Fairlawn Community Foundation - Promoting the Quality of Life in the City of Fairlawn

The 2016 Fourth of July Celebration in the City of Fairlawn was Spectacular! We thank you for your support for this yearly event. It would not have been possible without your help.

It is the goal of the Fairlawn Community Foundation to provide and support events like this so that we continue to Promote the Quality of Life in the Fairlawn Community.

We want to begin 2017 with a bang by asking for your support so that we can continue contribution for our upcoming July celebration, as well as lending help for other programs such as giving Grants for local Boy Scouts educational trips, helping G.A.S.P. (Guardians Advocating Child Safety and Protection) with events, and the Fairlawn City Garden Club’s Beautification program.

All donations are greatly appreciated!

About the foundation

The purpose of the foundation is "Promoting the Quality of Life in the City of Fairlawn," a most worthy and admirable goal. The FCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit so all donations are tax deductible. Because of the support of individuals and businesses like yours, the Foundation has been able to provide the community with a Fourth of July parade and fireworks display for the past four consecutive years. The Foundation will continue to work on other projects that will improve the quality of life in the community.

Board of Directors

Gary L. Himmel

President

Gary L. Himmel, Esq. has been President of the Fairlawn Community Foundation for 5 years. He is married to Ilona. They have 3 adult sons, Paul, Steven and Keith.
Mr. Himmel has an active law practice in Ohio and has also appeared in cases around the country for various clients during his 35 years of practice.

Edward Holland

Vice-President

Edward Holland attended Walsh Jesuit High School (WJHS), and holds a BS Business in Business Administration and Accounting from the University of Notre Dame. He is the President of Capital Business Resources, Inc. of Akron. Other community involvement include; Treasurer of Notre Dame Club of Akron, WJHS Finance Committee and a member of the Fairlawn Country Club. He is married and has three children.

Barbara Potts

Treasurer

Barbara Potts has been a Fairlawn resident for over thirty-three years and Ward 2 Council person for the City of Fairlawn since 2004. She is one of the founding members of the Foundation and current treasurer. Barbara graduated from Kansas State University, taught at Delta College in Michigan and was bookkeeper in her husband’s business for seventeen years. She has four adult children and eight grandchildren.

Thomas Luck

Board Member

Tom is the owner of four Lucky Shoes stores, two Stride Rite booteries, nine New Balance stores and one SAS comfort shoes concept store.

Tom belongs to the Fairlawn Area Chamber of Commerce, is involved with the American Heart Association where he founded the Heart Walk of Akron, and active with Stewarts Caring Place, a local organization for support of cancer patients and their caregivers.

Judy Gerdes

Board Member

Judy Gerdes has been an area realtor for thirty-four years. She is an adjunct professor at Hondros College. She is a returned Peace Corps volunteer from Venezuela. Her other civil involvements include; Master Gardner, WITAN, Fairlawn Park and Recreation Board member and Acting Director of the Akron Zoo. Judy is married to Charles Gerdes. They have three children and seven grandchildren.