By Jewell Cardwell
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 07:04 p.m. EST, Nov 22, 2009
All that’s missing from Gennesaret’s 18th annual Thanksgiving Day ”Home Run for the Homeless” is a barbershop quartet or an a cappella choir standing on the sidelines to cheer the early-morning runners and walkers.
Perhaps we’ll get some takers.
The event, which draws hundreds of folks (last year it was 2,500) with their hearts in the right places, has long since served as a mini-reunion for local high school cross-country teams and their alumni.
This area’s supreme runner, Olympic track gold medalist and former world-record holder Butch Reynolds, will again lead the walk and greet runners.
This year’s race features a sophisticated electronic timing system. Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female finishers. Other categories include 40-49 and 50-plus age groups.
Gennesaret is an all-volunteer, nonprofit Summit County group that provides transitional housing to mothers, fathers and their children.
”It also served hot meals to an average of 600 persons weekly,” spokesman Pat Kunklier said.
”Gennesaret is funded entirely from grants and individual contributions and accepts no government financial support. More than 300 volunteers support Gennesaret, from preparing and serving meals to developing the Job Skills Training Center.”
So, if you’re interested in helping Gennesaret do what it does and make a difference in the lives of those who truly need the help, here’s the plan.
The four-mile Home Run begins at Gennesaret’s Family Nutritional Center at 517 W. Exchange St. (near Maple Street) and winds through historic Glendale Cemetery. Open registration is 7 to 8:45 a.m. Akron police will direct traffic. Race-day fee is $20.
Fee for the one-mile walk/run is $2. Download registration forms and see a parking map and shuttle information at http://www.gennesaret.net. For more information, please call executive directors Bob and Mary Dirgo at 330-923-2222.
Here’s the other important piece of information to know in preparing for the race.
”Runners can bring like-new toys and gently used running shoes for needy families,” Kunklier said. ”Blankets are also needed.”
So, walkers, runners and potential singers, say yes to this fun event before you say yes to turkey and pie.
Vehicle donated
Thanksgiving will be early for one client of the Battered Women’s Shelter, who today is receiving a car.
”Danay, who has been a resident of the shelter for the last several months while working to build a peaceful life for herself and her three small children, will be handed the keys to her 2005 Toyota Sienna,” said Battered Women’s Shelter executive director Terri Heckman.
Danay has the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides and Sterling Autobody Centers in Stow to thank for it.
NABC is a vehicle donation program aimed at helping people struggling in life. ”This car/van giveaway is in its fourth year across Summit County and has given more than 150 automobiles to worthy recipients,” Heckman said.
”This all started with Allstate giving a van to Sterling Autobody Center (26 E. Steels Corner Road),” Heckman continued. ”The employees of Sterling spent countless hours and hundreds of dollars worth of car parts, taking this van from used to ‘like new.’ This van looks brand new, from paint to tires to exhaust; the van is in tip-top shape thanks to kindness of the Sterling employees.”
Help with rent
Akron Summit Community Action Inc. (ASCA) is presently accepting applications for emergency rent/mortgage assistance. ”Limited funds are available to Summit County residents who are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and have suffered a job loss or a reduction of hours within the previous six months of request for assistance or if the client is currently homeless,” said Patricia Spencer, ASCA emergency services administrator.
”Reduced hours must equal 20 percent of hours worked or if homeless must be referred by a shelter or other human service organization (i.e. Salvation Army, Battered Women’s Shelter or Haven of Rest, etc.) This one-time payment is made directly to the landlord or mortgage holder and is limited to one month’s rent payment not to exceed $700 or one month’s mortgage not to exceed $1,000 (principal and interest only). The program ends when funds have been exhausted. For appointment information, residents can call 330-253-8806.
Thanksgiving meal
Kudos to the 100 Black Men of Greater Akron, whose sole mission is doing positive deeds. The group is hosting its third annual Thanksgiving dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Callis Tower apartments, 730 Callis Drive.
Michael Irby, the group’s president, said the men will cook and serve dinner to more than 100 residents, some of whom will not have family visiting during the holiday.
Coats collected
Mike Pruitt Honda (43 Pruitt Boulevard, off state Route 
is offering ”Coats for Cash” which runs through Nov. 30 at the dealership.
The public is encouraged to donate new or slightly used adult and children’s coats. With each donation, the contributor will be entered in a drawing for $430 in cash (Mike Pruitt’s jersey number was 43 when he played for the Cleveland Browns). Winner will be announced Dec. 1.
All coats will be donated to the Haven of Rest Ministries homeless shelter.
For directions or more information, call 330-633-6060 or 800-323-2945.
Bowling fundraiser
DJ Mr. King, Tha Takeover Productions & Ren1010 Sports will host the second annual Strikes For Hunger charity bowling event from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday at AMF Riviera Lanes, 20 S. Miller Road, Fairlawn.
Last year’s event raised more than $1,000 in donations and food for Battered Women’s Shelter and ACCESS Inc. This year’s proceeds go to Shelter Care and Safe Landing Shelter.
The fundraiser features a live DJ as well as billiards and other games. Children age 5-18 will bowl in the first session, 5 to 8 p.m.; the second session, beginning at 9 p.m., is for adults 21 or older.
Admission is $10 for children, $8 with five canned goods; and $20 for adults, $15 with five canned goods. For information on lane sponsorship, please contact Steve King at 330-701-8327 or sking0328@gmail.com.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.
