charity

There's good news for 8-month-old Halani Rolle and her family. Doctor's say she's in remission for acute myeloid leukemia, but her treatments are far from over. (Previously: Infant in Batavia fighting the battle of her life)

She will have a bone-marrow transplant. Her sister Harlem is the donor.

There is a fundraiser for Halani and her family at the VFW on Sept. 2.

More information from her mother:

She has undergone three rounds of chemo and is currently in remission set to have a bone marrow transplant on Sept. 13th. Her sister Harlem is her match and will be her donor.

She is so appreciative to be helping her sister. Harlem says, "Mom, Halani is going to be just like me now because she's going to have my blood."

Halani is home for the time being and has been since Aug. 13 after spending three months in at Women and Children's in Buffalo. Halani will be readmitted to Golisano Children's Hospital in Rochester on Sept. 5 to begin another round of chemo to bottom her out before transplant.

We are so blessed to have her home for her benefit, which is why we want to invite the public.

Halani has received so much support from the community and from people who have never met her. We want to give back by inviting everyone. It will be held at the VFW in Batavia near the sand wash on Sept. 2 from 1 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 until Sunday. They include a meal, which consists of a chicken BBQ, mac salad, and salt patatoes, also a roll and one drink. It will also include a sheet of raffle tickets. There is cash bar and Macy Paradise will be the DJ. There will also be face painting for the kids. Brian Kemp of T-shirts Etc. is designing her shirts, which will be sold for $10 each.

Sasha, the Crossroads House dog, was test driving one of the peddle cars we will be selling at The Annual Crossroads House Garage Sale this weekend. This year features more than 6,000 square feet of covered tent and garage space loaded with merchandise.

We have furniture for every budget and taste. Housewares galore, collectibles, glassware, antiques, small appliances, brand new items and more. Items will be replenished throughout the sale so plan to come each day on School Street behind Ficarella's Pizzeria. We will have a preview day again this year on Wednesday July 26th from 9am to noon. There is a $10 admission for that day only and prices will be firm.

New this year will be expanded, later hours on Thursday and Friday where we will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday we will have special one price bag and box sales from 9 a.m. to noon.

As always, hot dogs and drinks will be available for purchase Thursday and Friday, courtesy of the First Baptist Church There are bargains and buys for everyone and 100 percent of the proceeds will help us continue to be a gift TO the community made possible BY the community. For more information on the sale, please click here to visit us online.

John Currier, winner of the Mr. Batavia contest at Batavia High School this year, presents a check for $2,323 to Habitat For Humanity, the charity he supported through the competition. With Currier, Lauren Casey, left, board president, and Jaylene Smith-Kilner, director.

Quentin Branciforte, runner-up, presents a check to Jeff McKinney, president of Anna's Wish, which supports families dealing with pediatric cancer.

Ryan Bieniek, another runner-up, was out of school yesterday, so Lisa Robinson, center, student government advisor, presented the check to his charity, All Babies Cherished. From All Babies Cherished, Sue Sherman, left, director, and Becky Amico, program coordinator.

Karen Rolland, Joe Gerace's daughter, and Dave Chase serve up a plate of spaghetti on Thursday evening during the annual Joe Gerace Spaghetti Dinner, held at the Ascension Parish Hall in Batavia.

This was the first dinner, which is a fundraiser for Genesee Cancer Assistance, held since Gerace passed in November at age 80.

More than 40 volunteers helped make the dinner possible this year and nearly 900 dinners were served.

Lois Gerace said the effort was awesome and that her late husband would be impressed.

"I think he would be overwhelmed by the beautiful job they've done," she said. "They've really pulled together. It's a great crowd. It's great to be able to carry on something that he started that meant so much to him."

A sold-out crowd packed Batavia High School last evening for the fifth annual Mr. Batavia Competition hosted by its student government.

The mission behind the community fundraiser is to “take care of BHS,” said Lisa Robinson, student government advisor.

Twelve seniors participated in these categories: Dance, Talent, Question & Answer, Swimsuit, Lip Sync and Tux Walk.

The contestants were: Jerry Reinhart, Dominic Brown, Campbell Andersen, Casey Radka, Cody Dioogardi, Sam Bartz, Quentin Branciforte, Ryan Bieniek, Casey Ausin, Joe Allegue, Freddie Cunningham and John Currier.

Lisa said they raised a new record of $4,500 for the local charities chosen by the top three winners. Habitat for Humanity is winner John Currier's charity; first runner-up Ryan Bieniek selected All Babies Cherished; second runner-up was Quentin Branciforte, whose charity of choice is Anna’s Wish Inc.

