Big, beautiful bouquets to Ann Bialy, who is not only quite the prolific knitter but very generous, too.The 90-year-old Akron woman sent me a large box of caps and scarves, for newborns to youngsters, to distribute to children in foster care with Summit County Children Services.“My mom is addicted to knitting these as she watches all her favorite sports teams,” the Indians, Browns, Cavs and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, James T. Bialy said.“She would love for you to use these and many more to come to fill the void that the passing of Eleanor Cole leaves for the Summit County Children Services. If her labor of love can help these kids, it would mean so very much to her.”Barbara Lash, a spokeswoman for Hudson’s Laurel Lake Retirement Community, where Cole had been a resident, issued a challenge a few weeks ago, asking the community to knit or crochet at least one hat for Children Services as a tribute to Cole. “In 2010, the Laurel Lake Needleworkers made 563 caps for needy children served by Summit County Children Services,” Lash wrote. “This year, SCCS estimates they will serve over 1,000 needy children! And one of our most prolific contributors, Eleanor Cole, is no longer with us. Eleanor made an average 300 caps a year!”Many folks in the Greater Akron community, like Ann Bialy, accepted the challenge as well.Hats off to each of them.Rummage saleSpeaking of Children Services, mark your calendar for Oct. 1. That’s when its Women’s Auxiliary Board is hosting its annual rummage sale, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Fairlawn Community Center, 3486 S. Smith Road, Fairlawn. All proceeds directly benefit the children in the agency’s care.The Women’s Auxiliary Board is marking its 60th anniversary. Its 100 members volunteer untold hours in support of Children Services projects, including the Holiday Toy Room.People interested in donating new or gently used rummage items — clothing, housewares, lawn and garden items, craft supplies or accessories — may drop them off between 8:30 a.m. and noon Sept. 30. For information, please call Patricia Roy at 330-379-2055 or email her at proy@summitkids.org.Family gratefulColor them grateful.That was a sentiment expressed earlier this week by Akron’s Shirley Townsend, whose family barely escaped a house fire at 1463 Beardsley St. in Akron on Sept. 5.Townsend wanted me to know that 3-year-old Zinan Life, son of Rikki and Josh Life and Townsend’s great-grandson, who was flown in serious condition to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus because of its hyperbaric chamber, is back in Akron.“We’re just so grateful to the firemen who went into that smoky, burning house to save him and [5-year-old] Isaac,” Townsend said. “One got Isaac [who was in the basement] out. And another got Zinan, who was on the steps between the first and second floors and not breathing.” Townsend said the family regrets not knowing the names of the courageous firemen who came to its aid. “They came so quickly and were so competent.“We also would like to thank Jackie Bates and Ward 7 Councilwoman Tina Merlitti and all who helped them out. People dropped off clothes and even toys. I’ve read about what people do. But I had never seen it firsthand myself. Everybody has been so kind. It’s been unbelievable.”The Life family, which includes 18-month-old Aiden and 6-month-old London, is staying with relatives. According to preliminary findings, the fire started in the kitchen.Comedy benefitWe ª Jim Midock is a comedy benefit planned for Sept. 28, showtime 8:30 p.m., at the Funny Stop Comedy Club, 1757 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, with all proceeds going to help the former WNIR radio newsman with his medical expenses, which I’m told are astronomical. Co-headliners will be Akron’s Mike Conley and Cleveland’s Jeff Blanchard, with WNIR’s morning personality Stan Piatt as the master of ceremonies.Tickets are $10, but all donations are appreciated. A 50/50 raffle and other giveaways are planned and audience members will be encouraged to sign a banner for a minimum $1 donation.For information, please call 330-923-4700.Haiti bread programRick and Debbi Sands, owners of the Great Harvest Bread Co. in Stow, are really seeing their product as the bread of life.After recently meeting with a group from Haiti and then visiting the country, the Sandses structured a plan that they hope will help meet the needs of the community of Ouanaminthe, Haiti.They describe Ouanaminthe as a border town of about 120,000 with 90 percent unemployment.“The bakery will be built on the property of Institution Univers, the local school of 2,100 students,” Rick Sands said.“The bakery will supply whole-grain bread for a new breakfast program as well as train baking and nutrition as part of a new vo-ed program started this year. The vo-ed program currently teaches auto mechanics and sewing.”Anyone interested in donating to this project can make checks out to Christ Community Chapel/Bread 4 Haiti and mail them to Christ Community Chapel, 750 W. Streetsboro St., Hudson, OH 44236; attention Paul Wides.Autism fundraiserThe Autism Family Foundation of Northeast Ohio will host a benefit gala Oct. 15 at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn, 3180 W. Market St.Tickets for the black-tie-optional fundraiser (cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, silent and oral auctions and dinner) are $150. Sponsorships for tables of 10 are also available. Please call 330-926-3939.All proceeds benefit the Robert J. Keegan Family Center for Autism in Copley Township.The Autism Family Foundation assists those dealing with the autism spectrum disorders through advocacy and resources that help these children and their families develop from birth through adulthood.Up for auction are tickets to the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and a tour of Leno’s personal car collection; a family trip to Orlando; a Steinway upright piano; jewelry from Sterling Jewelers; rides on the Goodyear blimp; and tickets to sporting events, including Ohio State football.Spirited concertA Chorus With a Cause is planning a spirited concert “with all the enthusiasm of the Special Olympians” for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Hoover High School in North Canton.The event, titled Believe, will benefit Special Olympics. It will feature guest appearances by Children’s and Youth Choirs of A Chorus for a Cause (ACFAC), Harmony Ringers of ACFAC and HandPrints Sign Choir. Cost is $10. For information or tickets, please call 330-453-3460 or visit www.achorusforacause.org.Prostate cancer eventBrenda June Cares, a local nonprofit to raise awareness of prostate cancer, is planning its inaugural fundraiser, a dinner and auction on Oct. 27 at Firestone Country Club.“Our ultimate goal is a world without prostate cancer,” said June DeAngelis, registered nurse, founder and executive director of the organization. “The way to achieve this is by raising awareness and impressing upon men, and the women in their lives, just how important it is to be tested.”According to DeAngelis, the American Cancer Society estimates that this year about 240,890 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States and 33,000 men will die from the disease. “More than 2 million men in the U.S. are prostate cancer survivors,” DeAngelis said.Because early detection is the key, the nonprofit will offer “free or deeply discounted prostate cancer screening opportunities.” For information, please see www.brendajune
cares.org.Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or emailed at jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.