Akron Public Schools Receives Significant School Supply Donation Following Highly Successful Swensons Fundraiser

On Saturday, September 13, 2025, Akron Public Schools (APS) was the beneficiary of a highly successful community fundraiser held at the West Akron Swensons Drive-In. During the event, Swensons demonstrated their support by donating 20% of their event sales to the cause. 

Community participation was strong, as customers contributed both through their purchases and by donating  much needed school supplies. The effort was further boosted by the appearance of NBA CAVS player Larry Nance Jr., who worked as a server during the event  and by providing a matching donation. The combined success of the fundraiser  resulted in a cash donation of $7,500 and an additional $1,000 worth of  school supplies for a total donation worth $8,500!

APS announced today that the supplies and funds have been delivered to provide essential items for students and teachers across the district.

The district’s Director of Strategic Communications, Stacey Hodoh, confirmed that the donation includes much needed supplies from notebooks and crayons to backpacks, markers, and calculators—that will be distributed to APS schools to support students and teachers throughout the academic year.

“Akron is home for us, and investing in our students is investing in our future,” said Jeffrey Flowers, President of Swensons Drive-ins. "We’re grateful to Larry Nance Jr. and Akron Public Schools for the partnership and excited for the impact this will make in our hometown.” 

The fundraiser, which galvanized community support and was widely covered by local media at the time, saw local residents and families turn out in force to contribute. Mary Outley, Superintendent of Akron Public Schools,  expressed immense gratitude for the local support that made the initiative possible.

"This donation goes beyond being a collection of school essentials; it is a powerful demonstration of what we can achieve when our community unites," said Mary Outley, Superintendent of Akron Public Schools. "We want to extend our deepest thanks to Larry Nance who came up with the idea,Jeffrey Flowers and his amazing staff at Swensons, and members of Akron Public Schools who volunteered as servers and/or made a purchase. We are also grateful for every local resident who supported this effort. Your collective generosity directly removes barriers to learning and ensures our students have the tools they need to succeed. The strength of Akron lies in its neighborhoods, and this fundraiser perfectly illustrates that collaborative spirit."

Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Wanda Lash, highlighted the direct impact of the supplies on the learning environment.

"The success of a student often begins with having the basic necessities, and for many families, these supplies make a critical difference," said Dr. Lash. "We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of Swensons and our neighbors. This donation enhances our classrooms and reaffirms that our students are supported not just by their educators, but by the entire Akron community. We appreciate Larry Nance, Jr. who is a source of inspiration to our entire district."

The district plans to distribute the supplies based on need across various schools in the district.