The judges were: Kaitlin Logsdon, cocreator of Mr. Batavia, past BHS student and senior at Ithaca College; Shawna Murphy, Batavia City Schools Board of Education member; Jim DeFreeze, Batavia City Police officer; and Matt Morasco, Batavia City fireman.

Tuxedos for the event were provided by Charles Men's Shop and Reed Eye Associations donated sunglasses to the dozen seniors who competed.

To view and or purchase photos go to: Steve Ognibene Photography

Dozens of families turned out to the YWCA on Thursday evening to receive a Christmas tote bag filled with everything they need, along with a turkey, to create a full holiday meal. The children also got a visit with Santa.

The participating families were identified with the help of Batavia City Schools.

The event was organized by the Kiwanis Club of Batavia.

Also, participating was the Richmond Memorial Library with its GRO program, which takes donated children's books and distributes through 17 partner locations.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, a member of Kiwanis and past president of the Batavia Club, carries out a tote for a family.

Press release:

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee is accepting winter coats, hats, mittens and scarves for the upcoming winter season! Please donate only items that are clean and in good (gently used), or new condition.  

We are accepting ALL SIZES for men, women and children!

A tax deductible receipt is available upon request.

Please drop off donations at: 5073 Clinton Street Road, Batavia.

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee Inc. is a nonprofit human service agency committed to serving the needs of the financially disadvantaged. Our mission is to serve others with dignity and respect, that help people become self-sufficient. 

All donations are given away free of charge to those in need.

WANTED: Your gently used coats, sweaters, parkas and such for women, men, boys, girls and babies, too. All humanity!

Bahama Bay Salon and Spa in Downtown Batavia is having a winter coat drive through the month of October to benefit the Genesee County YWCA.

"We are doing it to support victims of domestic violence as October has been designated Domestic Violence Awareness Month," says Shirley Puleo.

The business is located at 2 School St.

Hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., closed Sunday.

For salon services, call for appointment. Phone is 345-9644.

Press release:

Members of the Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club will be at Denny’s Restaurant on Main Street in Batavia on Wednesday, Oct. 19, to raise funds as part of Denny’s Benefit Night. From 4 to 9 p.m., Denny’s will donate 20 percent of all pre-tax sales directly to the club. Funds will be used to support the Oakfield-Alabama Lions program for vision screening.

According to Bill Barbur, president of Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club, “Money raised on October 19 will allow Lions to meet pressing needs in our community including screening school children for visions problems and aid for furnishing eyeglasses and hearing aids to the needy.

"Lions members thank everyone who contributes to this important work. This year were able to purchase our own SPOT eye screener and to date have screened 265 students with 23 having been referred for further testing. You are truly helping Lions make a difference in our community.”

The Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club has 29 members and meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:45 p.m. at the Oakfield Hotel on South Pearl Street in Oakfield.

Lions clubs are a group of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs. For more information or to get involved with the Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club, please contact Bill Barbur at 585-948-9882 or Bonnie Woodward at 585-739-2928.

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.3 million members in approximately 45,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world. For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit the website at www.lionsclubs.org.

Press release:

Join the Batavia Bulldawgs for their last home game this season on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 2 p.m. at Van Detta Stadium in Batavia. They will play against Akron.

This will also be an opportunity to assist one of their own, whose family is challenged by serious illness.

Savannah Heick, a Mini CheerDawg, has been going through a tough time. She is fighting PANDAS -- pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal -- which she was diagnosed with last season.

Since then, she and her family have been traveling to medical specialists in New York, New Jersey and Ohio. Currently, she is said to be seeing "an amazing specialist" in Cleveland and it has helped "tremendously." With all the battles she faces, she continues to work hard and has been doing an incredible job cheering on the Dawgs.

As you can imagine, this fight has caused some financial burdens for the family.

All Bulldawgs and CheerDawgs, families and supporters, community members, friends -- please come out and help one of our own!

Along with the contents of a donation jar that will be located at the concession stand, the Bulldawgs will donate ALL 50/50 raffle prizes to Savannah's family.

Go Bulldawgs!

Submitted photo and press release:

To help in the fight against hunger this Hunger Action Month, National Grid announced $12,500 in donations to 10 food banks and hunger relief organizations throughout the eight counties of Western New York.

Recipient organizations included: Food Bank of Western New York, Friends of the Night People (Buffalo), Buffalo City Mission, St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy (Buffalo), Heart Love and Soul Food Pantry (Niagara Falls), North Tonawanda Inter-Church Food Pantry, Rural Ministries “Friendly Kitchen” (Dunkirk), Community Action (Salamanca), United Way of Orleans/Albion Christ Community Kitchen (Albion) and United Way of Genesee County.

