AKRON, Ohio — Sept. 9, 2026 — Goodwill Industries serving Summit, Portage, Medina, Ashland and Richland Counties was very pleased to announce its 2026 “Making a Difference” award recipient at the September 9th Employee of Distinction Awards Program held at Guy’s Party Center.
The “Making a Difference” award was created in honor of a longtime Goodwill Director and Honorary Director, Mary Beth Kluge, who served the agency as a volunteer leader for over two decades. She was posthumously recognized as the award’s inaugural recipient in 2022. The award may be given annually to a Goodwill team member, director, key agency volunteer or community leader who has contributed significant time, talent and or treasure to support Goodwill’s mission.
Chip Clupper, Rocky Zimbardi Sr., Nan McClenaghan and Jeana Singleton are pictured during the presentation of the 2026 “Making a Difference” Award to Guy’s Party Center. Board Chair Julie Katz is at the podium.
Members of the Guy’s Party Center team are pictured with Goodwill Industries of Akron leadership to celebrate receiving the Mary Beth Kluge “Making a Difference” Award.
Goodwill’s 2026 “Making a Difference” honoree is Guy’s Party Center, a neighbor of Goodwill’s headquarters on East Waterloo Road in Akron and one of the agency’s most cherished community partners. Celebrating its 45th year in business this past April, Guy’s Party Center has been a steadfast supporter of Goodwill’s mission for decades. For 23 of the 25 years of this event, the Guy’s team has hosted the Employee of Distinction Luncheon and has generously supported numerous agency meetings and gatherings along the way. Beyond their ongoing partnership, Guy’s has also served as a temporary emergency shelter for Goodwill team members and program participants, demonstrating a commitment to caring for the community that extends far beyond business operations. Goodwill is also proud to recognize Guy’s team members whose hard work, professionalism and service help make this event and countless others a success each year. Their unwavering support of Goodwill’s mission, combined with their dedication to serving both our organization and the broader community, exemplifies what it means to be a true “Making a Difference” honoree.
Event Sponsors
Thank you to the event sponsors – Diamond: Clarity HR; The University of Akron; Platinum: Morgan Parke; Synthomer Foundation; Gold: Presper Financial Architects; Silver: Julie Katz and The Extra Daughter; Eric & Nan McClenaghan; PNC Financial Services Group; W3 Financial Group; Bronze: ; Brennan Manna & Diamond; Marc Servodio, CFP®, AIF® – Vita Advisors, LLC; Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s Department of Job and Family Services; Copper: Bober Markey Fedorovich; Campbell Construction; Fifth Third Bank; S.A. Comunale; Honoree Sponsor: Snyder & Snyder Real Estate, Inc; Diamond Patron: Dr. Pleas R. Chambers III; Bill & Mary Glaeser; William & Susan Hanlon; Platinum Patron: Chip Clupper and Zebulon Keller; Laura & Christopher Judge; Patron: Greta Johnson; Gold Program Partner: Leadership Akron; Silver Program Partner: Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority; The Blick Center; Child Guidance & Family Solutions; Community Support Services; Embracing Futures; Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio; Hattie Larlham; IBH Addiction Recovery; Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates; Portage County POWER Program, Adult Probation; Project Learn of Summit County; South Street Ministries; Summit County Children Services; In-Kind: Akron Civic Theatre; Akron Zoo; AUI; Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates; Media: akronlife; WAKR/WONE/WQMX/WNWV.
About Goodwill Industries Serving Summit, Portage, Medina, Ashland & Richland Counties
The Goodwill Industries of Akron, Ohio, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation that helps individuals prepare for, find and retain employment. Operating in the five-county region of Summit, Portage, Medina, Ashland & Richland, the agency was established in 1927. It is a private, independent organization, operating as an affiliate member of Goodwill Industries International. Goodwill helps to directly strengthen the region’s workforce through its employment programs and indirectly through the net proceeds from its retail outlets and business services division. For more information about GIA, visit www.goodwillakron.org or call 800-989-8428.
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Contact: Leah Davis
(330) 786-2519
ldavis@goodwillakron.org