L eona W. Farris, a pioneer for professional black women, is being honored for her 75-year membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Zeta Theta Omega Chapter during a community reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Farris, who will turn 97 on Monday, is a longtime Stow resident. She has spent much of her life volunteering and advocating diversity.
In 1987, the Leona W. Farris Scholarship was established by the faculty of the University of Akron’s School of Family and Consumer Sciences, where she taught. Among other honors, she received the prestigious United Way of Summit County’s Distinguished Service Award.
Farris and her late husband, Dr. Melvin E. Farris, who was a family practice physician, have four children. Daughter Laura Farris-Daugherty said her mother has always believed in helping others.
“My two sisters, Judy, Betty and my brother, Mel, believe in education for ourselves and our children and stepchildren,” Daugherty said. “And each of us … tries to be the ‘first’ as she did in the 1940s for minority on-campus housing … and the first African-American female hired at rank at the University of Akron.
“My nickname for her is ‘The Petite Wonder.’ She’s only 5 foot, but commands the room.”
Two women with 50 years of membership, Hazel Malone and Joanne Ray, will also be honored at the free reception at Second Baptist Church, 690 S. Main St., Akron.
For more information, call 330-835-8499.
Helping others
• NightLyfe Promotions and the West Griffins of the Akron Parent Pee Wee Football Association (APPWFA) will present “Stop the Violence” from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Erie Island Park, 1532 Peckham St., Akron.
The event is designed to bring the community together to support families and friends who have lost loved ones to violence, to introduce kids to positive role models and to give away school supplies.
Vendor tables are available in advance for $25 or $30 the day of the event. Donations of school supplies for the giveaway are appreciated. For more information, please call 330-786-6843 or 330-338-0834.
• The Kidney Foundation of Summit County, which assists patients in Summit County who suffer from kidney disease, is having a fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 13 at Todaro’s Party Center, 1820 Akron-Peninsula Road, Cuyahoga Falls.
The $45 event, featuring hors d’oeuvres, beverages and entertainment, will honor Mel Todaro Sr., who passed away from kidney cancer last year. The fundraiser coincides with the La Macchina Molto Bella II Car Show on Sept. 14 at Todaro’s.
To purchase tickets for the event or for the raffle, please call Carolyn at 330-807-1083.
• The Zane’s Foundation board members are busy preparing for their fifth annual Special Needs Awareness Walk and Fun Day, which will be held Sept. 13 at Bolich Middle School’s Layborne Field in Cuyahoga Falls. The co-sponsor for the event is Cuyahoga Falls City Schools.
The event is instrumental in helping Zane’s Foundation Inc. provide services for children and adults with special needs. Check-in will be an hour before the 9 a.m. walk.
Vendors, games, raffle baskets, food, inflatables, a hands-on activity tent and more will be available for the participants after the walk. Entertainment will be provided by the Hoban High School dance team.
For more information, visit www.zanesfoundation.org.
Kim Hone-McMahan can be reached at 330-996-3742 or kmcmahan@thebeaconjournal.com.