Nov. 3, 15
Adoption STAR marks Adoption Month
The Buffalo chapter of Adoption STAR is celebrating National Adoption Month this month with two events. The celebration focuses attention on the children in the child welfare system. Currently there are more than 100,000 children and youth in the U.S. foster care system that are waiting for permanent families. The agency helps place those children with adoptive parents.
• Wine tasting fundraiser for Adoption STAR. This event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 3, at Georgetown Square Wine and Liquor, located at 5225 Sheridan Drive, Williamsville. Tickets are $25 and include wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres and the chance to win raffle baskets
• National Adoption Month celebration and open house. This event is sponsored by Key Bank and will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Adoption STAR, 131 John Muir Drive, Amherst. This family-friendly, free event will feature: vendor tables from a wide variety of Western New York-based businesses and organizations; information on Adoption STAR, Family STAR and Tapestry Books; activities for school-aged children; and a keepsake art project specifically geared toward adoptive families, among other things. At 1 p.m. Joe Vitale and Rob Talmas (Adoption STAR adoptive dads and co-plaintiffs in the lawsuit that legalized gay marriage throughout the United States), who make a presentation focusing on how the adoption of their son Cooper unexpectedly led them all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States.
To RSVP and purchase your ticket to the event, visit www.adoptionstar.com and click on the link for the event on our homepage or call development associate Kristin Ackerman at 716-639-3900.
Nov. 5
Workshop for caregivers in Cheektowaga
“Caregivers: This Day is for You” is the theme of free day of workshops for caregivers set 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nov. 5, at the Millennium Airport Hotel, 2040 Walden Ave., Cheektowaga. The event is sponsored by the Western New York Alzheimer’s Caregiver Partnership (WNYACP) and the Erie County Caregiver Coalition.
Caregivers will learn ways to reduce stress and make everyday chores easier. Whether caring for a loved one who is physically frail or one who has memory loss, participants will find useful information. Workshops include legal and financial issues, the cost of care, creating a back-up plan and laughter yoga.
Supervision for memory impaired adults will be available; lunch and materials will be provided.
WNYACP connects caregivers of persons with dementia to the support and services they need to reduce their burden and prevent burnout. Services include caregiver education, support groups, assessment, respite, joint enrichment events and transportation. WNYACP is funded through a New York State Department of Health grant and is composed of Catholic Charities of Buffalo, Alzheimer’s Association, WNY Chapter, and the Aging Services of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara and Wyoming counties.
The Erie County Caregiver Coalition promotes community awareness, sensitivity to, and action around caregiving issues. It is composed of 52 agencies and facilities in the county that serve and work with caregivers.
Reservations are required. Call 716-858-2022 or email caregiver@erie.gov to make a reservation and for information about supervision for your loved one that day.
For more information about WNYACP, go to wnyacp.org, or call Catholic Charities at 716- 896-6388. For information on volunteer opportunities, contact the WNYACP volunteer coordinator at 716-896-6388 ext. 226.
Nov. 3
Veteran’s Day Celebration to support PTSD clinic
The local Association of the Airborne 3rd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group of the United States Army National Guard will sponsor a patriotic Veterans Day celebration from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 11, at Russell J. Salvatore’s Patriots & Heroes Park, 6675 Transit Road, Williamsville.
The celebration and the “Jump In On PTSD” reception will benefit the Jack H. Wisby, Jr. PTSD Clinic at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Batavia. The reception inside Russell’s Steaks Chops & More and Salvatore’s Grand Hotel is hosted by Russell J. Salvatore.
The Veterans Day celebration in the Park begins at 4 p.m. with a USO-style musical performance by Music On The Front Lines, led by founder, CEO and music director Van Taylor and COO Ron Walker, both of whom are members of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.
All funds raised at the “Jump In On PTSD” event goes directly to assist Veterans at the clinic and the accompanying “Center for Hope,” a new resident facility for female veterans.
Those wishing to contribute are encouraged to make checks to: VA WNY Healthcare System, and on the memo line, enter “GPF 1935 PTSD Residential Treatment Program.” This ensures every cent goes to the Jack H. Wisby, Jr. PTSB Clinic. Donations may be sent to CSM Alfred R. LaChance (RET), “Financial Minister,” 4732 Porter Center Road, Lewiston, NY, 14092.
For more information about the event, contact call 716-735-9441 or send an email to Sneakypete5@live.com.
Nov. 19
Pancreatic cancer group holds 5K, Fun Day event
The seventh annual Step It Up! Cure Pancreatic Cancer 5K & Family Fun, sponsored by the Pancreatic Cancer Association of WNY, will take place starting at noon, Nov. 19, at Gordon Field House on the campus of Rochester Institute of Technology, One Lomb Memorial Drive. The 5K walk will start at 1:30 p.m.
Organizers say this will be an afternoon of fun for the whole family with entertainment, raffles and activities for all ages. There will be princesses, team mascots, and Batman as well as jugglers and Zumba.
Proceeds benefit local research efforts that will help provide a comprehensive approach to fighting pancreatic cancer.
Registration fees are $25 adults ($30 day of event); $15 students (age 13-21) and $5 for children from 4 to 12. It’s free for those under the age 3.
Free participation gift for all paid registrants (while supplies last).
For more information or to register visit www.pcawny.org/Step_It_Up_5K.html.
Through Nov. 19
Schofield features mother-daughter art team
Oil paintings of Kenmore Arts Society member Dorothy Pennell will be on display alongside photographs taken by her daughter, Shawn Marie Kirwan, at the Schofield Residence, 3333 Elmwood Ave. in Kenmore. The exhibit that started Oct. 29 will continue through Nov. 19.
Schofield’s partnership with the Kenmore Art Society promotes local artists with exhibits rotating each month. The exhibit is free and open to the public, with many pieces available for purchase. Hours for visitation are from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Schofield Residence is located at 3333 Elmwood Ave. in Kenmore.