Upcoming Events

Friday, August 24, 2012 Project GRAD Golf Outing

At Good Park Golf Course

First Place $400 Cash Prize!

Presented by G. Stephens, Inc.

Glen Stephens - Chief Executive Officer & President

Thursday, November 1, 2012 Sixth Annual Achieving Dreams Celebration

Silent Auction and Awards Program

St. George’s Fellowship Hall

3204 Ridgewood Road - Akron, Ohio

Event Chairpersons: Iris Harvey & Bernett L. Williams

Project GRAD Akron 65 Steiner Avenue, Suite 211, Akron, Ohio 44301

Phone: 330-761-3113; Fax: 330-761-3246

www.projectgradakron.org

Project GRAD Akron’s Locations in the Akron Public Schools

Buchtel Community Learning Center - Grades 7 to 12

Crouse Community Learning Center - Grades K to 6

Schumacher Community Learning Center - Grades K to 6

Graduation Really Achieves Dreams

Project GRAD Akron and The Minerva Fund of Akron, Ohio

Friday, August 17, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.

St. Joseph’s Family Center

610 W. Exchange Street, Akron, Ohio

President

Margaret A. Roberts

Treasurer

Pamela R. Valentine

Financial Secretary

Deborah A. Grimes

Directors

Geraldine Carter, Ph.D.

C. Joyce Finley-Johnson

Diane Miller-Dawson

Marquita Mitchell

Linda F.R. Omobien

Sandra Shaw

Jo Carol Shaw-Franklin, Advisory

Jacqueline Thomason, Esq.

Torey S. Tolson

Judge Annalisa S. Williams

Brittany Grimes Zaehringer, Esq.

The Minerva Fund of Akron, Ohio “a public charity 501(c)(3)”

P.O. Box 62, Akron, Ohio 44309-0062

Today, more than 17,000 State Farm Agents are benefiting from the re-wards of exclusively marketing and selling State Farm insurance prod-ucts and financial services. Are you ready for a challenging business opportunity as a State Farm agent?

State Farm is looking for qualified candidates who can meet our high standards for consideration for anticipated opportunities in Summit, Me-dina and various counties in Northeast Ohio.

We offer a 7 month paid training program. Following your training you would earn renewable income from an existing book of business, $30,000 in signing bonuses, retirement benefits, worldwide travel incen-tives, office set-up assistance and more.

Our Company expectations for an Agent are to:

Operate and manage a profitable State Farm agency.

Market and sell all State Farm products.

Demonstrate a commitment to meeting the customer's insurance

and financial needs.

Provide professional customer service to customers and the com-

munity.

Meet all licensing and certification requirements, including obtaining

Series 6/63 licensing.

Meet State Farm's financial review guidelines.

Possess a strong commitment to integrity and ethical business prac-

tices.

Demonstrate a commitment to profitability, productivity, and agency growth.

Please contact Eudora Graffaree-Robinson, Agency Recruiter @ (330) 273-6672, eudora.graffaree-robinson.i0ra@statefarm.com if you would like to know more about the opportunity or to schedule a date and time to take the first step.

Cooking For A Cause An Evening of Food, Fun, and Fellowship

Food Tasting Please visit the chefs’ stations and enjoy samples

of the delicious food. People’s Choice Ballots –

Don’t forget to complete your ballot for the chef who

prepared your most enjoyable food item for the evening.

Celebrity Judges will recognize chefs in a variety of

categories and select the Judges’ Choices for the

Top Amateur Chef and Top Professional Chef.

Silent Auction Please visit the silent auction tables and bid on items to take home

with you this evening. If you are interested in any of the items,

simply write your name and bid amount on the sheet. If you are

the lucky winner of the items, you will pay for your items at the

check-out in the lobby. We accept cash, checks, and credit cards.

50/50 Raffle Raffle tickets are on sale for $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.

At the conclusion of the event, there will be a drawing for the

winning ticket. The selected recipient will win 50%

of the entire amount collected for the raffle.

