The Resource Center is pleased to welcome Rebecca Hamlet Kapple and Alan Richards to its Board of Directors.

Rebecca was elected to the Board at The Resource Center’s Annual Meeting. She worked in TRC’s Rehabilitation and Employment Services departments for eight years before joining Kelly Services in Dunkirk, where she serves as a Senior Account Talent Manager. She remained active with TRC after taking her new job, serving on the Board’s Nominating Committee and helping to organize the annual Laurel Memorial Run & Walk in Silver Creek.

A Chautauqua County native, Rebecca grew up in Sheridan and graduated from Silver Creek Central School. She earned her bachelor degree from Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire.

Rebecca is an owner/grower for the National Grape Association; is a member of the Concord Spellbinders Toastmasters Club; and serves on the Workforce Council of the Cassadaga Job Corps Center. Active in the community, she is the Vice President of the United Way of Northern Chautauqua County’s Board of Trustees and chairs its Nominating Committee, and she serves on the Grape Association’s Nominating Committee.

Rebecca lives in Westfield with her husband, Marc, and their three children. She enjoys reading books and spending time with family on their farms.

TRC officials are glad to have her on the Board.

“We’re pleased to have been able to reengage Rebecca in our governance process,” said Executive Director Denise Jones. “Her experience as a former staff member brings a unique perspective to the Board.”

Alan was appointed to the Board to succeed longtime member Carole Johnson after she stepped down. He began volunteering at TRC in 2015, assisting in the Day Habilitation and Clinical programs on Jones & Gifford Avenue in Jamestown. He and his wife were inspired to volunteer because her parents had been longtime TRC volunteers, and she had a sister who received supports from The Resource Center for decades. A certified public accountant, Alan subsequently joined TRC’s Finance Committee. After joining the Board, he agreed to represent The Resource Center on The Arc New York’s Board of Governors.

He graduated from Geneva College and spent his career as a hospital accounting and reimbursement consultant. Alan is a congregant of the Busti Church of God and is a member of The Gideons International. He lists among his interests “anything that floats, especially wooden boats.”

He and he wife, Sharon, live in West Ellicott and are the parents of two adult sons.

“Our Board has benefitted from Alan’s knowledge and experience in the health care and finance fields,” Denise said. “In addition, his longtime deep, personal connection to our organization brings some depth and history to the Board and serves as a bridge between our past and the present.”

The Resource Center is a not-for-profit organization that supports people with disabilities and their families in Chautauqua County. TRC also provides a variety of health, dental and mental health services to anyone. In addition, The Resource Center operates manufacturing facilities in Dunkirk and Jamestown that perform subcontracting work for local businesses and the federal government. The Resource Center is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors, whose members volunteer their time and talents.

The Resource Center recently honored the staff at one of its homes after the residence underwent a positive survey from New York State inspectors.

Employees who work at one of The Resource Center’s homes on Gifford Avenue in Celoron were honored with TRC’s agency-wide Staff Appreciation Award for the fourth quarter of 2018. TRC officials held a luncheon at the home to honor staff and thank each employee for his or her contributions to the positive survey. Residents of the home, known as the Celoron A Intermediate Care Facility (ICF), have significant health issues.

Mark Morton, TRC’s assistant executive director of employee relations, presented awards to the Celoron A employees who were able to attend the luncheon. He noted that Coty Anderson, the residence coordinator who oversees the home, had nominated Celoron A staff fir the award. Anderson’s nomination stated that the employees “were essential in Celoron A’s survey, which resulted in no deficiencies and no recommendations. Celoron A is a very medically intense home with a lot going on, and the staff were and continue to be amazing and provide such fantastic care.”

“It takes a tremendous team effort on the part of all the staff to have a deficiency-free survey in an ICF that provides a home to individuals with such complex physical and medical needs,” Morton said. “The most important part of the results of survey is that it reflects all that you are doing each and every day for the individuals you support.”

