The achievements of people with disabilities and the efforts of those who support them will be showcased when The Resource Center holds its 36^th Ability Awareness Awards Celebration on Thursday, October 30.

The luncheon will be held at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron from 11:30 to 1:00.

The awards recognize people with disabilities who have made significant accomplishments, as well as area residents and businesses that have improved the lives of people with disabilities. This year’s award recipients are:

• Advocate of the Year – Keith Martin
• Business/Employer of the Year – Target in West Ellicott
• Community Partnership Award – Culture Care Senior Living/Tanglewood Manor
• Bruce Walford Community Service Award – James Haick
• Health Provider of the Year – Kimberly Scoma, RN
• Carl Cappa Humanitarian of the Year – R. Erik Seastedt
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Suzette Smith
• Edwin Roth Mental Health Award – Christopher Mattison, RN
• Outstanding Achievement Award – Matthew Olson
• Personal Success Award – Patricia Peck
• Elmer Muench Volunteer of the Year – Sharon Richards
• Special Event Volunteer of the Year – Heather Courtney

In addition, Stephanie Davis will receive an award for being honored by New York State Industries for the Disabled. NYSID is a non-profit organization that advances employment opportunities for people with disabilities and veterans by supporting The Resource Center and other rehabilitation agencies in obtaining government contracts. NYSID selected Davis for recognition through its annual Outstanding Performance Award Program.

Members of The Resource Center, people with disabilities, TRC staff and volunteers, and the general public are invited to attend the Ability Awareness Awards Celebration. The event is being sponsored by TRC, Kinetic, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, and NYSID.

The cost to attend the luncheon is $30. Reservations are due by October 21. For more information, phone Victoria Trass Bardo, Development and Event Manager, at 716-661-1477.

For those wishing to make a donation in honor of one of the award recipients, your contribution will be directed to The Resource Center’s TRC Excellence Awards Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

Movies spotlighting the experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be shared when The Resource Center presents the Sprout Film Festival on Wednesday, September 24.

The free festival takes place at 7:00 p.m. in the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts at 116 East Third Street in Jamestown. The Sprout Film Festival features short movies that celebrate the diverse lives and creativity of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The films seek to challenge assumptions and break down stereotypes about people with disabling conditions.

 

Sprout is a traveling film festival, and each host community selects the films that will be screened locally.  For this year’s festival, organizers have chosen 12 films from seven countries. The longest film is 14 minutes, while the shortest is under two minutes. The total running time is about 88 minutes.

Most of the films are documentaries. Several of them focus on people who are on the autism spectrum. All of this year’s films are new to the Jamestown festival except the finale, Get Closer, a fan favorite from the 2015 festival in which the main character invites people to embrace differences with a hug.

 

Sprout organizers are glad to again bring the film festival to Jamestown.

“We are excited to be presenting the Sprout Film Festival for the ninth year. This year’s selection of films is both entertaining and thought-provoking,” said The Resource Center’s Kevin Anderson, one of the festival’s lead organizers. “I encourage people to come out to The Reg. Whether you have attended every year or this might be your first, you won’t be disappointed.”

“The Sprout Film Festival is always an enlightening, powerful and joyful event,” added TRC’s Beth Jermain, who also helps organize the festival. “We are very excited about this year’s films. Everyone who comes will leave with a smile.”

Admission is free thanks to a grant from Filling the Gap, Inc., which works with The Resource Center to improve the lives of people with disabilities in Chautauqua County. Money for the grant came from The Resource Center Laurel Run Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. Sprout also is made possible thanks to support from corporate sponsors Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union and Kinetic.

Doors to the theater will open at 6:00 so moviegoers can have time to look over the items that will be available in a prize drawing. Money raised from the prize drawing will benefit the Step Up for Autism event that is put on by Filling the Gap and The Resource Center. The Resource Center also will be conducting a membership drive before the movies begin, and people who become TRC members will be entered into a prize drawing.

For more information about the Sprout Film Festival, phone 716-483-2344 or visit https://resourcecenter.org/sprout, where visitors can also view the festival trailer to get a feel for some of the films.

Dr. Dawn Columbare was elected the Chair of The Resource Center’s Board of Directors during our General Membership Meeting, held at TRC’s administrative office building on Dunham Avenue in Celoron.

Also elected as officers for the Board’s 2025-26 term were Dr. Todd Jacobson, Vice Chair; Lisa Goodell, Secretary; and Marie Carrubba, Esq., Treasurer.

