B&L's Golf Tournament will Power Big Changes at Hospital

Many thanks to organizers, sponsors and participants of B&L Wholesale Supply’s charity golf tournament. The 11th annual outing, held at Shadow Pines, Shadow Lake and Greystone golf clubs on Wednesday, June 27, raised $104,041 for Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong.

Attending the teddy bear handoff from OCD were Patricia O'Brien (OCD's 2008 Heart Walk Chairperson, seated, in red); Gary Hartman, Karen Oberhofer, and Ray Jakubowicz (photographer, not in picture).

Heartfelt Teddy Donation

On Tuesday, May 6, representatives from Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, arrived with 235 teddy bears tagged with "heartfelt bear hug" wishes from employees, their friends and family members.

The bears were the result of the second annual "Adopt-A-Bear" fundraiser to benefit both the pediatric cardiology patients at Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong, and the American Heart Association's 2008 Rochester Heart Walk, held April 5th at the Blue Cross Arena.  

Above: The Engebrecht sisters -- Hallie, Evie and Julie -- model in the Gap fashion show.

Day of Beauty Benefits Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong

The 4th annual Girls’ Day Out – held Sunday, May 4, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center – provided beauty and fun for 350 mothers, daughters, granddaughters, sisters and girl friends.

The young girls enjoyed a “princess bounce house,” pottery painting, a magician and a clown; older girls were treated to hair and makeup makeovers and massages; and everyone got a preview of the new clothing styles from the fashion show provided by the Gap.

This year’s event raised more than $5,000 for Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong. Contributors included Shear Ego, Color-Me-Mine Pottery, Onondaga School of Massage, Mary Kay, Showtime Entertainment, KidzPlay and the Grease Paint Alley Clowns.

Batavia Middle School Gives Toys, Holiday Joy

This past holiday season, Batavia Middle School gathered over 1,000 “Wish List” items for patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong in their 3rd annual Holiday Toy Collection.

Items included books, stuffed animals, board games, gingerbread houses, cookies, arts and crafts and baby supplies. Many thanks to those who helped to make the season a little jollier for Golisano Children’s Hospital.

Community Place Makes Quilts for Children's Hospital

Many thanks to members of the Youth Adult Partnership at The Community Place, whose teens sewed and donated colorful quilts to Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong.

The Youth Adult Partnership Project brings together youth and adults stakeholders from Sector 8 in the City of Rochester to plan and implement activities that will improve the quality of life within Sector 8. Youth are trained and taught leadership skills as well as provided opportunities to participate in government and community processes. To learn more, visit www.communityplace.org.

Above, the Bears present Deb Moyer with  a $372 check to assist with the renovations of the Toddler Recovery Room at Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong.

Cruise Raffle Proceeds Support Golisano Children's Hospital

Congratulations to Shirley and Ray Herlan of Brockport, the proud winners of a 2008 Carnival Cruise courtesy of The Tim Milgate Charity Raffle. Shirley purchased her lucky ticket from her grandson at an Ogden Bear Football event.

We'd like to thank the Ogden Bear Football Association and their players for their hard work fundraising/participating in this year's raffle ticket sales, along with Mary Lobene of Nothnagle Realtors in Spencerport, who sponsored the tickets and assisted the program with their efforts.

To learn more about the Milgate family's fundraising efforts for Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong, and how your non-profit group can get involved, visit click here.

Brockport Dance Marathon Rings in 35th year of Generous Support

Students at Brockport High School danced until they dropped March 14 to15 at the 35th annual Brockport High School Leukemia Dance Marathon.

Many thanks to the more than 120 students who participated, grooving for 12 hours straight to raise $14,000 for cancer research underway at Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong.

Kiwanis Club Paves a Quarter Mile of Quarters

The Finger Lakes Kiwanis division raised $4,000 for Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong during their “Quarter Mile of Quarters” event which took place Saturday, March 8 at Eastview Mall.

That's 16,000 quarters that extend one-quarter of a mile, if you line them up -- a lot of change that will bring about a lot of healing for kids in Rochester who need it most!

Junior Girl Scout Troop Helps Make NICU Cozier

In March, Troop 129 made blankets for the NICU at Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong Hospital. The blankets are dark colored
on one side -- so as to simulate the darkness of a mother's womb for the premature babies --and cheery on the other, to help parents identify their baby's area in the busy unit.

Quilters, from left to right: Emily Molinich, Claire Krieger, Joelle Krueger,
Loryn Bucci, Julia Schroth, Katie Thomas, and Shannon Johansen.

Martin's Shopping Spree Helps Children's Hospital

One Victor family had the chance to stock their cupboards for the rest of winter: Jon and Colleen Spiegelhoff set off on a five-minute shopping spree at Martin’s Super Food Store in Perinton. The couple bid $2,250 for the prize at the Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong’s annual Gala, and netted $3,300 worth of goods -- including a $500 wheel of parmesan cheese.