He added that the surveyors observed that Celoron A “is an incredible program, the level of nursing care is incredible, and respectful care means as much, if not more than, a deficiency-free survey. It also provides further indication of your daily commitment to providing quality services and supports.”

Morton noted that the home opened in January 1987 with 14 residents who previously had lived in deplorable conditions at institutions such as the Willowbrook State School. Morton had been involved in selecting the people who would come to TRC from Willowbrook, and he told the Celoron A staff that “it was and still is noteworthy to have been part of the closing of the horrible institution.” He added that three of Celoron A’s original residents still live there, which he said was amazing given the medical issues experienced by people who typically live in an ICF. “I can also say with 100 percent assurance those who lived here and passed away had a much better quality of life in the years they lived here,” Morton said.

Other TRC administrators praised the Celoron A staff. Virginia Vath, assistant executive director of quality assurance, quality improvement and compliance, noted that the “surveyors commented on all of the little things” such as the staff’s compassion toward the residents. “You guys are doing an outstanding job.”

Joanne Bevan, assistant executive director of intellectual and disability services, added that surveyors noted staff’s “exemplary medical care. That’s a huge, huge compliment.”

“We congratulate you for all your knowledge and teamwork,” said Mary Jo Hamilton, director of intellectual and disability services.

In recognition of receiving the quarterly staff appreciation award, Celoron A employees were given a monetary award and a certificate.

About 140 people were recognized for their years of dedicated service to improving the lives of people with disabilities when The Resource Center held its 34th annual Employee Service Recognition Luncheon.

The event, held January 15 at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron, honored employees and members of the board of directors who, during 2018, reached milestone years of service with The Resource Center.

The longest-serving employees recognized at this year’s event were Karl Erb of Mayville, a direct support professional (DSP) aide in TRC’s day habilitation program on Lake Shore Drive in Dunkirk, and Mark Morton of Jamestown, assistant executive director for employee relations. They both have been working at The Resource Center for 40 years.

“I’ve had a really great time working here at The Resource Center,” Erb said. “I’ve made a lot of good friends, and had some really fine experiences, and learned a lot, and I feel really rewarded.”

In accepting his award, Morton noted that much has changed at The Resource Center since he joined the agency in 1978, “but the one constant that made it a great place to work then and a great place to work now is the people – the people who receive services, the staff who provide services and supports.”

He added, “I am so thankful for TRC for providing the opportunity for me to make a living and have a career doing what I love to do best: working with individuals who have a disability and working with those who provides services and supports to individuals who have a disability.”

Honored for 35 years of service with TRC were:
Linda Braun of Jamestown, supervising nurse
John DePane of Jamestown, staff development specialist
Jennifer Frederick of Jamestown, residence manager
Deborah Rapp of Jamestown, day services supervisor

“I love what I do every day when I get up in the morning, and it’s because of the people we support and certainly the people I’ve been honored to work with,” DePane said.

“I really, truly love coming to my job every single day,” Rapp told the audience. “To all of the new people in our agency: if you have that in your soul, you will know it.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employees recognized for being with the agency for 30 years were:
Dr. Robert Ellis of Stockton, senior psychologist
Rebecca Mirek of Dunkirk, day services supervisor
George Mitchell Jr. of Jamestown, maintenance helper
Karen Moynihan of Ashville, transportation manager

Those completing 25 years of employment were:
Faith Baker of Jamestown, employment services administrator
Roselle Cash of Brocton, direct support professional (DSP) lead
Pamela Cranston of Westfield, dental assistant
Debra Hall of Bemus Point, DSP careerist
Bruce Main of Jamestown, case manager
Cynthia Neu of Jamestown, manager of personalized recovery-oriented services
Philip Opeil of Forestville, production maintenance technician
Barry Simmons Jr. of Jamestown, mechanic
Philip Thomas of Jamestown, residence manager
Suzanne Tracy of Sinclairville, day services supervisor
Donald Traynor of Bemus Point, staff development specialist
Steven Waterson of Jamestown, community relations director
Kristen Wilson of Jamestown, DSP lead

