3^rd Annual Friends of Children Celebration Raises More Than $19,000 To Support At-Risk and Disadvantaged Children

Approximately 250 people gathered at the Paul Maguire Club at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park on Tuesday, Nov. 15 for the 3^rd Annual Friends of Children. The award and auction charity fundraiser celebrated foster care and adoption, as well as volunteerism, and partnership in the community and with the Buffalo Bills. It raised $19,300 to support all of the at-risk and disadvantaged children served by Gateway-Longview.

Buffalo Bills Radio Network color commentator and veteran Bills player Mark Kelso served as the event's keynote speaker, and present Buffalo Bills players Jairus Byrd, Chris Kelsay, and Andra Davis were among the event's attendees.

Also, the event also featured silent and ticket auction items, including autographed sports memorabilia from across the NFL.

Gateway-Longview would like to thank the following sponsors and donors for their generosity in making the 3^rd Annual Friends of Children a success:

- Summer Street Capital
- Allied Mechanical
- Gary and Willow Brost
- Brown & Brown Insurance
- Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation
- Columbus McKinnon Corporation
- Convergent Wealth Advisors
- Dopkins & Company, LLP
- Key Bank
- Independent Health
- Merchants Insurance Group
- Rand Capital
- McGuire Development Company
- The PCA Group
- Palladian EAP
- Country 106.5 WYRK
- WGRZ 2 On Your Side

Also, thank you to the Buffalo Bills for their partnership in conducting this event.

Photos from Friends of Children are posted on Gateway-Longview's Facebook fan page.

Pumpkin Run Raises Nearly $23,000 to Support At-Risk and Disadvantaged Children

Approximately 430 individuals hit the pavement on Saturday, Oct. 15, at the 3^rd Annual Pumpkin Run 5K Run & Family Fun Walk, which raised nearly $23,000 to support all of the at-risk and disadvantaged children served by Gateway-Longview. Western New York's premier Halloween-themed run was held in Williamsville, and the number of participants increased from last year's event. WGRZ's Christie Witt served as the event's chairperson and celebrity judge for a post-race costume contest.

Top male and female finishers for the USA Track and Field-Certified 5K race were Eric Greenspan and Amy Fakterowitz, who finished the race in 16:34 and 19:36, respectively. Fakterowitz was also the top female finisher of the race in 2009. Prizes were also awarded to the top three finishers in each age category for male and female runners.

The event aimed to promote health and wellness in a family-friendly setting, and featured a post-race festival geared towards families. Activities at the festival included an awards presentation, a costume contest, free post-race massages, food, music, children’s entertainment, activities, crafts and much more. Runners, walkers and participants of all ages were encouraged to wear Halloween costumes.

Gateway-Longview would also like to thank the following sponsors and donors for their generosity in making the 3^rd Annual Pumpkin Run 5K Run and Family Fun Walk a success, as well as the efforts of the event's volunteers from First Niagara and Buffalo State College: Summer Street Capital; Allied Mechanical; Gary and Willow Brost; Brown & Brown Insurance; Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation; Columbus McKinnon Corporation; Convergent Wealth Advisors; Dopkins & Company, LLP; Key Bank; Independent Health; Merchants Insurance Group; Rand Capital; Zenger Group; AP Professionals; Walsh Insurance Group; Road ID; Creditors Interchange; Magavern Magavern Grimm LLP; Blackrock Sound Solutions; Phillips Lytle; ADP; Amanda Rayburg, Licensed Massage Therapist; Amherst Police Department; Boulevard Produce; Dr. Geoffrey Klaffka of Klaffka Family Chiropractic; EAS/Abbott Nutrition; Mayer Brothers; Mr. No; National Fuel; Pesci’s Pizza; Twin City Ambulance Services; Sorrento Cheese/Lactalis; Tops Friendly Markets; and Niagara Frontier Veterinary Association.

Photos from the event have been posted on Gateway-Longview's Facebook fan page, as well as the event's website, www.BuffaloPumpkinRun.com. Video from the event will be posted soon on Gateway-Longview's Facebook fan page.

3^rd Annual BBQ & Blues Bash Raises $62,600 to Support At-Risk Children

Approximately 1,100 people attended the 3^rd Annual BBQ & Blues Bash on Friday, June 17, which raised $62,600 through financial and in-kind donations as well as ticket sales to support the at-risk children, youth and families served by Gateway-Longview. The "Welcome the Summer" party with a purpose was held outside W.J. Morrissey Irish Pub and Benchwarmers Sports Bar & Grill in Buffalo's historic Cobblestone District, near HSBC Arena. It was sponsored by Labatt Blue.


At the event, attendees enjoyed unlimited beverages provided by Labatt Blue and Passport Wine and Spirits, as well as delicious BBQ cuisine, listening to the music of 90 West, sampling Jack Daniels Country Cocktails, and seeing classic cars from Western New York Corvette Club. They also had the opportunity to meet Denver Broncos tight end and Western New York native Dan Gronkowski, as well as the Buffalo Jills. Also, one lucky attendee won nearly $1,100 in a 50/50 split. WGRZ's Christie Witt served as the event's emcee.
Gateway-Longview would like to thank the following sponsors and donors for their generosity in making the 3^rd Annual BBQ & Blues Bash a success:


Event Sponsors:
Abbey Mecca & Company; Balkan Beverages; Benchwarmers Sports Bar & Grill; J.H. Wattles; Passport Wine & Spirits; Savarino Companies; Try-It Distributing; and W.J. Morrissey Irish Pub


Mentors, Friends Sponsors & Event Supporters:
Allied Mechanical; Gary and Willow Brost; Brown & Brown Insurance; Columbus McKinnon Corporation; Convergent Wealth; Dopkins & Company, LLP; Empire Building Diagnostics, Inc.; First Niagara Bank; Freed, Maxick, & Battaglia; Independent Health; J.W. Danforth; Key Bank; Lippes, Mathias, Wexler, & Friedman, LLP; Merchants Insurance Group; Norampac Industries; Nottingham Advisors; Office Works; Tronconi Segarra & Associates LLP; Rand Capital; Rich Products; Summer Street Capital; and Zenger Group.


Media partners included:
Lamar Advertising Company; Townsquare Media’s Country 106.5 WYRK; and WGRZ 2 on Your Side.

All event proceeds will benefit the at-risk and disadvantaged children served by Gateway-Longview.

Photos from the event can be found on Gateway-Longview's Facebook fan page. Attendees of the event are encouraged to tag themselves in photos of themselves on the fan page.