Tops Markets, LLC, which owns Martin’s Super Food Store, is a long-time supporter of Golisano Children’s Hospital, having sold holiday cards and balloons, held Monte Carlo fundraisers and donated fabulous prizes for the hospital’s annual gala.

Caps for Newborns

Kind thanks to Grandparents William and Barbara Pringle (Barbara is the president of the Penn Yan Kiwanis club). In February, they proudly presented cute and cozy hats to the NICU at Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong.

Premature babies are especially close to their heart, the couple said. Their gift will help keep our youngest patients warm and snug as they grow stronger.

National Pancake Day Stacks Up Big for Kids

Kudos to the short-stack scarfing public – specifically those who ventured out to Rochester’s two local IHOP restaurants on Feb. 12, our 3rd National Pancake Day Celebration.

The day-long hotcake fundraiser put customers in a giving mood; the day raised nearly $1,400 in donations to Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong.

Ski Outing Helps Kids

The 6th annual Ski Invitational raised $51,700 for Golisano’s Children’s Hospital at Strong, our community’s only dedicated children’s hospital. 

Between the snowy slopes, superb lunch and the opportunity to network with community business leaders and old friends, the weekend was a hit! Skiers, please mark your calendars for next year; our 7th annual Ski Invitational at Bristol Mountain will be Monday, February 2, 2009!

View a list of event sponsors, here.

Many thanks to Ms. Hartford's third graders, who learned that math projects can not only be fun -- they can help brighten the lives of kids who need it most.

Thousands of Pennies: A Lesson in Math, Caring

Third graders in Ms. Hartford's class at Village Elementary School, in Hilton, learned a lot more than how to work with numbers in thousands -- they learned how their generosity, put together, can help other kids at Golisano Children's Hospital!

Their class coin collection set out to collect 1,000 pennies and dimes. But, by pouring their heart into the project, these ambitious students stunned their teacher, and themselves, meeting their goal six times over! In total, they gathered more that 6,000 coins! The money will help ill and injured kids get better, right here in Rochester.

Tim Hortons Stores' "Chocolaty Charity" Wildly Successful in Rochester

A huge thanks to Rochester area cookie-monsters! By purchasing Smile Cookies at their local Tim Hortons stores during a week-long fundraising effort (Jan. 29 to Feb. 6), they helped raise more than $10,000 for Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong. This brings Tim Hortons' three-year, “chocolaty charity” fundraising total to an impressive $21,000. 

Panera Bread’s Bottomless Mug Kept Folks Cozy with Coffee

Panera Bread sold stainless steel coffee mugs that served as free passes for unlimited coffee refills at any of Rochester’s area stores between October 1 and December 31. Caffeine junkies across the county rejoiced, knowing that $3 from the sale of each mug was donated to Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong...ultimately raising $8,370.

New this year, Panera Bread is placing “Operation Dough-Nation” change boxes nearby registers at their Rochester stores. Learn more about the fundraiser, here.

Genesee Valley Hunt Races Pony-up $5,000 for Children's Hospital

Kind thanks to organizers and attendees of the Genesee Valley Hunt Races held this past fall. The autumn weekend was filled with horse and hound competitions that helped raised $5,000 for our region's only children's hospital. The funds will be put to good use, helping ill and injured kids access the care they need, right here in Rochester.

Area Teens Create Dozens of "Pillows for Strong"

Finding the right pillow does wonders for support -- and these pillow-making teens are "supporting" patients at Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong -- quite literally!

The group of friends created 36 funky, festive pillows to brighten the stays of our patients. Props to them for their creativity -- and for their thoughtfulness toward other kids.

(Left to right): Top row: David Misch, Haley Misch; middle row: Cara Misch, Melissa Kathan; bottom row: Gwen Hoffman, Paife Tisa, Jamie Douthit, Chloe Barker.

During the "Battle of the Beaks," Kelsey, Becky and Mike Fahy (left to right) take a moment to pose with mascots from Golisano Children's Hospital and the Nazareth Golden Flyers.

"Battle of the Beaks" Fundraising Night Nets More Than $7,000 for NICU, PICU

The first annual "Battle of the Beaks" for Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong was wildly successful, thanks to the Student Athlete Advisory Council at Nazareth and the school's assistant athletic trainer, Mike Fahy.  Fahy's daughter Kelsey was born 10 weeks premature and spent 46 days in the NICU at Strong. Thankfully, she just celebrated a healthy third birthday last week. For her parents and the college community alike, this fundraising night (which featured back-to-back Nazareth-St. John Fisher rivalry games) was just a way to say thank you while giving back.

