fundraiser

Family and friends of Patrick Suozzi, a Batavia man facing terminal cancer, are asking people for support.

On Jan. 27, there will be a benefit/fundraiser for Suozzi's wife, Mary Beth, and son, PJ, from 1 until 6 p.m. at Resurrection Parish (St. Mary's) Recreation Hall, at 18 Ellicott St. in Batavia. All proceeds will help offset their ongoing medical expenses.

The fundraiser will include a meal of spaghetti, salad, bread, beverages and dessert, as well as a TV raffle, a Chinese auction, a bake sale and face painting.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 10 and under.

To purchase tickets, make a donation or obtain more information, contact Lori DiFilippo at (716) 474-2895 or Kim Turman at 356-8922

There will also be a rock 'n' roll benefit on Jan. 26 at T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St. in Batavia. It will feature three local bands: Bob Lovelace (acoustics), Amanda's Rage and Savage Cabbage (main band). The event will last from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m.

Admission is $3 at the door, and there will be a 50/50 raffle. For more information, call 343-1547.

Photo submitted by Steve Ognibene

T-Shirts, Etc. and the Batavia Business Improvement District (or "the BID") will present "DC in the Square," a benefit for local philanthropist Don Carroll, on Sunday from noon until 4 p.m. It will be downtown at Jackson Square.

Carroll, who is well-known locally for raising thousands of dollars on behalf of underprivileged youth, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in April.

Brian and Beth Kemp of T-Shirts, Etc. have known Carroll for several years and helped him every year with Toys for Kids, an annual toy drive Carroll founded to purchase Christmas presents for children who might not otherwise receive them.

"When I found out about Don's cancer," Beth said, "I went to Brian and suggested we host a benefit. Because he has helped so many people, I thought it would be awesome for the community to be able to give back."

They approached the BID to ask if they could use Jackson Square as the venue. The BID went even further and agreed to sponsor the event.

"DC in the Square" will feature live performances by three bands: "Old Hippies," "Soul Craft" and "Savage Cabbage," plus a Chinese auction and a 50/50 raffle.

Items included in the auction and raffle will include all kinds of goodies donated by several local businesses, including:

• Clothing apparel from Lamb Farms (Oakfield)
• A goodie basket from Oliver's Candies
• T-shirts and gift certificates from The Batavian

Coffee Culture Manager Brenda Richardson, who is also helping out with the event, said that M&T Bank has donated money, which they may use for a kids' basket or something similar.

Clor's Meat Market will be providing BBQ dinners for $9. People have their choice of chicken, rib or pulled pork dinners. Each dinner comes with a roll, butter, and two out of the following three sides:

• Salt potato
• Coleslaw
• Macaroni salad

Tickets can be purchased at the Square on July 29 or in advance at the following Batavia locations:

• T-Shirts Etc., 111 Main St.
• Clor's Meat Market, 4169 W. Main St. Road
• Coffee Culture, 6 Court St.

A minimum $2 donation is asked of everyone at the gate.

Jerry Foster, a former teacher and lifelong friend of Carroll's, provided an update on his condition.

"He's completed his third cycle of chemo," Foster said. "He is starting to be able to swallow a little bit, though not much. ... He will be going back to Strong Memorial Hospital to see if the tumor has shrunk enough that they can operate on it."

For more information about "DC in the Square," contact Brian and Beth Kemp at 345-1993 or email tshirtsetcsales@rochester.rr.com.

Picture courtesy of Brian and Beth Kemp.

Le Beau Salon and a host of others put on a carnival of beauty as a benefit for the Voltura family.

Nicole Voltura, a wife and mother of three, is dealing with not just one terminal illness, but three. She has recently undergone surgery to remove a sarcoma from her leg. On Oct. 7, she went for her fourth round of chemotherapy to treat two separate rare autoimmune diseases.

This benefit helped raise funds needed to offset some of the medical bills and to support the needs of her family.

Nicole is the owner of Glitz-n-Glamour Salon.

Among the many activities for the whole family were nail art, mini-manicures, hand facials, make-up technique sessions, bling hair extensions, eyebrow and lip waxing, blowouts, and face painting.

In addition, there was a Chinese auction, instruction in hip-hop dance techniques and a Zumba class.

Paige Haile getting a mini-manicure.

Sponsers of the event included: Le Beau Salon, Suzanne's School of Dance, Hot Heads, The Mane Attraction Salon, Charley's Salon, Zumba with Diane Cox, Glitz-n-Glamour, and Tommy Nails.

For more information on how to make a donation please contact Erika Siverling at Le Beau Salon, 343-1017.

More pictures from the event can be found here.