charity

Press release:

My name is Kevin Muckle and in 2011 I started an annual golf tournament on behalf of my daughter Madison Marie Muckle. Madison was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia cancer just after her 3rd birthday in 2010.  She fought through two and a half years of constant treatment until April of 2013 when she received her last chemotherapy treatment.

In 2018 Madison celebrated her five-year anniversary and is now considered a survivor. Madison is now a healthy, cancer free, 11 year old who wants to help others suffering from this horrible disease.

WE CALL IT MADISONATION!

Madisonation was created to raise awareness and funds for other children and families fighting their battle against cancer. Madisonation has raised more $42,000 over the last eight years for families and organizations.

This year we will be donating ALL proceeds to the Michael Napoleone Foundation. The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation was established in 2007 in memory of Michael C. Napoleone who died from Burkitts lymphoma/leukemia at the age of 6. This not-for-profit foundation was created to give back to those who are in need due to their battle against childhood cancer.

They also support research efforts in finding a cure for childhood cancer. The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation is 100 percent staffed by volunteers with NO paid positions. I know of several families that they have helped throughout the years and now Madisonation wants to help them this year, so they can continue to do all the great things in fighting childhood cancer.

Please come and join us in our fight against childhood cancer and help raise funds for such a worthy cause. Please help us on Aug. 25 for our ninth annual Madisonation "Never Give Up" Golf Tournament. The event will be held at Hickory Ridge Golf course in Holley.

It will be a four-man best ball tournament for $380 per team, which includes, 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch, dinner, raffles, silent auction, hole contests and lots of fun, not to mention supporting a great cause.

Please contact Kevin Muckle at 585-300-7499 or Jen Moore at 585-300-8440 for more information or to register. Any donations can be mailed to Madisonation, P.O. Box 1810, Batavia, NY 14021.

Proceeds from an upcoming Rummage Sale will be donated to Northgate’s "Connected Community" School in Gahanda, Rwanda, Africa, shown above, as well as Batavia's All Babies Cherished.

Submitted photos and press release:

A few months ago, the pastors at Northgate Free Methodist Church gave a series of messages based on a book by Rick Warren titled, “40 Days of Community.”

The book outlines five purposes for people to fulfill in community with other people -- people within your church family, small groups and in the world around you.

Warren calls the readers to "reach out" and "serve together." So, in response to that call, some of the people who attend Northgate felt led to organize and facilitate a Rummage Sale that will be hosted at Northgate’s South Campus, located at 350 Bank St., Batavia.

Donations will be collected, sorted, and priced accordingly, all by a volunteer group out of Northgate.

The sale will take place Friday, June 21st from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday, June 22nd from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. There will be refreshments available at the sale.

ALL proceeds from this Rummage Sale will be donated to Northgate’s "Connected Community" School in Gahanda, Rwanda, Africa, a school which aids 1,200 children within the area, as well as the Batavia-based charity All Babies Cherished.

Please consider joining Northgate for this sale and contributing to the important work that these charities do.

For further information, please visit northgatefmc.com, contact the Northgate office at (585) 343-4011 or email office@northgatefmc.com.

Below: Smiling faces of children at Northgate’s "Connected Community" School in Gahanda, Rwanda, Africa.

On Friday, June 28, Genesee Cancer Assistance will be hosting its 25th Annual Golf & Bocce Tournament at Batavia Country Club.

It is located at 7909 Batavia Byron Road. Golf registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and costs $100 per player. Bocce registration is $60 per player nd starts at 12 p.m. You can also register in advance; online at GeneseeCancerAssistance.org/golf, or call the office at (585) 345-0417.

Golf and Bocce teams will compete for a variety of prizes and awards. A steak dinner and raffles, including a “Dine & Sail” silent auction, will follow the games.

Sponsors are welcome. Seven sponsorship levels with various perks are available. Contact GCA for information.

All proceeds will benefit Genesee Cancer Assistance.

This year's honorary chair person is Bobby Aquino, who has been a dedicated volunteer for GCA since its founding. He has been—and continues to be—an invaluable asset to the GCA team and the patients they serve.

Aquino is an integral contributor to events preparation and setup—always ready to roll up his sleeves and do whatever is needed. Genesee Cancer Assistance is also exceedingly grateful for Aquino's generous financial support.

Genesee Cancer Assistance, cofounded in 1993 by Dorothy Schlaggel and Russ Romano, is a community-based, volunteer organization through which cancer patients and their families living in Genesee County have access to financial aid and a variety of support services.

