Meet Katherine White, founder of Jackson Bear Hugs
Katherine White and her husband David grew up in Jackson. They went to school, raised a family, built a home and a business in the township.
From their faith and family struggles, they wanted to do more. Knowing the community, Jackson was the perfect place to start a donation center.
It was an idea in March of 2020 and by November of that year it had the IRS 501c3 status and a physical location. Once word got out, the organization exploded and we were immediately buried in love. That has never stopped, donations come pouring in every week! There is no shortage of wonderful, gently used, quality, name brand items.
Tricia Harig
Tricia Harig is a member of the Jackson Bear Hugs Advisory Board and is passionate about giving back to the community. With over 30 years of experience in banking, she currently serves as the Branch Manager of First Commonwealth Bank’s Foxboro Office in Jackson Township.
Being part of Jackson Bear Hugs has been incredibly rewarding, especially seeing the impact of reaching those at risk. As the outreach continues to grow, Tricia is honored to support the organizations mission and help expand its efforts to make a meaningful difference in the community.
Lisa Aurand
Lisa Aurand has been an active member of the Jackson Bear Hugs board since 2024, passionately advancing the organization’s mission to support and uplift the Stark County community. A lifelong resident of Jackson Township, a proud Jackson High School alumna, and a graduate of Leadership Stark County’s Class #29, Lisa’s deep-rooted connection to the
community drives her commitment to Bear Hugs. With over 30 years of business experience across top organizations such as GE Capital, Huntington Bank, The Timken Company, and Synchrony, Lisa leverages her leadership expertise to guide the nonprofit’s growth and success.
Her primary focus is to build strategic partnerships, expand collaboration opportunities, and enhance Bear Hugs’ reach within the community. As part of her board role, Lisa plays a vital part in fundraising initiatives, securing the resources necessary to sustain and expand the nonprofit’s impact. This includes driving donation efforts, discovering new funding avenues, and utilizing her personal and professional networks to advance the cause.
Now retired from Corporate America, Lisa is the CEO of Complete Wedding + Events, a role that complements her board involvement and amplifies her ability to support Jackson Bear Hugs in its mission to serve the community.
We would like to thank some of our local sponsors