You do not have to be present to win!

Floral Centerpieces The floral centerpieces are available for purchase

for a cost of $15.00 each. Each centerpiece has a

number. If you wish to purchase an arrangement,

go to the registration table and provide the

number of the centerpiece you wish to purchase.

They are available on a first-paid basis.

Fun & Fellowship Enjoy the music and take time to fellowship with the other guests.

Please let the chefs know how much you appreciate their

willingness to donate their services and Cooking For A Cause!

EVENT SPONSORS (As of August 13, 2012)

Gold Sponsor

Stifel Nicolaus and Company, Inc.

Bronze Sponsors

R.W. Baird

Medical Mutual

Pearl Sponsors Akron Summit Community Action, Inc.

Carolyn O. Brown

Lawrence Butler Jr. & Jacqueline Silas-Butler

Raymond & Deborah Grimes

William Johnson & C. Joyce Finley-Johnson

Margaret Roberts

Sandra Shaw

State Farm

VIP Patrons Cheryle Franklin

Dr. Lisa Bennett Matthews

Diane Miller-Dawson

Debra Adams Simmons

Jacqueline Thomason, Esq.

Torey S. Tolson

Pamela R. Valentine

Dr. Sheldon Wrice

Brittany Grimes Zaehringer, Esq.

Contributors Maura Scanlon Bozzelli, Esq.

Marshae Snyder

Steering Committee

Event Chairpersons

Jacqueline Silas-Butler, Esq.

Executive Director, Project GRAD Akron

and

Margaret Roberts

President, The Minerva Fund of Akron

Carolyn O. Brown

Geraldine Carter, Ph.D.

Magistrate Sharon Hairston Dennis

C. Joyce Finley-Johnson

Sherri Graves

Deborah A. Grimes

Jacqueline J. Jackson

Theresa Manzell

Diane Miller-Dawson

Linda F. R. Omobien

Sandra Shaw

Debra Sommerville

Crystal Taylor-Neloms

Jacqueline Thomason, Esq.

Pamela R. Valentine

Meet The Judges

Daisy Alford-Smith, Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer

Girl Scouts of North East Ohio

Lawrence Butler, Jr. Retired Educator

Akron Public Schools

Tracy Carter System Director, Governmental Affairs & Health Policy

Summa Health System

Malcolm J. Costa President and Chief Executive Officer

Akron Summit Community Action, Inc.

Meg Feller Chef and Owner

Lemon Leaf Catering

Fedearia Nicholson Assistant Vice President for Student Success

The University of Akron

Richard M. Roberts Retired Administrator

Akron Public Schools

Debra Adams Simmons Editor

The Plain Dealer

Fred Wright President and Chief Executive Officer

Akron Urban League

Medical Mutual® is

proud to support Cooking for a Cause

Special Acknowledgements On behalf of

Project GRAD Akron and

The Minerva Fund of Akron

we thank you for your

attendance and the following

for their support:

Chefs

Judges

Silent Auction Donors

Advertisers

Event Sponsors

Akron Beacon Journal

The Reporter

Dr. Fannie Brown - WAKR

Ted Louis – St. Joseph’s Family

Center

Akron Alumnae Chapter of

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc

Meet The Chefs

Carolyn O. Brown Retired Administrator, Akron Public Schools

Richard Brown Pricing Coordinator, Henry’s Acme

Retired, Ford Motor Company

Brandi Davis Principal, Schumacher Community Learning Center

Akron Public Schools

Linda Davis Retired Administrator, County of Summit

Natalie DeGraffenreid Member of Executive Committee, YEPAW -

Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop

Receptionist, Arlington Church of God

Scott Gale Chief Deputy Clerk

Akron Municipal Court Clerk of Courts

Sonya Gordon Principal, Buchtel Community Learning Center

Akron Public Schools

Paul Hardy Project Manager

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Supt. Clarence Jackson Senior Pastor, Greater Holy Trinity