“There are too many in our local community who worry where their next meal will come from,” said Kenneth Kujawa, regional manager for National Grid. “While the fight against hunger is year round, September’s Hunger Action Month provides an opportunity to bring the issue top of mind and encourage donations and assistance to help food banks and pantries prior to the holiday season. Every little bit helps and National Grid is proud to play a role in local hunger relief efforts.”

Last year, National Grid launched a companywide campaign to support Hunger Action Month. Regionally, a total of 343 pounds of food, enough to feed 285 families, was collected and donated to the Food Bank of Western New York.

Mark your calendars for the Dig Pink Game on Oct. 6 when Oakfield-Alabama and Elba high school volleyball players compete again Wheatland-Chili to benefit The Side-Out Foundation.

The JV matchup starts at 5 p.m. and the varsity game begins at 6:30. They will take place inside the Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School Gymnasium, located at 7001 Lewiston Road in Oakfield.

There will be 50/50 raffles, refreshments, raffles items and a serving contest.

This is the sixth year of the Dig Pink Game and to date more than $7,000 has been raised locally for the nonprofit foundation, whose mission is to enhance breast cancer research and awareness.

Submitted photo: Several Alexander JV and varsity volleyball players and parents attended the recent Great Strides Walk at Letchworth State Park in Wyoming County to show their support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and promote the Alexander Volleyball Booster Club’s upcoming fundraiser.

Press release:

The Alexander Volleyball Booster Club will be hosting its 5th annual fundraiser volleyball game Oct. 6 in a match against the Pembroke Dragons. This year’s event at Alexander Central School, located at 3314 Buffalo St. in Alexander, benefits the local chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

According to event co-chairs Laura Marzolf and Colette Yax, choosing to support CFF hits close to home.

“One of the varsity volleyball players and her family recently lost a loved one to this disorder,” Yax said.

“There is no cure for Cystic Fibrosis – yet,” Marzolf said. “We hope our fundraiser helps make a difference and creates a greater awareness surrounding Cystic Fibrosis and the lifelong struggles that people with CF and their families endure."

The fundraiser includes a basket auction, 50/50 drawing, bake sale and a serving contest with a chance to win prizes from local merchants. The fun begins at 5 p.m. with the JV game, followed by the varsity game at 6:30.

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects mostly the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys and intestine. Long-term issues include difficulty breathing and frequent lung infections.CF affects about one out of every 3,000 newborns.

The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is to cure Cystic Fibrosis and to provide all people with the disease the opportunity to lead full, productive lives by funding research and drug development, promoting individualized treatment and ensuring access to high-quality, specialized care.

Community members wishing to donate to the Alexander Volleyball Booster Club event may contact Laura Marzolf at 585-322-3748 or Colette Yax at 716-400-3628.

Press release:

The taps at the Chestnut Hill Country Club will be taken over by the Hamburg Brewing Company from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 26^th. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Crossroads House in Batavia. In addition to the various craft beers created by the Hamburg Brewing Company, there will be putting, long drive and closest-to-the-pin contests.

“We thought this was a great way to end our golf season and to thank our customers throughout the year for all of their support, plus we are partnering with a great brewery for a great cause,” said Michael Protos, owner of Chestnut Hill.

Among the craft beers that the Hamburg Brewing Company will serve on tap at the takeover event include:

• IPA – The breweries' four IPA style varieties includes -- ahtanum, palisade, chinook and magnum. This British-American hybrid also plays host to four different types of malted barley creating a unique orange hue. Additional hops added throughout the brewing process contribute to the floral and piney aromas that mingle well with the distinct malty character.
• Small Town -- British-American hybrid also plays host to four different types of malted barley creating a unique orange hue. Additional hops added throughout the brewing process contribute to the floral and piney aromas that mingle well with the distinct malty character.
• Hoppenstance -- an American Double India Pale Ale featuring cascade, centennial, simcoe and magnum hops. Honey malt and North American pilsner malts round out this well-balanced brew to make it so approachable and full flavored.
• Oktoberfest -- Nothing pairs better with the great fall season than a traditional German-style Marzen lager. With its roots stemming from traditional Bavarian culture, this Oktoberfest is brewed with tons of Vienna-style malts that bring about BIG malty flavor. That big malty flavor then fades away to a clean hop bitterness provided by the Perle hops for a full-flavored and balanced experience.

“The rolling hills of Genesee County and the Chestnut Hill Country Club is a perfect setting to enjoy these great beers,” said John Russo, Jr. the president of Hamburg Brewing Company. “We also are delighted to have the opportunity to partner with Chestnut Hill and their efforts to support Crossroads House.”

