Fundraiser sends 10 children to Akron Rotary Camp

Judge Todd McKenney, left, and his wife, Bethany McKenney, Summit County Councilwoman, visit with Angie Warrington, seated, and her mom, Ida Osiek, who had a drawing Oct. 30 to raise money to send children to Akron Rotary Camp. Amanda Warner, right, from Akron Rotary Camp attended the drawing.

By CHRISTINA McCUNE
BGNN managing editor

BARBERTON  Ten campers. In only her third year conducting a fundraiser to send children to Akron Rotary Camp, Angie Warrington, of Barberton, raised enough money to sponsor 10 children.

At first, Warrington announced Oct. 30 that eight campers were being sponsored. Her mother, Ida Osiek quickly confirmed that people had in fact donated enough to sponsor nine campers. The number climbed to 10 by the end of the evening.

And the generosity that people showed was overwhelming to both Warrington and her mother, who put on the annual fundraiser, and brought tears to the eyes of Amanda Warner, director of Volunteer Opportunities and Special Events at Akron Rotary Camp, who accepted the funds.

“This goes a long way for our campers and their families because Rotary Camp truly provides respite,” Warner said. “This is really truly amazing.”

Akron Rotary Camp, which celebrated 100 years this fall with a gala, offers several camping programs for children with disabilities as well as adult
camp. Day camps and overnight camps are offered. More information is available at www.gotcamp.org.

“Lots of kids, lots of laughs, lots of smiles, lots of new adventures – it’s really a special place,” Warner said.

The 52-year-old Warrington, who was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, attended the camp herself a couple of summers as a child in the 1980s.

Warner welcomed Warrington and her family to join them at the camp next summer, which has been renovated since Warrington attended it years
ago, for a cookout at their pavilion to meet the campers and staff.

In its first year, the drawing for items donated by friends and family and local businesses raised $1,500. Last year, the fundraiser doubled and $3,000 was donated to the camp. This year, by the end of the evening and thanks to a donation by Bethany McKenney, District 7 Summit County
Council member, followed by a $400 donation by Holly Grove Baptist Church where Osiek’s daughter Lorie works in Tennessee, the fundraiser
brought in $5,000. More than a couple dozen people bought tickets and others made donations toward the cause. Osiek donated for the
drawing an Avon skin care basket, and other donations included Lake 8 theater tickets, #20 Matt Kenseth Dollar General Racing Helmet signed by Joe Gibbs Racing, a small birdbath, a voucher for a chiropractic session with Dr. Matt Frain, and gift cards from Caines Flowers, Leach’s Meats and Sweets, Circle K and ALDI.

Osiek said many people know her daughter and knew she walked for years with braces and crutches but didn’t know she had spina bifida.
Warrington said she feels spina bifida awareness is pushed aside during October and the drawing benefits families to help them send children to
camp and also helps to encourage awareness about Spina Bifida.

“We’re putting Spina Bifida Month on the map,” Osiek said.

According to the Spina Bifida Association at www.spinabifidaassociation.org, Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect.
Approximately 166,000 individuals in the United States have Spina Bifida. The neural tube defect occurs when a baby’s neural tube fails to develop or close properly, the association website states. No two cases are the same and Spina Bifida can range from mild to severe. Warrington and her mom know a lot of people and their stories and strength and determination inspire many people.

McKenney and her husband, Barberton Municipal Judge Todd McKenney attended the drawing Oct. 30, as well as a group of close family and friends.

Family friend, Raette George, joined for the drawing and to show support. Warrington’s nephew, Scott, was onhand to assist with the drawing.
Through word of mouth and some fliers the family put together, donations came in through September and October. Six people contributed $500 to the scholarship fund to sponsor a camper directly.

A quick-witted Warrington enjoys a good laugh and she and her mother have many stories to share about her adventures over the years and all the famous people she has met in her travels and other causes she has helped.

In December 2021, Barberton City Council passed a resolution to honor and give public recognition to Warrington for her accomplishments. Last year, Bethany McKenney presented a commendation to Warrington for raising more than $2,000 for Akron Rotary Camp from Secretary of State
Frank LaRose, who also sponsored a camper this year.