Elected to two-year Board terms were Mary Alison Burt, Richard Erickson, Scott James, and Kristie Peppy. Dick had served the previous three years as Board Chair, while Scotty had been appointed to fill a Board vacancy in December. Alison and Kristie are joining TRC’s Board for the first time.

Elected to the Nominating Committee for The Resource Center’s 2026 election were Kathy Field, Laurie Goold, Dr. Jessica Gugino, Mary Jo Hamilton, and Rebecca Hamlet Kapple.

 

In his final report as Chair, Dick said it had been a privilege leading the Board for the past three years. He thanked his fellow Board members, and he praised Executive Director Denise Jones and TRC’s leadership team for maintaining the agency’s finan­cial stability. He also commended TRC’s employees for the excellent supports they provide.

“It’s been a great three years. It’s been wonderful. This place has changed me,” Dick said.

 

In her treasurer’s report, Marie noted that for the 10th straight year, The Resource Center ended 2024 with a positive financial result that included no audit adjustments.

In her report, Denise highlighted some of the successes that have been realized across TRC.

The meeting began with a presentation about TRC’s Health Homes Programs given by Kait Curtis, Director of Behavioral Health and Care Coordination, and Thad Lund, who manages the programs. A woman who attended the meeting with her guide dog spoke about the posi­tive impacts Health Homes has had on her.

The meeting was the final one as a Board member for R. Michael Goldman, Esq. He had served on the Board for 21 years and was Chair from 2016 to 2019.

Sunny weather and spirited competition highlighted the 29th annual TRC Golf Classic, which raised over $80,000 to improve the lives of people with special needs in Chautauqua County. This represents the most money raised since 2003 and brings the tournament’s cumulative net proceeds to about $1.93 million since the event was first held in 1997.

Twenty-eight foursomes competed in the tournament, held July 21 at Moon Brook Country Club near Jamestown.  Winning the tournament with a score of 120 in the two-best-ball of four format and repeating their win last year, was the team of Michelle Grisanti, Mike Grisanti, Lindsay O’Connor and Dominick Borrello.  They will have their names engraved on the champions’ trophy, which is called The Gregg Bender Cup in honor of the retired TRC employee and former longtime chair of the tournament’s steering committee.

Earning top honors in the first flight with a score of 123 was the team of Jon Gren, Tom Olson, Mike Goldman, and Derek Dawson.  Finishing atop flight two with a 122 was the team of William Brothers, Giana Rich, Doug Bulman, and Kevin Conway. 

Once the tournament concluded, the traditional Special Olympics putting contest took place.  21 athletes participated, with each Special Olympian getting one chance to make a lengthy putt.  The competitor whose ball came to rest closest to the hole was Nick Kenzie. 

Following appetizers and a buffet dinner prepared by Moon Brook staff, awards were presented to the top teams in the tournament, and prize drawings were held.  Kelly Dimitri, TRC’s chief operating officer, thanked the golfers for participating in the tournament, which raises money to support people with disabilities in Chautauqua County.

For the 14th straight year, Lake Shore Bank was the presenting sponsor.  Other major sponsors were HM Insurance Group, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, the Winifred Crawford Dibert Foundation, Assured Partners, Bryans & Gramuglia, Double Tree by Hilton Jamestown, Jamestown Container Companies, Kinetic – Internet Service Provider, Klice Lawn & Landscaping, Ocean State Innovations, SKF USA, Inc., The Post-Journal, UPMC Chautauqua, and USI Insurance.

Hole and specialty sponsors included Arthur R. Gren Company, Bond, Schoeneck & King, Collaborative Children’s Solutions, Comparion Insurance Agency, Conrad Office Products, Courier Capital, EYM Enterprise, Fenton Mobility Products, Inc., Fredonia Beaver Club, FSC Systems, Graf Realty, HCH Interiors, Health System Services, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY, Independent Health, Inscale Architects, Integrated MedCraft, Jamestown Awning, Jamestown Macadam Inc. (JMI), Jamestown Mattress, Jim and Sally Jaroszynski, Joe and Terry Ribaudo, KeyBank, Kinley Contractors, LaBella Associates, Lake Shore Paving, LUV Toyota,  M.J. Foley Co., Paul and Jennifer Capitano, Phil and Cindy Ribaudo,  Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Pucci Carpet One Furniture & Bedding,  Rand Community Philanthropic Foundation, Shults Auto Group, SM Cristall, Sun Life, Tabone Southtown’s Sealing, Twinstar Business Solutions, TRC’s Executive Management Team, UPMC Chautauqua, WCA Foundation, Weber Knapp Company, Winning Tree, YKK Tape Craft Corporation, and Youngsville Hardware.

