Salvation Army of Summit County to Honor Community Leader, Mary Ann Jackson
Akron, OH – 9/29/2016 – The Salvation Army of Summit County honors area leader Mary Ann Jackson at its annual Community Medal Award Luncheon and Red Kettle Kickoff November 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Tangier restaurant, 532 W. Market St., Akron.
“Our Community Medal Award recognizes individuals who have made a significant impact in the Greater Akron community through professional and volunteer work,” said Salvation Army Area Coordinator, Major Kevin E. Jackson. “We are pleased to honor Mary Ann for her commitment to Akron and her stellar example of how one citizen can impact a community both as a professional and as a volunteer.”
Mary Ann Jackson was founder and executive director of First Night Akron from 1996 to 2001, and a member of the First Night International Board of Trustees headquartered in Boston. She was co-founder/executive committee and chair of development for the Akron Area Arts Alliance and at the Ohio state level, she was a member of Leadership Ohio’s class of 1994.
Jackson served as founder and chair of some of Akron’s most celebrated occasions including the National Inventor’s Hall of Fame Inaugural induction weekend and Air Dock Black Tie Event in 1990, Summa Health’s Sapphire Ball, the Akron Symphony’s 50th Anniversary Gala, the Urban League’s 75th Anniversary Celebration, and Tuesday Musical’s 125th Anniversary Celebration.
Professionally, Mary Ann was the Akron Symphony’s first marketing manager, and the Ohio Ballet’s first development manager. She served as project administrator for David L. Brennan, and as marketing consultant for Brennan, Manna & Diamond, LLP. Mary Ann has served as a consultant to not-for-profit community organizations in fund raising, and special events. She is a member of the Akron Women’s Endowment, the Summa Health Foundation Board, the Bath Community Fund Advisory Board, and the University of Akron Foundation for College Centered Committee. She is also a sustaining member of the Junior League of Akron, a member of Bath Church, and Portage Country Club.
“It is difficult to name an organization in the Akron area that has not been the beneficiary of Mary Ann’s involvement,” said Major Jackson. “She has served on numerous boards including the Greater Akron Musical Association, Akron Community Foundation, Blossom Music Center Oversight Board of Trustees, Volunteer Center, Akron Community Service Center and Urban League, United Disabilities Services, Summit CARES, All American Soap Box Derby, Weathervane Community Playhouse, Akron Child Guidance Women’s Board (Charter Member), Hale Farm Women’s Board, and Akron Soul Train, to name a few. She is quite a powerhouse and approaches all her commitments with equal parts dazzle and grace. And she has helped raise hundreds and thousands of dollars for non-profits over the years.”
Mary Ann has served numerous Akron organizations in various leadership roles including Akron Civic Theater, Tuesday Musical Club, Summit County Medical Alliance, Women Against MS, Children’s Concert Society, and Battered Women’s Shelter.
A few of the honors Mary Ann has received include the Akron Urban League (Woman of Power Award), the Junior League of Akron (Sustainer Inspiration Award), Women’s Network (Rita Dove Award for Creativity,) Business and Professional Women’s Association Award of Distinction, the Association of Fundraising Professional’s Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award, the Northern Ohio LIVE Rainmaker Award, and the Sales & Marketing Executives Association’s Award of Distinction in 1994 and again in 1998.
Mary Ann is married to Dr. Thomas J. Jackson and is a native of Bethlehem, PA. The Jacksons are parents of three grown children and five grandchildren.
The Salvation Army invites the community to join us in honoring Mary Ann Jackson as our 2016 Community Medal Awardee and honorary chair of the Red Kettle Kickoff at a luncheon ceremony, Thursday, November 10. Tables of eight are $500 and individual seats are $75. Please make your reservation by calling 330-434-7324 or 330-434-7110 by October 31.
The luncheon is also the formal launch of The Salvation Army’s 2016 Red Kettle Campaign. Our signature fundraiser, bell ringers will staff forty-nine locations from November 11 through Christmas Eve, never on Sundays. If your family or friends wish to volunteer, please call the volunteer office at 330-434-7365.
The Salvation Army is celebrating its 131st year in Akron serving the needs of Summit County. Its goals are to interrupt and break the cycle of poverty in our community, enabling economic self-sufficiency and active contribution to the social, economic and spiritual well-being of the community; to serve as a unifying force that is welcomed by, respected by, and able to bring together all elements of our community from those in a position to give to those in a place of need, and to instill hope in all whom we touch, clients or donors. To donate, or to receive more information about the Salvation Army, please view www.salvationarmyakron.org or call 330-762-8481.