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Founded in 1981, the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation (BRF) is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to moving Buffalo forward, to help our future generations realize the best opportunities to enjoy a high quality of life in Western New York.

  Buffalo Renaissance Foundation        Winter 2018-2019

 

DEAR FRIENDS, BENEFACTORS, SUPPORTERS AND FELLOW DIRECTORS,

As we head into 2019, the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation comes off one of our most exciting years ever consummated by a signature project donation on the East Side of Buffalo.

Our largest donation in history will propel a community project to completion on East Ferry Street energizing a neighborhood in need. With our gift, we received the naming rights to the Community Center at that location that will serve as the center point to the youth sports complex to be unveiled next spring.

We continue to strive to make a difference in Buffalo with our annual luncheons and outreach programs. We continued to support our mission through our 2018 appropriations, helping 10 organizations with funding during the current year.

I hope you enjoy the update on the Foundation’s past year and wish everyone a joyous holiday season.

Very truly yours,

HUGH M. RUSS III PRESIDENT


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President, 
HUGH M. RUSS III

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BRF makes signature project donation to Perkins Park project Community Center renamed the “Buffalo Renaissance Foundation Community Center”

The BRF announced in December a significant donation to provide the Resource Council of WNY (RCWNY) the final funding necessary for completion of a site development project at Perkins Park at 325 East Ferry Street in Buffalo. The final funding will prepare the site for the development of a practice youth Heads Up flag football field on the east side of Buffalo.

The site includes an outdoor ball hockey rink with a multi-purpose surface, in addition to the football field. The Buffalo Renaissance Foundation’s donation supplements funding previously provided by the Buffalo Sabres Foundation, the National Hockey League, and the Local Initiative Service Corp.

BRF Appropriations Chair Eugene G. Kershner said that the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation had been seeking a project of this nature for the past several years. “The project was exactly the type we were looking for in that it will provide this community with important youth and family programs, as well as meeting our mission to building a better Buffalo. We continue to strive to move Buffalo forward, and this signature project is a prime example of that.”

The project is overseen by RCWNY, who also manages the newly reopened community center at 347 East Ferry Street and will manage the operations at Perkins Park. “The versatility and approach that the Renaissance Foundation took in completing the development will benefit this community for a long time. We’ll have kids playing on the field as soon as next spring thanks to the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation,” said RCWNY Director Rich Jureller.

The community center has been renamed the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation Community Center in support of the donation made to complete the project. Programs at the BRF Community Center offered in part through the Resource Council WNY include afterschool physical and academic programming, veteran and senior programming, instructional camps and clinics, rentals of all facilities, summer programs, and sports leagues.

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The Buffalo Renaissance Foundation community center located at 325 East Ferry Street.

Spring Luncheon features Kaleida’s Jody Lomeo as Man of the Year

In May, the BRF honored Kaleida Health CEO Jody Lomeo with our Man of the Year award. Lomeo, a former keynote speaker at our annual luncheon, gave an impassioned speech about what it means to be a Buffalonian and accepted the award with grace.

Director Dr. Richard Gilbert provided an emotional toast to late director Thomas J. Comer, Jr. in remembrance of our past president who died unexpectedly in November 2017.

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Kaleida Health CEO Jody Lomeo named BRF Man of the Year in May.

 

 

 


Annual Veterans Luncheon

Our eleventh annual Veterans Luncheon, an event that continues to grow and support our local Veteran community, was held at The Buffalo Club in November and honored our 2018 scholarship recipients, Morgan Hailey Kiff and Jesper Doty. Jesper is attending Ashford University and Morgan is attending Central Texas College.

Well over 100 people were entertained after the scholarship awards presentation by a speech by Larry Verria, author of the book The Kissing Sailor: The Mystery Behind the Photo That Ended World War II. Also in attendance at the Luncheon was Sharon Molleur, daughter of USS The Sullivans plankowner and “The Kissing Sailor,” George Mendonsa.

The purpose of the annual luncheon during Veterans' Day week is to recognize Veterans, both in Active Duty and Reservists that help to protect our country. In addition to honoring Veterans and those currently serving in the Military, the luncheon is held to raise needed funds to provide scholarships to those who have served our country and are attending college.

Many thanks to our director co-chairs Maurice L. Naylon and Gary M. Stott for their leadership with respect to the event that serves as a gateway to the holidays every year.

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2018 scholarship recipients Jesper Doty and MORGAN hailey KIFF with BRF directors Maurice L. Naylon and Gary M. Stott.

 

 

 

 

 

BRF Outreach Program

Our outreach program was busy during 2018, with three separate events during the calendar year.

