The World Golf Championship-Bridgestone Invitational puts Akron on the national stage every summer and because of that, some of the area's most well-known charities are represented in a unique way.
Sandy Becker-Neidert, Executive Vice Chair of Gates and Admissions said that all the concession stand located throughout the South Course at Firestone Country Club are operated by charitable organizations.
Sandy Becker Neidert by Aaron Coleman
"We have over 1 thousand volunteers who staff all of the concession stands and they do everything from cooking the burgers and grilled chicken, running the cashier, to serving our customers," Neidert said.
"We have 9 concession stands this year run by 5 different charites."
This year the WGC has Edwin Shaw Hospital, which is the longest-standing volunteer charity, St. Mary's Church of Hudson, Wesley Temple A.M.E, Cornerstone Church of Akron, and the American Diabetes Association.
Sandy points out that each of the groups and their volunteers are a special group of people.
"It is just fun, we have volunteers of all ages and walks of life coming together for whatever organization they're working for."
One of the points that some of the volunteers laugh about is that Sandy started out as a burger-flipper 27 years ago.
Becker-Neidert points out that Edwin Shaw's money from the tournament goes to the Par 3 Challenge golf course, which works with amputees and stroke victims, while the three churches will donate proceeds to youth programs in the Akron area.
For the next few days, many people will come through the turnstyles at Firestone Country Club and make a stop at one of the concession stands.
Becker-Neidert points out those who attend will not only receive good food at a good price, but support any number of noteworthy causes.
"Everything they buy goes directly to our charities in the Akron area, which is wonderful, because it goes to those who need the most help."
For more information about volunteering, call any of the organizations that are assisting with this year's event, or you can call the Northern Ohio Charities at their tournament headquarters to see about helping out in 2013.
Authorities have found a body inside a car registered to a missing Akron man in Trumbull County Tuesday.
Akron police reports a helicopter pilot spotted the car in a swampy area off of State Route 46, a few miles north of Interstate 80. The car was registered to Jorry Palm, 28, who was last seen at an Akron bar on June 9.
The Trumbull County Coroner's Office will conduct an autopsy today to determine the identity of the driver and the cause of death.
Troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol believe the car was traveling at a high rate of speed when it went off the left side of the road and struck a large area of concrete debris.
Akron police Capt. Dan Zampelli says it appears Palm failed to maneuver around a turn, causing the vehicle to crash.
The crash remains under investigation.
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President Barack Obama will make a campaign stop in Akron at the John S. Knight Center this Wednesday.
Tickets are available today and tomorrow at the Obama for America field office at 1706 West Market Street.
Doors will open for the event at 1 p.m.
People in Akron wishing to take part in the Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure" to support breast cancer research had to take part in Cleveland's race - until this year.
Akron's first "Race For The Cure" drew over 12-hundred participants on over 65 teams on Sunday, racing and walking the 5K event - just over 3 miles - from Firestone Stadium to Firestone Country Club.
Many were breast cancer survivors - like 10 year survivor Julie Jones, the University of Akron softball coach who was the top finisher. She says she's had "interesting challenges" over the past few years.
"You don't think about it every day now, after 10 years," Jones tells AkronNewsNow.com. "but you still think about it...and you hear of other people who have reoccurences, but you hope it won't be you."
Jones says the race definitely helps keep the fight against breast cancer in the public eye.
"It creates awareness, and hopefully teaches young kids that early detection is very, very important," Jones says.
Sandy Minor says raising money is important to her treatments, having just found out she had breast cancer. She just had surgery in May.
"Right now, I'm going through chemotherapy," Minor tells AkronNewsNow.com. "And because of the cancer research and all the money donated, there's easier chemotherapy treatments for me. I'm doing very well with the new treatments because of the research."
Others came to support victims they know. Cheryl Adkins came her cousin Jessica Krause, who died of breast cancer at 29 years old.
"We are here to support (Jessica), 100 percent," Adkins tells AkronNewsNow.com. "Her younger sister is here, volunteering, and she walked the 5K race."
