fundraiser

Some Batavia High School seniors have completed the design and painting of their parking spaces. Here are a few photos to share before the official full day of school starting next Thursday, Sept. 6th.

Sunday morning from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Batavia High School Cheer squad will hold a car wash fundraiser to help support their fall season.

Location is at Ziebart automotive store in Batavia, 311 W. Main St..

Some member of the Batavia cross-country team are looking for vehicles to wash for their fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 2 .pm., today at Empire Tractor 5072 E. Main St. Road, Batavia.

Proceeds will help support the team's New York City trip.

CANCELLED: The Genesee County Women's Republican Club will hold its Lucky Numbers Fundraiser on Thursday, Aug. 16, at T.F. Brown's restaurant in Downtown Batavia. It is located at 412 E. Main St.

The public is invited to this basket raffle fundraiser, which begins at 5:30 p.m.

Cost is $30 per person. There will be hors d'oeuvres. Please RSVP by Aug. 10.

Corporate sponsorships are available for $500. This includes 10 tickets, a speaker, event signage, and press materials.

Please consider donating a basket; donations accepted in advance.

To donate a basket or to inquire about a corporate sponsorship, contact:

• Trisha Werth:  twerth74@hotmail.com  or  (716) 560-0843
• Melissa Haacke:  mhaacke5@gmail.com  or   314-4501
• Michele Smith:  msmith1548@frontiernet.net  or   329-7967

This year features more than 6,000 square feet of covered tent and garage space loaded with merchandise. Pictured above are some of our featured items including a handpainted bedroom set from the 1800s (Middleport, NY); and an antique marble top dressing table with mirror featuring all Knapp joints (1870-1900).
 
We have furniture for every budget and taste, modern to antique. Sofas, loveseats, recliners, tables, etc. 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 in Batavia. We will have a preview day again this year on Wednesday, July 25th, from 9 a.m. to noon. There is a $10 admission for that day only and prices will be firm.
 
We will have our expanded, later hours on Thursday and Friday where we will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday we will have a special one price box sale from 9 a.m. to noon. Buy a box for one low price and fill it to the top!
 
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.

Batavia Cross-country team is having a car wash fundraiser today from 10 a.m - 2 p.m. at Empire Tractor, 5072 E. Main Street Road, Batavia.

All proceeds help toward their New York City trip this fall.

Press release:

The Batavia New York Rotary Club has a long history of making significant capital contributions to local projects which are typically multi-year commitments.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the most recent and major fundraiser –The Annual Corvette Raffle – was put on hold while the State of New York’s elected officials in Albany reformed outdated 1950s laws with regards to nonprofit/charitable gaming raffles. Specifically: to whom, where and when tickets could be sold.

In the 21^st century of Internet, credit card and remote sale transactions, the current NYS limited raffle laws continue to be a major constraint on Batavia Rotary Club ticket sales necessary to cover the previous cost of the car, 10 other $500 winners, the expenses to run such a raffle, and net proceeds to satisfy our financial commitment to donations.

These donations go toward the UMMC operating room renovations, YMCA/UMMC wellness center and our annual $18,000 college scholarship program for three deserving high school graduates from Batavia High, Notre Dame and Genesee Valley Educational Partnership.

All that said, the Batavia Rotary Club is pleased to announce they are reentering the game with a 100-percent NYS Raffle Laws-compliant Cash Raffle having a $20,000 top prize.

Only 999 tickets will be sold at $100 each and the vast majority of the tickets will be sold here in WNY -- in the counties of Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara and Erie (as is still required by antiquated NYS Lottery laws).

The Batavia New York Rotary Club – 85 members strong -- will be soliciting and reaching out with tickets through a limited distribution and face-to-face contacts starting today, July 6.

The top prize winner will be selected as part of our Annual Brew Fest Event on Sept. 29 at the Batavia Downs Gaming. Five other lucky ticket holders will receive $100 cash prizes.

Contact any Batavia Rotarian for tickets. Tickets will also be available at:

• Lawley Insurance at 20 Jefferson Ave.
• Michael Kubiniec, DDS, at 180 Washington Ave.
• WBTA at 113 Main St., Suite 1

For further information:

Cash Raffle Event Chair, Sharon Kubiniec at (585)356-2771 or sharonKubiniec@gmail.com

Or at www.bataviarotary.com

Thank you in advance for your support! -- Laurie Mastin, president, Rotary Club of Batavia

Batavia Country Club was filled with players in the annual fundraiser for Genesee Cancer Assistance yesterday afternoon (6-29). Many golf and bocce teams helped support the event to raise funds for charity.

The sponsors, volunteers and door prize donors from local and regional area businesses were a huge part of the success. 

This year’s honorary chairpersons were Deb and Dan Fischer, who are pictured below with Sue Underwood, executive director of the local charity.

Genesee County’s local radio station WBTA (FM 100.1 / AM 1490) in Batavia is co-owned by the Fischers, who are actively involved in the community and longtime supporters of Genesee Cancer Assistance.

The couple serves on many organizational club boards and committees and co-chair the annual bocce tournament. 

