GREATER AKRON — Keeping Us Safe LLC is offering a “thank-you” to those individuals or organizations who donate their time or make a charitable financial contribution.

As a proactive measure designed to help keep local nonprofit agencies operating at their highest potential, Keeping Us Safe kicked off its “Make a Donation ... Receive a Gift” campaign last month. The program is scheduled to run for a limited time but is expected to last into the summer.

Here’s how it works: Participants make a charitable contribution to one of the following organizations — United Disability Services of Akron; Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy; The Arc of the United States; local chapters of the National Parkinson Foundation, American Cancer Society, National Stroke Association or Alzheimer’s Association; any local homeless shelter food bank, soup kitchen, substance abuse center or food pantry; or the United Services Organization. Then, a free 90-minute driver-safety presentation will be donated in the donor’s honor to the church, club, support group, civic group, governmental entity, business or organization of the participant’s choice. 

Contributions can be in the form of a financial donation of $300 or more, a donation of material goods valued at $300 or more or 30 or more hours of volunteer work.

To learn more, visit www.keepingussafe.org and click on “Our Gifts to You” or call (877) 907-8841.

New company helps consumers find contractors

BATH — Bath resident Stacy Saltzer Smith has started a free referral service for homeowners looking for reputable contractors.

Smith said she has found that in today’s tough economy, many homeowners are finding it more and more difficult to find reliable, dependable contractors. As more people find themselves out of work, many would-be handymen are hanging out their shingles, and many of these would-be contractors are not licensed or insured, according to Smith.

Last fall, Smith launched Home Solutions of Northeast Ohio, a service that is free to homeowners and helps them take the worry out of finding a reputable contractor. All contractors must meet state licensing regulations, insurance requirements, have good trade and customer references and guarantee their work, according to Smith. Her network includes contractors that handle anything from a small plumbing job to a major remodel or addition.

Smith has 20 years of experience in sales, customer service and recruiting. She said Home Solutions sets itself apart with its unique personal service, and staying with the homeowner every step of the way to ensure all questions and concerns are answered. 

For more information, call (330) 576-6405 or visit www.homesolutionsofneo.com.