Since its founding, Genesee Cancer Assistance has been fortunate to aid thousands of individuals; hundreds of patients each year.

For more information:

Genesee Cancer Assistance

127 North St., Batavia, NY 14020

(585) 345-0417

GeneseeCancerAssistance.org

Friends of the late Michael R. Paladino Jr. have set up a GoFundMe account to aid his two children and their mother, his longtime partner Rebecca Fili.

The 43-year-old Batavia resident was killed the night of June 1 after he came to the rescue of a woman being assaulted on Ross Street, where he lived.

"This (was a) senseless act of violence ... (let's) support the family and promote peace," wrote Kristannette Locklear in an email to The Batavian.

To make a donation to the GoFundMe account, click here.

For previous coverage about the deadly incident, click here.

For his full obituary, click here.

Press release:

Save the date!

On Aug. 25, the United Way of Genesee County will host their Fourth Annual Summer Serenade; a combined fund-raising event with the Genesee Symphony Orchestra (GSO).

This year’s garden party, held at the stately LeRoyan (formerly Mercy Grove), will start with cocktails at 4:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5 o'clock and a serenade of guests by the GSO will begin at 6:15, followed by dessert.

Garden party attire is encouraged.

Tickets for this combined fundraiser are $75 per person and include: beer & wine, dinner, dessert and the beautiful sounds of the GSO. (Cash bar is available.) Proceeds support the United Way’s Backpack Program and the GSO.

To support these two wonderful groups, tickets can be purchased as follows:

• Tompkins Bank of Castile, Le Roy
• Roxy’s Music Store
• United Way Board Members
• GSO Board Members
• Online at www.uwrochester.org/summerserenade

Two upcoming events will benefit the Genesee County Animal Shelter and its furry denizens: Scrap for the Pack and a Garage Sale.

Scrap for the Pack is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2, at the shelter. It is a scrap metal collection event in the shelter parking lot, located 3841 W. Main Street Road in Batavia.

Bring your metal items that The Volunteers For Animals will recycle for cash at Ed Arnold EAS Scrap Processors of Corfu. These include: railings, doors, garbage cans, file cabinets, bicycle frames, gutters, pipes, poles, fencing, window frames, lawn furniture, tools, shelving, washing machines, dryers, stoves, wheel barrows, wagons, etc.

They CANNOT accept propane tanks, A/C units or refrigerators.

The other event is a Garage Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 13, 14 and 15. It will be held at Genesee Feeds, located near the shelter but across the street at 3860 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

***Donations for next month's Garage Sale are being accepted NOW and can be dropped off at the shelter. NO CLOTHING OR ELECTRONICS.***

Visit The Volunteers For Animals online here.

The seventh annuall Casablanca Casino Night Fundraiser benefitting Genesee County CASA for Children will be held Friday, May 31, at Terry Hills Banquet Facility in Batavia.

All proceeds benefit absued and neglected children in Genesee County who are served by CASA -- Court Appointed Special Advocates.

Dress code is business casual. Advanced tickets are $85 each and can be purchased online, through a CASA board member or the GC CASA office. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Admission includes food stations, beer, wine and soda along with $500 in casino money and $10 in Free Play at Batavia Downs Casino.

Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. and the CASA casino will be open from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Guests can try their luck at games such as Texas Hold 'em poker, blackjack, roulette and craps. Don't know how to play? No worries! The professional and experienced dealers of Upstate Vegas Events will be there at every table to guide and teach you.

Exchange your "winnings" for raffle tickets and enter them for a chance to win an assortment of valuable prizes. There will also be a silent auction, lottery tickets, and 50/50 raffle.

Terry Hills is located at 5122 Clinton Street Road.

Submitted photos and press release:

It's that time of year again to plan for YWCA Spring Fest, formerly known as the Carnival at Batavia Downs. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 9 -- only seven weeks away!

This is its fourth year and it promises to be the best one yet.

The YWCA of Genesee County is taking over the event which means it will become bigger and better! The YWCA is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

The proceeds of Spring Fest will go toward supporting programs that help enhance the lives of families in Genesee County.

Also, anyone wishing to set up a game booth may do so for free and proceeds can go to the charity/nonprofit of your choice.*

The YWCA Spring Fest is a family friendly event for the whole family. It is the only festival during the month of June in Genesee County for families.