Crossroads House is a comfort care home located on Liberty Street in the City of Batavia. It is a home to provide care for those who have a terminal illness and is an alternative to a hospital or nursing home when care can no longer be provided in the patient’s home. Crossroads House serves residents in Genesee, Wyoming and surrounding counties at no cost. For more information about Crossroads House please visit http://crossroadshouse.com/.

Chestnut Hill Country Club is an 18-hole championship golf course based in Darien Center. The Club is known for hosting a number of tournaments throughout the golf season because of its many amenities, including large covered patios overlooking the 9^th and 18^th holes and a dining capacity for up to 275 people. For more information please visit http://www.chestnuthillgolf.com/.

Press release:

Genesee Cancer Assistance, based in Batavia, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded $15,000 as a part of The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation Funds at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo 2016 grant disbursement.

Genesee Cancer Assistance is one of 19 organizations from across Western New York that received grants from endowment funds created to carry on Ralph C. Wilson Jr.’s legacy of giving and visionary leadership.

Effective immediately, the organization has plans to increase the amount of financial assistance available to new patients.

“We are both honored and excited that the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation Funds at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has chosen Genesee Cancer Assistance as a recipient. This money supports our mission of helping cancer patients in Genesee County and will also allow us to increase public awareness of our services and programs,” said Sue Underwood, GCA executive director. 

The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, a 501(C) (3) organization, was established in 1919 to enhance and encourage long-term philanthropy in the Western New York Community. The Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. For over 95 years, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to its care.

The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation established endowments at the Community Foundation in November 2015 to provide support to three areas that were important to Wilson during his lifetime: cancer care, community assets, and youth sports. Endowment funds, like these created to honor Wilson, are designed to grow over time and provide funding for charitable causes according to a client’s wishes. www.cfgb.org.

Genesee Cancer Assistance is a registered 501(c) (3) not-for-profit. It was cofounded in November of 1995 by Dorothy Schlaggel and Russ Romano, both of whom had a desire to create an organization that would help residents in Genesee County facing a cancer diagnosis, by providing financial support and services to lessen the burden that this disease causes. Since opening, GCA has had the opportunity to help more than 1,900 individuals giving out $500,000 of assistance. 

"The organization relies on contributions and memorials as well as local support and board sponsored fundraising events to finance patient reimbursements. Receiving the grant from The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation Funds at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo will help meet these needs and have a positive impact on the community" said GCA Board President Kevin J. Mudd, MD. 

For more information about Genesee Cancer Assistance, including the specific ways the organization helps cancer patients, please visit the website www.geneseecancerassistance.com, call (585) 345-0417, or stop by, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Please note that our new office is now located on the ground floor of United Memorial Medical Center, 127 North St., directly across the hall from the switchboard near the radiology waiting room.

Submitted photo of Ella Suhr; she and her family are the designated recipients of this year's "Madisonation" Golf Tournament proceeds.

Kevin Muckle, of Stafford, is continuing the fight against childhood cancer and has organized the sixth annual "Madisonation" Golf Tournament, which will be held at Hickory Ridge Golf Tournament this Sunday (Aug. 28).

Hickory Ridge Golf Resort and Country Club is located at 15816 Lynch Road in Holley.

The tournament's motto is "Never Give Up."

His family never did. Madison Marie Muckle was diagnosed just after her third birthday. She endured two and a half years of treatment and received her final round of chemo in April of 2013.

Today Kevin's 8-year-old daughter is cancer free. This thankful dad has spearheaded the tournament each year on her behalf and for other children battling acute lymphocytic leukemia and other children cancers.

Since the tournament began, recipients of the annual proceeds have included Golisano Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and a local family with a 4-year-old daughter who is fighting the disease. More than $6,800 was raised for that family.

This year, proceeds will be donated to the family of Ella Suhr, who is about 8 months old and was diagnosed in March with primitive neuroectodermal tumor, a cancerous neural crest tumor that is extremely rare.

The funds raised on Sunday will help her parents with medical expenses, travel costs (to Tampa, Fla., and Rochester) and bills that continue to mount while they strive to save their baby girl's life. The parents, Joe and Maegan Suhr, are both local school teachers, and have been out of work since the diagnosis and will continue to be for the next several months.

"Please help us in our efforts to help Ella and her family beat this disease," Muckle said.

Sunday's event is a semi-competitive best ball tournament, with prizes awarded to the lowest men's, ladies, and mixed team scores.

The registration fee is $380 per foursome. Individual golfers seeking a team are $95 each. Those who wish to skip golf and just enjoy the banquet and fundraiser are just $30 each.