Church of God in Christ

and

Evangelist Jacqueline Jackson Director of Women’s Ministries

Greater Holy Trinity Church of God in Christ

Dorothy O. Jackson Retired Deputy Mayor, City of Akron

David James Superintendent, Akron Public Schools

Gizelle Jones-Williams, LISW Executive Director, Jewish Family Services

Bob Kulinski President, United Way of Summit County

Debra North Sommerville Program Manager

Summit County Department of Job and Family Services

Lawrence M. Tolson Computer Programmer, Dominion East Ohio Gas and

President of the Akron Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

and

Torey S. Tolson Financial Advanced Business Analyst, FirstEnergy, and

President, Akron Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Pamela D. Wellington Payroll Clerk Sr., The University of Akron

LaKisha Williams Co-Owner, Baker Blvd.

Sonya Williams Director, Foster Grandparent Program

Akron Summit Community Action, Inc.

Oscar Williams, Jr. Treasurer, Buchtel PTA

Retired Firefighter, City of Akron

Deborah Prophet Wilson Real Estate Agent, Cutler Real Estate

Professional Chefs

Dennis Baylor Intimate Solutions

Marc D’Antonio & Teresa Palmer Acme Fresh Market Catering

Tanya Lundy Taste of Fine Dining

Ralph Lutz, Jr. St. Joseph’s Family Center

Frank Zifer Virtues Restaurant

Silent Auction Donors

ACME Fresh Market

Akron General Health and

Wellness Center

Akron Zoo

Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc.

Brennan, Manna & Diamond,

LLC-Anthony S. Manna

E. Lee Byrd II, D.D.S.

City Laundry & Dry Cleaning

City of Akron

Dawn 2 Dusk Holistic Center

Fairlawn Country Club

First Choice Bookkeeping and Tax

Service

Fitness 19

Giant Eagle

Graf Growers

Grape and Granary Winery

H & R Block

LeBron James

Ken Stewart’s Lodge

Kimberly Jewelry, Inc.

Bart LeGrair

Lucky Shoes

Luigi’s Italian Restaurant

Macy’s

Angela Malone

Richard Meadows

Chris Miner

Nautica Queen

Asenath Nevels

The Peanut Shoppe

Petitti Garden Centers

Pickwick & Frolic Restaurant &

Club, Home to Hilarities 4th

Street Theatre

The Pink Door

The Plain Dealer

Robeks

Shaw JCC of Akron

Sheraton Suites Akron/

Cuyahoga Falls

Shulan’s Jewelers

Skyway Drive-In

Spaghetti Warehouse

Starbucks

Stonehedge

The Tangier

Target - Chapel Hill

Target - Green

Wal-Mart

ITEM NUMBER 46: Chef’s Bart Lasagna Fabulous lasagna for you from Bart LeGrair. Choice of beef, three-cheese, or veggie (fresh spinach). Serves up to 18 people. Donor: Bart LeGrair VALUE:$ 75 MINIMUM BID:$ 40

ITEM NUMBER 47: Lunch Around Town $20.00 gift certificate good for dining in or carry out at Luigi’s Italian Restaurant, $20.00 Gift certificate good at Skyway Drive-In, and Two gift cards good each for one entrée and a beverage at the Spaghetti Warehouse. Donor: Luigi’s, Spaghetti Warehouse, and Skyway Drive-In VALUE: $65 MINIMUM BID: $30

ITEM NUMBER 48: The Peanut Shoppe #1

$25 Gift certificate good at the Peanut Shoppe. Donor: The Peanut Shoppe VALUE: $25 MINIMUM BID: $15

ITEM NUMBER 49: The Peanut Shoppe #2 $25 Gift certificate good at the Peanut Shoppe. Donor: The Peanut Shoppe VALUE: $25 MINIMUM BID: $15

ITEM NUMBER 50: Giant Eagle Gift Card $25.00 gift card from Giant Eagle. Donor: Giant Eagle Value: $25 MINIMUM BID: $10

