Sharon Herald // A Sweet Gesture

February 8th, 2021 | By TANNER MONDOK Herald Photographer

Last year, Linda Barton set out to raise money for the Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley NICU by selling shirts from Sweet Memories Vintage Tees and New Dawn Design.

The year-long effort by Barton, of West Middlesex, culminated Monday with the presentation of a $3,291.32 check Monday to the hospital in Boardman.

She raised the money with sales of her companies' Good Humor Ice Cream T-shirts, with 20 percent of the proceeds going to the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. She said she chose Akron Children’s Hospital and its NICU because it saved her daughter’s life when she was 9. Barton's daughter was treated at the Akron hospital before construction of the Boardman location.

“I think that a lot of people don’t think about how we’re all connected,” she said. “There’s a ripple effect to what we do. So buying a T-shirt that gives money back to a cause and supports their community I think is really important.”

Looking ahead to their goals for 2021, Barton said they hope to raise $40,000 for the NICU through the sales of shirts featuring iconic retro brands such as Dum Dums, Tootsie Roll, PEZ, Sweethearts and more.

Jillian Chahine, Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation special projects coordinator, received the check from Barton.

“We are so grateful for the continued support of the community and to receive this gift from New Dawn Design throughout this year long campaign has been incredible,” she said.

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