Frances Seiberling Buchholzer Honored as The Salvation Army's Community Medal Awardee
Akron, OH, July 10, 2024 –Frances S. Buchholzer, activist, pioneer and champion of the environment will be honored by The Salvation Army at its 20th annual Community Medal Award and Red Kettle Kickoff Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at St. George Fellowship Hall, 3204 Ridgewood Road, Fairlawn.
Frances is being honored for her significant impact on the community through her professional work and personal volunteer contributions. Teacher, philanthropist, community activist, champion of natural resources and the environment, promoter of women and girls in STEM fields, Fran holds a master’s degree in Geomorphology from the University of Iowa and Bachelor of Science in Education and English from The University of Akron. She is the first woman to be appointed as Ohio’s Director of Natural Resources and is a pioneer in the field of biomimicry, a field that studies nature for solutions to human challenges. She is also a generous supporter of the arts in our community and an Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of The Salvation Army, having served since 1984.
In the early 90s, then-governor George Voinovich named Buchholzer the state's Director of Natural Resources, the first woman to hold that post. Before that, she held government relations roles at B.F. Goodrich Co. and the Ohio Petroleum Council. She serves on the Ohio State Parks Foundation, the Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition board, and served 18 years as Summit County Metro Parks Commissioner. She currently serves on the Board of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and Great Lakes Biomimicry as well as being active with several state and national environmental and conservation organizations.
She has earned honors from Ohio Citizens for the Arts, Ohio Natural Resources Hall of Fame, Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame (a gubernatorial appointment), the Akron Women’s Hall of Fame, Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Hall of Fame, and The Junior League of Akron’s Sustainer Inspiration Award, to name a few.
“We are honored to be recognizing Frances Buchholzer for her strong, positive impact on our community, the region and the state through her volunteer service and groundbreaking work in the natural sciences,” said Captain Bramwell Applin, Area Coordinator for The Salvation Army in Summit County. “She understands the importance of local advocacy and the role science plays in nurturing the next generation of scientists and civil servants.”
The Salvation Army’s Community Medal Award luncheon is also the formal launch of the 2024 Red Kettle Campaign. Along with honoring Buchholzer, the event heralds the start of the holiday season with volunteer bell ringers at kettle locations from November through Christmas Eve at major retailers throughout the county.
“The funds generated by our Red Kettle campaign are more needed than ever,” said Applin. “Inflation disproportionally impacts low-income families because they spend a larger portion of their income on necessities prone to price spikes, like food, housing and utilities,” said Capt. Applin. “A strong start to a successful Red Kettle Christmas campaign in 2024 is needed to support the safety-net programs we provide all year long in Summit County.”
The Salvation Army invites the community to the Red Kettle Kick-Off and Community Medal Award Luncheon, Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at St. George Fellowship Hall, 3204 Ridgewood Road, Fairlawn. Table sponsorships start at $1,000, and individual luncheon seats are $80. Reservations open September 23, 2024, at www.salvationarmyakron.org or can be made by calling 330-434-7110. High-exposure sponsorships are available. Contact the Director of Development, at 330-434-7110 or 330-762-8481 for help.