The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, exclusive tire supplier of NASCAR’s three major national series and NHRA Racing’s Top Fuel and Funny Car series, pays tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces by changing the appearance of racing tires on the weekend of September 16.

This marks the second straight year that Goodyear has altered the sidewalls of its race tires to honor U.S. troops.

The design, featuring a patriotic color scheme, “Support Our Troops” replaces the traditional “Goodyear Eagle” or “Goodyear Wrangler” sidewalls used in weekly races.

This coincides with the launch of the “Goodyear Support Our Troops” initiative. It is an eleven-week awareness and fund-raising effort designed to generate support and honor the sacrifices of members of the  armed forces and their families .

“The sacrifices that soldiers and their families make for us every day deserve recognition. We hope that through the symbolic gesture of changing our tires, we can help make a difference in the lives of the troops and their families,” said Garth Ely, Goodyear director of brand marketing. ”

“We are very proud to have an iconic American company like Goodyear supporting us in our efforts to positively impact the lives of our country’s service men and women and their families,” said Martin C. Boire, executive director of Support Our TroopsZ.

“We are happy that NASCAR and NHRA fans – some of the most patriotic and dedicated fans in the world – will have even more great ways to show their support through this year’s program, and we encourage them to follow the lead of Goodyear, NASCAR and NHRA,” he stated.

The 2011 Goodyear Support Our Troops Program includes the donation of tires to help military families. A special Goodyear tire rebate will be offered during the program,. There will also be a marketing campaign to raise awareness and trigger consumer involvement.

Consumers and race fans can  get involved in a variety of ways . Opportunities range from spreading the word that military families can take advantage of incremental savings on tires to making donations to the Support Our Troops organization.

Goodyear will allow fans to show support by bidding on the authentic, race-used Goodyear Support Our Troops NASCAR and NHRA tires.

The  second phase of the program features unique new ways for consumers to join Goodyear in supporting the troops. They can experience the Goodyear Bootcamp Challenge, a first of its kind competition between NASCAR and NHRA drivers to see who is the fastest off the track. The Challenge will pit drivers from both sports, such as Joey Logano and Tony Schumacher, in a series of physical events that use Goodyear Racing Eagles.

“Consumers can also help support our troops by sharing the details with their friends, family and any military members they know and urging them to visit www.goodyear.com/supportourtroops.”
- Goodyear marketing manager

All funds will be donated to Support Our Troops, a nonprofit nationwide organization, which bolsters the morale and well-being of America’s troops and their families.

The funds will benefit the organization’s highly effective programs, which deliver more than $10 million per year in care packs and requested items to the front lines, positive support at home and kids’ camp assistance.

Goodyear has over 100 years of commitment in  building innovative and reliable equipment to support and protect troops. Goodyear’s commitment extends beyond products and charitable donations,  hosting events at U.S. military bases throughout the year, enabling servicemen and women and their families to interact with drivers and take rides on the Goodyear Blimp.

NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for one of North America’s premier sports.  NASCAR fans are among the most brand loyal in all of sports. More Fortune 100 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport. It consists of three national series ( Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Camping World Truck), four regional, one local grassroots and two international series.

NHRA

NHRA is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2011. As the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States, NHRA presents 22 national events featuring the  Full Throttle Drag Racing and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag.

Support Our Troops

SupportOurTroops.Org provides simple ways for citizens and civic-minded businesses to show their appreciation for those who sacrifice to protect the  country, homes, families, and American way of life.

Support Our TroopsZ is a registered trademark licensed through SupportOurTroops.org. The official website is a nationwide platform for individuals, organizations, businesses and non-profit organizations to bolster America’s troops and their families in a multitude of ways.

Goodyear

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. It employs approximately 69,000 people and manufactures its products in more than 57 facilities in 23 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

Popularity: 19% [?]

Ohio company, Progressive Car Insurance has been nominated by Information Week magazine to its annual list of the country’s most innovative users of business technology. Progressive was named to the InformationWeek 500 for its mobile quoting platform , which gives consumers the ability to get car insurance quotes with a mobile device. Mobile quoting is currently available in 40 states.

“We’ve worked hard to enhance our mobile capabilities over the past year, adding high-value features like the ability to get a quote and buy car insurance”
– Matt Lehman, Progressive’s mobile business leader.

Matt Lehman says the company is tapping into consumers’ increasing use of mobile technology to make it easier for people to connect.