ITEM NUMBER 51: ACME Gift Card $20.00 Gift Card from ACME Fresh Market. Donor: ACME Fresh Market Value: $20 MINIMUM BID: $10

ORAL AUCTION

ITEM NUMBER 52: LeBron 2012 London Olympics Special item to be announced at the event. Donor: LeBron James VALUE: Priceless MINIMUM BID: Will be announced

Cooking for A Cause Silent Auction - Items & Description

FOR HER

ITEM NUMBER 1: Chamilia Bracelet and Bead Silver Bracelet (twirl snap clasp), with Red & White Kaleidoscope Bead. Donor: Shulan’s Jewelers, Fairlawn VALUE: $170 MINIMUM BID: $60

ITEM NUMBER 2: Pandora Bracelet and Bead Pandora Silver Bracelet with snap clasp and one (1) Murano Glass Red Bubbles Bead. Donor: Kimberly Jewelry, Inc. VALUE: $100 MINIMUM BID: $50

ITEM NUMBER 3: The Pink Door Manicure/Pedicure #1 Gift basket includes certificate for pedicure and manicure, Pretty Pink Prep Wipes and Pretty Girls Skin Care Loves Crush Shower and Body Oil. Donor: The Pink Door Nail and Facial Spa VALUE: $65 MINIMUM BID: $25

ITEM NUMBER 4: The Pink Door Manicure/Pedicure #2 Gift basket includes certificate for pedicure and manicure, Pretty Pink Prep Wipes and Pretty Girls Skin Care Loves Crush Shower and Body Oil. Donor: The Pink Door Nail and Facial Spa VALUE: $65 MINIMUM BID: $25

ITEM NUMBER 5: Basket of Bling Ladies Diva Martini short-sleeved shirt (m), Jeweled Martini Glass (hand wash only), B is for Botox, book. Donor: Chris Miner VALUE: $60 MINIMUM BID: $20

ITEM NUMBER 6: Mary Kay Fragrances Basket of Mary Kay fragrances and skin care products. Donor: Asenath Nevels VALUE: $100.00 MINIMUM BID: $35

HEALTH & FITNESS ITEM NUMBER 7: LifeStyles One-Month Family

Membership One (1) month family membership at Akron General Lifestyles Health & Wellness Center. Not valid for Current LifeStyles Members. Offer expires April 30, 2013. Donor: Akron General Lifestyles Health & Wellness Centers VALUE: $175 MINIMUM BID: $75

ITEM NUMBER 8: Six-Month Membership Fitness 19 Six (6) month membership good at Fitness 19 Fairlawn Town Centre. Not valid for existing members. Donor: Fitness 19 Fairlawn Town Centre VALUE: $183 MINIMUM BID: $75

ITEM NUMBER 9: 1-Month Family Membership at Shaw JCC Certificate for a one-month family membership. Must be activated by September 1, 2012 and will expire October 1, 2012. Not Valid for existing Shaw JCC members. Donor: Shaw JCC of Akron VALUE: $83 MINIMUM BID: $40

ITEM NUMBER 10: New Balance Shoes $25.00 gift certificate toward the purchase of merchandise only. Good through 12/31/2012. Nine locations including Fairlawn Town Centre. Donor: Lucky Shoes Value: $25 MINIMUM BID: $15

ITEM NUMBER 11: Lucky Shoes $25.00 gift certificate toward the purchase of merchandise only at Lucky Store. Good through 12/31/2012. Three locations including Fairlawn Town Centre. Donor: Lucky Shoes Value: $25 MINIMUM BID: $15

ITEM NUMBER 12: Dawn2Dusk Holistic Center Two (2) $40.00 gift cards good for services at Dawn2Dusk in Cuyahoga Falls. Donor: Dawn2Dusk Holistic Center VALUE: $80 MINIMUM BID $40

ITEM NUMBER 39: Akron Aeros Game in Loge #211 Use of Loge #211 at Canal Park for an Akron Aeros Game during April or May 2013. Includes 20 admission tickets and clean-up of the loge. Must be redeemed by Feb. 1, 2013 to secure tickets and date. Donor: Anthony S. Manna, Brennan, Manna & Diamond, LLC VALUE: $400.00 MINIMUM BID: $150

