Akron donors join together to support the Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs

(Editor's note: written by Bonnie Lass Wojno, Dreamweaver, Akron Rotary Camp)

On the shores of Rex Lake in Akron, Ohio, there is a shining star where abilities are allowed to shine.

That star is the Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs. Imagine a place where you can be accepted for who you are, a place where you are encouraged to develop your unique talents and abilities. This year, almost 2,000 campers participated in activities, including one camper with autism, who left camp speaking his first independent sentences. Another camper overcame his aversion to water. These are just two examples of the impact that camp has on the children who attend. This year, the camp is transforming its facilities to better meet the needs of today’s children with special needs.

The Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs touches the hearts of many who are helping to transform the camp’s facilities into modern and accessible buildings for the children and adults who participate in the camp. This year, the camp began a campaign to rebuild and renovate its tired old buildings. To accomplish this, many community leaders were invited to tour the camp by the campaign’s steering committee, which is co-chaired by Nick and Ruthie George and Jack and Vivian Harig. One of the participants in the tours was Rennick Andreoli, owner of RDA Hotel Management. He was so moved by the work that occurs at the camp that he offered to build a cabin himself the day of his tour. Since that time, Andreoli has worked with Bennett Construction Management to coordinate a team of volunteers to help build a cabin that will be called the “Hilton for Kids.” In addition to this generous gift to the camp, Andreoli has become a passionate advocate for the kids and the campaign. He is working with Akron Community Foundation to encourage donors who have donor-advised funds at the foundation to make a gift to his “Hilton for Kids” project. Donors' gifts will help fund a second cabin.

Other donors who were moved to help the camp this year are Al Romanini of Willoughby Supply and Jack De Leo of Hitchcock Fleming Associates. Romanini, a long-time supporter of the Chili Open, sponsored by Wayne Homes, had never been to Rotary Camp. After seeing the camp and its great benefit to kids, Willoughby Supply is donating the roofing for the entire project. De Leo, also a long-time supporter of the Chili Open, visited camp this summer and has chosen the camp to benefit from the company’s Christmas donation. HFA will provide resources for creative learning activities at the camp.

Rotary Camp has been operating continuously on the shores of Rex Lake in Akron’s Portage Lakes since 1924. It was founded by Hezzelton Simmons, a president of the University of Akron, and Dr. Walter Hoyt, an orthopedic surgeon. Both were Rotarians and wanted to have a place where children with polio could enjoy the outdoors and experience typical camping activities. Today, Rotary Camp serves children with a myriad of special needs, ranging from developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorders to physical disabilities and mental illness. The camp is a place where children are encouraged to let their abilities shine.