Progressive recently unveiled new mobile offerings, providing consumers more opportunities to buy and manage their car insurance policies. Among the new and enhanced mobile services are:

• VIN Capture: Customers can simply take a picture of a car’s
  Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) bar code and find out what it
  might cost to insure it.
• Snapshot
  Discount updates: New customers can enroll in
  Progressive’s one-of-a-kind Snapshot program. Customers can review
  their projected discount by visiting http://mobile.progressive.com
  and logging into their policy.
• Policy changes and payments on-the-go: Drivers can easily update their
  address and contact information or make a payment by going to http://mobile.progressive.com
  from their smartphone.
• Severe weather text alerts: Consumers can now receive advanced warning of
  bad weather by signing up for free severe-weather text alerts at http://www.progressive.com/weatheralerts.
• Enhanced access to important insurance information: Customers can now access their VINs, policy dates, insurance coverages, and all vehicles listed on the policy from their smartphones.

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies makes it easy for clients to understand, buy, and use auto insurance. It offers choices so consumers will find it convenient to reach progressive.com, by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, or in-person with a local agent.

Progressive offers insurance for personal and commercial autos and trucks, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles, and homes. It is the fourth largest auto insurer in the country and the biggest seller of motorcycle insurance

Progressive, which was founded in 1937, continues its long history of offering shopping tools and services that save customers time and money, like Name Your Price, the Snapshot Discount^Â, and a concierge level of claims service.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Big Red Rooster, the Ohio marketing communications and branding company is adding three companies to its lineup, Integrate Inc., Moorehead Design and The Imaginati.

The addition of the three successful companies boosts the marketing communications, branding and advertising industry expertise for Big Red Rooster, allowing them to gain more clients and better serve existing clients.

The agencies’ portfolios include advertising, branding and marketing campaigns for a wide range of clientele, including Aveda, Estee Lauder, JPMorgan Chase, Gold Toe Moretz, Gildan, Limited Brands, GBQ, OhioHealth and Piada Italian Street Food.

Integrate, Inc. Principals John Galvin and Stephen Quinn started their agency in 1989, delivering business value by differentiating brands, providing marketing communications and delivering customer experiences in all mediums for national and international clientele.

Integrate is an award-winning, nationally recognized firm, and teaming with Big Red Rooster, they will be able to continue providing exceptional business value to their clients, and also offer a wider range of services.

Principal Mark Moorehead began Moorehead Design more than two decades ago, specializing in marketing communications services that create clear, measurable and lasting experiences. He will leverage his strategic creative expertise to benefit Big Red Rooster’s expanded client list.

Heather Thornswood established The Imaginati in 2007 as a means to offer her fashion, beauty and lifestyle clients strategic agility and superior creative execution. She brings more than 20 years of global expertise in advertising, marketing, creative direction, photography and broadcast to the Big Red Rooster team.

In the new setup, Galvin, Quinn, Moorehead and Thornswood serve as senior vice presidents.

Big Red Rooster will keep the 1404 Goodale Blvd., Suite 100 office in Grandview Heights for Integrate, Moorehead Design and The Imaginati, as its second Columbus Office.

Visit www.bigredrooster.com for additional information.

Popularity: 10% [?]

More than 4,500 FirstEnergy employees – including 2,300 line, service and forestry crews working around the clock restored service to customers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland who lost power following Hurricane Irene.

More than 797,000 of the 920,000 Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed), Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec) and Potomac Edison customers affected by flooding and strong winds have been restored.

As flooding subsides and roads continue to be cleared in Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey, FirstEnergy utility crews now are able to assess the extent of the damage in previously inaccessible areas. Some rivers in New Jersey continue to crest, hampering assessment and restoration efforts in these areas.

Based on current damage assessments, the following estimated restoration times have been established:

    --  JCP&L - Overall, more than 563,000 of the 670,000 affected customers
        have had power restored.  A majority of the remaining 107,000 customers
        should be restored by the weekend, with full restoration by early next
        week.
    --  Met-Ed - More than 185,000 customers have been restored at this time,
        down from a peak of 200,000.  Estimated restoration times for the
        remaining 15,000 customers:
        --  York/Lebanon/Boyertown areas - majority by midnight Saturday
        --  Hamburg/Reading/Easton/Stroudsburg areas - majority by midnight
            Sunday
    --  Penelec - More than 35,500 customers have been restored at this time,
        down from a peak of 37,000.  The majority of affected customers should
        be restored by midnight tonight, with repairs continuing into Thursday
        for some locations.

