The Salvation Army of Summit County to Honor Community Leader Dave Lieberth
The Salvation Army of Summit County honors area leader David Lieberth at its annual Community Medal Award Luncheon and Red Kettle Kickoff November 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at St. George Fellowship Hall, 3204 Ridgewood Road, Fairlawn, 44333.
“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. “Dave Lieberth has been one of the most-recognized voices in—and for—Greater Akron for four decades and truly is worthy of this honor.”
For ten years Dave served as the city’s Deputy Mayor and was Chief of Staff for Mayor Don Plusquellic. He spent 35 years in the private sector as a reporter and news director, and was a practicing lawyer for 25 years, earning the Akron Bar Association’s Sir Thomas More Award.
Dave was instrumental in the development of Downtown Akron over the last decade. He was primarily responsible for the success of Lock 3 and Lock 4, the city’s entertainment venues. Dave chaired Akron's successful efforts in 1995 and 2008 to be selected as an "All-America City."
As a reporter and radio news director, Dave received state and national journalism awards. His published articles on cameras in the courtroom spurred the Supreme Court's decision to open Ohio courtrooms to television. Dave was a national trustee of the Society of Professional Journalists, and was honored with the John S. Knight Award from the local chapter.
He was the founding president of Inventure Place and led the group that attracted the National Inventors Hall of Fame to Akron, and produced its Induction Ceremonies for seven years. He produced the opening ceremonies for Inventure Place (1995), the John S. Knight Center (1994), Canal Park (1997), and Akron's initial First Night (1997.)
Dave’s community activities reflect a diversity of interests. He served as a director of Summa Health System for 16 years. He has chaired the boards of the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority and University of Akron Law School Alumni Association. He has served as a trustee of Akron Community Foundation and the Children Services Board, and he convened the first Summit Meeting of all agencies dealing with children's issues, which continues today.
Presently, he serves on the boards of Summa Health System Hospitals, the Akron-Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau, Downtown Akron Partnership, Akron Symphony, Akron Zoo, LeBron James Family Foundation Advisory Board and Groundworks Dance Theatre. In 2014, he was elected chairman of the board of the Summit County Historical Society.
He received the H. Peter Burg Community Leadership Award from the American Red Cross in 2013. Leadership Akron honored him with its first Community Vision Award in November, 2012. He received the University of Akron’s Alumni Honor Award and in 2005, was honored by the Akron-Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau with its Chairman’s Award for his contributions to enhancing Greater Akron as a tourism destination.
Lieberth graduated from the University of Akron and received a Master’s degree in Television & Radio from Syracuse University. He is a graduate of the School of Law of the University of Akron where he also taught as a member of the adjunct faculty. Dave has been married 44 years to Lynne.
The Salvation Army invites the community to join us in honoring Lieberth as our 2017 Community Medal Awardee at a luncheon ceremony, Friday, November 3 at St. George Fellowship Centre, Ridgewood Road, Fairlawn. 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 30.
The luncheon is also the formal launch of The Salvation Army’s 2017 Red Kettle Campaign. Our signature fundraiser, bell ringers will staff kettle locations from November 4 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 133rd 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.