Wheeler receives humanitarian award

by Sue Serdinak

Michael Wheeler, mayor of Richfield Village, was presented with the Harold K. Stubbs Award for having a positive impact in the community. Wheeler said being recognized with eight other accomplished and dedicated recipients “will be one of the top award experiences I will have.”

“I was humbled to be chosen and to be counted among those who have won in the past,” he added.

Wheeler, who has a lengthy list of community and philanthropic involvements, said he suspects he was selected for one of the three government awards because of his efforts in 2023 to raise $54,000 and organize 600 volunteers for the Rise Against Hunger campaign. With that effort, 120,000 meals were delivered to schoolchildren in Uganda.

Wheeler also worked for several years with Dr. Alicia Malone on her Bondage Breakers prisoner re-entry program. Started in 1982, the program has helped hundreds of ex-offenders re-enter society. Wheeler said he helped find jobs for ex-offenders released from prison.

Wheeler also created the company that developed software for prisons to track meals, ensuring that every prisoner received his food and on time.

The Harold K. Stubbs award ceremony was held at the Hilton Akron-Fairlawn and was hosted by the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church. Ten students were also presented with scholarships. The award and scholarship program was started 34 years ago in memory of Judge Harold K. Stubbs.  ∞

Photo: Mayor Michael Wheeler said he is extremely proud to have received the Harold K. Stubbs Award for humanity in government. Photo by S. Serdinak.