Each month, we select an “Everyday Hero”, someone who goes above and beyond to help their community. We partner with Dolce at the Strand, who gives each winner free gelato each week of their winning month, and Sweets on High, who gives freeze dried candy to the winner each week of their winning month. We’re so thankful to partner with these wonderful businesses!
March, 2024
Helen Kiko
We are excited to announce Helen Kiko as our “Everyday Hero” winners for February! His prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand and a bag of freeze dried candy from Sweets on High every week of this month!
Helen serves as Member Experience Director at Wadsworth YMCA, creating and enhancing experiences for YMCA members. Helen was also a huge part of our 2023 Holiday Cheer Program’s success, setting up a “Giving Tree” in the main lobby of the YMCA and encouraging members to donate gifts to our selected families. Thanks in part to Helen, the YMCA team, and their members, we were able to help 111 children last holiday season.
Thank you, Helen, for your service to your community!
February, 2024
Jason & Amy Sanders
We are excited to announce Jason and Amy Sanders as our “Everyday Hero” winners for February! His prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand and a bag of freeze dried candy from Sweets on High every week of this month!
When Jason is not at working in the Foundation at Akron Children’s Hospital, he is volunteering as a board member for Feeding Medina County and also as board president for Main Street Wadsworth. Amy spends her time serving youth as a principal at Rittman Middle School.
Jason and Amy became certified foster parents in 2021 and immediately received their first placement of two siblings, who they cared for for more than two years before graduating them into an adoptive family. Additionally, they assisted in producing and also starred in a documentary called “Could You Be a Foster Parent?” where they have actively worked to build awareness and interest for people to become certified foster parents.
Jason and Amy are currently initiating an organization called Champion Children, where they are launching a brand new project Champion Children Challenge, a social media campaign designed to bring awareness to serving the many needs of children in our communities, including children with medical needs, those in foster care, and children in our schools. You can find out more at www.championchildrenchallenge.com
Thank you, Jason & Amy, for your service to your community!
January, 2024
Jonathan Larabee
We are excited to announce Jonathan Larabee as our “Everyday Hero” winner for January! His prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand and a bag of freeze dried candy from Sweets on High every week of this month!
Jonathan works with young athletes year-round, serving as a volunteer coach for Wadsworth Grizzlies youth basketball and the Outlaws Baseball Club 11U team. Coach Larabee is enthusiastic and supportive of his young athletes and aims to help them better themselves both on and off the field. He is an excellent role model and leader for all of them.
Thank you, Jonathan, for your service to your community!
December, 2023
McNeal Thompson III
We are excited to announce McNeal Thompson III, coach and founder of RAMS (Reaching Athletes Molding Scholars) as our “Everyday Hero” winner for December! His prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand and a bag of freeze dried candy from Sweets on High every week of this month!
McNeal is deeply involved in the community, serving as head varsity coach of the Garfield Rams Boys Basketball team and as a volunteer coach for the Outlaws Baseball Club 11U team. He also founded RAMS (Reaching Athletes Molding Scholars), a non-profit organization focused to empower socially and economically disadvantaged middle and high school student-athletes by providing them with the necessary mental, physical and financial support for a successful future. Focused efforts are made through educational and athletic channels to pave the way for college, careers, and life after sports. Those interested in helping RAMS can donate at:
https://www.clover.com/pay-widgets/2b164491-5595-4ee9-acd9-78ff906d86e8
Thank you, McNeal, for your service to your community!
November, 2023
Jan Householder
We are excited to announce Jan Householder, Founder and Executive Director of The Giving Doll as our “Everyday hero” winner for November! Her prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand and a bag of freeze dried candy from Sweets on High every week of this month!
Jan is the definition of what our “Everyday Hero” program was created to recognize. Since beginning the program in 2006, over 69,285 dolls have been made and distributed worldwide to children in need of comfort. Dolls and blankets are provided to children in many ways through the various chapters of Giving Doll nationwide. Jan has been featured by various news outlets, highlighting the reach of her team’s work. The Wadsworth/Norton communities are fortunate to the be the home of such an outstanding organization that brings comfort to countless children in need, across many scenarios.
Thank you, Jan, for your service to your community!
October, 2023
Rittman Trapper
This month’s winner is Heather aka Rittman Trapper, a local animal advocate/volunteer. Her nominator noted the volunteer work she does to save injured cats, find them homes, and raise newborns until they can be adopted. She also promotes the importance of getting cats spayed/neutered.
