Akron, Ohio (February 12, 2015)  The Distribution Committee of GAR Foundation announced today a $50,000 award to the Summit County Court Appointed Special Advocates / Guardian Ad Litem (CASA/GAL) program in honor of the service provided to the foundation by Douglas Wilson, retiring trustee.

Starting in 1966, Wilson served as a financial analyst for Roadway Services, Inc., the company founded by Galen Roush, the founder of GAR Foundation. Wilson became an officer of the company in 1978 in his role as senior vice president of finance and planning. He served on GAR Foundation’s Distribution Committee for 22 years and as an individual trustee for the Foundation, overseeing the endowment assets, since 2006.

“We are thrilled to have this opportunity to assist CASA / GAL in the good work it does, while honoring the efforts and dedication of our long-time colleague Doug Wilson,” said Christine Amer Mayer, president of GAR Foundation.

Wilson is deeply committed to the guardian ad litem program in his home community of Jacksonville, Florida, passionately advocating for abused and neglected children as a certified volunteer for 13 years. Wilson was honored recently for his extraordinary service, receiving the Florida Ad Litem Volunteer of the Year award. “The foundation believes a contribution to the Summit County CASA program in Mr. Wilson’s name is a fitting tribute that advances this important cause that is so close to his heart,” said Mayer.

CASA/GAL continues to be a leader across the state and nation in supporting a network of volunteers to serve the best interests of children. The program trains and places volunteer guardians ad litem with at-risk children entering the court system as a result of abuse, neglect or dependency allegations. Over 200 CASA / GAL volunteers advocated for nearly 1,100 children in Summit County last year.

Beth Cardina, Summit County CASA  / GAL program coordinator said the gift will be used to further enhance the training and retention of the CASA/GAL dedicated volunteers and increase the resources in the volunteer center for CASA children.

“The continued support of GAR Foundation aids our mission to recruit, train and support the volunteers who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in Summit County,” said Cardina. “We are so pleased to have been selected to receive a very generous donation from the foundation in honor of Doug Wilson.”

For more information, contact Dina Younis, [email protected], 330.572.2809