Staggering Statistics on Diabetes & Local Efforts to Knock it Out – 2013-11-25

By: Katie Sobiech

It’s no secret that diabetes is quickly growing in the United States. Current stats show that 25.8 million children and adults in the United States – that’s 8.3% of the population – have diabetes (2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet). And seventy-nine million people are pre-diabetic.

Also, the cost of diabetes on the nation’s wallet continues to climb (March 2013), including:

• $245 billion being the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2012
• $176 billion for direct medical costs
• $69 billion in reduced productivity

This epidemic really does affect us all in some way, shape or form. And chances are we, or a loved one, will suffer from diabetes at some point in our lifetime if something isn’t done to address it.

4th Annual Mixed Paper Drive in Akron Schools – 2013-11-14

Courtesy of the Akronist

To help celebrate America Recycles Day Nov. 15, Keep Akron Beautiful (KAB), in conjunction with the River Valley Paper Company, is hosting the 3rd annual mixed paper drive competition in 24 Akron Public Schools and eight private schools in the Akron area.

During this month-long competition through Nov. 15, community residents and local businesses can help make one of these schools a local and national winner by taking their magazines, phone books, paperboard, catalogs, junk mail, office paper, newspaper and cardboard to a recycle bin.

Currently, bins are located at the following Akron Public School Locations: Helen Arnold CLC, Betty Jane CLC, Case Elementary School, Firestone Park Elementary School, Forest Hill CLC, Glover CLC, Seiberling Elementary School, David Hill CLC, Leggett CLC, Judith Resnick CLC, McEbright CLC, Sam Salem CLC, Voris CLC, Findley CLC, East 7-8 CLC, Miller South School of the Visual & Performing Arts, Hyre CLC, Innes CLC, Mason CLC, Litchfield Middle School, Kenmore High School, North High School, Ellet High School, and Buchtel High School. The following private school locations are also included in our competition: Chapel Hill Christian School, Discovery Montessori School, Hoban High School, Imagine School, Old Trail School, Our Lady of the Elms, Saint Mary School and The Edge Academy.

To increase participation, the top elementary, middle and high school to recycle the most paper per pound, per student will win a prize. The winning elementary school will win a school-wide pizza party and a $250 cash prize, while the winning middle and high schools will each win a $500 cash prize and a field trip tour of the River Valley Paper Company plant for 50 students and faculty.

New this year: we will be awarding the school with the most pounds of paper collected OVERALL with a $250 cash prize. Another $250 cash prize will be given to a school that has improved the most from 2012 to 2013. This award will be deemed “Most Improved.” A poster contest is taking place for the second year, and the winning student will receive a $50 American Express Gift Card and will be featured in our 2014 local marketing. The teacher who submits the poster will also receive a $50 American Express Gift Card. In addition to all of the local awards, all participating schools are also competing on a national level in the Recycle Bowl competition. Due to the success of Keep Akron Beautiful’s mixed recycle paper drive two years ago, Keep America Beautiful used KAB’s program as the template for their national competition. Along with the prizes listed above, all 32 schools have the chance to win an additional $1,000, $750 or $500 through the national Recycle Bowl Competition.

This paper drive was designed to prove that Akron’s school staff and students, parents, community members and local businesses can help save trees, which help purge the atmosphere of greenhouse gases, by giving their trash a second life. The receptacles are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Filling up the collection bins will not only help the school win the paper drive, but it also raises money for the school to use for clubs, their recycling efforts or team uniforms.

For more information on the mixed paper drive, contact Jacqui Flaherty at Keep Akron Beautiful, (330) 375-2116

If you have any story ideas, questions, or comments you can contact: Katie@akroneur.com.

Increase ‘diabetes IQ’ with Akron Area YMCA – 2013-11-13

by Staff Writer

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and the Akron Area YMCA is encouraging the community to learn the risks for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes to take preventive steps to potentially reduce the chances of developing the disease.

Currently, one in three Summit, Medina and Portage County residents have prediabetes — a condition in which a person’s blood glucose is elevated, but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Only a small percent of those with prediabetes know they have it. With awareness and simple actions, people with prediabetes may prevent the onset of diabetes.

Seeking a Safe Haven: Stories from a Local Homeless Shelter Part Two – 2013-10-26

By: Chris Miller

Zachary Harper (left) and Andre Sims represent the different generations of men we met at a local homeless shelter, each with his own unique story.

Every night in the Akron area, 800 people are uncertain of where they lay their head at night, and as winter approaches, the bitter cold will makes this struggle for shelter even more significant for our area’s homeless population.

We interviewed a number of men at a local homeless shelter, and many of them spoke about the positive side of their situations. Like Zachary Harper, who’s been on dialysis for 14 years. Harper, 56, said he was thankful for the shelter’s proximity to downtown hospitals, and he’s also thankful his experience at the shelter has helped him to better appreciate his life.

ATHENA Women’s Leadership Day Celebration – 2013-10-18

By: Katie Sobiech

September 18th marked a special day for women leaders in the Akron area. Women of all ages and life experiences gathered for the 5th Annual Women’s Leadership Day Celebration at the Fairlawn Country Club.

ATHENA is an international leadership awards program that presents awards annually to two individuals in Northeast Ohio – one individual from the Greater Cleveland area and one from the Greater Akron area.

The ATHENA Leadership Award® is presented to a woman —or man— who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.