On Saturday, August 20, 2011, the County of Summit hosted the 2nd Annual Summit for Kids at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron. Over 13,000 citizens attended the event that was aimed at connecting parents and children with valuable community resources.
The special event was coordinated by the Summit for Kids Task Force, a working group headed by County of Summit Executive Russell M. Pry, County of Summit Juvenile Court Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio and County of Summit Children Services Executive Director John Saros.
“Saturday was a great day for the children of Summit County. I want to thank all of the event task force members and title sponsor PNC Bank for their dedication and support of our families,” stated Executive Pry. “It is our hope that the Summit for Kids celebration will keep growing and we will continue to show positive progress with children in our community.”
The special event offered FREE immunizations, FREE dental services (for children ages 3-6), FREE back-to-school physicals, FREE back packs filled with school supplies, 138 information booths, educational sessions for parents, entertainment and meet-and-greet opportunities with Spider-man from Marvel Entertainment, Walkaround Zoe from Sesame Street, Kids WB Shaggy & Scooby -Doo, The University of Akron's Zippy and more.
Summit County Juvenile Court's Operation Fresh Start program was also conducted at the event. The program provided juveniles with an opportunity to have their court records expunged or have their "Failure to Send" / "Truancy Warrant" documentation recalled before the school year begins.
“The Juvenile Court was proud to offer Operation Fresh Start as one of the many programs and activities Summit for Kids provided for its visitors,” said Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio. “The entire day was an unqualified success and the Court was honored to once again participate.”
Summit County Children Services also promoted their programs and services to attendees. Representatives from the agency were on site to discuss matters of abuse and neglect, foster care and adoption opportunities, parenting tips and more.
"Summit County Children Services is pleased to be a partner in the annual Summit for Kids event. Summit for Kids is a wonderful and unique illustration of the tremendous collaboration between human services and health care organizations in Summit County for the betterment of families. The huge crowd and the smiling faces of the children and adults at the Summit for Kids were both exciting and gratifying," stated SCCS Executive Director John Saros.
For more information on Summit for Kids visit www.summitforkids.net.