Hurricane Irene also affected 19,000 customers in Maryland served by Potomac Edison. All of these customers were restored by Monday, and FirstEnergy crews and other support personnel involved in that restoration effort were deployed to JCP&L areas.

Overall, more than 4,500 FirstEnergy personnel are currently involved in the restoration effort. In addition to the previously mentioned utilities, line workers, damage assessors, hazard responders, call center representatives and forestry crews from the following FirstEnergy companies have been involved in the Hurricane Irene restoration effort: Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Pennsylvania Power, Toledo Edison, West Penn Power, and Mon Power.

The first priority following a major storm is to quickly and safely clear fallen trees and limbs sufficiently for our crews to repair and re-energize damaged lines. This clearing effort represents a significant portion of our work after a storm. As debris from the storm continues to be cleared, customers are cautioned never to touch downed lines. Customers should always assume downed wires are carrying electricity and are reminded to keep their children and pets away from downed wires. Downed wires should be reported immediately to your electric company or local police or fire department. Customers should never try to remove trees or limbs from power lines because they could conduct electricity; instead, wait for emergency services or utility crews to arrive.

Once the debris has been cleared, company service crews focus on restoring transmission and substation facilities, since they supply power for local distribution systems. Then, priority is given to hospitals, critical care and life-support facilities, communications facilities, and emergency response agencies. After that, crews work to restore power as quickly as possible to individual outage locations.

Occasionally, customers may wonder why a utility crew drives past their homes instead of stopping to restore their power. In the early phases of storm restoration, the primary focus is to find areas with electrical hazards – such as downed (and potentially energized) wires and related electrical equipment – and make them safe. At such times, linemen focus on isolating these hazards.

Once that is accomplished, crews begin to repair lines that supply power to crucial public safety facilities or large areas or groups of customers. A line may be damaged in multiple locations, or at some distance from those who are out of service. The linemen, tree crews, or other workers a customer sees may be on their way to make higher-priority repairs, which must be completed before damages closer to customer’s home can be fixed.

After local power lines are repaired and put back in service, damage to individual customer service wires may become apparent. If a customer receives a call from a FirstEnergy utility when their power is still out, we are trying to determine how to best restore power to your residence and the surrounding area. If your neighbor’s power is on and yours is not, the problem may be isolated to your individual service. Service to the neighbor could be fed from a different circuit. Still, it may be appropriate to report such problems, even if it is later in the restoration process.

To report an outage, JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec customers should call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) – it’s the fastest way to begin the restoration process.

Customer Generators

    --  To ensure the safety of the home's occupants as well as that of utility
        company employees who may be working on power lines in the area, the
        proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified
        electrician.  When operating a generator, always disconnect the power
        coming into your home.  Otherwise, power from your generator could be
        sent back onto the utility company lines, creating a hazardous situation
        for utility workers.

For updated information on hurricane restoration news, current outages, FirstEnergy’s storm restoration process and tips for staying safe after a storm, go to www.firstenergycorp.com.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Akron residents can now look forward to the assortment of Smart phones, Hotspots and Laptop Modems that boast of the sophisticated features of the 4G LTE network.

On top of the list is the Revolution (TM) from LG which is the first Android smart phone that provides Netflix subscribers access to instant movies and television shows through a pre-loaded application. Customers can capture and share HD images or videos on a 4.3-inch capacitive touch screen.

Other features include a rear-facing 5.0-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash, 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video chat, 720p HD video recording and playback, built-in HDMI output and Smart Share capability for sharing multimedia content. The HDMI capable displays and Mobile Hotspot capability allow customers to share 4G LTE with up to 8 Wi-Fi enabled devices or a 3G connection with up to 5 devices. This product is sold at $249.99 after discounts with a new 2-year customer agreement.

The DROID Charge by Samsung features a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED (TM) plus display, a rear-facing 8-megapixel camera with LED flash and front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for stills and video chatting, Android 2.2 platform, 1 GHz application processor, HTML 5 Web browser and Mobile Hotspot capability. All these provide customers 4G LTE connections with up to 10 Wi-Fi enabled devices or the 3G connection with up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices. It is available in the market for $299.99 after discounts with a new 2-year customer agreement.