The following donated items: ACME The Appliance Store, Charcuterie by Carrie, Chautauqua Golf Club, Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, Coca-Cola, Conrad Office Products, Duke Duguay, DFT Communications, Fredonia Beaver Club, Gerber Blades, Jason Stronz, Kinetic – Internet Service Provider, Klice Lawn & Landscaping, Lutheran, Mike Goldman, Mike Roberts, Patrick Smeraldo, Philadelphia Insurance Companies, PRO Oil, Inc., South Hills Country Club, Smokin’ Bear Cigars, Southern Tier  Brewing Company, Southern Tier Distilling Company, Textile Network,  and ZTS Management LLC.

The tournament’s success is due in large part to the efforts of its steering committee: Chris Anderson, chair; Gregg Bender, chair emeritus; Nicholas Bell, Daniel Bender, Anthony Cusimano, Adam Dimitri, John Felton, Todd Frangione, R. Michael Goldman, Carrie Graham, John Gullo, Cindy Hitchcock, Mike Roberts, Patrick Smeraldo, Jason Stronz, Victoria Bardo, Timur Tyra, Tad Wright, Gary Yager, and Ben Windoft.

Also critical to the tournament’s success were the contributions of its other event-day volunteers: Kevin Anderson, Theresa Butts, Kayla DePane, Kelly Dimitri, Kathy Field, Austin Mitchell, Jacqueline Phelps, Sarah Pillittieri, Phil Ribaudo, Jenna Silzle, Karen Silzle, and Steve Waterson.

“The 29th annual TRC Golf Classic, in terms of money raised, was our most successful event since 2003!  An absolutely amazing accomplishment.  The weather was perfect, and the golf course was in superb condition,” Chris Anderson said.  “The TRC Golf Classic is only made possible with the generous financial commitment of sponsors and the dedication of many volunteers and the staff at Moon Brook Country Club.  Together, they make a lasting difference in the lives of people in our community.  It is an honor to lead such a successful and important event and have a dedicated team of committee members ensuring the tournament’s continued success.”

TRC Golf Classic proceeds benefit Filling the Gap, Inc., a Jamestown-based not-for-profit organization that works with The Resource Center to improve the lives of people with disabilities and other socioeconomic challenges. Money raised through the tournament is directed to The Resource Center TRC Foundation Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. Filling the Gap annually awards grants utilizing some of the money raised through TRC Golf Classic and other events.

The 30th TRC Golf Classic is tentatively scheduled for July 20, 2026. The steering committee has an ambitious goal of reaching $2 million dollars in net proceeds for next year’s event.  Businesses interested in sponsoring the event can contact Anderson at 716-483-2344, ext 90167.

CAPTIONS

(Winners)

Pictured from left are the members of the winning team: Michelle Grisanti, Mike Grisanti, Lindsay O’Connor and Dominick Borrello. 

(Nick Kenzie)

Nick Kenzie, right, won the Special Olympics putting contest.  He is pictured Kevin Anderson, left, a Resource Center employee and Special Olympics golf coach.

Money raised through the Laurel Run/Walk is directed to The Resource Center Laurel Run Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

Each year, Filling the Gap, Inc., uses money from the Laurel Run Fund to award grants that do one of three things:

• provide employment and work training opportunities for people with disabilities;
• enhance the independence of people with disabilities;
• promote disability awareness initiatives.

This year, $13,800 in Laurel Run Fund money was awarded to support these initiatives:

• Project SEARCH, a collaboration between The Resource Center and UPMC Chautauqua in which people with developmental disabilities complete a nine-month internship to prepare them for work in a health care setting. Several Project SEARCH graduates have been hired by UPMC Chautauqua.
• A Summer Career Camp so students and young adults can gain hands-on knowledge about working in the automotive, culinary, landscaping, and retail fields. The two five-day Career Camps, which will take place in August, also will address financial literacy and provide training on using the CHQ Transit system.
• THRIVE, a TRC program that supports people in addressing their goals. THRIVE, which stands for Teaching Habits and Re­sources for Independence, Vitality and Em­powerment, is a new program. Thus far members have learned about making healthier dietary decisions and how to reduce stress and deal constructively with their emotions.
• Sprout Film Festival, a series of short films that focus on the experiences of people with disabling conditions.
• Kids & Sibs Camp, a collaboration among The Resource Center and other community agencies to provide a two-day camp experience for children with special needs and their siblings.
• TRC’s Occupational Therapy Department.