Recognized for 20 years of service were:
Shawn Avery, Jamestown, community coach
Lela Berry, Panama, residence coordinator
Frances Carlson, Mayville, secretary
Leslie Fickling, Celoron, family care/self-advocacy coordinator
Katrina Gibson, Jamestown, DSP careerist
Wendy Giunta, Jamestown, RC
Ke-Khee Greenough, Silver Creek, mental health clinician
Beverly Heglund, Jamestown, community coach
Robert Sherbine, Jamestown, DSP lead
Jessica Smith, Jamestown, residence coordinator
Jill Suter, Jamestown, day services supervisor
Karen York, Jamestown, DSP aide

Honored for 15 years of service were:
Sondra Apperson, Jamestown, DSP lead
Joanne Bevan, Erie, assistant executive director for program operations
Christine Burger, Jamestown, DSP aide
Jennifer Clark, Dunkirk, DSP careerist
Angela Dalrymple, Bemus Point, DSP careerist
Ernest Green Jr., Falconer, licensed practical nurse (LPN)
Troy Hicks, Jamestown, general aide
Christopher Howard, Jamestown, nurse manager
Dr. Todd Jacobson, Jamestown, board of directors
Lynn Ling, Lakewood, DSP careerist
Erin Lutgen, Jamestown, DSP lead
Thomas Mabes, Stockton, maintenance specialist
Maria Martinez, Jamestown, general aide
Pennifer McCartney, Mayville, community coach
Alberta Monagle, Jamestown, DSP lead
Brandey Oakes, Lakewood, integrated site manager
Jennifer Peters, Jamestown, industrial specialist
Lisa Peterson, Falconer, residence manager
Tammy Sawyer, Cherry Creek, DSP
Kimberly Scoma, Jamestown, site supervisor
Barbara Stewart, Jamestown, board of directors
Julie Swanson, Lakewood, internal auditor
Tina Uber, Jamestown, DSP careerist
Julie Vogan, Jamestown, residence coordinator

Completing 10 years of service in 2018 were:
Dustin Allen of Jamestown, DSP careerist
Sandra Biggers, Sinclaurville, residence manager
Cherie Bunce, Corry, coordinator of nursing services
Bonnie Clark, Jamestown, LPN
Christopher Clark, Jamestown, DSP aide
Katie Cleland, Jamestown, medical aide
Rita Cybulski, Jamestown, DSP aide
Yvonne Gilbert, Dunkirk, lead manufacturing supervisor
Stacy Harrington, Mayville, residence coordinator supervisor
Shawn Johnson, Jamestown, DSP lead
Lori Lang, Warren, site manager insurance specialist
Tammy Mancuso, Jamestown, cook
Danny Mealy Sr., Jamestown, industrial specialist
Dr. Adnan Munir, Lakewood, physician
Elizabeth Nuhfer, Jamestown, DSP careerist
Kelly Patterson, Jamestown, DSP careerist
Gwen Sample, Jamestown, accounts payable clerk
Noelle Saulter, Buffalo, DSP lead
Laura Seiberg, Bemus Point, nurse manager
Haeden Smith, Ashville, DSP aide
Tabatha Stenstrom, Jamestown, life coach
LeeAnn Sunderlin, Jamestown, DSP aide
Connie Truax, Sinclairville, cook
Rita Varney-Smith, South Dayton, case manager
Andrea Vullo, Frewsburg, bookkeeper
Shelly Williamson, Dunkirk, DSP lead
Philip Wright, Ashville, behavior technician