In April, the BRF held its second annual Easter Egg Hunt on the west side of Buffalo at Front Park. In partnership with Rich Products Corp. over 6,000 eggs were hidden throughout the Park. Stuffed inside the eggs were prizes such as bicycles, chocolate rabbits, sports equipment, scooters, and much more.

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Buffalo Renaissance Foundation's annual Easter Egg Hunt held in April.

In August, BRF directors made their annual trip to The Miracle League for a day at Miracle Field in Grand Island to work with children with mental and physical challenges, providing them an opportunity to play baseball on a specially designed field. The specialized rubber surface can accommodate wheelchairs, crutches, and walkers.

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Buffalo Renaissance Foundation day at Miracle Field in Grand Island.

On Saturday, December 15, the BRF Directors hosted 31 students from the West Buffalo Charter School at the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation Community Center. As part of the BRF Outreach Program, the students enjoyed lunch, presents, and a special visit from Santa. Thank you to all the directors for their time and donations, and a special thank you to Maurice Naylon, our Kris Kringle!

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Buffalo Renaissance Foundation directors with the students from West Buffalo Charter School.


UB Athletics Scholarship

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Devon PaTTerson, recipient of the UB Athletics Scholarship

This year’s recipient of the UB Athletics scholarship award, a scholarship that was endowed from proceeds from the BRF’s first luncheon in 1991, is Devon Patterson (Track & Field).

Devon, an accounting major from Williamsville South, is a senior who has had a great career. His main track and field events are the discus throw and the shot put.

 

Fall Golf Tourney at Crag Burn

The annual Fall Classic was held once again at the Crag Burn Club, where its inaugural golf tournament was held in East Aurora in 1982. Event chair Dr. Gilbert chaperoned an awesome day of comradery at one of Western New York’s finest golf venues.

Kudos to our event sponsors:
Flag Sponsors – NEW Wave Energy, ADPRO Sports and Warm & Fuzzy Heating and Cooling
Putting Contest Sponsor – Uniland Development Company

 

 

2018 Appropriations

The Appropriations Committee awarded 10 grants during 2018. The Committee reviewed over 30 grant requests during 2018, focusing on educational, equipment and technological needs of the organizations submitting applications.

2018 grant awards were distributed to Gateway Longview, SABAH, Police Athletic League of Buffalo, Big Brother Big Sister of Erie County, Junior Achievement of WNY, Nativity Miguel School, Shakespeare in Delaware Park, Thomas and Jean Comer Girl’s Catholic High School Scholarship, The Teacher’s Desk, and Our Lady of Hope.

The number of students that will be reached throughout 2018 appropriations was a key ingredient to our funding efforts.

Not many not-for-profit agencies can say that every dollar raised in their fundraising events goes 100% to charity or is put into their endowment for future charitable giving. Our director dues fund 100% of our administrative costs and director expenses, so every dollar raised ends up in the hands of charities or organizations that meet our mission.

Thank you for your support in the past and into the future. Hopefully, you will find our work inspirational, interesting and fun, as well as something you will continue to be a part of. Together, we can continue to move Buffalo, forward.

 

 

Help us move Buffalo Forward

If you are interested in making a donation to the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation, please visit our website and click the donate button.

 


 

Buffalo Renaissance
Foundation
Board of Directors

Hugh M. Russ III
Foundation President

A.J. Baynes
David Beaton
Donald V. Boswell
Donald V. Brown
Frank L. Ciminelli II
John K.S. Cleary
William S. Cleary
Robert J. Clerici
Matthew K. Enstice
John T. Gavigan
Richard N. Gilbert, MD.
Scott T. Hoffman
James E. Iglewski
James F. Jerge
Charles G. Jones, Jr.
Anthony G. Jordan
Eugene G. Kershner, CPA
Peter S. Marlette
Tod Martin
Frederick Mertz
Michael P. Modrzynski
Michael J. Montante
Maurice L. Naylon III
Benjamin N. Obletz
David R. Pfalzgraf, Jr.
Bruce G. Popko Jr.
Thomas Quatroche, Jr., PhD
Ronald Raccuia
C. Jacob Schneider
David Schutte
John F. Somers
Nicholas B. Tzetzo, Esq.
Paul V. Vukelic
Arthur G. Wingerter
Daniel J. Zimmer

Executive Director
Scott McManigle




The BRF has a Facebook page to stay in touch with our benefactors, corporate sponsors and friends. Please "like" us on Facebook at our Foundation page.

PO BOX 322, BUFFALO NY 14205 - BUFFALORENAISSANCE.ORG

 







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Buffalo Renaissance Foundation · PO Box 322 · Buffalo, NY 14205 · USA