Beginning this year, a portion of the Laurel Run/Walk proceeds will be used to support the Dr. John Vona Smile Fund. The fund was created in memory of Dr. Vona by his children. Dr. Vona was a respected and beloved dentist who spent the last 20 years of his career at The Resource Center’s Dunkirk dental clinic, where he was committed to meeting the oral health needs of people with disabilities. The Smile Fund will support the delivery of quality dental services to people with disabilities.

Please consider making a donation to support the Laurel Run Fund.

Now in its 29th year, the Laurel Memorial Run/Walk generates lots of smiles in its celebration of people with developmental disabilities. This year will be no exception, but with a twist as the event expands to improve the oral health of people with special needs.

The Laurel Run/Walk takes place over the course of two days. Activities begin Friday, July 18. A kickoff ceremony will be held at 8:00 a.m. in The Resource Center’s facility at 75 Jones & Gifford Avenue in Jamestown. At about 8:30, volunteer runners will set off on the initial leg of the relay run to Dunkirk. Representatives from The Resource Center and area school districts, as well as Sheriff Jim Quattrone and employees of the Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility in Brocton, will run the various legs of the relay while carrying Laurel Run flags. Patrol units from area law enforcement agencies accompany the runners to ensure their safety on the busy roads.

The relay run ends in the parking lot of The Resource Center’s facility at 186 Lake Shore Drive West in Dunkirk. The community is invited to attend the victory celebration and to cheer on the last set of relay runners, who are expected to arrive between 1:00 and 1:15.

For the 13th straight year, several people are planning to jog and/or bike the entire 31-mile relay route. That event is called the Laurel-thon.

Anyone wishing to run a portion of the flag relay, or to take on the Laurel-thon, is invited to do so. Phone 716-661-4735 for information.

Also on Friday, Laurel’s Legacy Lap will take place from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. at McCrea Point Park in Jamestown. For that free event, people with disabilities will complete a lap along the paved path at the park.

The main Laurel Run/Walk activities take place the following day in Silver Creek. Check-in and registration begin at 7:00 a.m. in the village square. At 8:30, a 5-kilometer running race, a 5k disability awareness walk a 1k fun walk will begin, followed at 9:00 by an 8k running race.

For the 5k and 8k events, medals will be given to the top three male and female finishers in each age group.  Besides the individual competition, there will be a team challenge. Awards will be given to the three fastest teams in both the 5k and the 8k, with each team’s time determined by the combined times of its first four finishers.

Saturday’s events also will include fun runs for children age 7 and younger starting at 10:00, followed by another Laurel’s Legacy Lap, which is for anyone with a disability.

The Laurel Run was created in 1997 by Silver Creek residents Wayne and Elaine Hotelling in honor of their daughter Laurel, who had Down syndrome. Thanks to the support she received from her family, her community and The Resource Center, Laurel had a full and productive life. She passed away in 2017 at the age of 54.

Money raised through the Laurel Run/Walk goes to Filling the Gap, Inc., which works with The Resource Center to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families in Chautauqua County. Event proceeds are directed to The Resource Center Laurel Run Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and are used to promote disability awareness initiatives and to enhance employment and work training opportunities for people with disabilities.

Beginning this year, a portion of the Laurel Run/Walk proceeds will be directed to the Dr. John Vona Smile Fund at the Community Foundation. This new fund was established by the children of Dr. Vona, a longtime dentist in Northern Chautauqua County who spent the last 20 years of his career at TRC Community Health Center. Dr. Vona, who died last year, was passionate about ensuring the oral health of people with disabilities, and the Smile Fund was created to provide money so people with special needs can access quality dental care.

Coincidentally, Dr. Vona was the dentist for Laurel Hotelling and the Hotellings’ other children. He also was a regular attendee at the Laurel Run/Walk events in Silver Creek, cheering on his granddaughter, Kim (Vona) Tomasik, who has won the women’s 8k race a record eight times.

