(Stark County, OH) April 13, 2026 – United Way of Greater Stark County (UWGSC) hosted a successful dine to donate and guest bartending event at Michael D’s, bringing together more than 50 community members, partners, and supporters for an evening of fundraising, awareness, and connection.
The event raised over $2,000 in support of United Way’s Summer Bridge to Success initiative, a micro campaign designed to help more than 400 kindergarten students across Alliance Early Learning School, Gibbs Elementary School, and Massillon East Elementary School maintain academic progress as they prepare for the transition into first grade.
Summer Bridge to Success addresses the “summer slide,” a well documented decline in academic skills that can occur during summer months, particularly in reading and math. Through the initiative, students will receive Summer Learning Kits that include a Summer Bridge Activities workbook, engaging at home learning tools, and healthy snacks to support continued learning throughout the summer.
Guests at the event enjoyed an energetic evening featuring guest bartenders Brent and Stefanie Fatzinger, 2026 United Way Campaign Co-Chairs, Tommy Karcher of TKG, and Juanita Gray, Marketing Manager at United Way. The evening also featured a surprise DJ and a lively atmosphere that kept energy high and helped drive strong participation and community engagement throughout the event.
United Way of Greater Stark County expressed sincere appreciation to Michael D’s for hosting the event and for their continued partnership in supporting local children and families.
Therese Stock, Regional Manager at Michael D’s, reflected on the event’s success, stating: “It was a great evening for everyone involved. At Michael D’s, we’re all about supporting others in our community because they support us, it truly was a win win. We welcomed many first time guests, received fantastic feedback, and experienced a noticeable increase in sales compared to a typical Wednesday. More importantly, it was a meaningful investment in the children in our community.”
From the strong turnout to the generosity of attendees, the event highlighted the power of community coming together to support local students. Proceeds will directly support United Way’s Summer Bridge to Success initiative and its ongoing efforts to strengthen early learning outcomes across Stark County.
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About United Way of Greater Stark County
United Way of Greater Stark County mobilizes communities to improve lives by advancing education, financial stability, and health. Through collaborative partnerships and targeted initiatives, UWGSC works to create lasting impact for individuals and families across the region.