The Salvation Army of Summit County is pleased to honor volunteer and philanthropist Susan Poe Flowers at the organization’s annual Red Kettle Kickoff luncheon Tuesday, November 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Tangier, 532 W. Market Street, Akron.

Flowers will be recognized with The Salvation Army’s Community Medal Award given to individuals and organizations who make a significant ongoing impact in the Greater Akron community through professional and volunteer work.

“We have been blessed to be one of the many organizations and people who have been on the receiving end of this woman’s extraordinary support,” said Salvation Army Area Coordinator, Major Steven B. Stoops.  “Her example of personal service and giving is truly inspirational.  She is extremely active in local and national philanthropic causes, sometimes being accused of never sleeping to keep up with it all!”

Flowers has served as Board Chair for Child Guidance and Family Solutions, Our Lady of the Elms, and The Salvation Army.  She is a past president of the Junior League of Akron. A proven fundraiser, Flowers has chaired fundraisers for more than twenty organizations including the Humane Society, United Disabilities, Miami University, Akron Symphony Orchestra, University Hospitals, and Crown Point Ecology Center and has also chaired capital campaigns for several local organizations. Flowers started a non-profit catering group called Old Friends Catering that donates dinners for auctions or provides free catering for non-profit events. She also established a lending library of party supplies for non-profits allowing non-profits to borrow frequently used party supplies without cost. Her work has won her honors and awards from the Association of Junior Leagues International, Our Lady of the Elms, Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio, Case Western Reserve University, and the American Cancer Society. A generous donor, she shares her treasures generously as well, and is a member of the William Booth Society of The Salvation Army and the Tocqueville Society of the United Way of Summit County.

The Salvation Army’s luncheon is the formal launch of 2019 Red Kettle Campaign.  The event heralds the start of the holiday season with volunteer bell ringers at kettle locations from November 6 through Christmas Eve at venues throughout the county.

“The luncheon is the official start to the holiday bell-ringing season,” said Major Stoops, “and a strong start is needed to support the life-changing programs we provide year-round to those in need.”

The Salvation Army invites the community to join us for the Red Kettle Kick-Off and to honor Susan Poe Flowers at a luncheon celebration, Tuesday, November 5 at Tangier, 532 W. Market Street, Akron.  Corporate sponsorships are available, tables of eight start at $1,000, and individual seats are $75.  You can make your reservation online at www.salvationarmyakron.org or by calling 330-434-7110 by October 30.