Stephanie Valente is part of a team put together by Alfred Ciraldo, to honor his late wife.
"We're running with the team 'Ciraldo's Crusaders for the Cure'," Valente explains, "and it's in memory of his wife Debbie Ciraldo. And he's raised his family in her absence, and he's done a great job. And every year, he puts a team together in her honor."
It took over 200 volunteers to help run Akron's first "Race for the Cure".
The race is linked this year with the Bridgestone Invitational World Golf Championships.
Competitors are urged to wear pink on the tournament's final day next Sunday to promote breast cancer awareness.
There's a surprising twist to the story we told you about the woman who gained national attention after panhandling in Akron for breast implants. It turns out Chrissy Lance, 37, of Rittman, will not be paying for her surgery.
Lance says a surgeon from Miami, Florida saw her story and thought it was 'cute', so he offered to do the surgery for free.
Earlier this month, Lance, dressed in a bikini and cowboy boots, stood at the corner of Manchester Road, holding a sign that read: "Not Homeless. Need Boobs."
Her unconventional approach has gained her national attention. She says Inside Edition is expected to film her journey through surgery and she will be making an appearance with her surgeon on the 'Dr. Drew' show.
So, how much money did Lance raise while she was panhandling - about $200 over three days. She plans to use the money for her meals when she heads down to Florida for her surgery.
Lance says she doesn't regret her decision despite some of the negative feedback and comments she has received from the public.
"The downside of it is, I have good friends that have turned on me because they feel that I'm exploiting my daughter."
"(My daughter) is very open-minded and understanding," said Lance. " I tell her about everything that I do. I don't lie to her."
Chrissy's breast implant surgery has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 1.
"I can't live my life on how other people judge. I mean, people judge people everyday, even though they don't know anything about them. So, there's always going to be judgmental people in the world."
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A 70-year-old man was killed Sunday night after his truck crashed into a tree in Coventry Township.
The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office reports Kenneth Mong of Clinton drove off the left side of Manchester Road and traveled down a small embankment before striking a tree around 5 p.m.
Mong was pronounced dead at the scene.
Summit County Sheriff Inspector Bill Holland tells News Channel 5 members of the bomb squad was called to scene after a replica war cannon was found on his trailer. Officials safely cleared the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
On the Web: www.newsnet5.com
For the first time since it closed in October 2009, Akron's St. John the Baptist Catholic Church held a mass on Sunday.
The Brown Street church was one of a number of churches closed by the Cleveland Catholic Diocese due to finances, but ordered reopened by the Vatican.
Sunday was a return for Father Jonathan Zingales, a former St. John the Baptist administrator who is now pastor of both that church, and at the merged Visitation of Mary.
Did he think St. John would reopen?
"No," Father Zingales replied with a hearty laugh when asked by AkronNewsNow.com. "In all honesty, I did not think it was going to happen...because when we closed, it was so small."
That low past attendance - "there weren't a lot of people here," as Father Zingales put it - was on his mind, and also on the minds of the parishioners who filled the lower pews and the parking lot at St. John.
They hope that those coming back for the event of the church's reopening will come back week after week.
But this Sunday, parishioners like Sarah Woodard were glad to have St. John the Baptist back in the church fold...
"I had faith in it, I really did, and I believed that it was going to happen. It was just a matter of time," Woodward told AkronNewsNow.com. "But I never lost faith that it would never not reopen."
Parishoner Mary Keblesh has always gone to St. John the Baptist, and says she's back.
"I went to grade school here, for kindergarten through eighth grade," Keblesh tells AkronNewsNow.com, "and I've been a parishoner here all my life."
Father Zingales was very happy for the turnout, at the church where he was administrator and resident over 6 years ago, but knows Sunday was just a start at St. John the Baptist. He says he prays people will keep coming back.
"I'm glad they came today, but I certainly hope they continue to come in the future," Father Zingales says. "Because that's what they need."
