Jolea Swann’s journey to the Holiday Tree Festival began when her daughter Becky experienced a neurological emergency. Sitting in Becky’s hospital room at Akron Children’s Hospital, Jolea was approached by Marilyn McGuckin, director of volunteers, about helping with a tree on a patient floor. “Marilyn suggested I start volunteering while Becky was sick. It would […]
Matt Hirsch exchanges toolbox for a fun-filled retirement
Matt Hirsch, regional facilities engineer, goes by many titles at Akron Children’s: maintenance engineer, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) technician, plumber, electrician and “fix-it” guy. When he began doing off-site maintenance work, he added a new title: ambassador. “Six years ago, the regional facilities role was created at Children’s,” Matt said. “Bill Considine (Akron […]
Gayle Zimmerman is ready to turn her efforts toward a fun-filled retirement
Anyone who has played organized sports has likely heard the saying, “There is no ‘I’ in ‘team’.” The idea of people pulling together to achieve a common goal makes sense to Gayle Zimmerman, coordinator, accreditation. “I knew I could never be a nurse,” Gayle said. “I’m definitely not a ‘medical’ person, but I knew I […]
Cancer patient’s beach-inspired tree is small in stature but big on love
While the bright lights and sparkle of the Akron Children’s Holiday Tree Festival may be virtual this year, the heart-warming stories that bring many of the trees to life are still very real, like Addison Tolley’s brave battle with cancer. Bright-eyed and active Addison was home rehabbing a torn ligament in her knee when her […]
Holiday Tree Festival spotlight: Building on the Promise
Visit the 32nd annual Holiday Tree Festival at the John S. Knight Center from Nov.23- Dec.1, and see the trees, wreaths and holiday gifts. Admission to the festival is free. For more information visit akronchildrens.org/treefestival.
A new family tradition for the Pollocks – the Holiday Tree Festival
We were blessed to have been able participate in Akron Children’s Holiday Tree Festival preview party on Nov. 16. In fact, we were so excited that we didn’t think to get a little boy sitter for the evening. Fortunately the event was so intriguing to our little mister that it wasn’t a problem for his entertainment.