There will be bounce houses, a train ride, pony rides, exotic animal petting zoo, games, 10 food trucks, entertainment, face painting and more than 100 artists, vendors, crafters, authors, potters, jewelers, entrepreneurs, quilters, spice purveyors, exotic jerky sellers, maple syrup sappers, bee product vendors and toy reps from throughout Western New York.

Come and enjoy a fun-filled day with family at Spring Fest. Free Play Coupons for the adults inside the casino and FREE admission and parking. Batavia Downs is located at 8315 Park Road, Batavia.

* To get a game booth contract that you can print out, fill out and mail in, click here.

Send to: Lucille DiSanto, 3732 S. Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020

Note: Batavia Downs Gaming reserves the right to deny any applications.

Above, 2019 fundraising participants.

Submitted photos and press release:

On Friday, March 22, the staff of Byron-Bergen Central Schools met Genesee County Sheriff’s Office personnel on the basketball court for their annual fundraiser.

While the Sheriff’s Department ultimately scored the most points, the evening’s true goal was to raise money and awareness of programs that support the local community. The Byron-Bergen Sports Boosters organized the game, which raised $2,165.

The proceeds were divided between two causes. The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department received $500 to put toward the care and training of their new K-9 -- Frankie. Frankie joined the force after the passing of K-9 Destro.

“Destro was beloved among the Byron-Bergen students and the school community has proactively embraced Deputy Frankie,” said Genesee County Sheriff Deputy Matt Butler.

Butler participated in the game as part of the Sheriff’s Office team; he is also the Student Resource officer for Byron-Bergen Central Schools.

The remaining $1,665 was donated to the Batavia hospice Crossroads House. Crossroads House is a volunteer-run end-of-life care center providing a homelike setting for terminally ill residents of Genesee and Wyoming counties.

“The Byron-Bergen Sports Boosters put together such a great event to benefit both our home and the Genesee County Sheriff’s K-9 unit,” said Crossroads House Executive Director Jeff Allen.

“We can carry out our mission because we operate in a generous community that appreciates the value of comfort care. Thank you to everyone who organized, participated and attended the Faculty/Sheriff’s Basketball Game.”

During breaks between quarters, fans enjoyed exhibition games between Gillam Grant Youth Basketball League teams, as well as a halftime three-point shootout, and a Sheriff’s Office K-9 demonstration.

Photo credits: Bob Brumsted.

Below: Gillam Grant Youth Basketball exhibition game.

Below: Byron-Bergen Superintendent Mickey Edwards takes a three-point shot during Friday's game.

Below: Halftime three-point shootout.

Below: GC Sheriff's Office demonstration with new K-9 Frankie.

Below: Courtside, fans enjoy the charity basketball game.

Get ready for the eye-poppin' big honkin' "Mega Mega Mammoth" sale at St. Joseph School from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 27.

Billed as Western New York's largest indoor garage sale, it will feature "tons of indoor and outdoor furniture," and "tens of thousands of items." (As someone said "It's like they've been saving up for it since the last Ice Age!")

Whether you're interested in antiques, arts and crafts, collectibles and vintage wares or you want to check out gobs of household goods, baby things, linens galore, kitschy stuff/whatnots and holiday doodads, righteously expect an elephantine selection. 

In a nutshell, a stupefying amount of merchandise will fill two gargantuan showrooms, a ginormous second floor and a billowing, bulging tent. 

To be abundantly clear, it will behoove bargain hunters to go to this behemoth bazaar at the corner of East Main and Summit streets in the City of Batavia next month.

Admission is free to this "quality sale" with low, low prices and basket raffles; hot dogs and hamburgers and will be available for sale, too.

The seventh annual Mr. Batavia brought a nearly sold-out crowd last evening to Batavia High School, and raised an estimated $4,100 for charity.

Since its inception in 2013, more than 80 young men have participated. Each one picks a charity in case they win; but only the top three contestants each year get money for their charities of choice.

Each contestant performs their best in different categories like group dance, talent, swimsuit, lip sync, tux walk, question and answer.

Griffin DellaPenna was second runner-up and he raised funds for the Michael Napoleon Foundation.

“I was happy to be a part of Mr. Batavia and help carry on Michael’s legacy to support the foundation," Griffin said. "I would like to thank the judges, coaches, his parents, sister Allison, other contestants and amazing audience for a day he will never forget, including the fondest high school memory.“

Sam Rigerman was first runner-up. His charity was Habitat for Humanity.

