🌱 ☘️ Spring into Action with First Serve this March! 🌱 ☘️

AKRON'S MAYOR MALIK VISITS 915 NORTH MAIN

On February 4, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik was joined by over 50 North Hill nonprofit leaders, principals, guidance counselors, and board members from 915 North Main for a dynamic Lunch and Learn. Participants enjoyed time connecting over lunch and hearing from 915 North Main Executive Director Joy Fenton-Jones, who shared inspiring updates on the continued progress and vision of the 915 North Main project.

Mayor Malik took time to tour the building and offered brief remarks, highlighting the incredible energy, collaboration, and momentum taking shape within the space.

First Serve is thrilled to see Lunch and Learn serving as a vibrant platform where community leaders can come together, strengthen partnerships, and champion the important work happening in North Hill.

“Every neighborhood deserves shared community spaces like this one. It's incredible to see this space reinspire and connect North Hill residents and community nonprofit partners. And to keep its faithful history alive as a place where several communities feel welcome to show reverence to their individual beliefs. 915 N. Main emphasizes what Akron is all about and I'm excited to see the space continue to grow."

– Akron Mayor Malik in his weekly newsletter

FUN & FUNDRAISING WITH PROYECTO RAíCES

On Tuesday, April 7 from 6 to 8 pm, First Serve is partnering with Proyecto Raíces to host a fundraiser event, A Night of Lotería. Volunteers are needed to help at the event with decorating, selling raffle tickets, serving food and cleaning up after the event.

Proyecto Raíces is one of the nonprofit tenants at 915 North Main Community Connection Center. The organization aims to enrich the Hispanic community in Northeast Ohio by providing young Latinos with resources and a sense of community. This fundraising event will support Sabado programming, the bread and butter of Proyecto Raíces, wherein every first and third Saturday of the month, children ages 7 to 14 gather for academic enrichment, cultural programming and more.

If you're interested in volunteering or attending this event to support the mission of Proyecto Raíces, please use the links below.

Volunteer

Purchase Tickets

NORTH HILL NEWS

Thanks to Brunswick Subaru for their Subaru Love's to Help Grant to Trinity Clothing Room at 915 North Main. Brunswick Subaru donated 132 pair of new shoes and socks! Volunteers spent the morning unloading and organizing shoes which will be given away to the North Hill Community.

Thanks to Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank for their Loving Bottom Blessings donation to the North High School Food Pantry. Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank donated 2,600 diapers which will be given away to students' families.

Special Thanks to the Students of Saint Hilary Parish School

During the month of January and February the students at Saint Hilary Parish School collected hygiene products and food for North High School. Students collected four carloads of products that will be given to the North High School students during a hygiene product giveaway the first week of March. On behalf of the students at North, we would like to thank Saint Hilary Parish School for their generosity.

Spring Dinner & Egg Hunt

On April 8, First Serve, United Way and Akron Public Schools will sponsor a Spring Dinner and Egg Hunt for the North Hill Community. Please consider helping with this event. We need volunteers for setting up, serving and running the egg hunt. Use the link below to sign up for this event, or contact Kris Stoehr with any questions.

Help at the Spring Dinner & Egg Hunt

ONGOING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

NEW OPPORTUNITY!

Harris Jackson CLC

1085 Clifton Ave., Akron

School Store: Help students select prizes in the school store as part of an incentive program rewarding positive behavior in school. Volunteers are needed for morning shifts (8:30-10 am) and afternoon shifts (11 am - 2 pm). Sign up here.

NEW OPPORTUNITY!

Forest Hill CLC

850 Damon St., Akron

Reading Night: On Thursday, March 19 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm, we could use some volunteers to help distribute food at Forest Hill's Reading Night. Sign up here.

Findley CLC

65 W Tallmadge Ave, Akron

Jane Penny, First Serve Coordinator

Math Night: This great Findley family event will be Thursday, March 12. Please sign up to help here!

Findley Food Bag Packers: We are so fortunate to have Good Samaritan Hunger Center helping to feed our students at Findley CLC. If you are able to help us pack food bags on Wednesdays, please sign up here. Many thanks for your continued support of this amazing elementary school.

Join the Team Findley email group to keep up to date on Findley information and opportunities by emailing Jane Penny.

North High School

985 Gorge Blvd, Akron

Kris Stoehr, First Serve Coordinator

Food Pantry and Clothing Room: Help assist students and their families in the food pantry and clothing closet. For more information about the clothing closet contact Kris. To sign up to work the food pantry, please click here.

Contact Kris with any questions.

SLEEPING MAT MINISTRY NEWS

The new Sleeping Mat Ministry benefiting Akron Snow Angels is gaining momentum, with about a dozen volunteers meeting regularly to prep plastic bags for weaving into sleeping mats for Akron's unhoused population.

Many hands make light work, however, so we'd love more help to make the mats even faster!

The group will meet at First Congregational Church of Hudson on:

Thursdays, March 5, 19 & 26, 12:30 - 3 pm and

Saturday, March 14, 10 am - 12:30 pm

Your time and care can offer warmth, dignity, and hope! There are a variety of jobs volunteers can do to help create the mats, so everyone can participate.

To be part of this meaningful work, please contact Patti Hester at pattijoan@gmail.com.

joinfirstserve.org