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 […]
Donor Features
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 […]
Donor support propels expansion of emergency department in Mahoning Valley
On Oct. 13, Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley broke ground on the $31 million, 22,500-square-foot expansion of our Emergency Department (ED) in Boardman. The project, which is scheduled to be completed later this year,will more than triple the size of our current ED, which was built to accommodate up to 80 patient visits per day but […]
Holiday Tree Festival joy keeps longtime volunteer coming back for more
When Patti Kelleher began volunteering at the Holiday Tree Festival in 1982, one thing stood out to her: The joy on people’s faces. “A family came in that looked like they didn’t have much, and they lit up. And I thought ‘what a joy,’” she recalled. “Look at what we are giving people. Their kids […]
Women in philanthropy: Virginia “Gina” Drosos
For years, Virginia “Gina” C. Drosos, CEO of Signet Jewelers, has helped spearhead the organization’s partnership with Akron Children’s. We spoke to Gina about the relationship between our organizations, and how Signet’s commitment to our hospital reinforces the company’s deeply held belief in supporting the communities in which its employees live and work. Signet Jewelers […]













