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Release Date: Friday, November 6th 2015
DAP's Community Outreach Program provides social service organizations First Night Akron admission buttons
Local social service organizations have the opportunity to distribute free admission buttons for First Night Akron to their low income, elderly and disabled clients. Now in its 20th year, Downtown Akron Partnership's (DAP) Community Outreach Program provides a night of entertainment to residents who may not otherwise be able to afford a New Year's Eve celebration.
"First Night Community Outreach gives individuals and families faced with daily challenges, the opportunity to experience an evening of diverse arts entertainment," said Suzie Graham, Downtown Akron Partnership president.
First Night Akron is a New Year's Eve celebration for all ages to enjoy. This family-friendly celebration of the arts brings the community together to experience music, theater, dance, and visual/interactive performances. The 20th annual event is Thursday, Dec. 31 from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Admission buttons allow access to all First Night venues, entertainment and activities, including free METRO bus rides to each location in Downtown Akron. Buttons are regularly priced at $10 and children under 10 are admitted free with a button-wearing adult. Complete details and schedule of entertainment can be found at www.firstnightakron.org.
Community Outreach applications are mailed to organizations and all requests are due by Nov. 21. Buttons are allocated based on the number of requests and the number of sponsored buttons available. Admission buttons provided through this program are supported by local foundations, Robert O. & Annamae Orr Family Foundation, PNC Foundation, The Sisler McFawn Foundation and the Lloyd L. and Louise K. Smith Memorial Foundation. Buttons will be available to organizations in early December. Call 330-374-7676 or email [email protected] for further details.
First Night Akron is a program of Downtown Akron Partnership. Founding partners are the city of Akron and the Akron Beacon Journal & Ohio.com.
Thank you to our generous First Night Partners:
Platinum: Acme Fresh Market, Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.Com, Akron Community Foundation, city of Akron, county of Summit, FirstMerit Bank, GAR Foundation and PNC Foundation. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program/organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.
Gold: FirstEnergy, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, John S. Knight Center, METRO Regional Transit Authority and The University of Akron.
Silver: Labels & Letters, OMNOVA Solutions Foundation, Robert O. & Annamae Orr Family Foundation, Pat Catan's Craft Centers, Pritt Entertainment Group, Roetzel & Andress LPA. Sisler McFawn Foundation and the Welty Family Foundation.
Bronze: A. Schulman; Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund; Cohen & Company; GOJO Industries, Inc.; Huntington Bank; Kenneth L. Calhoun Charitable Trust KeyBank, Trustee; Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation; Moffitt Foundation; The Murdough Foundation; R.C. Musson & Katharine M. Musson Charitable Foundation; Noprtheast Ohio Parent; Charles E. and Mabel M. Ritchie Foundation; Lloyd L. and Louis K. Smith Memorial Foundation and Step2.
Special Friends: Akron Summit Community Action, Inc., Glenn R. and Alice V. Boggess Memorial Foundation, Coca-Cola, The Maynard Family Foundation and Miller's Party Rental Center.
Official Radio Partner: 98.1 WKDD