The tournament schedule is:

• 8 a.m. -- Registration/check in begins
• 9 a.m. -- Shotgun start
• 2 p.m.-ish -- "The Cool Down"
• 3 p.m. -- Presentations
• 3:15 p.m. -- Dinner is served
• 4 p.m. -- Guest Speaker: Ernie DiGregorio
• 4:15 p.m. -- Raffles for prizes
• 4:30 p.m. -- Check presentation to Suhr Family

Contact Kevin Muckle at (585) 300-7499 with any questions or to contribute or donate to the tournament and this cause. Any donations can be mailed to: Madisonation, 9206 Transit Road, Stafford, NY 14143.

Visit the Madisonation website by clicking here.

The 9^th Annual Chapin Charity Golf Tournament was played on Aug. 13^th at Terry Hills Golf Course in support of this year's charity: The Disabled American Veterans-Transportation Network. All the proceeds raised were donated to the charity.

Although for the first time in the history of the event the weather conditions were less than perfect, the tournament was very enjoyable.

The tournament started off with a military honor guard accompanying bugler, Frankie Panepinto, playing the “National Anthem" in honor of our veterans. 

A record number of 204 golfers participated in the outing, which is quite an increase from the first event with 44 golfers! Each golfer received a gift bag full of snacks and items to start off the tournament, donated by Chapin. The Disabled American Veterans-Transportation Network donated a pound of coffee to each participant and mugs, while helping pass out all the goodies. 

Everyone, including volunteers, received lunch tickets before the tournament. Players were encouraged to enter the putting contest at the practice green. For the last three years, Max Pies Furniture has donated a lounge chair for the winner of this contest. Local resident Derek Ellis won the chair.

Everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner at the awards banquet catered by Terry Hills following the tournament. Assemblyman Steve Hawley began the awards banquet with a presentation on the 9^th annual Patriots Trip to Washington, D.C. Chapin followed up with a contribution to assist the veterans' fund for the trip.

The event recognized four categories this year as winners: The Chapin Division, the Business Division, Mixed Division and Female Division. Each player received a nice prize package. The Chapin Division winners’ names will be placed on a “Stanley Cup” style trophy and all other winners received commemorative plaques. Every player received a prize with a $25 value. Along with the prizes Chapin presented each player with a Made in USA, 3X5 American flag. No one walks away unhappy or empty handed.

Unfortunately there were no winners for the HOLE-IN-ONES offered on hole #7 by Toyota of Batavia (Corolla), hole #12 by Ken Barrett Chevrolet/Cadillac (Cruze), and hole #25 by Castilone Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep (Jeep Renegade). A very special thanks goes out to the dealerships for their continued support for the tournament.

The big winner was the Disabled American Veterans-Transportation Network and this year’s funds raised reached a new record. More than $10,300 was raised to benefit the DAV. The Disabled American Veterans-Transportation Network still needs support. 

Please contact Doug Titus, coordinator at the DAV. Doug.Titus@va.gov. Phone: (585) 297-1170.

Chapin International is very proud to host this event each year. Next year it will be held on Aug. 12. Mark the calendar! Due to the continued growth, space will be limited.  Contact Norm Hubbard, Golf Tournament director, to become a sponsor or answer any questions, nhubbard@chapinmfg.com or 585-343-3140, ext. 3018.

Check out the pictures of this year’s event. Go to www.chapincharitygolf.com. Special thanks to the volunteers and photographers Mike Freeman, Scott Gimbrone and Lori Kramer.

Submission by Norm Hubbard -- Tournament chair, and photos by Michael Freeman.

(Submitted photo of Lucas Clemm.)

The premiere of the "Love for Lucas Garage Sale" will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 19-20, at St. Maximillian Kolbe RC Church.

It is located at 8656 Church St. in East Pembroke.

This is a fundraiser to help offset the financial burden that has beset the family of Lucas Clemm, due to all his medical conditions and surgeries.

Lucas turned 1 on June 27 and had undergone his third major brain surgery by Aug. 5. The family is consulting with a doctor in NYC soon for a second opinion.

The past eight months have been very difficult for his family. Their child's health is all their friends and family want them to have to worry about. 

You are asked to donate garage-sale-type items for the sale later this month.

The people who are holding the sale will add your items to the things they have already received.

Each year, they intend to help a family with a child who suffers from Chiari Malformation and Syringomyelia, just as they are striving to help Lucas Clemm and his family this year.

NOTHING WILL BE PRICED. Whatever you give is considered a donation, so you make the price based on what you feel is acceptable for the item(s) and this worthy cause.

Any questions or to donate items for the garage sale, contact Melanie at 409-1802, or Lindsay at 297-7140, or Sherry at 297-7139.