The Thunder Bolt (TM) by HTC smart phone is powered by Android(TM) 2.2 and has an 8-megapixel rear facing camera and HD (720p) video recording, 1.3-megapixel front facing camera with video chatting capabilities, the new generation of 1GHz Snapdragon processor and Mobile Hotspot capabilities that let customers share the 4G LTE connection with up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices. It is available for $249.99 after discounts with a new 2-year customer agreement.

The 4G LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 offers full support for Google (TM) Mobile Services. This includes Gmail (TM), YouTube (TM), 10.1-inch enhanced display with 1280×800 resolution HD screen, 1 GHz dual core application processor, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera and 3-megapixel rear-facing camera and Adobe Flash player.

These features can deliver an enhanced internet browsing experience and access to content-rich websites. Consumers will find a multitude of uses for the Galaxy Tab that range from video chat to business tools, including those that allow for the opening and editing of documents, spreadsheets and presentations. It is available at $529.99 for the 16 GB model and $629.99 for the 32 GB model after discounts with a new 2-year customer agreement.

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot Mi Fi 4510L and the Samsung 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot SCH-LC11 let customers share the 4G LTE internet connection with up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices at the same time. Each one is available for $99.99 after discounts with a new 2-year customer agreement.

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE USB Modem 551L comes with a fold-out USB connector, four-color LED Service Status Indicator and an internal antenna. It is available for $99.99 after discounts with a new 2-year customer agreement.

The LG VL600 4G LTE modem is fitted with a fixed USB connector, an LED Service Status Indicator and an internal antenna. The price is $99.99 after discounts with a new 2-year customer agreement.

Pantech’s UML290 USB modem comes equipped with a fold-away, 180 degree rotating USB connector, an LED Service Status Indicator and an internal antenna. It costs $49.99 after discounts with a new 2-year customer agreement.

Verizon Wireless operates the fastest and most advanced 4G network and the biggest 3G network in the entire country. It serves around 104 million total wireless connections, including 88 million retail customers

Popularity: 5% [?]

Product improvement and new product development are a critical part of all manufacturers’ growth opportunities. These elements are the way to stay ahead of global competition. But, the time required in the real world to model and test any product design change is significant. Assuming companies have the resources to devote the time and effort to R&D, it still takes months to prototype, test, refine and test again.

The polymer industry is a perfect example. Built around the interaction of complex molecular structures, understanding how they bond and then change over time is critical to the reliability of products. Because of the real world complexities of temperature, pressure and wear and tear, the only practical option for many polymer manufacturers is the time-consuming and costly approach of building and observing. Anything that can reduce time or expense can mean the difference between commercial success and failure in the polymer industry.

Ohio is committed to capitalizing on its strength in advanced materials to create and attract 21st century businesses and jobs. From its early roots in Akron’s tire production and the region’s support for the auto industry to supply today’s growth industries, Ohio has always been the heart of America’s polymer industry.

Costs associated with accessing markets and shipping products and supplies can be a considerable business expense for polymer and advanced materials companies. In addition, the challenge of coordinating with polymer manufacturers, suppliers and other resources across many states can be a logistical nightmare for companies.

Collaborative industry relationships are critical to developing and assuring the commercialization of technology-based, high value-added polymer products, says Dennis Barber, executive director of the Ohio Polymer Strategy Council, focused on providing strategy and resources for Ohio’s polymer industry.

Ohio’s world-class transportation infrastructure, proximity to major markets and large-scale polymer and advanced materials industries offer key cost-reducing advantages for polymer companies and makes the state the preferred location for advanced material businesses. Generating $50 billion in annual economic activity and $1.3 billion in exports from plastics, rubber, resins, polymers, composites and other advanced materials, Ohio leads the nation in polymers and advanced materials production.

Ohio’s world-leading polymer industry is one of the state’s most expansive and important economic sectors. With more than 1,150 companies and a workforce greater than 80,000, the state has the largest concentration of polymer product producers, machines, materials and workers in North America. At least one industry establishment exists in 76 of Ohio’s 88 counties.

Ohio also is home to the world’s largest concentration of advanced materials and polymer research and development expertise. Eight Ohio universities have polymer research programs, offering a well-educated workforce and opportunities for research collaborations to create new products, applications and opportunities for growth. This workforce supply minimizes time associated with training, significantly increases productivity and reduces operating costs. In addition, millions of dollars of strategic investments by Ohio Third Frontier and more than 60 collaborating private industry partners are paving the way for commercialization of new technologies.

