Every year, Direction Home Akron Canton honors those who represent what is best in our community. The Senior Hall of Fame, Home Health Aide Hall of Fame, the Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities Harvey L. Sterns Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Volunteer Ombudsman of Distinction Award are presented to recipients to acknowledge their efforts to support older adults and individuals with disabilities. The Awards Ceremony is held every year and is attended by friends, family, and loved ones of those being honored, as well as community leaders and professionals.
Harvey L. Sterns Lifetime Achievement Award: Jeffrey E. Wilhite
Jeff Wilhite has over thirty (30) years of Public Service and Private Business experience. Mr. Wilhite has served The Greater Akron Community in a dedicated manner in the areas of housing, hunger, the environment, education, economic development, and invention/intellectual property.
Mr. Wilhite currently serves as Vice President of Summit County Council representing District 4. He chairs the Planning and Economic Development Committee and serves as Vice Chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee. Daily as Executive Director of Family Promise of Summit County, 2013 to the present. Mr. Wilhite works with many organizations to assist homeless families with children stay together and achieve sustainable independence and housing.
Other accomplishments of Mr. Wilhite’s include: service on the Board of Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA), Deputy Director of Planning for the City of Akron, service on the Board of the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank, service on the Board of the Stark County Hunger Task Force, founding Executive Director of the Summit/Akron Solid Waste Management Authority, recognition by the National League of Cities for planning and building Ohio’s first Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Center, Deputy Mayor for Administration and Deputy Planning Director for the City of Akron, President for Woodridge Local Schools Foundation, Chief Operating Officer for the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and current service on the Summit County Landbank.
Mr. Wilhite is married and has two children; a son Jordan and daughter-in-law Laura, granddaughter Olivia, and daughter Katie. His wife Cindy, an Educator and Administrator, is a retired Akron Public Schools and is now Principal of the Woodridge Intermediate School.
Joseph L. Ruby Student Scholarship: Grace Czerwony
The recipient of this year’s Joseph L. Ruby Scholarship is Grace Czerwony, studying Public Health with a concentration in Allied Health at Kent State University. Grace plans to further her education in a social work graduate program in Ohio in Fall 2025.
Volunteer Ombudsman Award of Distinction: Maggie Stafford
Advocates are born, not made.
Maggie- thank you for sharing your time and talents to be the voice for the people we serve.
Caregiver Advocate Award: Ginnie Abell, BA, RN
"Ginnie has changed my life. In fact, I believe there would be a long line of people to vouch for this statement."
Home Health Aide Hall of Fame: Jasymn Boyer
"Her consistency in care, attendance and the overall dedication to her clients sets a high standard for others. She exemplifies what it is to be a health care professional."
Home Health Aide Hall of Fame: Leslie Baker
"Leslie has a beautiful servant heart and no matter the circumstance, she can see past the challenges to bring the best care to her clients. It is very personal to Leslie, and she provides her care to her clients with compassion, empathy and support. "
Home Health Aide Hall of Fame: Emma Sue Baldwin
“Emma is always happy, full of life, and very positive. She encourages people to do things to help themselves. She carries herself with grace and love that you can see on her face!”
Senior Citizens Hall of Fame: Steve Johnson and Laurie Zuckerman
“Steve and Laurie have been very intentional in identifying their values and interests, creating a vision statement and then giving back to the community in ways that live out that vision statement... They are truly a team and each other’s biggest cheerleaders.”
Senior Citizens Hall of Fame: Pastor William W. Luke
"Mr. Luke deserves to be recognized for going above and beyond his work duties and responsibilities while demonstrating such passion and charisma, the world truly needs more people like him."
Senior Citizens Hall of Fame: Julie Piccione Beach
"Julie impacts people of all ages, including seniors, children, veterans, students, and people with special needs. Julie is a very strong advocate for the aging."
Raffle Total: $194,339
Raffle Top Ticket Sales:
Tiffany Sprague, Missy Sell, Nathan Wise, Monica Fredmonsky, Lori Smith
Raffle Winners:
GRAND: Nyla Barrett
1st: Amanda Glenaman
2nd: Elissa Barr
3rd: Francine Chuchanis
4th: Julie DiFrancesco
5th: Abbie Sigmon
6th: Katy Schuster
7th: Denise Burgert
8th: Roger Stewart
9th: Desiree Boldi
Raffle Top Donors/Sponsors:
Northeast Professional Caregivers
Joseph L. Ruby
Simply EZ
Medical Mutual
Family & Community Services in Partnership with Axesspointe
“Northeast Professional Caregivers is pleased to sponsor the Annual Awards Ceremony and provide the much-needed support to seniors in the community. Thanks to Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities for improving the health of our neighbors and friends.”