Parishoners noticed that many of the church artifacts haven't been brought back yet. That'll likely happen in the coming weeks.
A 27-year-old Copley man was killed in a motorcycle crash in Akron Thursday afternoon.
The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office reports Daniel Clouser lost control of his motorcycle and struck a semi-tractor trailer on Interstate 76 near East Avenue around 2 p.m.
Clouser was taken to Akron General Medical Center where he later died from his injuries.
An autopsy is scheduled for today
Akron police closed a portion of I-76 eastbound as crews worked to clear the scene of the accident.
They are some of west Akron's nicest neighborhoods, but since the middle of June they've been the target of bold burglars who strike early in the morning or in broad daylight while the homeowners are away at work.
Ward 8 Councilwoman Marilyn Keith tells AkronNewsNow the burglars are breaking into homes and garages in a several block area including the Portage Path, Merriman Road, Delaware and Ridgecrest neighborhoods " There has been an African-American and a white gentleman on bicycles, very clean cut, so they wouldn't surprise you if you saw them in the neighborhood."
The thieves kick in back doors or take the garage door openers from cars in the driveway to gain easier access through the garages and into the homes.
Keith has this advice for residents in the affected neighborhoods." There's been a rash of them breaking into the cars. We want owners to make sure their cars are locked and even after they lock them to take in their garage door openers, because this gives the burglars immediate access for getting into the house. Keep those bottom windows locked in your house. In fact they say to keep your car keys next to your night stand and hit your car alarm if you hear an intruder or something going on."
Marilyn Keith confirms that one burglary around 4 a.m. was foiled when the family dog alerted the homeowner, who scuffled with the suspect before the invader fled.
Keith says Akron Police have been working to catch the thieves. " They have a special unit working on it, and they have some undercover cars in the area now, along with detectives doing what they need to do. And they've also caught a few people. We don't think we've got em all yet."
Keith says neighbors in the affected area have also been e-mailing each other if they observe any suspicious activities around their homes. " I think the more people who communicate this way get the information immediately, and the Akron Police Department is able to put these pieces of the puzzle together," says Keith.
She says residents need to be aware of any suspicious acvtivity, because the burglars have been seen riding their bicycles into driveways to check out possible future break-in targets.
She’s not asking for food, shelter or work. She’s asking for money to pay for breast implants.
Chrissy, 37, of Rittman, who doesn’t want her last name used, stands near a blue bike on the corner of Manchester Road and Carnegie Avenue in Akron holding a sign that reads: “Not Homeless. Need Boobs.”
“I see people panhandling everyday, so why not panhandle for boobs. It’s original. I’ve never seen anybody else do it.” said Chrissy.
Chrissy, a University of Akron student and a single mother, said the income she receives working as a bartender helps pay for bills and her college education, but she needs extra help to pay for breast implants.
“Everyone that knows me, knows that I am a wild one.”
Honesty and creativity are the reasons why Chrissy believes she has made $50 in two hours while panhandling near the busy intersection.
Standing beside Chrissy for protection is her “bodyguard,” Steve Bernabe, 57, of Akron.
“She’s being honest. She’s not begging. She’s just trying to move on in her life and build herself up,” said Bernabe.
Bernabe said most motorists are supportive, honking their horns and requesting pictures. Some negative comments have come from older woman who give her the evil eye.
“He’s just making sure I’m OK because there is some negativity out there,” said Chrissy.
Tyesha Hercegovac, 27, of Ellet, snapped a picture of Chrissy for her husband before heading home.
“I think it’s kind of ridiculous, but kind of funny in a way,” said Hercegovac. “She wants her boobs. She’s keeping it real.”
Hercegovac admits she doesn’t think it’s appropriate for children to view Chrissy’s unique approach to panhandling. She said it would be hard to explain to her young son.
“I would cover his eyes. I mean, that’s all I could do,” said Hercegovac.Chrissy plans to panhandle near the intersection until she reaches her goal of around $4,000.
ANN REPORTS chrissy the panhandler by Edward Esposito
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