The Aladdin's
"The Kindness of Giving to a Child in Need"

Since it's founding in 1982, The Aladdin Foundation of Akron Inc. has fulfilled over one thousand one hundred and sixty (1160) requests made of them by seriously and chronically ill children. Those requests will continue to come in from various locations through out the northern part of Ohio. All such requests are received through the Volunteer Department of The Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron, Ohio, which acts as a liaison between the children and the Aladdin's.

The Aladdin Foundation was formed to fulfill the wishes of sick children. At the time such organizations were rare and hard to find. Thus the need was present. A late 1970's article in Readers Digest focused on an organization called the Sunshine Foundation, which was founded by a retired Philadelphia Police Officer. That officer wanted to do something to help sick children so he formed his Foundation making that possible. For a number of years he and his group filled the sick children's wishes. That article was the basis for the forming of the Aladdin's.

The Foundation was started by a group of fifteen people working in the areas of business, education, banking, law enforcement, executive officers and others. It was mutually agreed upon that all members would remain anonymous and that (100%) one hundred percent of the money raised would be used for the children.

The big question is, "Who are these people who devote their time to accomplish the above?" It is a group of people who because of good fortune, wish to share their gratitude and appreciation by helping others in need. Not only do they fulfill the wishes of the sick children, but also make life a little easier for their families. They want to do something special for young patients to help them forget for a little while, their illness.

These Aladdin's want their deeds to speak for themselves. Some examples are:

  • A young cancer patient asked for a visit to Miami, Florida to attend a Dolphins football game, to receive an autographed football from the team and to meet Dan Marino. He and his family had a most memorable trip when all of the above came true for him. This was accomplished through the generosity of an Akron and a Miami businessman.

  • A couple of hundred oncology and cystic fibrosis patients along with medical staff, their luggage and two golf carts are transported to special camps every year.

  • Special bicycles and tricycles are provided for a number of children with developmental disabilities, throughout each year.

  • A young lad received a trip to the Rain Forest at the Cleveland Zoo, along with a soccer ball and goalie T-shirt.

  • A young, 15 year old female with Quadriplegia from a spinal cord injury needed to return to Florida for treatments. Upon completion of treatments, she gained significant increases in voluntary neuron recruitment according to her doctor.

  • Twenty-two air conditioners were provided to the same number of cystic fibrosis patients of Children's Hospital. All of this was done during the course of the summer of 1995 and has been done each summer since its founding. This will continue in the future.

  • A Rifton lift walker with a pelvic and leg prompt was provided to a youthful male patient.

  • A twelve year old, male with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia received a lap top computer and Sega Genesis.

  • Travel charges and a portion of living expenses were provided for a child accompanied by her mother who recently traveled to Budapest, Hungary, where she will remain for six months to receive specialized treatment equipment to help build up her blood count.

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    Philanthropy is truly the art of giving to causes one holds dear. There is no simpler way of supporting The Aladdin Foundation of Akron Inc. (501C,3), than by making an outright gift of cash. Cash gifts afford the donor a current income tax deduction for the full amount of the gift.

    Checks should be made payable to: The Aladdin Foundation of Akron Inc., P.O. Box 13103, Akron, Ohio 44334

    Anyone wanting more information about The Aladdin Foundation of Akron Inc., should telephone Wendy Sawyer (330) 543-8187.

    Thank you for your continuing interest and support of The Aladdin Foundation of Akron Inc.

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