Recognized for five years of service were:
Tanya Baker, Jamestown, general aide
Leslie Bamburoski, Lakewood, residence manager
Courtney Beckerink, Jamestown, self-determination assistant
Angelica Camacho, Jamestown, LPN
Scott Cappa, Jamestown, community coach
CodyAnne Chambers, Ripley, employment facilitator
Melinda Covell, Kennedy, certified occupational therapy assistant
Amy Curtin, Bemus Point, DSP lead
Jonathan DeSantis, Jamestown, health coach
Jennifer DeWolf, Sheridan, DSP careerist
Jennifer Diaz, Dunkirk, patient registrar
Leslie DiNapoli, Jamestown, accounts receivable clerk
Brittany Dorman, Dunkirk, community coach
Stefanie Gifford, Lakewood, residence manager
Kenley Goodwin, Jamestown, DSP lead
David Gowan, Jamestown, DSP careerist
Paige Green, Kennedy, general aide
Valery Guerrero, Brocton, DSP aide
Donna Haenggi, Lakewood, board of directors
Samuel Hicks, Ashville, DSP lead
Kaylie Himes, Cattaraugus, DSP careerist
Edythe Johnson, Jamestown, community coach
Janice Johnson, Lakewood, human resources specialist
Charles Klenke, Jamestown, purchasing agent
Joseph Koterass, Kennedy, LPN
Bethanne Landy, Celoron, driver
Melissa Lauffenburger, Frewsburg, LPN
Coryn Majck, Fredonia, self-determination assistant
Amanda Majewski, Mayville, site supervisor
Dante Moore, Panama, DSP careerist
Kenneth Moskwa, Jamestown, cook
Lacie Munson, Jamestown, LPN
Megan Nation, Randolph, job coach
Aliza Neal, Frewsburg, job coach
Tara Nitkiewicz, Sherman, residence coordinator
Lynford Osgood, Jamestown, assistant residence manager
Michelle Pattison, Cassadaga, day services supervisor
Patricia Perlee, Jamestown, board member
Todd Rapp, Jamestown, registered nurse
John Rogers, Falconer, production maintenance technician
Lisa Roland, Forestville, DSP lead
Allison Rounds, Falconer, patient access specialist
Jodi Sadlowe, Jamestown, accounts receivable specialist
Alice Sanchez, Falconer, lead manufacturing supervisor
Gina Sink, Jamestown, applied behavioral science specialist
Ada Sommers, Kennedy, community coach
Joshua Straight, Jamestown, business systems analyst
Lexi Stroebel, Mayville, medical aide
Shannon Studd, Jamestown, human resources specialist
Shelby Surrena, Frewsburg, behavior intervention specialist
Carl Swanson, Jamestown, community coach
Linda Ward, Lily Dale, licensed certified social worker

Employees were called forward one at a time to be thanked for their years of dedicated service. Staff with 15 or more years at The Resource Center received a monetary award and a gift (40 years – picture frame; 35 years – clock; 30 years – paperweight; 25 years – pen and letter opener; 20 years and 15 years – jacket or fleece). Employees with 10 or five years of service received a jacket or a fleece.

Welcoming remarks were given by Morton.

“If you have been here for at least five years,” Morton said, “at some point along the way you made a commitment to share your talents, use your knowledge, develop your expertise, and give a part of yourself to The Resource Center mission and the people we serve.”

Remarks also were made by Executive Director Denise Jones and R. Michael Goldman, board president.

Jones said she was not aware of any other organization that takes time to honor so many of its employees on an annual basis. “It’s always striking, the teamwork that we have here, and all of the history that we have as an organization. So thank you all for making that commitment to the people that we support, to your team members and to the organization. It really is appreciated.”

The Resource Center has been supporting Chautauqua County residents with disabilities, and their families, since 1958. The agency also offers a variety of health-related services that are available to anyone in the community; these services include primary care, dental care, counseling and psychiatric services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, audiology, and podiatry.

Beth Jermain and Karen Williamson have received The Resource Center’s top employee honors for 2018.

