Akron Children’s announces winners of 2026 More childhood, please. Awards
06-30-2026 (Akron, Ohio)
Akron Children’s is pleased to announce the recipients of its second annual More childhood, please. Awards, which showcase the power of individuals, families, and even children themselves to positively impact the lives of children and families in our community.
The health system launched the awards program in 2025 to celebrate and honor those dedicated to improving and advancing childhood across the 33 counties it serves in Ohio.
“We take great pride in helping the kids of our region grow up safe and healthy,” said Chris Gessner, president and CEO of Akron Children’s. “But we cannot do it alone and wanted to formally recognize the great work of wonderful people and organizations in our communities that partner with us to put kids and families first.”
In total, 147 nominations were received for the seven award categories. The 2026 More childhood, please. Awards honorees are:
Business Impact: Sonny Johnson, Garfield Heights
Through his organization, NEO Youth Elite, Johnson leads basketball camps, skill development sessions and competitive showcases that provide structure, mentorship and positive engagement for kids of all ages. These events are not just about athletics; they are designed to teach discipline, teamwork, accountability and confidence. By creating safe, supervised environments, he ensures that young people have a constructive outlet that keeps them active, focused and connected to positive influences. Johnson, “Ohio Mr. Basketball 1998” who went onto play Division 1 college ball, gives young athletes exposure to high school and college programs, scholarships and future career paths. Many go on to earn roster spots and receive all-state honors. For this reason, his business is not only successful, but mission driven.
Civic Impact: Deborah Sesek, Cuyahoga Falls
As volunteer coordinator at St. Mary Akron School Enrichment Center, Sesek has grown the after-school program into a vital community partnership, supporting students academically and emotionally. The retired lawyer and former Peace Corps volunteer began organizing the program in 2017 to match volunteers with students, helping them with everything from tutoring to mentoring life skills. Her team of volunteers includes high school students, retired doctors, lawyers, priests, teachers, librarians and stay-at-home moms. Sesek’s commitment to the program and her own personal generosity, such as buying new unforms for students, reflect her lifelong devotion to learning and the well-being of children.
Community Hero: Jodi Kauffman, Wooster
Kauffman, a Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy and school resource officer in Triway Local Schools, is known for her commitment to student safety, mental health and positive relationship building. At the high school, she has organized “Kindness Month” initiatives, focusing on mental health awareness and bullying prevention. She has implemented a vape buyback program and anonymous tip line for students and families to speak up about potential dangers to the school and community. She has conducted mock crash simulations and jury trials to educate students on the consequences of impaired driving. Parents, school staff and students appreciate that Kauffman views her job as so much more than just “keeping watch” over a building. She engages with the students, gets to know them and cares deeply about their safety.
Family Impact: The Jacobs Family, Copley
Carrie and Eric Jacobs got the worst news parents could get in 2015 when their oldest daughter, Kylie Rose, was diagnosed with cancer at age 5. But the family, including sister Emmie and brother Blake, has channeled it into something positive by creating a foundation that has raised $500,000 and has donated 7,000 “Kylie’s Bags of Love” to pediatric cancer patients at Akron Children’s. Their signature fundraising event, Kylie Rose’s Run, a 5K and Family Fun Run, arose from the family’s own love for running. Over 12 years, they have fostered it into a beloved community event. The “Bags of Love” concept began by Kylie herself after Santa brought her a sewing machine and she began sewing gift bags, filling them with goodies for patients. Friends, family and neighbors happily stepped up to help.
Luminary: Teresa Fletcher, Medina
As the lead advanced practice provider for Akron Children’s School-Based Health Center, Fletcher has expanded healthcare access and improved outcomes for more than 24,000 students across 24 Ohio school districts. She has been instrumental in the growth of school-based asthma treatment protocols, implementing scoliosis screenings and leading a fluoride varnish initiative for elementary-aged students. She also helped develop a Youth Advisory Counsel in Akron Public Schools (APS) to give teens a voice in healthcare issues that matter the most to them. She recently advocated for a behavioral health program in APS. Fletcher’s underlying goal is simple: to keep kids where they belong – in the classroom, learning, growing and building their futures.
Young Leader: CJ and Cree McAfee, Canton
For the past six years, brothers CJ and Cree McAfee, 14 and 12, respectively, have planned and operated their own hugely-successful annual “lemonade stand,” donating 100 percent of their profits – around $22,000 – to Stark County kids with cancer. The lemonade stand was their idea and it has grown to become a much-anticipated annual June event in a large Whipple Avenue parking lot. With success has come added menu items (hot dogs, cookies from local bakeries), social media love and accolades like Canton’s “unsung heroes.” But the brothers, at their core, are two philanthropic young men, helping other kids, with no plans to stop anytime soon.
Nonprofit Impact: Victory Gallop, Bath Township
For more than 30 years, Victory Gallop has been providing innovative therapy programs that combine evidence-based practices with the unique bond between horse and rider. The children and teens it serves have chronic illnesses, behavioral disorders and other concerns. Beyond the farm, Victory Gallop was the first program certified in the U.S. to bring a pony into hospitals. First with Petie the Pony, and now with Willie Nelson, team members bring smiles to children hospitalized when they see a real pony, albeit small in stature, clip-clop into Akron Children’s main door, enter an elevator and amble room to room. Looks of amazement and joy are assured – and worries of the moment forgotten – as a friendly pony saddles up for a bedside visit.
Celebration set for Sept. 23
The honorees will be celebrated with a dinner and awards presentation at the DoubleTree by Hilton Akron Fairlawn on Sept. 23. The event will be hosted by Monica Robins, chief medical correspondent for WKYC TV, and Stephanie Haney, multimedia journalist with Ideastream.
Entertainment will be provided by Dance Unlimited, a therapeutic dance program that allows Akron Children’s patients of all abilities to participate.
For more information about the awards program, visit https://www.akronchildrens.org/MoreChildhoodPlease/awards.html