Thank you, Heather, for your service to your community!
September, 2023
Heather DeMoss
We are excited to announce Jason and Heather DeMoss as our “Everyday hero” winners for September! Their prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand and a bag of freeze dried candy from Sweets on High every week of this month!
On the Spot Heating and Cooling, owned by Jason and Heather, has been a supporter of many community efforts over the past several years, including Garton Family Charity events. The last two years they have generously donated a furnace (including installation) to our annual softball tournament and auction. Their donations alone have raised over $8000! The DeMoss family has also independently sponsored several families in our Holiday Cheer program, providing gifts and a meal for local families in need during the holidays.
Thank you, Heather, for your service to your community!
July, 2023
Johanna Perrino
We are excited to announce Johanna Perrino as our “Everyday hero” winner for July! Her prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand and a bag of freeze dried candy from Sweets on High every week of this month!
Johanna’s nominators noted how selfless and dedicated she is. She is very active in the community, serving on the Board of Directors for both Main Street Wadsworth and Wadsworth Area Chamber of Commerce and working with local organizations such as the Wadsworth Senior Center. Johanna has worked for WCTV for 31 years, helping to shine light on businesses and organizations in our community. She also founded WCTV Foundation, Inc. to provide supplemental support to WCTV as they seek to continue and expand the programming and services they offer to the community and provide scholarships to high school media students.
Thank you, Johanna, for your service to your community!
June, 2023
Lillian Turano
Garton Family Charity and Dolce at the Strand are excited to announce Lillian Turano as our “Everyday hero” winner for June! Her prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand every week of this month!
Lillian and her family have lived in Wadsworth for 18 years and she has always been invested in improving her community. She owns Sweets on High, a popular candy store located in the heart of Downtown Wadsworth and her nominator noted that she has a kind, loving, giving heart to her family, friends, and anyone she comes in contact with.
Thank you, Lillian, for your service to your community!
May, 2023
Jeremiah & Jessy Widmer
Garton Family Charity and Dolce at the Strand are excited to announce Jeremiah & Jessy Widmer as our “Everyday hero” winner for June! Her prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand every week of this month!
Jeremiah and Jessy are very involved in supporting their community. The two formed The Dale & Joanne Widmer Foundation, which provides scholarships to local graduating students. Both have also been active in supporting MACPAD for PKU and Allied Disorders, a cause close to their heart. As the Transportation Supervisor for Wadsworth City Schools, Jessy is involved in various ways to support the school district and its students both inside and outside of school. Jeremiah volunteers at many school events and as a coach.
Thank you, Jeremiah and Jessy, for your service to our community!
April, 2023
Kelly Michaelson
Garton Family Charity and Dolce at the Strand are excited to announce Kelly Michaelson as our “Everyday hero” winner for June! Her prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand every week of this month!
Kelly is the director of the Carrousel of Crafts and a philanthropist in the Wadsworth community. Leading the Carrousel for several years, Kelly not only organizes a beloved annual event but coordinates donations of the funds raised from the event to local nonprofit organizations. Tens of thousands of dollars are raised, which ultimately end up supporting our community in many ways.
Thank you, Kelly, for your service to our community!
March, 2023
Kristy Doyle
Garton Family Charity and Dolce at the Strand are excited to announce Kristy Doyle as our “Everyday hero” winner for June! Her prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand every week of this month!
Kristy is very involved in the community, notably helping Garton Family Charity coordinate its Holiday Cheer program in both 2021 and 2022. Her efforts helped us ensure that every child from our nominated families received gifts for the holidays.
Thank you, Kristy, for your service to our community!
February, 2023
Timothy Phillips
Garton Family Charity and Dolce at the Strand are excited to announce Timothy Phillips as our “Everyday hero” winner for June! Her prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand every week of this month!
Timothy is a firefighter and works with the EMS. His nominator noted that he’s heavily involved in the community, leading safety classes for older women, gun safety and archery classes, and so much more, always putting others first.
Thank you, Timothy, for your service to our community!
January, 2023
Becky Thomas
Garton Family Charity and Dolce at the Strand are excited to announce Becky Thomas as our “Everyday hero” winner for June! Her prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand every week of this month!
