Pictured: Dr. Mark Ryan with his wife Susan and their son Stephen
PRESS RELEASE / 5th Annual Gala Dinner
TODAY’S DATE: February 11, 2008
CONTACT:Cheryl L. Coppola
Development Director
(585) 301-3974
ccoppola@happinesshouse.org
Founding & Major Sponsor ~ Belhurst Hosted Happiness House’s 5th Annual Gala Dinner & Auction Event -Senator Michael F. Nozzolio Announces $40,000 Grant
Pictured: Dr. Mark Ryan with his wife Susan and their son Stephen
Happiness House – Finger Lakes Cerebral Palsy Association held its 5th Annual Gala Dinner & Auction Event on Friday, February 1st, 2008 at Belhurst.
Donations from the community, local businesses, Happiness House staff, Board of Directors and families supported the silent and live auction events. Sponsorship dollars, raffle ticket sales, and auction bidders helped Happiness House raise $35,000. Distinguished guests included Happiness House Board Members, community leaders, and representatives from our Major Sponsors: Belhurst, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, and First Niagara Bank, as well as our Corporate Sponsors: Bonadio & Co., LLP, Canandaigua National Bank & Trust Co.-Wealth Strategies Group, Community Bank, NA, Finger Lakes Medical Associates, Five Star Bank, Guardian Industries Corp., The Honorable Robert H. Wagner, The Lyons National Bank, Relph Benefit Advisors, Veramark Technologies, Inc., and Wal-Mart SuperCenter of Canandaigua and our Table Sponsors: Harris Beach PLLC, Mr. Harry & Mrs. Ann Burt, Capstone Information Technologies, Inc., Mr. Mark D. & Mrs. Mary Herlihy Gearan, Massa Construction, Inc., and Pullano Windows & Doors. Patrice Walsh from 13WHAM-TV was the Mistress of Ceremonies.
Kasey Weigert and Zedd Loughney, Happiness House preschool students, and their mother’s, Jennifer Weigert and Ann Loughney volunteered to pass out programs and greet guests as they arrived. Keynote speakers included Dr. Mark Ryan, his wife Susan and their son Stephen each shared their personal story of what Happiness House has meant to them as a family. Samantha Shoemaker, who attends Happiness House’s Traumatic Brain Injury program, shared a heartfelt thank you to Happiness House while sharing a video of her friends in the program, her hobbies and what Happiness House means to her.
To the far left Senator Michael F. Nozzolio, center Mary Walsh Boatfield CEO, and at right Michael A. Copploa Board Chairman.
During the evening program, Senator Michael F. Nozzolio, representing the 54th District, announced that he had secured a $40, 000 grant which will enhance educational programs and services for children and adults on the autism spectrum. “We are thankful to Senator Nozzolio and his efforts on behalf of those with disabilities,” said Happiness House’s Chief Executive Officer, Mary Walsh Boatfield.
All proceeds from the event enable us to continuously provide quality programs and services to the children and adults we serve.
Pictured: Samantha with Storm
Happiness House- Finger Lakes Cerebral Palsy Association is a private nonprofit health and human service agency that has been serving communities in the Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York since 1969. Today with sites in Geneva, Canandaigua, and Waterloo, Happiness House offers an array of educational program, recreational and family support services for children and adults with and without disabilities who reside in Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates counties. On average Happiness House serves 1,000 individuals and their families each year.
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