Supporting the event helps offset expenses for cancer patients in Genesee County such as prescriptions and medical co-payments. Other services available to cancer patients who apply for assistance include a support group, and the Simply Beautiful wig and makeup program.

Team Winners:

Bocce – Sue Schuler, Katie Neff, Susie Ott and Scott Neff (pictured below)

Women’s score of 70 – Wendy Danisewski, Patti Darch, Brenda Galliford, Pat O’Brien

Men’s score of 61 – Jesse Meyer, Tyler Durkin, Tarek Jaboli, Joe Rosati

Mixed score of 74 – Willis Litter, Matthew Delre, Vincent Strollo, Carol Grasso

To make a donation or learn more about the program go to: geneseecancerassistance.com or call (585) 345-0417.

There will be a car wash at the Tractor Supply Co. store from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 26, to raise money for the Genesee County 4-H Sheep Club.

It is located at 4974 E. Main Street Road, Batavia.

All proceeds will go toward fair awards/trophies and barn improvements at the GC Fairgrounds.

Cost is $5 per vehicle.

The club will also be selling hotdogs, chips, soda and water at the fundraiser.

Crossroads House is having their Annual Spring Memorial Basket Raffle on Saturday, May 19th from noon to 4 p.m. It will be held at the ARC Community Center located at 38 Woodrow Road in Batavia.

If you can’t make it to the raffle on Saturday, stop in at the Community Center on Friday from 4-6 to purchase and place your tickets. We will have over 150 baskets as well as gift cards, several Mega prizes and two Special Mega’s, the classic Woody Pedal Car and the ½ Day Lake Ontario Fishing Charter.

Tickets for the Special Mega’s are available prior to the event at Crossroads House as well as at the raffle. We have baskets for all ages and for the guys, too!

Lunch, beverages and desserts will be available for purchase. Come on out for great food and prizes all while supporting comfort care right here in our community.

The sixth annual Casablanca Casino Night Fundraiser to benefit GC CASA for Children will be held beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 20, at Terry Hills Banquet Facility in Batavia.

Proceeds will go toward programs for abused and neglected children served by GC CASA.

Tickets are $75 per person and are available by calling the CASA office 344-2580, ext. 2484, or at the door the evening of the event.

Price includes $500 in casino chips, food, beer, wine and $10 in free play at Batavia Downs Casino.

Cash in "winnings" for tickets to Chinese auction and a chance to win valuable prizes.

Sponsored by Main St. Pizza Co., Batavia Downs Gaming & Casino, Terry Hills, and CASA for Children.

The St. Jerome Guild is sponsoring its annual fashion show is at noon on Sunday, April 15th, at Father Solumba Hall at Accension Parish, 15 Sumner St., Batavia.

Fashions presented by models of women, men, teen, children and toddler clothing.

Pre-sale tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children age 10 and under can be purchased at the St. Jerome Gift Shop at the Jerome Center 16 Bank St., Batavia, M-F 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Saturday from 9 - noon.

Included in the ticket is a catered lunch by the Dibble Center. Basket Raffles will be available.

For any questions or donations contact Annette Labarbera at 585-734-9102.

Here is a list of participating stores:

JCPenney's
Jerome Collection from Guild Gift Shop
Kohl’s
Marshalls
Peebles

History of the Guild:

The St. Jerome Guild Inc. has been serving the Batavia Community and hospital for more than 100 years. In 2017 it celebrated its 100th anniversary.

During that time the Guild has sponsored many fund raisers to support our local hospital. These include dinner dances, Mother’s Day dinners, flower sales, and lottery raffles.

In the past 100 years the Guild has donated hospital equipment, ambulances, equipped the coronary care unit at the former St. Jerome Hospital. In the past years the Guild has annually donated $10,000 to the United Memorial Medical Center Foundation in a directorship program.

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Nursing Alumni Committee has established a new scholarship opportunity for future Nursing Program students to help mitigate financial obstacles to GCC student success.

The committee is excited to invite the entire community to kick off National Nurses Week at the Batavia Downs at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4, for the premier of the Gatsby Gala to support the GCC Nursing Alumni Scholarship.

There are nearly three million nurses working in the United States today. It is a demanding and skilled profession oftentimes with intense emotion. GCC's Nursing Program produces qualified and skilled job candidates for the healthcare field each year. Now, under the direction of the Alumni Affairs Office, the Nursing Program Alumni are working hard to help ensure every qualified Nursing Program student can and will succeed.

The Gatsby Gala will include dinner and dancing for all and chances to win big with door prizes and a cash raffle! Tickets are only on sale until April 20 -- so contact the Alumni Affairs Office at alumni@genesee.edu today.

You can also get your tickets and RSVP online at here. Tickets to the gala cost $100 per person and all proceeds go directly to the GCC Nursing Alumni Scholarship.

In addition to attending the Gatsby Gala, there are opportunities to sponsor the scholarship at a number of levels. The sponsorship opportunity detail is available here and includes commitments of $100 - $3,000 and includes In-kind Support for those wishing to customize their sponsorship. All sponsorship levels include a variety of benefits from free advertising to photos, and GCC Foundation recognition.