In addition to plastics, rubber and resins, Ohio’s key polymer sectors include advanced composites, advanced energy, bioproducts, flexible devices, nanotechnology and polymer processing.

“Building on its rich rubber and automotive manufacturing heritage, Ohio has become a global leader in polymers and advanced materials,” Barber continued. “Ohio’s leadership is supported by the top polymer science programs in the U.S., the world’s highest concentration of polymer research and development and the country’s most extensive industry supply chain.”

Bahman Taheri, chief executive officer of AlphaMicron in Kent, Ohio, believes his location in Ohio has attributed to the company’s success. “Ohio’s strong industrial base in plastics and printing and leading research in liquid crystals, polymers and polymer engineering make the state a natural home for the polymer industry,” shared Taheri. “In Ohio, I have everything I need to succeed professional and personally.”

Ohio’s polymer success is not solely dependent on the strength of its business advantages. Today’s industry leaders have made Ohio a top choice to pursue their personal goals as well.

“In Ohio, work-life balance is more than a buzzword; it’s the way we do business,” said Ed Burghard, executive director of the Ohio Business Development Coalition, the nonprofit organization that markets the state for capital investment. “Low-cost, low-stress communities and short commutes create the State of Perfect Balance, where you can achieve both professional and personal success without sacrificing one for the other.”

Popularity: 16% [?]

Last year’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico spotlighted the need to develop economically and environmentally responsible forms of energy in the face of growing global demand. This year, American high school students will work to solve the “supply and demand” problem as the Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) launches its annual TEAMS competition.

With the 2011 theme, “Smarter Energy, Cleaner Planet,” TEAMS will show students firsthand how engineers in various disciplines, including environmental engineers, civil engineers, and mechanical engineers tackle the energy crisis and the global need for diversification, efficiency, security and ecological sustainability.

Some 10,000 ninth- to 12th-grade TEAMS participants will gather for one-day events over a four-week period from February 14 through March 15 at 130 competition sites in 43 states and the District of Columbia, including 64 colleges and universities (listing at www.JETS.org). The students will then make real-world connections between math and science to engineering by solving actual engineering scenarios.

In solving specific energy-related issues, TEAMS students will be challenged to:
- consider how we become less dependent on a few resources and diversify our energy supply to include not just crude oil and natural gas, but nuclear, wind, solar, biomass, hydroelectric and geothermal.

- identify technologies that make our homes, vehicles, buildings and industries more energy efficient.

- safeguard a country’s energy infrastructure from both an importing and exporting resources standpoint.

- brainstorm ideas to keep the environment clean and safe from emissions and pollution.

“By focusing on the struggle to meet the world’s growing energy needs, TEAMS not only introduces today’s students to one of the most pressing issues of our time, but also introduces them to engineers’ key role in addressing and solving society’s problems,” said Linda Snow-Solum, JETS president. “It’s all part of JETS 60 year mission to inspire the next generation of engineers.”

In March, JETS will announce “Best in State” awards for student teams at both the 11/12 and 9/10 grade levels in the participating 43 states and the District of Columbia.

The two highest ranking level teams in the country will take top honors as the “Best Overall” and will be announced in April 2011. They will receive a $2,500 cash prize, team trophy, student medals and certificates.

Like the other signature JETS programs, the purpose of TEAMS is to encourage more American students to pursue engineering by showing them just how engineering impacts everyday life and how engineers help solve social and community problems – from building roads and bridges, to developing water purification systems for developing countries, to inventing alternative sources of energy to fuel our cars and keep our homes warm and cool.

JETS is a national non-profit education organization dedicated to promoting engineering and helping students discover their potential for the profession.

A solid framework of high school educators, corporations, professional organizations and universities incorporate JETS pre-college engineering programs in local communities throughout the United States. Employing a unique and innovative approach—Explore, Assess, Experience—thousands of diverse students are enticed to pursue engineering majors and careers each year. JETS programs touch more than 40,000 students and 10,000 educators from 6,000 high schools across the country. JETS participants are a diverse group – more than 50 percent are from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in engineering and technology fields, including one-third who are female.

For more information, please visit, www.JETS.org

Popularity: 13% [?]

A local 26 year old woman whose bartender mother was stabbed to death last Thanksgiving  weekend was found dead in her home Saturday, and the autopsy reveals no signs of foul play.

