Suave's Fourth Annual Euchre Tournament

WHAT

Join us for the Third Annual Suave's Euchre Tournament, where we will honor the life of James E. Sovacool Jr. This fundraiser will benefit the James E. Sovacool Jr. Memorial Fund with the Akron Community Foundation. Euchre is a game Jim loved dearly. Whether playing or observing, he cherished seeing the ones he loved come together for fun and fellowship.

WHEN

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Doors open at 6 p.m. Tournament begins at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE

The East End

1200 E Market St, Akron, OH 44305

Akron, OH 44311

THEME

Join us as we celebrate the spirit of Jim the way he lived it every season—with Cleveland sports on full blast.

Jim didn’t just watch the games—he lived them. From tuning into Guardians games on the radio, to calling out “Monday Night Fooooootball!” every Monday morning like a reveille, his love for sports was contagious. Fall meant fantasy football, and we can still hear the ding of the app echoing through the house.

This year, we invite you to honor Jim by showing up in your favorite Cleveland sports gear—Browns, Guardians, Cavs, or your own fantasy team colors. Come ready to cheer, laugh, and celebrate a life full of team spirit.

Because to play like a Clevelander is to live like Jim.

GAME PLAY

There will be five rounds, 20 minutes each. The first team to get to 10 points wins that round. Each team will have a scorecard and report to the sore keeper when they finish their round, reporting how many points they got and if they won or lost. The top two teams with the most wins will be named winners at the end of the night. First place will receive a $500 cash prize, a deck of cards, their name on a trophy, and bragging rights. The second place will win a deck of cards.

TAX DEDUCTIONS

If you wish to receive tax deductions, you must pay the Akron Community Foundation directly via check or online.

If paying online, please visit www.akroncf.org/give/SovacoolFund

Table Sponsors Attending the Event: $200 of your donation is tax deductible. You will have a split payment where you pay $200 directly to the Akron Community Foundation, and $100 directly to the Sovacool's which covers the expenses of the event. If you do not need a tax deduction, it can go directly to the event and any extra proceeds after expenses will go to the fund.

Table Sponsors NOT Attending the Event: 100% of your donation is tax deductible.

Team Entries: Team entries are not eligible for tax deduction.

Dinner Only: $20 of your donation is tax deductible. You will have a split payment where you pay $20 directly to the Akron Community Foundation, and $30 directly to the Sovacool's which covers the expenses of the event. If you do not need a tax deduction, it can go directly to the event and any extra proceeds after expenses will go to the fund.

Family and Friend Sponsors: 100% of you donation is tax deductible.

For the split payments, please make the tax deductible portion of the check out to: ACF James E Sovacool Jr Fund. Make the memo line whatever you are donating, for example, “Table Sponsor". Please make the second check out to: Marjorie Sovacool with the memo line Suave's Euchre Tournament.

READ OUR WHY

In July 2020, Jim "Suave" Sovacool's battle with cancer ended, and he began his new journey in the afterlife. Since his death, many lives have transpired, and through conversation and thoughts, we evoke his memory, letting his presence linger a little longer with us. After his passing, the James E. Sovacool Jr Fund was established with the Akron Community Foundation, allowing his memory to forge a path in the lives he cared for and served courageously. The fund distributes money evenly amongst four organizations. Allow your gaze to gain more insight into the kind of man Jim was and why these organizations were so inspiring in his life.

Please join us as we begin our efforts to build this fund in his memory to impact the community better and continue to linger in the memory of one of the best humans we were lucky to have in our lives.

To our faithful servant, our best friend, we miss you and wish you were here doing this life with us. So, until we meet again, let us bask in your memory and share in the community you love.

Read more about the four different organizations this memorial fund benefits:

St. Vincent St. Mary: Being a Hoban graduate himself, some may find this a tad comical. However, Jim believed his purpose in life was to raise his family in the catholic faith and prioritized giving their children a wholesome education. Together with his wife, Jana, they put their six daughters through a private elementary and high school education. Jim supported their athletic programs, rooting his daughters on in their soccer games, bowling, and golf matches. He enjoyed getting to know the faculty, staff, teachers, coaches, parents, and students. Many of whom became like family through the years.

Friends of Camp Christopher, "FOCC": After being a family camper for many years, Jim transitioned into a staff member at Camp Christopher in 1969. Fast forward to family life, Jim shared his love of camp with his family and continued to spend his summers at Camp Christopher as a camper, perfecting his sand volleyball serve. Suave dedicated over 50 years to Lake Marian and its majestic beauty. In recent years, you could often drive into camp to be greeted by Gatekeeper Jim and his playful smile. To this day, FOCC continues to go strong, allowing the opportunity for camperships and assistance for Camp Christopher's facilities and reservation of its land. Jim served as the president of the 501(c)3 for years, and now, to this day, members of his family and some of his dearest friends serve on the board.

The Knights of Columbus (St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Council #14054): Until his death, Jim was the Grand Knight, a proudly held title. Jim served as a fourth-degree of the Knights of Columbus (Council #14054) and eagerly lent a helping hand. Whether it be the Knights at the Races, the rummage sale, delivering food to low-income families during the holidays, pancake breakfasts, and so much more, he loved his fellow Knights and being a part of the more outstanding picture for the parish. 2019 Jim was named Knight of the Year, a great honor. Jim exemplified the core principles of the Knights of Columbus: Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism.

Akron Snow Angels: The Akron Snow Angels continue to raise awareness for the homeless population in Akron, spreading warmth and compassion to vulnerable people throughout the year, specifically from November to April. Jim began volunteering the first year the ASA was established in 2015. He rallied his family to come with him, whether it was his daughters or sisters and managed to get the other organizations he was involved in, like FOCC and the KofC, to donate lunches for their winter missions. After his stage IV neuroendocrine cancer diagnosis in 2019, he underwent chemo and radiation to slow the progression, which didn't stop him from volunteering on a cold winter's day. He became known for being the "coffee guy," as he and whoever tagged along with him for the day were in charge of the coffee table. Through his years of volunteering and experience, he offered advice on handling things a bit easier when serving our friends, all of which is still implemented today. In 2022, the Akron Snow Angels established an annual award in his honor, the James E. Sovacool Jr. Volunteer of the Year Award, which distinguishes a volunteer(s) who has gone above and beyond when serving our fellow snow angels. The Sovacool Family was the first recipient in 2022. His youngest daughter, Marj, now serves on their board.

Info: 1st and 2nd place teams with the most wins will be announced and granted prizes. 50/50 raffle and tournament winners announced.

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Host or Publisher Marjorie Sovacool