Ten Ugly Men Bestow Gift on Bright Eyes Brain Tumor Treatment Program

Rochester’s renowned 18th annual Ten Ugly Men Festival, held this past July at Genesee Valley Park, in part benefited the Bright Eyes Fund for pediatric brain tumor treatment at Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong.

On Monday night, Nov. 5, the group presented some of the proceeds -- an impressive $25,200 -- to the children's hospital. Sincere thanks to them for their diligent planning, hard work and constant commitment to kids!

Runners Motivated to Help Children's Hospital, Again

The 5th annual Penfield 5K Challenge, held Sunday, Sept. 30, raised more than $1,500 for Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong.

Many thanks to all who ran, and also to Chris Bilow, Kathy Cummins and the Penfield students who organized the benefit.

Golf Tourney Enjoys Boom Year

Many thanks to Ron and Diane Schulmerich, organizers of the 7th annual Western New York Optics Tournament.

The day of golf, held July 19 at Shadow Pines and Shadow Lake, raised $14,500 for Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong, bringing its 7-year fundraising total to more than $43,000.

The snazzy chairs will be used by brothers and sisters visiting their NICU siblings;small enough to be pulled into the unit, the chairs provide a comfy, kid-friendly way to keep nearby mom, dad and baby.

ArtPeace Paints Tiny Chairs for NICU

Hand-painted chairs with global flair were donated to the NICU at Golisano Children's Hospital in late October. The chairs are the creative products of kids from Rochester's Freedom School (School #33) who were involved in local nonprofit, ArtPeace.

The ArtPeace group cultivates positive living by transforming education and creating social change in under served youth and adults via the integration of arts, recreation, technology and entrepreneurship. Its therapeutic underpinnings help create healthy, well-adjusted and responsible young adults who elevate into peacemakers.

Visit ArtPeace's Web site to learn more.

Company Picnic Helps Kids

Two managers from ADT -- Sarah Sheck and Jennifer Stojanov -- are shown "camping out" to raise money for Golisano Children's Hospital.

Their "roughing it" was just example of ADT 's company-wide effort to help hospitalized kids. The hallmark event was a cook-out picnic, replete with a dunking tank (need to relieve office angst, anyone?) Together, the employees raised $1,718.

Seniors Swing for Kids

Men and women from a local senior softball league, joined by friends and family, flocked to McAvoy Park in Irondequoit on Saturday, Sept. 15 for a double-header charity game that raised $1,300 for Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong. Professional umpires donated time, savvy, even money. Players ranged from age 18 to 80 and came from as far away as Syracuse; each gave a donation for the right to participate.

Since members of the seniors’ league began the charity games in 2001, they have raised more than $11,000 for noteworthy causes. More than $8,000 of that sum was given to help hospitalized kids right here in Rochester.

Generous $47,962 Gift from Kohl's will Support the Injury Free Coalition for Kids Rochester Site

Rochester-area Kohl’s associates partnered with Golisano Children’s Hospital’s pediatric emergency doctors and the Office of Traffic Safety to host a special bike safety event for local kids at Fairport’s 3rd annual Music and Food Festival on Saturday afternoon Aug. 25.

The safety event – which included helmet-fitting demonstrations, a “slow” race, coloring contests and “name the bike parts” games – marked an important stride in efforts to protect Rochester’s children. That same day, Kohl’s Cares for Kids® presented a check for nearly $48,000 to Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong’s Injury Free Coalition for Kids program site.

The donation provides much-needed funding to the program, sustaining its community-based efforts to conduct traveling bike safety rodeos, home safety awareness initiatives and seasonal public safety announcements aimed at children and parents.

Ten Ugly Men Fest Supports Bright Eyes Brain Tumor Treatment Program

Rochester’s renowned 18th annual Ten Ugly Men Festival, held Saturday, July 28, in Genesee Valley Park, in part benefited the Bright Eyes Fund for pediatric brain tumor treatment at Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong.

The day packed a full lineup of dodgeball, bocce, volleyball and kickball tournaments, a 5K race, performances by local bands, kids’ activities, and all-you-can-eat ice cream and chicken sandwiches.

Many thanks to those who attended, volunteered, and of course, to the Ten Uglies for their hard work planning and their commitment to children!

Brothers Patrick, Bryan and Mike Kent, and their friend Jon Lewis – all native to Webster – rode 320 miles in 24 hours on Saturday, July 7 as a fundraising challenge for Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong.

The big bike trip, dubbed “The Brothers K Challenge,” drew $3,500 in donations and inspired many. The funds raised will bring comfort to our area’s ill and injured kids as they brave their own journeys on the road to recovery. The brothers would like to thank the sponsors below, without whom they could not have mustered the energy to keep pedaling for kids!

Boy Asks for Children's Hospital Donations in Lieu of Birthday Gifts

Encouraged by his parents to consider helping other kids, Kevin Blum took the suggestion to heart.

