By Janet Chismar-Hardie '92
If you’ve ever pounded the pavement during the Akron Marathon—or encouraged a runner along the route—you can thank two University of Akron (UA) alumni for the experience. 
The Marks—Steve ’82 and Jeannine ’91, ’96—established the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation in 2002. On Oct. 11, 2003, runners hit the streets for the first time and in the 20 years since, the event has generated $133 million in economic impact for greater Akron.
As the co-founder of Main Street Gourmet, Steve has raised millions for charity. Muffins for Mammograms is a partnership with Cleveland Clinic Akron General that provides free mammograms for area women who are uninsured or underinsured. Main Street Gourmet has also donated more than 750,000 pounds of food to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank since 2004 through its “No Muffin Left Behind” sale.
Jeannine is the executive director of Stewart’s Caring Place, a nonprofit cancer wellness center that offers free services to patients and their families. She also serves on the boards of Cleveland Clinic Akron General, the Jewish Community Board of Akron and the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation.
"I’ve personally experienced the devastating effects of cancer, so it’s been my personal mission to fully support individuals and families on their journey," said Jeannine in explaining the genesis of her generosity. While attending classes at UA and working full time, Jeannine helped her father who was then facing cancer, often driving him back and forth to Cleveland for treatment. Her oldest brother passed away from the disease in 2001.
For Steve, philanthropy just makes good sense: “When you see that your employees feel good about your company and the presence it has in the community, it has a profound impact on both morale and business success.
“We’ve each had advisors, mentors and supporters who have all been very active in the community,” Steve added. “It’s just a natural for us to do that as well.”
Both of the Marks mentioned how important their years attending the University were in shaping their lives. Along with getting a solid education in accounting, Steve fondly recalled movies at The Chuckery, football and basketball games, and the long-term friendships he developed at UA. Jeannine appreciated the ease of taking evening and weekend classes while she built a full-time career.
As for the value of the town-gown relationship, Steve said it is vital, “like hand-in-glove. The city of Akron is only as good as the government and The University of Akron. Fortunately, both have great leaders who have a good relationship with one another.”
Jeannine added, “Just looking at the growth and power of the University and its ability to collaborate with the city, it’s been amazing. UA is a wonderful asset to our community.”