To register to participate in one of the events or to make a donation, visit www.laurel-run.com.

Dan and Beth Hocking, Owners of ACME The Appliance Store, recently donated a Frigidaire Chest Freezer that will be used for a drawing to support the 29^th Annual TRC Golf Classic.

The TRC Golf Classic is the major annual fund-raising event for Filling the Gap, Inc., a Jamestown-based non-profit organization that works with The Resource Center to support people with disabilities and other socioeconomic challenges in Chautauqua County. In its first 28 years, the tournament has netted over $1.84 million for the TRC Foundation Fund, which raises money to improve the lives of people with disabling conditions in Chautauqua County.

“The Resource Center is an integral asset for our community, said Dan Hocking.  “ACME the Appliance Store is pleased to once again serve as a community partner and donate this Frigidaire Chest Freezer to help raise money for the TRC Golf Classic.  Beth & I are strong advocates for our community and are pleased to assist the Resource Center, an organization that empowers others to realize their full potential.”

The 2025 TRC Golf Classic is scheduled for July 21 at Moon Brook Country Club in Jamestown.  This year’s event is sold out for the first time in over 20 years.  For more information, please visit www.trcgolfclassic.com.

Picture:  l to r – Colton Hanson and Justin Fardink, Special Olympics Athletes.

In accordance with its by-laws, The Resource Center announces its General Membership Meeting and Election will be held Monday, June 9, at The Resource Center, 200 Dunham Avenue, Jamestown.

Attendees may arrive at 5:30 p.m. to enjoy light refreshments. The meeting is scheduled to run from 6:00 to 7:00. All Active Members of The Resource Center who are in good standing (those who are Lifetime Members or are current in their Annual Membership dues) are invited to participate in the meeting and to vote in the election and on any business items that may arise. People who re3ceive supports from The Resource Center, and their families, also are invited to attend the meeting

All Active Members in good standing who are unable to attend the meeting are encouraged to vote in the election online. Click here to read about the candidates and cast your vote. Online voting will remain open until 6:00 p.m. Monday, June 9.

The tentative meeting agenda is as follows:

1. Call to Order – 6:00
2. Presentation – “The Resource Center’s Health Homes Programs”
3. Approval of the minutes of the 2024 General Membership Meeting
4. Board Chair’s Report – Richard Erickson
5. Board Treasurer’s Report – Marie Carrubba, Esq
6. Executive Director’s Report – Denise Jones
7. Election (see nominating slates below)
8. Recognition of immediate Past Board Chair Richard Erickson
9. Recognition of outgoing Director R. Michael Goldman, Esq.
10. Adjournment by 7:00

The Nominating Committee — composed of Kathy Field, Chair; Laurie Goold, Mary Jo Hamilton, Carole Johnson, and Gregory Krauza — has proposed the following candidates for Officers and Directors of the Board of The Resource Center, as well as candidates to serve on the Nominating Committee for the 2025 Election:

Officers (one-year term)
Chair — Dawn Columbare, DNP
Vice Chair — Todd Jacobson, MD
Secretary — Lisa Goodell
Treasurer — Marie Carrubba, Esq.

Directors (two-year term)
Mary Alison Burt
Richard Erickson
Scott James
Kristie Peppy

Nominating Committee
Kathy Field
Laurie Goold
Jessica Gugino, Ph.D.
Mary Jo Hamilton
Rebecca Hamlet Kapple

For more information or to indicate you plan to attend the meeting, phone 716-483-2344, extension 90135.

If you have not paid your 2025-26 TRC Membership dues, click here to make a secure, online payment. Your membership demonstrates your commitment to The Resource Center’s mission. In these challenging times, your support of TRC is extremely important. People who pay the $10 Annual membership dues, or the $100 Lifetime membership dues, receive a Membership Card entitling them to discounts at more than 30 local businesses.

A new fund created in memory of a former TRC dentist will support the provision of dental services to people with disabilities.

The Resource Center and Filling the Gap, Inc., have established the Dr. John Vona “Smile” Fund thanks to a $15,000 donation from Dr. Vona’s children (Linda Hart, Dr. David Vona, Sandy Stewart, and Daniel Vona).

The fund is named in memory of Dr. John Vona, who worked in TRC Community Health Center’s Dunkirk Dental Office for 20 years before retiring in 2022. He passed away in Match 2024.

