Akron Children’s 118th Charity Ball celebrates community service

06-16-2022 (Akron, Ohio )

The 118th Charity Ball and 70^th presentation of debutantes was held June 8 at E.J. Thomas Hall in Akron and is expected to raise $85,000 for the patient care programs at Akron Children’s. The event, presented by the Women’s Board, was rescheduled from December, so the annual tradition could safely continue.

Thirty-three debutantes were selected to participate in the event, which recognizes generations of community service and volunteerism and features the presentation of 24 debutantes who graduated in either 2020 or 2021 from area high schools.

Barbara Varley chaired this year’s event and special care was taken to ensure all participants enjoyed the evening while still following CDC, Ohio Department of Health and Akron Children's guidelines to remain healthy.

The presentation of the debutantes received support from Gold Sponsors Kyle and Missy Cheney/Deloitte & Touche LLP and Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Rossi; Silver Sponsors Hanna, Campbell & Powell, LLP and Wagner Machine, Inc.; Bronze Sponsors Baird/ Dr. Michael Smith and Ms. Mona Sarkar, Baumgardner Products Company, GPD Group, Hasenstab Architects, Inc., Hickory Harvest Foods, J.W. Didado Electric, Lanza Design, and Dr. Joseph and Barbara Varley; and Other Sponsors EYEMG.com, 1^st American Courier, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Altman, Michael and Lisa Marchetta, David Rutledge and Nancy Grau Rutledge, and Mr. and Mrs. Earl Stalter.

The first-ever ball, the Mary Day Nursery Ball, was held in 1895 to raise money for the Mary Day Nursery, the predecessor to what is now known as Akron Children’s. The presentation of the debutantes began in 1951.