All sponsorships must be submitted by April 20 for full recognition. 

The Nursing Program Alumni committee includes:

• Committee Chair -- Michelle Grohs, director of Surgical Services, Maternity and Women's Health at Wyoming County Community Health System;
• Decoration Chair -- Heather Glosser, Warsaw Central School District School nurse and owner of Glosser Family Farms;
• Food and Beverage Chair -- Susanne Roggow, Spectrum Human Services nurse;
• Ticket Chair -- Stephanie Durfee, GCC Nursing Program instructor;
• Hospitality Chair -- Laurel Sanger, GCC's director of Nursing Program;
• Entertainment Chair -- Kelli Pease, WCJW radio personality and GCC Communications instructor;
• Photography Chair -- Maureen Spindler, GCC's visual communications specialist and photographer;
• Communications Chair and Event Emcee -- Scott Gardner, president of the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce;
• Sponsor Chair -- Jennifer Wakefield, GCC's assistant director of Alumni Affairs. 

For more information, contact Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs Jennifer Wakefield at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6265, or via email at jgwakefield@genesee.edu.

St. Joe's Mammoth Sale, which is Western New York's Largest annual indoor garage sale, is on Saturday April 7th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the cafeteria of St. Joesph's School at 2 Summit St., Batavia. Pictured are co-chairs Randa Williams, left, and Kathy Stefani who organize this annual event, now in its 14th year.

"We start about two weeks after the last sale in early May -- that takes about a year to prepare for," Stefani said.

Many volunteers help prepare and sorting collectables, furniture, household goods for sale at St. Mary's on a weekly basis until the event. One key item she points out is it's FREE, no admission cost to get in and has been since she started this as the largest fundraiser for the school.

A couple of her big supporters are: Mary Dee Ognibene, who gathers more than 600 boxes from TOPS in Batavia in her little red car; Rick Mancuso, who donates a storage facility annually to store the furniture and bigger items; and Jerry Fisk, who repairs items as needed.

In addition, there will be a cafe with breakfast and lunch available for purchase, raffle baskets and tens of thousands of items to choose from.

If you would like to donate any items and/or volunteer the day of the event, contact Kathy Stefani at 344-2701

On Saturday March 24th the Batavia girls softball program held a Bat-a-thon called "Strike Out Cancer." The event raised more than $3,000 by all three teams in the program, from Modified-JV-Varsity.

The players did a tremendous job getting sponsors and each player was given the opportunity to hit 20 pitches in the batting cage.

For each ball hit, the girls raised money for the softball program and Genesee Cancer Assistance (GCA). GCA Board Member Nickie Fazio was on hand for the event.

"The girls did a great job with this wonderful event and I couldn't be more proud of them," Nickie Fazio said. "It is so nice to be able to contribute to our community."

"Thank you to everyone for their generous support," said Coach Jim Fazio.

Photos and story submitted by BHS softball team.

The sixth annual Mr. Batavia brought a nearly sold-out crowd last evening to Batavia High School, and raised an estimated $4,400 for charity.

Since its inception in 2013, more than $20,000 has been raised, said Lisa Robinson, Mr. Batavia advisor and co-advisor of student government. Each contestant performs their best in different catagories like group dance, talent, swimsuit, lip sync, tux walk, question and answer.

Crossroads House will receive 50 percent of the money raised by the winner of the event, Joe Marchese.

"Going into the show I felt really confident," Joe said, "then about 30 minutes before the show, I felt like I was going to have a nervous breakdown, literary choking up and said to myself 'I cannot do this.'

"I went to get some water, got out there, did the group dance and feeling good, then took the momentum all the way through the night and had a such great time."

Joe continued "I have wanted to do Mr. Batavia since my freshman year. Working with these group of guys was so amazing, which made my senior year come full euphoria and (I) have no words to describe the feeling at this moment."

His mom, Sandra, said "What stands out for me is Joseph's confidence and creativity in public speaking and performance. You are amazing, Joe! All the time and effort over the years that you have put into your personal development and leadership skills is shining through!"

Anand Patel was first runner-up. His charity was Golisano’s Children’s Hospital. Cameron Hardy was second runner-up and he raised funds for Genesee Cancer Assistance.

Charles Men’s Shop donated use of tuxedos, Reed Eye Associates provided the sunglasses. Many other members of staff, volunteers, students and additional sponsors also contributed to this annual event.

Local Judges were: Peter Cecere, VP of Batavia City School District BOE; James DeFreeze, City of Batavia Police Department; Matt Morasco, City of Batavia Fire Department; and Shellye Dale-Hall, Prevention Education, GCASA.

Other contestantants were Nichalas Neid, Chase Monachino, Brandon Buck, Valentino Zinni, Jon Liciaga, Nate Loria, John Kindig, Julio Vazquez and Evan Bellavia.

To view photos or purchase prints click here.

Pictured above are hostesses Paige Wasilewski, Lauren Leone and Michal Lullo.