Jermain, The Resource Center’s support option administrator, received the Joseph Trusso Jr. Employee of the Year Award for the positive difference she has made in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, not only in 2018 but throughout her 30-year career at TRC. She is committed to assisting people with disabilities to attain their ideal lives.

Jermain was nominated for the award by Terri Johnson, TRC’s director of employment and community-based services.

“Beth truly listens to what people have to say and helps them to achieve their goals. Whenever anyone puts up barriers, she does whatever she can to help the person jump over the barriers,” Johnson said. “She spends not only her entire work day but also her evenings and weekends to enhance the independence and integration of people with disabilities. She is a lifelong learner who strives to not only push herself and the people she has supported, but the entire TRC staff. She takes the time to educate people on the agency’s core belief of person-centered thinking.”

Johnson said Jermain is passionate about helping people achieve greater independence and will do what she can to help them succeed. “Even as her roles have changed over the years, Beth continues to give TRC and the people she supports her time and attention. Beth has supported people even after services ended and continues to be a support to many,” Johnson said.

She noted that during the past year, Jermain has been asked to help lead an initiative to work with local businesses to identify employees who need assistance in order to maintain successful employment, and that Jermain “dove in feet first and is giving it her all and continuing to learn things along the way.”

Jermain is grateful for her long career at TRC and for having opportunities to assist people with disabilities.

“I have always been thankful for and cherished the many opportunities I have been given to support people to obtain some of their life goals, in pursuit of the enriched life that they are yearning and striving for,” she said.  “It has been an honor to have them trust me, depend on me and allow me to assist them to overcome and/or manage the challenges they are facing.   It is very exciting to be a trusted partner in their journey.

“I am also very appreciative of TRC for helping me reveal my strengths, find my passions and put them to good use in carrying out the agency’s mission.  My strengths have always been nurtured, and I have always been trusted and given the autonomy I need to do my best.”

The Employee of the Year Award is named in honor of Joe Trusso, a former Chautauqua County legislator who served on TRC’s board of directors for 38 years. Trusso died last year, so two of his relatives who happen to work for The Resource Center – niece Resa Rosen-Murray and daughter-in-law Donna Trusso – were on hand to reminisce about Trusso and to help present the award to Jermain during TRC’s 34^th annual Employee Service Recognition Luncheon.

The Resource Center’s other major employee honor is the Norma J. Smith Award. It is presented to a non-supervisory staff member who has excelled in providing direct support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The award was given to Williamson, who has worked for TRC since 1989 and is a direct support professional lead at the day habilitation program on Fluvanna Avenue in Jamestown.

“Karen leads her team with excellence and is truly dedicated to improving the lives of those who receive services from us,” said her supervisor, Autumn Wilson. “Karen has the ability to look at the big picture and see possibilities instead of barriers. Her experience has given her wisdom to know that things don’t always improve overnight, but with diligence and caring the possibilities are endless.”

Wilson said that the efforts of Williamson and her team have led to a number of successful outcomes. She cited the experiences of two people in the day program who have gone from being withdrawn and occasionally aggressive, to now enjoying happy lives.

“Karen believes that all people should be treated equally and that any dream can be achieved with the right supports,” Wilson said. “Her positivity and obvious caring are credit to for the success of these individuals to be able to make friends and enjoy new experiences. Karen is a perfect example of a direct support professional who is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for persons receiving services from The Resource Center.”

The award was created in memory of the late Norma Smith, who worked as a direct support professional at The Resource Center from 1983 to 1991.

The Resource Center is celebrating its 60^th anniversary of improving the lives of people with disabilities, and area residents are invited to join the celebration by becoming members of TRC.

The Resource Center is a membership organization, and membership is open to anyone 18 and older who believes in TRC’s mission of supporting people with disabilities to enjoy meaningful, satisfying lives. Membership dues are $10 per year.