“Being (first) runner-up for Mr Batavia 2019 is truly an honor, especially to be placed among all the amazing and wonderful talent that was the other contestants this year," Sam said. "Huge congratulations to Griffin and Terelle for placing and to all the other contestants for all their hard work!

"It was truly amazing to be able to work with everyone and this experience will always stay with me and live on as one of the best memories of my high school career. This experience was the greatest I could have ever asked for during my senior year and I love everyone so much for this wonderful time. Thank you all so much!”

Volunteers For Animals will receive 50 percent of the money raised by the winner of the event, Terelle Spinks.

“What I liked most about Mr. Batavia was the group dance and all the practices with the other 10 contestants," Terelle said. "And it feels great to win -- I didn’t expect it -- one of the best feelings in my life.”

Batavia High School Cheerleading Coach Stacy Squires said "I am so proud of Terelle. I actually told him last year that he should do Mr. Batavia because I knew he could win. He has the most outgoing and confident personality. Everyone who meets him loves him. He deserved it and I'm overwhelmed with pride!"

During the question-and-answer interview John Bruggman wished they could all give money to their charities, but if he had to say why he should win: Who else could do a two-minute picture of Bob Ross*?

Other contestantants were Harley Radley, Will Palmer, Taiyo Iburi-Bethel, Cameron Austin, AT Thatcher, Kris Kuszlyk, Alec Frongetta and John Bruggman.

Local Judges new this year were: Zach Korzelius, Batavia City School District BOE; Shelly Dale-Hall, GCASA; Jeff McKinney, Batavia City School District IT coordinator; and Vic and Brenda Marchese, owners of Main St. Pizza.

Charles Men’s Shop donated use of tuxedos, Reed Eye Associates provided the sunglasses, Main St. Pizza Co. gave one free pizza a week for a year. Many additional sponsors and staff also contributed to this yearly event.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

*(Bob Ross was a bushy-haired American painter, art instructor and TV host who created the PBS show "The Joy of Painting"; his legacy lives on in today's pop culture.)

Press release:

The St. Jerome Guild will host the annual “Step into Spring” fashion show, basket raffle, with a luncheon prepared by Michael Tomaszewski, on Sunday, May 5.

The Guild and Genesee Community College will host "Fashion Show Weekend" with Genesee’s annual fashion show, “Limitless” scheduled on Saturday, May 4. 

The Guild is excited to highlight several clothing stores in Batavia: JCPenney, Kohl’s, and Marshalls. More than 20 models will feature the Jerome Jewelry Collection and fashions for toddlers, teens, women, men and seniors. 

The event will be held at noon at Father Slomba Hall, 19 Sumner St., Batavia.

Presale only tickets are available for $20 at the Jerome Center Gift Shop, 16 Bank St., Batavia. For more information call 585.343.6030, ext. 4198.

The Guild continues to support UMMC/Rochester Regional Healthcare as a corporate donor giving thousands of dollars to capital fundraising initiatives over the years and has contributed countless volunteer hours on a variety of fundraising events.

The proceeds in the amount of $5,000 from last year’s fashion show purchased four natal bassinets.

The Guild has offered an annual Health Career Professional Scholarship to hospital employees and high school seniors for decades. Currently, the scholarship is being awarded to outstanding employees who are continuing their education in the medical field.

The Guild’s volunteerism has served the medical community for more than 100 years. In years past, the Guild sponsored fundraisers for St. Jerome Hospital, such as, casino nights, formal dances, fashion shows, and Mother’s Day breakfasts to name a few.

The mother of Ashley McCormack, the 18-year-old wheelchair-bound Darien resident whose dream is to have an Action Trackchair to increase her mobility, says they now have 15 raffle tickets for $15 (for the bunch) on sale.

Drawings will be held at the Sunday March 31 fundraiser for Ashley at Darien Fire Hall. All prizes in the raffle each have a value of more than $100, Susan Pfalzer said.

You do not have to be present to win.

"We also have (presale) admission tickets for sale, too, $10 gets you in for food, entertainment and Chinese auction," Pfalzer said.

Admission tickets at the door are $15. Time is 1 to 6 p.m.

The fire hall is located at 10537 Alleghany Road, Darien Center.

The Action Trackchair -- an all-terrain wheelchair -- is highly customizable. Insurance won't cover the cost of it and it retails for more than $11,000.

