The Akron Symphony Guild has worked for more than 60 years to support the Akron Symphony Orchestra in developing a vibrant musical community in Northeast Ohio.

The guild’s hard work was on display in October, when Guild President Karen Budd and Lakes Tour Chair Sandy Becker-Neidert presented the Greater Akron Musical Association Board of Trustees with a donation of $25,000 from the 19th annual Lakes Boat Tour of Homes on the Portage Lakes. The funds will be used to sponsor the symphony’s Jan. 21 presentation of Beethoven’s Ninth, featuring conductor Ben Zander.

“We are very fortunate to have a guild that works so hard to support the orchestra,” board President Michael Pasternak said in accepting the donation. “We thank you for everything you do.”

The Lakes Tour event, the guild’s signature fundraiser, allows participants to spend a day cruising in pontoon boats on the Portage Lakes, visiting a variety of spectacular homes and enjoying music from members of the orchestra.

This year the event attracted more than 500 people and 90 volunteers, who were joined by 53 boat captains and their first mates, for a record-setting day on the Portage Lakes.

“We had great weather and a wonderful group of people who donated their time to make the day a success,” Becker-Neidert said. “Thank you to the five home owners for graciously opening their homes for the tour, as well as On Tap at the Harbor, Prime 93 owners and symphony patrons Jim and Julie Pulk, Boat Masters Marine and Kieffer Marine for their support.”

The guild is already hard at work planning for next year’s Lakes Tour, which will take place on July 19.

Photo caption: Guild members Sandy Becker-Neidert, left, and Karen Budd, right, present board President Michael Pasternak with a check for $25,000.