Enhancing Airport Safety

The Henry and Louise Timken Foundation's consistent investments in Stark County has strengthened our aviation sector — recently funding Luna, a two-year-old explosive detection labrador retriever serving Akron-Canton Airport.

Henry and Louise Timken Foundation
Est. 1980 / Supporting Foundation

Since becoming a supporting foundation of Stark Community Foundation in 1980, the Henry and Louise Timken Foundation has quietly and consistently invested in the strength of Stark County. For more than four decades, its grantmaking has supported organizations that improve the community and its residents, with a thoughtful focus on areas like medical vision services, aviation and the arts. This commitment to aviation recognizes that safe, reliable air travel is essential to a thriving region.

That focus on aviation has taken on new meaning through the foundation’s support of Luna, a two-year-old explosive detection labrador retriever serving Akron-Canton Airport. Through a grant to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Luna was acquired, trained and fully integrated into K-9 operations, where she now conducts routine patrols, terminal sweeps and responds to potential threats. Her presence strengthens security through rapid threat detection and visible deterrence, offering a level of reliability and responsiveness that cannot be replicated through technology. Today, Luna stands as a powerful example of how strategic philanthropy can enhance public safety by protecting travelers, airport personnel and first responders and reinforce confidence in a critical community asset.