Organizers, friends and family are seeking cash donations, checks, gift certificates, gift baskets and auction items.

Cash donations and checks can be made out to:   Ashley's Action Trackchair. Send them to:  Susan Pfalzer, 1792 Sumner Road, Darien, NY 14040.

Group donations are encouraged.

For corporations and organizations, there is an EIN number available for your donations.

For presale tickets, donations or other information about this benefit, call: Cheryl Medina at (716) 863-0388; or (Nana) Annette Pfalzer at 547-9342; or (Mom) Sue Pfalzer at (585) 300-9508.

There is also a GoFundMe account set up. Visit here.

For previous coverage, click here.

In photo above, Ashley McCormack embarks on "bossing" an Action Trackchair.

Ashley McCormack is a spirited 18-year-old who lives in Darien and has been confined to a wheelchair since she was 10.

When she was little she used to go fishing with her dad on Hamlin Beach along the shores of Lake Ontario. They would also hike trails in Letchworth State Park and go camping.

Life as she knew it and her outdoor adventures were cruelly curtailed by the onslaught of ataxia-telangiectasia syndrome or Louis-Bar syndrome. She was diagnosed with it at age 8 and by 10 she unable to walk on her own.

The progressive neurological disease also makes it hard for her to talk and do a lot of other things. Doctors told her she wouldn't live long, but she's still here, still "wanting to live her life" and enjoy it, too.

Winters are especially difficult because when ice or mud or snow gets on the wheels of her regular motorized wheelchair, it's easy for her to get stuck.

So her mother, Susan Pfalzer, says Ashley's routine is very limited: going from the house to the car -- then to the store or church or the doctor or wherever -- and back again. House-to-car-to-building and back again.

Her little pal, a mixed terrier named "Shyla" often accompanies the self-professed animal lover, who volunteers at two local shelters.

Enter Cheryl Medina, a longtime friend of the family who found out about an amazing -- and expensive -- piece of equipment: the Action Trackchair. To learn more about it, click here.

"Cheryl sent me information about it and it seemed really neat but I didn't think too much about it," Pfalzer said. "But Cheryl is a go-getter and she arranged to have Ashley get a demo of the chair for a day."

The all-terrain wheelchair is highly customizable. Insurance won't cover the cost of it and it retails for more than $11,000. The one that Ashley got to try out goes for $16,300.

The joy Ashley experienced at being able to get around was unreal. She could go visit her Nana down the road, get some fresh air, pay her respects at the family's pet cemetery in the back yard, tool around.

Timid of using it at first, by the day's end she was tackling mounds of snow and showing that Trackchair who was boss.

"Ashley is such a good, sweet girl and she's like any 18-year-old -- she wants to be out and doing things," Medina said. "She's so funny and full of life."

To help her with this noble mobile dream, Medina and Ashley's mother and her Nana, Annette Pfalzer, will hold a benefit at Darien Fire Hall from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 31. It is located at 10537 Alleghany Road, Darien Center.

There will be plenty of food and music.

Tickets are $10 presale or $15 at the door.

Organizers, friends and family are seeking cash donations, checks, gift certificates, gift baskets and auction items.

Cash donations and checks can be made out to:   Ashley's Action Trackchair. Send them to:  Susan Pfalzer, 1792 Sumner Road, Darien, NY 14040.

Group donations are encouraged.

For corporations and organizations, there is an EIN number available for your donations.

For presale tickets, donations or other information about this benefit, call: Cheryl Medina at (716) 863-0388; or (Nana) Annette Pfalzer at 547-9342; or (Mom) Sue Pfalzer at (585) 300-9508.

There is also a GoFundMe account set up. Visit here.

Photos courtesy of Sue Pfalzer.

Ashley and her doggie "Shyla" with her regular motorized wheelchair.

There will be a fundraiser to help cancer patient Joe Trigilio at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 24.

Joe was recently diagnosed with brain cancer and is currently undergoing treatment at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo.

During this time, his medical expenses have grown exponentially and he could use the community's help.

Please come out and support Joe and the Trigilio Family during this very challenging time in their lives.

Each attendee's $30 donation at this benefit will include: food, draft beer, live music, and $20 in Free Play at the casino.

There will also be a Chinese auction, silent auction and 50/50 raffle.

To donate or for more information, contact: Angela at (585) 343-1129; or Mary Ellen at (716) 512-5242; or Tammy at (585) 813-4455; or Fred at (585) 356-2448.