The Rotary Club of Hudson announced that it will honor its past Club Presidents and Gala Chairs at this year’s celebration to be held May 15 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Twinsburg. It will also recognize the many Hudson citizens that have faithfully supported the Gala over 35 years by sponsoring, donating auction gifts and regularly participating in the silent and live auctions. As a result of the Gala and other fund raisers, $1,000,000 plus has been donated by Rotary to local and international charities and to college scholarships over the 35 year period.
With Ron Strobl, Marilyn Orr and Kris Barker co-chairing last year’s Gala, over $45,000 net was generated for grants to Community First, The Gift of Life of Northeast Ohio, Boy Scout Troop 321, Hudson High School college scholarships and Service Learning programs and many community activities. Marilyn and Kris along with the Gala Committee will continue their dedicated efforts this year.
The featured beneficiaries of the 2020 Gala will be:
1.) The Gift of Life of Northeast Ohio, a program that the Rotary of Hudson has supported for many years. Funds raised at the Gala provide needed heart surgeries for medically struggling children in underdeveloped countries such as Haiti. Doctors from the area, some of whom live in Hudson, as well as local hospitals, donate their skills and provide facility access.
2.) Hudson Community First’s “Uncharted Waters: What Every Senior Needs to Know Before Entering College”, a comprehensive full day workshop for all Hudson High School seniors to examine the challenges young people may face upon starting their college years. Topics include anxiety and depression, binge drinking, drugs, date rape, fire safety and overall wellness. Speakers include psychologists, lawyers, safety counselors, college administrators and college students.
3.) Boy Scout Troop 321’s planned restoration of the historic Boy Scout Cabin located at Hudson’s Green on Main street downtown used by the Scouts for meetings and by the Hudson community for various activities. The log cabin was originally built by the Hudson Rotary in 1931 and is considered an important Hudson landmark. Founded in 1918, Troop 321 has developed leadership, personal and life skills in thousands of Scouts. Over the years, 145 local members have achieved Eagle Scout, a rank attained by less than two percent of all Scouts nationally.
Major sponsors for the 2020 Gala are currently being developed with the following committed to supporting Rotary again this year:
- Kaulig Giving: Platinum Sponsor
Supports more than 30 non-profit organizations that assist the well-being of children, educational and health
care institutions and non-profit organizations having a positive impact on the local community. Kaulig Cos. operates brands across a spectrum of businesses including consumer discretionary products, sports and entertainment, media and marketing services and finance and financial services. Some of their high profile brands include LeafFilter, Kaulig Racing, Kaulig Media, Kaulig Capital, LLC and Ellsworth Advisors. - Northwest Bank: Silver Sponsor
Providing J.D. Power
award-winning retail banking services in the region, offers a team of people that like to take problems off their clients’ shoulders, “doing what it takes to make something happen, even when it is not easy”. - Akron Children’s Hospital: Silver Sponsor
Ranked among the best children’s hospitals in the country, taking a compassionate approach to treatment. 
Through a combination of treatments and patient experiences, their care does more than heal--it brings the entire family together for emotional support and understanding across multiple locations. A new facility opened in Hudson late 2019. - University Hospitals, Portage Medical Center: Silver Sponsor
UH, one of the nation’s leading health care systems, provides high quality, patient-centered medical care throughout Northeast Ohio. 
They offer the region’s largest network of primary care physicians, outpatient centers and hospitals and is an affiliate of Case Western Reserve University. - The Forhan Family Foundation: Silver Sponsor
Established by Drew Forhan founder, President and CEO of ForTec Medical Inc, created to provide mobile access to technology and highly trained technicians on an as-needed basis for hospitals, surgical centers, medical offices and patients in more than 40 states.
Major gifts for the live auction have already been announced including:
- A comprehensive orthodontic care package for a child or an adult provided by John White DDS, MSD, owner of Smiles by White, worth $6500. White offers both Invisalign and traditional metal braces in that he can achieve the same results with both options at the same cost. He lets patients choose which treatment they prefer. White is recognized as one of the top orthodontists in the country.
- An overnight stay, dinner and breakfast at the Spread Eagle Tavern and Inn, Hanoverton, valued at $500. Golf at the Zoar Golf Club, rafting on the Tuscarawas river and tickets to the Football Hall of Fame are available.
- A sports convertible for the month of June or July generously donated by Don Sitts Auto Sales in Cuyahoga Falls, valued at $2500. Last year’s “ride” was a red 2019 Camaro convertible.
- A unique dining experience for up to 14 guests created by celebrity chef Mitch Firis of The Blue Door in Cuyahoga Falls. Prepared at the host’s home, dinner will feature 4-5 courses of paired food and wine valued at $150 per guest.
- A basket of assorted vintage wines chosen by Rotarians to please a range of palates, donated by the Rotary Club of Hudson Board and the Gala Committee valued at $500.