Those who become members will receive a 2019 membership card offering discounts at these businesses:

• Applebee’s
• Arby’s
• Circle Mechanical
• Comfort Inn
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car
• Everyday’s Super True Value
• Flowers by Anthony
• Jamestown Bowling Company
• Jamestown Cycle Shop
• Lander’s Men’s Store
• Lucy Town Sweets at the Basket Company
• The Main Landing Restaurant
• Midas Auto Service
• Orkin Pest & Termite Control
• Peterson’s Candies
• RydersCup Coffee
• Salon 1
• Sandee’s Bakery
• Serenity Salon and Spa
• The Resource Center

The discounts can be used over and over throughout the year.

TRC members who join The Resource Center’s email list will be kept up to date on things taking place at The Resource Center, and they are invited to attend TRC’s annual meeting in June. Area residents who become members of The Resource Center also can take pride knowing their support gives TRC a stronger voice when the organization advocates on behalf of people with disabilities.

To become a member, send a $10 check to The Resource Center, 200 Dunham Avenue, Jamestown, NY, 14701, and write “membership” on the memo line. You can pay your membership dues online. For more information about membership (including how your business can join our Membership Discount Program), or to have a membership form sent to you, contact Steve Waterson at 716-661-4735 or at [email protected].

Those looking to enjoy a fun night out while supporting people with disabilities should plan to attend the third annual Sassy Baggs & Beyond “Blingo” fund-raiser Wednesday, February 6.

The event will be held at The Resource Center’s administrative offices at 200 Dunham Avenue in Celoron. Doors will open at 6:00, with the Blingo games starting at 7:00. Those planning to attend should park in the rear lot and use the entrance at the top of the ramp.

The evening will feature 12 games of bingo, with handbags (from designers such as Fossil, Betsy Johnson, Michael Kors, and Jessica Simpson) as prizes. In between the Blingo games, there will be drawings for additional prizes donated by area merchants.

Admission is $20. Included in the cost of admission are the Blingo games and a chance to win a door prize.

The event is being organized by Filling the Gap, Inc., which works with The Resource Center to improve the lives of people with disabilities in Chautauqua County. Money raised through Sassy Baggs & Beyond Blingo will benefit The Resource Center Look Good Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.   The Look Good Fund was established by former area resident and Resource Center Board of Directors member Margaret Look, who wanted people with disabilities to be able to obtain money for things such as a haircut or new work clothes.

Blingo organizers saw a large increase in the number of attendees last year, and they expect even more people will attend this year’s event.

“It’s a fun night out for the gals and a perfect Valentine’s gift for your sweetie,” said Victoria Trass Bardo, Development and Events Manager for Filling the Gap. She added that while the event mainly attracts women, men are welcome to come and play Blingo.

Tickets are available at The Resource Center’s offices on Dunham Avenue and at Filling the Gap’s offices inside the Felice Corporate Center at 92 Fairmount Avenue in Jamestown. There are a limited number of tickets, and if the event does not sell out, then tickets will be available at the door. For more information, phone Vicky at 661-1477.

The success of The Resource Center’s employee wellness program has again garnered national recognition.

Donna Trusso, the Manager of TRC’s STARS wellness program, recently was named to the Corporate Health and Wellness Association’s 2018 “Well-being 100” list of wellness leaders. The Well-being 100 Awards honor professionals, consultants, agents and brokers in the human resources, wellness and benefits fields who have done a good job in engaging employees to become healthier. Donna and the other award recipients were recognized during the annual HEALTHCARE ЯEVOLUTION convention in Orlando, FL.

“At a time when employers need to hone in on cost-effective strategies to improve the health and well-being of their employees, Well-being 100 Awards seeks to sift through the white noise and shine a spotlight on the real success stories,” said Renée-Marie Stephano, President of the Corporate Health and Wellness Association and editor in chief of Corporate Wellness Magazine, in announcing the awards program.  “People are truly making a difference that will create more high-performance organizations.”

