Rizzy on her first shopping trip after the generous donations at Canton's Night at Monte Carlo helped to purchase a new-to-her accessible van.

Despite having already raised their now-adult children, nine years ago Lori and Marv Penrod became the caretakers and legal guardians of Marissa “Rissy” Anderegg, who was born in 2003 with the brain injury hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), resulting in paralysis and epilepsy. Lori and her daughter were visiting nurses to Rissy, and when Rissy’s aunt, with whom she lived, unexpectedly passed away. Lori and Marv took Rissy in as their own child. The Penrods desperately need a wheelchair-friendly van to transport Rissy. Through the Betterment Bash 2023, the Canton Chapter hopes to raise enough money to provide them either with their own van or with the ability to rent a wheelchair-accessible vehicle to make the lives of this loving family easier.

We have a great time at our events while we raise money for local recipients.

Check out the new refrigerator we were able to purchase for Lake Township FISH -thanks to your generosity!

Since its inception in September 2007, the Canton chapter of the Foundation for Community Betterment has donated to 35 local families and 17 community organizations in need of assistance raising $340,000. Our goal is simple – to better our community. Whether it is by helping one family in need of direct financial support or funding a community outreach program, we want our simple actions to create a ripple effect of giving. Inquire about nominating a recipient in need or if you are already a member, fill out the online form.

Our volunteer base keeps growing, in part because of the variety of volunteer events in which our Canton chapter participates. Take a look at some of the different ways our Canton team has helped out over the past few years and contact Liz Degenhard at [email protected] to get involved:

• Collect and donate need items for
  • the Domestic Violence Shelter
  • Pregnancy Support Center
  • YWCA and other nonprofits
  • My Comfy Fits, Stark County and other nonprofits.
• Bake birthday cakes for children and mothers living at the domestic violence shelter throughout the year
• Adopt a family at Christmas there.

Please check out the events page for recent and upcoming Betterment events...

Darla Brown
Lydia Carmany
Connor Clay
Chellsea Petri
Stephanie Snee
Amy Weisbrod

Committee members:
Connie Carmany
Elizabeth Degenhard
Desiree Givens
Kara Wedekamm

[email protected]
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Check out our photos on our Facebook page
2020 Allan and Valorie share their gratitude - click here for video
2017 Janet shares her story about Betterment - click here for video

​“A committee of three sat at most of the meetings planning, brainstorming, and wondering how to attract more people to this great cause. To fast forward to the present day, five years later, the philanthropy vibe is catching on ‘Betterment’ style. We have a board of nine dedicated volunteers, a committee of twenty enthusiastic community supporters all gathering for one purpose: to better our community and have fun doing so!” - Amy Weisbrod, 2011