron and steeped in city history and tradition. Even today, she considers Akron a close-knit community.
“Akron has a very community family feel where you can go anywhere and find a connection,” she said.
Her own family history touches on many Akron traditions and institutions. Her grandfather, Russell DeYoung, was chairman and CEO of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company from 1963 to 1973.
Her parents, Janet and James, a retired dentist, began dating at Akron’s famed Soap Box Derby when they were 16.
“We have deep Akron roots on both sides of the family,” said Christine. “My grandfather, Russell, grew up poor, attended more than a dozen elementary schools as his family moved, put himself through college and worked his way up to the top of Goodyear following E.J. Thomas. [Paul W.] Litchfield was his mentor.”
Her father’s family immigrated from Italy, has ties to North Hill’s St. Anthony’s Parish and St. Joseph’s in Cuyahoga Falls. Fathers and sons all became practicing dentists.
Akron Children’s Charity Ball began in 1895 as the Mary Day Nursery Ball. The gala was held in Albert Hall to raise funds for the day nursery that took care of the children of Akron’s rubber factory workers and other working-class families. Three years later, it became known as the Charity Ball.
The Charity Ball has been held for 122 years with the exception of an 8-year hiatus from 1900 through 1907 and during the COVID-19 pandemic. From initial proceeds of $250, more than $17 million has been raised for the hospital over the years. This will be the last year for the presentation of debutantes as the Akron Children’s Women’s Board considers other fundraising event options.
Over the years, the ball became an opportunity to honor families who have served the community, whether on corporate boards or volunteering on the front lines of organizations.
Christine with middle daughter Gabriella in June 2022. The ball that year was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the guest dress code was relaxed. (Woodburn family photo)
Lois DeYoung, Christine’s grandmother, was a member of the Akron Children’s Women’s Board from 1960 to 1973. Mother Janet Mungo was a long-time member of the Women’s Board and served on the hospital’s board of trustees from 1985-87. She also chaired the 1977 Charity Ball.
For the Mungo/Woodburn family, the Charity Ball been a time to share and pass down family memories and traditions. Christine remembers watching a video of her mom’s ball with elaborate dancing.
“There was a huge grand march with the fathers, the debs and their escorts. We had to practice all summer long,” recalled Janet. “It was big to-do.”
Janet DeYoung takes a curtsey at the 1963 Charity Ball. (Mungo/Woodburn family photo)
They have saved photos, invitations and programs dating back to Janet’s ball at Memorial Hall at The University of Akron in 1963.
Christine’s grandfather, Russell, died when she was 16. But her grandmother presented her with earrings that were made from yellow stones he purchased on one of his trips abroad with Goodyear. She worn them to the ball’s dress rehearsal.
For the big night, she wore a pearl necklace her grandfather gave her when she turned 16. Victoria and Gabby worn it as well.
This year, the ball will be held at Todaro’s Party House on Dec. 27. Lexi will be one of 57 young women to be presented.
Like they have since Janet’s ball in 1963, the family will gather to celebrate family, community and tradition. Lexi will be joined by her grandparents, Janet and James; her parents, Christine and David; and sister, Gabby.
She will be wearing the same necklace worn by her mom and sisters, made of pearls selected by her great grandfather.
Lexi Woodburn (second from the right) will be presented at the 2025 Charity Ball, along with friends that date back to her elementary school days at St. Hilary: Sloane Petersen, Evelyn Sevald and Lucy Winkleman. They are pictured here at a rehearsal for the Charity Ball at Portage County Club. (Woodburn family photo)