More than 500 people were nominated. The top 100 wellness leaders were not ranked, but the top 20 received recognition as wellness champions. Though not placing in the top 20, Donna was happy to be included among the top 100 wellness leaders.

“It really was quite an honor,” she said.

Donna said she was surprised to learn she had been nominated for a Well-being 100 Award. She said that when she became a certified corporate wellness specialist in 2016, she met some people affiliated with HEALTHCARE ЯEVOLUTION. They kept tabs on what Donna and her STARS team have been doing at The Resource Center, and this year they decided to nominate Donna.

The Well-being 100 Award follows on the heels of TRC being named one of America’s 100 healthiest workplaces for a third straight year. Donna said that while the Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America competition recognizes successful wellness programs, the Well-being 100 Awards spotlight the program managers who deal with the day-to-day operations.

“I really don’t consider myself a leader. I’m just doing my job to the best of my ability,” Donna said. “It takes a team. I’ve got a wonderful team.”

She said one of the reasons The Resource Center receives such positive recognition is that TRC operates its own full-time, in-house wellness program, whereas many other companies contract with outside vendors to operate their wellness programs. Ultimately, Donna said, it’s TRC’s workforce that has made the STARS program so successful.

“A lot of the credit has to go to the people who have bought into this and are trying to make improvements in their lives,” she said.

Implemented several years ago, the STARS wellness program assesses each person along five key life dimensions: basic needs, physical health, mental wellness, family/social relationships, and employment. STARS participants enjoy the opportunity to meet with a certified health coach to develop and monitor a personalized wellness plan; discounts on their health care costs and wellness activities; and the ability to earn incentive points that can be redeemed for prizes.

Participation in the wellness program is voluntary. Many of the STARS activities, such as health coaching and the lunch-and-learn series, are open to all TRC employees, not just those who are enrolled in STARS. For 2019, Donna said the program will expand to allow all TRC employees to earn incentive points.

There will be a long break in the action after the Jamestown Rebels score their first goal at the Northwest Arena on Friday, December 7.

That’s because the Rebels’ first goal will be a signal to fans to throw teddy bears onto the ice in a promotion to benefit The Resource Center’s Marine Toys for Tots drive.

The third annual Teddy Bear Toss will take place that night. The past two years, fans threw stuffed bears onto the ice during the intermission between the first and second periods. This year, Rebels’ representatives suggested making the event more exciting by having the team’s first goal be the trigger to start the Teddy Bear Toss.

Fans are encouraged to bring new, stuffed bears to throw onto the ice. The bears will be given to Toys for Tots. For people who forget to bring a teddy bear to the game, the Rebels plan to have bears for sale. Proceeds will be donated to Toys for Tots.

TRC officials are grateful the Rebels were willing to conduct a Teddy Bear Toss again this year.

“We appreciate the Rebels’ willingness to do the Teddy Bear Toss promotion,” said Steve Waterson, community relations director. “Last year we saw a big increase in the number of bears that were thrown onto the ice, so we anticipate there will be even more next Friday. The community really gets behind Toys for Tots, and this is a fun way for fans to support the toy drive.” He noted that hundreds of TRC employees plan to attend the game.

Rebels’ officials also are looking forward to the Teddy Bear Toss.

“The Jamestown Rebels are thrilled to partner with The Resource Center and Toys for Tots for this special night,” said Tommy Gerace, director of community relations. “Both organizations provide tremendous support to the Jamestown community and its surrounding areas, and the Rebels are happy to host the annual Teddy Bear Toss in support of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots.”

The Rebels’ opponent for Friday’s game is the Johnstown Tomahawks. Game time is 7:05.

This marks the 18^th straight year that The Resource Center has coordinated the Marine Toys for Tots drive in Chautauqua County. Last year more than 2,600 children received toys, and organizers expect to assist about that many children this year.

