First Tee – Greater Akron, in partnership with United Way Summit & Medina and the City of Akron, hosted its 6th Annual Law Enforcement Education Day – Putting with Police on Thursday, July 13 at Mud Run Golf Course & Driving Range. The goal of this event is to create positive, fun, and educational interactions between local youth and law enforcement personnel.
194 local kids/teens attended Putting with Police this year, the largest attendance in the event’s history. Thank you to our community partners: Akron Urban League, City of Akron Recreation & Parks Summer Camps, Emmanual Christian Academy and United Way Summit & Medina, for bringing attendees.
The kids and law enforcement were treated to golf games, golf cart rides, the Cleveland Monsters/Cleveland Charge Summer Tour, Kona ice and slices of pizza donated by LeeAngelo’s in Akron.
Nine (9) local agencies attended: Akron PD, Akron Fire, Bath PD, Copley PD, Cuyahoga Falls PD, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Stow PD, Summa Health PD and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.
United Way of Summit & Medina and First Tee – Greater Akron have partnered to provide programming for United Way’s Youth United. Youth United connects young people to adults who can provide guidance, advice and inspiration to help them achieve their potential. The program was created with the help of Akron native pro golfer Harold Varner III’s HV3 foundation. Visit www.uwsummitmedina.org/youth-united to learn more.
“It was amazing to see all the smiles on the kids’ faces as well as the police officers throughout the event,” First Tee – Greater Akron Executive Director, Jeff O’Brien, said. “Everyone had a great time, and it was awesome to see the local community rally around this fun and educational event. We are already looking forward to the 2024 Putting with Police event.”
Special thanks to the Vernon L. Odom Fund of the Akron Community Foundation for their grants which assisted in funding this event.
About First Tee — Greater Akron
First Tee — Greater Akron is one of approximately 145 First Tee chapters across the U.S. and select international locations. First Tee is a youth development organization that enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, we create active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. First Tee — Greater Akron reaches kids and teens through programs delivered at 6 program locations, 60 schools and community partnerships. In 2022, First Tee – Greater Akron directly impacted 11,290 kids and teens in the community. Learn more at www.firstteeakron.org.