So much so, in fact, that he did not unwrap toys at his eighth birthday party; he instead asked his friends for donations and checks, with a hitch: that they be made payable to Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong.

Kevin's birthday kindness -- amounting to $150 -- will help kids his age get better faster and keep comfortable and entertained during their time here at the hospital.

Thank you, Kevin, for your generous example! Your gift is one that will keep on giving.

Wayland-Cohocton Life Skills Class Collects 6,000 Bottles and Cans

The Grades 5 and 6 Life Skills class, taught by Jennifer King, collected, washed and returned $300-worth of cans and bottles.

The money was presented to Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong with a note, which read "This is our way of saying thanks for the loving care provided to all children, especially some of out students."

Congratulations on -- and thank you for -- this most impressive feat!

Fairport Teen Turns Garage into Movie Theater

Fairport teen Maureen Dever hosted a movie night "camp" for neighborhood kids on Saturday night, June 16.

Attended by 21 excited "movie-goers," Dever's event raised funds in multiple ways -- charging admission to a "private showing"of Disney's "High School Musical" and selling cheap theatre-style treats and children's hospital awareness (fundraising) bracelets. The evening raised $150 for Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong.

In the past year Dever has hosted other camps and toy drives to benefit the children's hospital. We're grateful for and are proud of her efforts to champion kids when they need it most.

Wal-Mart Celebrates 20 Years of Support

Our 13 local Wal-Mart stores, Supercenters and Sam’s Club locations have proven stalwart advocates for Golisano Children’s Hospital since 1991, when they first plugged in to the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), a non-profit alliance of premier children’s hospital in North America that’s known for making sure local dollars stay to benefit the community in which they are raised. Rochester-area stores have raised more than $2.3 million to help local kids – for the most part, one dollar at a time.

Learn more about Wal-Mart's commitment to Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong...

Above: Store managers and top-fundraising associates pose for photo at the in-store celebration Thursday morning, May 31, at the Henrietta Wal-Mart Supercenter.

See all photos from the celebration...

A Beary Good Idea

Representatives from the Research & Development Worldwide organization of Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, arrived with 160 teddy bears bearing "heartfelt bear hug" wishes from employees, their friends and family members. 

The bears were the result of an "Adopt-A-Bear" fundraising effort to benefit both the pediatric cardiology patients at Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong and the American Heart Association's 2007 Rochester Heart Walk, held April 21 at the Riverside Convention Center. 

Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics (OCD) is a corporate sponsor of the Rochester Heart Walk.

Girls "Gussy Up" for Good Cause

More than 450 girls of all ages – young and young at heart – enjoyed princess-worthy pampering at the 3rd annual Girls Day Out, a beauty benefit that raised more than $7,000 for Golisano Children’s Hospital.

This year’s event, held Sunday, May 6, in the Lilac Room at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, spoiled young girls some star treatment – mini-manicures, make-up application and hair fashions courtesy of Shear Ego. Moms enjoyed Trish McEvoy makeovers provided by l’avant garbe and massages by Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage. Excess Studios captured the moment with free portraiture.

The afternoon also featured music by Showtime Entertainment, pottery painting by Color Me Mine, balloons and face painting by The Grease Paint Alley Clowns and a “princess bounce house” from Kidzplay. Desserts, coffee and juice rounded out the day, along with a fashion show by The Gap. See more photos, here.

Youth Soccer Team Sells Cruise Raffle Tickets, Draws Winner

On Saint Patrick's Day, players from the Gates Metro Soccer Club's 10 & Under team sold tickets for The Tim Milgate Charity Golf Tournament's 2nd annual Cruise Raffle -- and they raised $325 for Golisano Children's Hospital! (The cruise raffle raises more than $2,000 towards the golf tournament's yearly fundraising total. Led by Deb and Rick Moyer, the tournament has raised more than $71,000 to date!)

Lucky raffle winners Matt and Elsie Laville are also ardent children's hospital supporters.

The Tim Milgate Charity Golf Tournament has supported Golisano Children's Hospital for the past 6 years. To learn more about the golf outing, click here.

(Pictured: top,left to right: Coach Perry, Ryan C., Matt W., Austin P., Justin R., Christian C., Shane M., and Coach Sam.; bottom: Deb Moyer phones the winners!)

Read the press release, here.

Sabres and Amerks Alumni Face Off in Charity Hockey Game

Alumni from The Rochester Americans and The Buffalo Sabres competed in the 2nd annual charity game at the Blue Cross Arena on Sunday, March 25. The blast from the past pitted former players against each other for lively rivalry that raised more than $4,000 for Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong!

Former children’s hospital patient Cal Livingston, a Geneseo High School hockey and football player, dropped the puck.