Becky has been a volunteer for Running2BWell for almost 6 years. Her nominator told us she volunteers several hours each week to help people learn how to use exercise to cope with with addiction and mental health issues. She deeply cares about each person and wants to do everything she can to help them.
Thank you, Becky, for your service to our community!
December, 2022
Lisa DeWitte
Garton Family Charity and Dolce at the Strand are excited to announce Lisa Dewitte as our “Everyday hero” winner for June! Her prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand every week of this month!
Lisa has been a USPS driver in Wadsworth for 27 years. Her nominator noted how she works hard everyday to ensure everyone receives their mail/packages and goes above and beyond for those who she delivers to, noting a time she helped find a missing package on her day off.
Thank you, Lisa, for your service to our community!
November, 2022
Monica Spithas
Garton Family Charity and Dolce at the Strand are excited to announce Monica Spithas as our “Everyday hero” winner for June! Her prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand every week of this month!
Monica is a nurse who works at two different local hospital locations. Her nominator noted how she always goes above and beyond for her patients and how committed she is to helping people. Those who know her best know what a wonderful person she is!
Thank you, Monica, for your service to our community!
October, 2022
Mike Davisson
Garton Family Charity and Dolce at the Strand are excited to announce Mike Davisson as our “Everyday hero” winner for June! Her prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand every week of this month!
Mike is a truck driver for Penske Logistics. His nominator noted that his dedication to driving truck has always been admirable. A typical work week is 60-70 hours (up to 80-120 at the height of the pandemic) to ensure that shelves remain stocked. Our essential needs are met because truck drivers like Mike deliver goods to grocery stores efficiently and safely. He strives for excellence in attendance and job performance as well as being a great husband, father, and grandfather.
Thank you, Mike, for your service to our community!
September, 2022
Chris Roberts
Garton Family Charity and Dolce at the Strand are excited to announce Chris Roberts as our “Everyday hero” winner for June! Her prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand every week of this month!
Mr. Roberts’ nominators noted the incredible difference he makes in our community. As Principal of Valley View Elementary school, he is known for his engaging personality with students and families. He and his team have created a wonderful learning environment that has and will continue to lead to an exceptional educational experience for children in Wadsworth. He also continues to enhance this learning for students by providing them experiences in STEM such as adding a Maker Space and a Monarch Butterfly Garden.
Thank you, Chris, for your service to our community!
August, 2022
Carmen and Seth Hill
Garton Family Charity and Dolce at the Strand are excited to announce Carmen & Seth Hill as our “Everyday hero” winner for June! Her prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand every week of this month!
The Hill’s nominator noted the incredible difference they each make in our community. Carmen and Seth are the owners of Advanced Performance CrossFit in Wadsworth and have created a welcoming, family-like atmosphere at their gym. They are inspirational leaders and coaches who give so much to help others improve themselves both physically and mentally. They are also deeply involved in their community, sponsoring and participating in countless charity events and causes.
Thank you, Carmen & Seth, for your service to our community!
July, 2022
Caity and Dennis Schrock
Garton Family Charity and Dolce at the Strand are excited to announce Caity & Dennis Schrock as our “Everyday hero” winner for June! Her prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand every week of this month!
The Schrock’s nominator noted the incredible difference they each make in our community. Caity is the Director of Student Services for Chippewa Schools. Her work day consists of advocating on behalf of students with disabilities and providing support to teachers. She can often be found looking out for the underdog and ensuring all children are included in activities. Dennis is a teacher at Wadsworth High School, head boys basketball coach at Chippewa High School, and a coach for the Wadsworth Outlaws 9U baseball team. Dennis is an excellent motivator to young people and helps them grow in the classroom, on the basketball court and on the baseball diamond. Those who know Caity and Dennis know of the kindness, support and motivation the Schrock family gives to everyone around them.
Thank you, Caity & Dennis, for your service to our community!
June, 2022
Colleen Kingan
Garton Family Charity and Dolce at the Strand are excited to announce Colleen Kingan as our first “Everyday hero” winner! Her prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand every week of the month!
Colleen’s prize is a free pint of delicious gelato from Dolce at the Strand every week of this month! Colleen’s nominator, Lorri, shared that Colleen is an all-around great person who is a labor and delivery nurse, often working long hours to care for others, sacrificing many holidays and special events of her own family as she makes sure her patients’ needs are met.
Thank you, Colleen, for your service to our community!