ITEM NUMBER 40: Cavaliers Game Loge Tickets Two (2) loge seat tickets to a 2012-2013 season Cavalier Game. Game date to be mutually agreed upon when the 2012-2013 season Is announced. Donor: The Plain Dealer Value: $400-$600 Range MINIMUM BID: $150

ITEM NUMBER 41: Golf at Mud Run 18 holes of golf and cart for two (2)) at Mud Run. Donor: City of Akron VALUE: $40 - 50 MINIMUM BID: $25

ITEM NUMBER 42: Golf at Good Park 18 holes of golf and cart for two (2) at J. E. Good Park. Donor: City of Akron VALUE: $56 - 80 MINIMUM BID: $35

FOOD

ITEM NUMBER 43: Lunch at Fairlawn County Club for Four Complimentary lunch for four (4) at the Fairlawn Country Club. Certificate expires October 31, 2013. Donor: Fairlawn Country Club VALUE: $100 MINIMUM BID: $50

ITEM NUMBER 44: Ken Stewart’s Lodge Gift Certificate $25 Gift Certificate redeemable only at Ken Stewart’s Lodge. Certificate good for 18 months from date of issue. Donor: Ken Stewart’s Lodge VALUE: $25 MINIMUM BID: $15

ITEM NUMBER 45: Pound Cake Delicious Pound Cake made for you by Richard Meadows. Donor: Richard Meadows VALUE: $25 MINIMUM BID: $10

ITEM NUMBER 31: Gardening Basket

Basket filled with great items for your garden, including hat, book , gloves, and more. Donor: The Plain Dealer VALUE: $100 MINIMUM BID: $50

ITEM NUMBER 32: Graf Growers $20.00 gift certificate and plant. Donor: Graf Growers VALUE:$ 50 MINIMUM BID: $25

ITEM NUMBER 33: Petitti Garden Center Gift Certificate $20 gift card for Petitti Garden Centers. Donor: Petitti Garden Center VALUE: $20 MINIMUM BID: $10

ITEM NUMBER 34: Macy’s Gift Card $25 Gift card for Macy’s. Donor: Macy’s VALUE: $25 MINIMUM BID: $15

ITEM NUMBER 35: Target Gift Card #1 $50 gift card for Target. Donor: Target - Chapel Hill VALUE: $50 MINIMUM BID: $25

ITEM NUMBER 36: Target Gift Card #2 $50 gift card for Target. Donor: Target - Green VALUE: $50 MINIMUM BID: $25

ITEM NUMBER 37: WalMart Gift Card $25 Gift Card for Walmart. Donor: WalMart VALUE: $25 MINIMUM BID: $15

SPORTS

ITEM NUMBER 38: Akron Aeros Loge for the August 25, 2012 Game

Loge for twenty (20) people at the Akron Aeros Game on August 25, 2012. Donor: City of Akron VALUE: $200 MINIMUM BID: $100

ITEM NUMBER 13: Teeth Whitening Kit

Gift Certificate for teeth whitening service. Certificate entitles the bearer to One (1) take home “Home Bleaching” kit. Certificate must be used by December 31, 2012. Donor: E. Lee Byrd II, DDS VALUE: $350 MINIMUM BID: $150

ITEM NUMBER 14: Robeks Smoothies Gift cards for two (2) free smoothies and three (3) $1 Robeks Dollars. Donor: Robeks at W. Market & Exchange St. Value: $15 MINIMUM BID:$5

ENTERTAINMENT

ITEM NUMBER 15: Akron Zoo Visit Four (4) Admission passes to the Akron Zoo. Does not include parking. Good until December 31, 2013. Donor: Akron Zoo Value: $40 MINIMUM BID: $20

