Jeff and Mimi Ryznar firmly believe in giving back to others – and supporting the Mahoning Valley community. The business owner and physician both feel that everyone has gifts to use and share. Here, they explain why they share their time, talents and treasures with Akron Children’s. How did you become interested in philanthropy and […]
Donor Features
33 Forever Inc. awards $175,000 to Akron Children’s Behavioral Health, Mansfield
Donna and Jeff Heck and the team at 33 Forever Inc. are on a mission: to provide hope, help and empowerment to those with mental health issues. When Donna and Jeff’s family lost 33-year-old daughter Danielle “Dani” Leedy in 2019 after a long battle with chronic depression, friends, family and the Mansfield, Ohio, community rallied […]
Safer – and stronger – together: The Goodyear Foundation renews its commitment to the Safe Mobility Project
When The Goodyear Foundation and Akron Children’s joined forces to create the Safe Mobility Project in 2015, we became a collective force for good, safety – and change. For six years, children and families in Summit County have benefitted from the program, which aims to help keep kids safe while they’re on the move. Now, […]
Rebuilding lives: Marci M. Matthews establishes endowed chair for excellence in burn care
Restoration after devastation. That’s how the team at the Paul and Carol David Foundation Burn Institute at Akron Children’s approaches its intense work. The stories of recovery from this unit inspired long-time donor Marci Matthews to place a greater emphasis on burn treatment. Through a $1 million gift, she established the Marci M. Matthews Endowed […]
Dave and Julie Pratt support Akron Children’s culture of caring
As parents of three active boys, it didn’t take long for Dave and Julie Pratt to become familiar with the Emergency Department at Akron Children’s. Visits became common, helping the family mend broken bones and stitch up cuts. “One weekend we had each boy in there for something different,” said Julie. “By the third trip, […]
Tom and Joy Murdough’s $500,000 gift supports Innovation Challenge
Tom Murdough is known as many things. Inventor, employer, pioneer, husband, father, grandfather. The innovator and founder of Little Tikes, Step2 and Simplay3 also embodies another important moniker: philanthropist. Together with his wife, Joy, Tom has supported organizations across northeast Ohio, including Akron Children’s. Since 1983, the couple has donated over $2 million to our […]