Several months ago, Dr. Vona’s children contacted The Resource Center with the idea of creating the Smile Fund to carry on their father’s legacy of providing compassionate dental care to people with disabilities.

“My dad always believed in treating everyone with dignity and kindness, and his dental practice truly reflected that,” said Linda Hart. “He had such a deep love for this community and was always looking for ways to give back. This fund is a way to carry on his spirit of compassion and make sure his legacy of helping others continues, especially for those who need it most.”

Filling the Gap will use the Smile Fund to help close the gap in oral health services for people with disabilities. “We are incredibly grateful for this new fund and the opportunity it presents to expand vital services to those who need them most,” said Greg Krauza, President of FTG’s Board of Directors.

Dr. Vona’s former colleagues at TRC Community Health Center remember him fondly, and they are thankful for the creation of the Smile Fund and the opportunity to serve more people with disabilities.

“We were so fortunate to work with Dr. Vona at our dental office in Dunkirk for so many years. He was a bright spot in everyone’s day and treated each patient with genuine kindness,” said Heather C. Brown, Vice President for Clinical Operations at The Resource Center and Community Inclusion, Inc., which operates TRC Community Health Center.

“It is an honor that his family has elected to continue his legacy and support of individuals in need of dental care in our community.”

“For those who had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Vona, his unwavering passion for serving people with disabilities left a permanent mark on us all. His kind and compassionate nature that he brought to our practice sets the standard for our continued mission to provide the best healthcare we can to our community,” said Lindsay VandeVelde, Community Inclusion’s Executive Director.

“Our gratitude goes out to the Vona family for their generous establishment of the Smile Fund. Their commitment and supportive gesture foster our mission to meet the oral healthcare needs of individuals with disabilities,” Lindsay added.

 

Dr. Vona, fondly called “Doc” within the community, completed school at the University of Buffalo’s Dental School in 1961 and immediately entered the U.S. Army Reserve Dental division at Ft. Riley, KS. After an honorable discharge, he set down roots in Silver Creek, NY. He had a thriving dental practice for more than 45 years and continued to work well into his mid-80s for The Resource Center at TRC Community Health Center in Dunkirk, NY, where he retired after working 61 years as an area dentist.

He prided himself on building relationships and patient care with a splash of humor. Dr. Vona was a compassionate and highly respected local dentist whose career was defined by kindness, dedication and a heartfelt commitment to serving others — especially individuals with special needs. The “Smile” Fund pays tribute to both his professional legacy and the joy he brought to his patients, co-workers and community.

The Vona family plans to raise money for the fund via the Laurel Memorial Run and Walk, which celebrates people with disabling conditions. The Laurel Run/Walk was created in 1997 by longtime TRC volunteers Wayne and Elaine Hotelling in honor of their daughter Laurel, who had Down syndrome. Dr. Vona regularly attended the event.

“The Laurel Run meant a lot to him,” Linda Hart said of her father, “not just for the cause, but for how it brought people together.”

In addition, Dr. Vona was the dentist for Laurel and her siblings, which enhances the connection between the Vona and Hotelling families.

The Smile Fund joins six other TRC funds that are managed by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

“The Dr. John Vona ‘Smile’ Fund is a beautiful tribute and a meaningful investment in our region’s well-being,” said Tory Irgang, CRCF’s Executive Director. “We are proud to continue our partnership with The Resource Center and grateful to the Vona family for choosing the Foundation as a steward of their father’s legacy.”

People can donate to the Smile Fund at https://fillingthegap.net/donate. Applications for assistance from the Smile Fund are available at Filling the Gap, 716-661-1519.

A local library came up with a wonderful way to acknowledge the financial contributions of a person The Resource Center supports.

Matt S. visits the Falconer Public Library on a regular basis with his Life Coach, Jennifer Herron. When he checks out books and movies, Matt donates a few dollars.

Whenever Matt makes a donation Sandy Thies, Senior Library Clerk, places the money in an envelope with Matt’s name on it. The amount of money in the envelope has grown over time, and recently Sandy used Matt’s contributions to buy a book filled with Dr. Seuss stories.

Sandy put an acknowledgment in the book stating that Matt had donated it. (Matt’s pictured here holding the book alongside Sandy.) Dr. Seuss books are among Matt’s favorites, and he hopes many library visitors will enjoy the book.

We thank Sandy and the Falconer Public Library for celebrating Matt’s contributions in a way that meant a lot to him.