Erica McSween, of Mentor, was still mourning the death of her mother, 49 year old Annie McSween, who was found dead with stab wounds near the bar where she worked as a bartender last November. That case is as of yet unsolved, and authorities have offered a $30,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction in her killing.

A cause of death for Erica has not been released, and the results of her toxicology reports could take a few weeks, according to a statement from the Lake County Coroner to the News-Herald of Willoughby.

Popularity: 17% [?]

Akron Children’s Hospital has received $1.2 million to create an endowed chair for its pediatric palliative care services. As the founder and medical director of the Akron Children’s Hospital’s Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Center, Sarah Friebert, M.D. will be the first chair holder, and the chair will be named in her honor.

Made possible by donations from the Haslinger Family Foundation and other leadership gifts, the Sarah Elizabeth Friebert, M.D., Leadership Chair in Pediatric Palliative Care is believed to be the first endowed chair of its kind in the United States.

The endowed chair will distribute assets in perpetuity and provide vital funds for the support of palliative care’s clinical, educational and research activities. Named endowed chairs, while more common in academic settings, recognize the transformational work of the initial chair holder, and play an increasingly crucial role in the recruitment of pediatric specialists.

Founded by Dr. Friebert in 2002, the physicians, clinicians and volunteers at the Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Center work with children and their families to enhance quality of life and minimize suffering for patients with chronic or complex illnesses. Palliative care patients receive comprehensive, interdisciplinary support to address the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that may contribute to suffering or interfere with healing. The Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Center is one of the largest pediatric palliative care programs in the U.S. and is nationally recognized as a model for other such centers.

“Dr. Friebert has made an unparalleled commitment to the patients and families at Akron Children’s. Her advocacy is inspiring, and she’s my hero,” said William Considine, president and CEO of Akron Children’s Hospital. “Her innovative leadership here and nationally has grown this important area of pediatric care, so that families are cared for when they are most in need.”

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the Haslinger Family Foundation and our other donors for making this possible,” Considine added. “Their gifts provide a solid foundation for the enrichment of our pediatric palliative care services.”

Popularity: 15% [?]

Dentists throughout Ohio will once again go into their communities to give free dental care to underserved children through the Give Kids a Smile program. Nearly 19,000 Ohio children are expected to receive a range of free dental services from over 1,800 volunteers throughout this year.

Feb. 4 is the official date for the ninth-annual GKAS program at which dentists join with their peers nationally to educate, screen and/or treat children in need of dental care for free. However, GKAS has grown to more than just a day. Some sites will do all that can be done on Feb. 4, while others will examine children on one day and offer free follow-up care after, or hold events on multiple dates. The Ohio dentists and other volunteers will provide free screenings, exams, cleanings, preventive services, restorative care, oral surgery, and more to children with an estimated dollar value of over $1 million in free services.

Give Kids a Smile is about serving children who are uninsured and whose families have no resources to afford dental care. It is also about awareness as many children seen through GKAS are seeing a dentist for the first time in their life.

President of the Ohio Dental Association, Dr. Thomas Matanzo of Wintersville, said the need to educate all Ohioans about the importance of good oral health is strong.

“Ohio’s Give Kids a Smile programs have grown from helping 3,000 children in 2003 to over 16,000 in 2010, and that number is expected to be even higher in 2011. While those are compelling numbers, what is even more compelling is that all children should have a healthy mouth, and no child should be in pain because of dental disease. Our quest is as much to educate the families, communities and policy makers on the importance of maintaining good oral health as it is to keep our children pain-free and in good oral health,” Matanzo said.

GKAS also helps strengthen legislators’ awareness about the access to dental care problem that exists in Ohio and throughout the U.S. Access to dental care continues to be Ohio’s number one unmet healthcare need, as cited recently in the Ohio Department of Health’s report, Oral Health and Access to Dental Care for Ohioans, 2010.

Give Kids a Smile was started in 2003 by the American Dental Association. It is supported in Ohio by the Ohio Dental Association, and nationally by the American Dental Association, Colgate, Henry Schein Dental and Dexis Digital X-ray Systems, Inc.

Large scale and/or multiple events are scheduled in many areas of the state, including Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, East Liverpool, Hillsboro, Lorain, Mentor, Portsmouth, Steubenville, Toledo, and Youngstown; smaller events are also scheduled in many private dental offices and schools in Ohio. To learn of an event in your coverage area, please call Kathy L. Woodard, ODA director of public service, at (614) 486-2700.

Popularity: 23% [?]