For more information about Toys for Tots, visit www.toysfortots.org or phone 661-1042.

People looking to do some holiday shopping will have two opportunities to do so at The Resource Center.

From 8:30 to 3:00 Friday, December 7, TRC will hold its 19^th annual Craft Bazaar at its Michael J. Raymond Center, 75 Jones & Gifford Avenue in Jamestown. Hand-crafted items, baked goods and flavored coffees will be featured. There will be prize drawings. Lunch will be available for purchase. Visitors also are invited to tour the facility and learn more about the activities and opportunities available to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Resource Center supports people with disabilities and their families in Chautauqua County. Proceeds from the craft bazaar will benefit people in TRC’s day habilitation programs. For more information about the craft bazaar, phone 661-4800.

The following day, TRC will host its annual Holiday Shopping Extravaganza at its administrative office building, 200 Dunham Avenue. The event, which runs from 10:00 to 4:00, will feature more than 30 vendors. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase, and there will be a Chinese auction.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Marine Toys for Tots program. While admission to the craft show is free, attendees are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the toy drive. This is the 18^th straight year that The Resource Center has coordinated the Marine Toys for Tots drive in Chautauqua County.

Those planning to attend the December 8 craft show should park in the rear lot off of Alleghany Avenue and enter the building through the door at the top of the ramp. For more information about the event, phone Evelyn Wright-Kegelmyer at 661-1429.

Tuesday, November 27, is #GivingTuesday, a day that not-for-profit organizations across the country seek online donations from their supporters and followers. As part of #GivingTuesday, The Resource Center and Filling the Gap, Inc., are joining hundreds of other organizations in New York State to participate in an initiative called #NYGivesDay.

We are asking people to donate to our “Dream On” Kathy Seastedt Memorial Fund. The Dream On Fund is administered by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. The fund provides money for Chautauqua County residents with disabilities who have urgent needs.  We’ve provided money for things such as:

• enabling a woman to travel to Pennsylvania to visit her aunt after her mother died.
• repairing a couple’s heating system.
• paying for Sign Language classes.
• helping a woman realize for college dream by paying for her room and board.
• enabling people with disabilities to go to summer camp.
• buying eyeglasses, medicine and other needed health-related items.
• making car repairs.
• buying household items such as beds, refrigerators and stoves.

Often, it doesn’t take much money to help someone in need.  For the 2017-18 fiscal year, we spent $20,292.22 to assist 89 people, which averages out to about $228 per person.  And in the case of those who needed help with their rent or utilities, the Dream On Fund enabled about 30 people to keep a roof over their heads or keep the lights on.

The Dream On Fund is named in memory of Kathy Seastedt, who was a 25-year employee of The Resource Center when she died unexpectedly in 2008.  Kathy had a passion for supporting people with disabilities.  “Dream On” was chosen as the fund’s name because that was name of Kathy’s favorite song by her favorite band, Aerosmith.

As part of #NYGivesDay, incentive prizes will be awarded to organizations that are successful in raising online donations. Here is a list of the prizes that are up for grabs:

First Donation of the Day
(A $250 prize will be awarded to the organization that receives the first online donation.)

Golden Ticket Hours (10:00 – 11:00 a.m.)
(A $250 prize will be awarded to a randomly selected organization that receives an online donation during this hour.)

Lunch Hour Mania (12:00 – 1:00 p.m.)
(A $250 prize will be awarded to a randomly selected organization that receives an online donation during this hour.)

Night Owl (10:00 – 11:00 p.m.)
(A $250 prize will be awarded to a randomly selected organization that receives an online donation during this hour.)

Most Unique Donors
(A $500 prize will be awarded to the organization that has the highest number of unique donors from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.)

Most Dollars Raised
(A $500 prize will be awarded to the organization that raises the most dollars from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.)

Visit https://www.nygivesday.org/organizations/filling-the-gap-inc to make a donation! Thanks for your support!