ITEM NUMBER 16: Bowling at Stonehedge Certificate good for 10 games of bowling and 5 shoe rentals, One large one topping pizza and one pitcher of soda; and $15.00 gift certificate for the Stonehedge Grille. Expires 2/28/2013. Donor: Stonehedge VALUE: $94 MINIMUM BID: $45

ITEM NUMBER 17: Smooth Jazz at Tangier with Eric Darius Tickets for two (2) for the Eric Darius Concert at Tangiers. Sunday, October 28, 2012. Tier 3, Row 39 Donor: The Tangier VAUE: $60 MINIMUM BID: $30

ITEM NUMBER 18: Lunch Cruise on the Nautica Queen Lunch Cruise for two aboard the Nautica Queen. Certificate expires June 1, 2013. Donors: Nautica Queen VALUE: $48 MINIMUM BID: $24

ITEM NUMBER 19: Pickwick & Frolic Restaurant & Club Complimentary admission for four (4). Excludes Saturday shows and holidays. Expires 8/31/2013. Donor: Pickwick & Frolic Restaurant & Club Home to Hilarities 4th Street Theatre VALUE: $96 MINIMUM BID: $45

ITEM NUMBER 20: Overnight stay at Sheraton Suites One night stay for two adults at the Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls. Expires 8/1/2013. Reservations based upon availability. Donor: Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls VALUE: $140 MINIMUM BID: $70

ITEM NUMBER 21: Wine Tasting at the Grape & Granary

Basket includes 1 bottle of Cabernet Savignon, 1 bottle of Ohio Tramiette, wine carrier, and Gift Certificate for a wine tasting for two (2) at the Grape & Granary. Donor: The Grape & Granary VALUE: $60 MINIMUM BID: $30

ITEM NUMBER 22: Alpha Center Rental of room and set-up for up to four (4) hours of usage. Some restrictions do apply. No alcohol. Contact Michael Williams at (330) 376-8787. Donor: Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc. Value: $400 MINIMUM BID: $100

HOUSE & HOME

ITEM NUMBER 23: Obama “A Change Has Come” Front Page President Barack Obama full color glossy print, from The Plain Dealer, November 5, 2008. Matted and Framed. Donor: The Plain Dealer VALUE: Priceless MINIMUM BID: $100.00

ITEM NUMBER 24: “Umoja – Unity” print by Ted Ellis

Artist signed, 18”X 24” Art print poster. Donor: Angela Malone VALUE: Priceless MINIMUM BID: $30

ITEM NUMBER 25: Cooking Basket

Great things for the kitchen, including Art Bamboo Cheese Server; book, A Year in My Kitchen, by Skye Gyngeli; chocolate; kitchen towels; Wooden Pepper Mill; and more. Donor: The Plain Dealer VALUE: $125 MINIMUM BID: $50

ITEM NUMBER 26: Starbucks Coffee Brewing Kit Basket

Pour-over Brewing Kit and 1 pound of Dark Gold Coast Blend whole bean coffee. Donor: Starbucks VALUE: $26 MINIMUM BID: $10

ITEM NUMBER 27: Gift Certificate City Laundry #1 $25.00 gift certificate good for laundry & dry cleaning services. Donor: City Laundry & Dry Cleaning VALUE: $25 MINIMUM BID: $15

ITEM NUMBER 28: Gift Certificate City Laundry #2 $25.00 gift certificate good for laundry & dry cleaning services Donor: City Laundry & Dry Cleaning Value: $25 MINIMUM BID: $15

ITEM NUMBER 29: H & R Block Tax Preparation Tax preparation service in 2013 for your 2012 taxes – up to $400 Value. Donor: H & R Block VALUE: up to $400 MINIMUM BID: $100

ITEM NUMBER 30: First Choice Bookkeeping & Tax Service

$75 Gift certificate good for Bookkeeping, Income Tax preparation or Resume preparation. Certificate good until 8/13/2013 Donor: Debra L. Turner, First Choice Bookkeeping & Tax Service VALUE: $75 MINIMUM BID: $30