Trio inducted into The Village Network Hall of Fame

On Dec. 7, The Village Network inducted three new members to its Hall of Fame: Kevin Mack, Nadine Foster and Farmers National Bank.

Individuals inducted into The Village Network’s Hall of Fame have made a difference in the organization’s trajectory and/or the lives of the youth served by The Village Network by making a meaningful volunteer contribution, providing extraordinary financial support or a forward-thinking vision that led to the success of The Village Network.

Kevin Mack played college football at Clemson and helped it reach the national championship in 1981. He was then selected by the Washington Federals in the 1984 USFL Territorial Draft and traded to the Los Angeles Express. The Cleveland Browns then selected him 11th overall in the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL Players. Mack played for the Browns for nine seasons, from 1985 to 1993. Nicknamed “Mack Truck,” he was a two-time Pro Bowl selection.

Mack currently works for the Cleveland Browns in its Alumni Relations Department. Years ago, former Browns teammate Felix Wright invited Kevin Mack to attend The Village Network’s annual Charity Golf Classic. As he learned more about the organization’s work, Mack was compelled to return to the event each year, and his involvement and friend-raising efforts grew. In addition, Mack is part of the group of Browns players that has allowed The Village Network to auction off “Lunch with Legends” at its Sweet Jubilation Dinner, Dance and Auction for five years.

Nadine Fosterwas born and raised in Cleveland. After high school, she joined her dad at The Garber Company in Ashland and worked there for 20 years. After raising her family, Foster decided to take classes at North Central College. When an opening became available at Fredo Travel, she jumped at the chance and worked there for 12 years.

In 1995, Nadine married Don Foster, who was already involved with the then-named Boys’ Village. A few years later, Jean Musselman asked Don if Nadine would be interested in helping at the event, and as they say, “The rest is history.” Foster started as a volunteer and now is head of the Charity Golf’s volunteers. When asked to serve on The Village Network’s Board of Trustees, Foster accepted and served for two terms. Foster and her family hope to pass on their love for helping others, especially young people, to them through their example of involvement in The Village Network.

Farmers National Bank is proud of its long history with The Village Network. The partnership began when Harold Kropf, director of First National Bank of Orrville, helped create the legal documents for the organization then known as Boys’ Village. First National Bank of Orrville later became Farmers National Bank, making these documents the earliest association between the bank and TVN. Over the years, The Village Network has benefited from the dedicated work of many Farmers National Bank team members, including Emily Shank, senior treasury management support specialist; Darrell Smucker, vice president of commercial lending and current TVN Hall of Fame inductee; and Dallas Robinson, market president, who currently serves as treasurer of TVN’s Board of Trustees.

Farmers National Bank has advanced the success of The Village Network in many ways over the decades. It successfully processed a PPP loan for TVN during the pandemic, providing stability to the organization during a difficult and unpredictable time. Farmers National Bank has also helped to secure funding for some of the most significant acquisitions in TVN’s history, including the New Horizon Youth Center in Southeast Ohio, NorthPoint Consulting operations and the new corporate office building purchase.

The Village Network is grateful for the dedication of Kevin Mack, Nadine Foster and Farmers National Bank and is honored to induct them into the Hall of Fame.

The Village Network is an experienced, multi-discipline behavioral health nonprofit organization helping youth and families become resilient, healthy and have brighter futures. For more information, go to thevillagenetwork.org.