Published: July 20, 2026
Avita Health System Celebrates Dedication of New Pediatric Nutrition and Therapy Park
GALION – Family, friends, community supporters, and Avita Health System leaders gathered on Thursday, July 16, to celebrate the dedication and ribbon cutting of the newly named Cangelosi Family Pediatric Park, an outdoor therapeutic space designed to support children receiving pediatric nutrition and therapy services.
Hosted by the Avita Health Foundation, the celebration recognized the community-wide effort that transformed a vision into reality. The park features the Sol Systems Activity Area and the Timken Foundation Playscape, providing innovative outdoor spaces that encourage physical activity, sensory development, therapeutic play, and family engagement.
“This project was made possible through the extraordinary generosity of our community and Avita employees, who together contributed more than $500,000,” said Matt Horn, Chair of the Avita Health Foundation Board. “Several years ago, our Chief Development Officer, Chuck Cangelosi, shared a transformational vision to create an outdoor therapeutic environment for children with diabetes, disabilities, and other specialized healthcare needs. Through his leadership, generosity, and unwavering commitment, he led the campaign to secure 100 percent of the funding needed to bring this innovative park to life. Naming the park in honor of Chuck, Robin, and the Cangelosi Family is a fitting tribute to their vision, philanthropy, and the lasting impact on children and families throughout our region this project will have.”
The Cangelosi Family Pediatric Park is expected to benefit more than 1,500 children annually across the communities Avita serves, including those with disabilities, juvenile diabetes, eating disorders, and other conditions requiring specialized pediatric care. The project reflects the power of collaboration, shared purpose, and the generosity of nearly 100 donors who invested in improving the lives of local children and families. Lead gifts from The Timken Foundation and Sol Systems helped make the project possible from its earliest stages.
“The Foundation is honored to have led this initiative in partnership with Avita Health System,” Horn added. “We are deeply grateful to every donor, volunteer, and supporter who helped make this dream a reality.”
Sol Systems Activity Area
The Sol Systems Activity Area includes a renovated activity court supported by Covert Manufacturing, a raised greenhouse donated by Richard and Janet Harer, and a refurbished pavilion made possible through the Walter R. Hessenauer Charitable Trust.
The activity area has already become home to the Foundation’s Happy Healthy Habits Camp, developed in partnership with Avita Nutrition & Therapy Services and Gordon Food Service. Now in its second year, the program combines physical activity, nutrition education, hands-on gardening experiences, and healthy snack preparation to encourage lifelong healthy habits among children.
Timken Foundation Playscape
The Timken Foundation Playscape features ten interactive therapy stations developed in collaboration with Avita’s Pediatric Therapy Team to encourage sensory exploration, balance, coordination, and imaginative play. Each feature was intentionally designed to complement pediatric therapy services while providing an engaging environment for children and families.
The playscape includes:
- Shade Sail – Dr. Joseph & Susan Shadeed
- Gem Mining – Elizabeth Heckert Fund
- Barn Wall – 89 Homes/Les & Lori Miller
- Bridge – In Memory of Dr. Tom and Marian Huggins
- Stone Arch – Moritz Concrete/Adam Moritz
- Steppingstones – Lydia Herrnstein and Lauren Warren, Edward D. Jones of Galion
- Echo Valley – Ralph E. Boyd Foundation
- Stonehenge – Dr. Andrew and Tammy Lee
- Mt. Avita – City of Galion and Freese Fund
- Musical Drums – Loren’s Cancer Care Fund
“Avita’s multidisciplinary Pediatric Therapy team works closely with pediatric primary care providers to deliver comprehensive developmental services for children throughout our region. Through speech, physical, and occupational therapy, we help children build communication, feeding, sensory, fine motor, gross motor, and social skills that provide the foundation for participation in everyday life,” said Holly Frankhouse, Speech, Audiology & Therapy Manager at Avita Health System.
“Families travel from across the region because they know our team is committed to providing exceptional family-centered care for children with a wide range of developmental needs. This new outdoor therapeutic playscape extends our therapy environment beyond the clinic walls, creating an accessible, sensory-rich space where children of all abilities can learn, explore, play, and grow through meaningful experiences. We are incredibly grateful for the community support that made this project possible and for the trust that families place in us each day. Watching children gain confidence and reach goals alongside their families is what inspires our team and this new space will create even more opportunities to best serve our families,” Frankhouse added.
“Ensuring every child has access to healthcare designed specifically for their needs is essential to the long-term health of our communities,” said Chuck Cangelosi. “Avita’s outstanding pediatric therapy and primary care programs have made a profound difference for countless families, including our own. Robin and I are deeply honored to be associated with these programs and grateful to everyone who helped make this vision possible.”
The celebration concluded with the announcement of a perpetual pediatric endowment, established through gifts from the Cangelosi Family and Jerry Morasko, with matching support from the Avita Health Foundation. Annual distributions from the fund will provide ongoing financial support for pediatric programs and future enhancements to the park and related services. The Foundation also held its first Loren’s Hugs & Lemonade Stand (In memory of Loren Grubel from Bucyrus) the previous week that raised more than $2,600 for these programs.
“What has been created here for the children of our communities is both meaningful and lasting,” said Jerry Morasko, President and CEO of Avita Health System. “This park reflects Avita’s longstanding commitment to children with disabilities, diabetes, and other special service needs. By establishing this endowment, we’ve ensured that resources will continue to support these important pediatric initiatives for generations to come.”
For more information about the Avita Health Foundation or to support pediatric programs and services, call 419-468-0566 or visit avitafoundation.org/endowment.