Category "The Resource Center"

Lake Shore Savings renews its sponsorship of TRC Golf Classic

June 15, 2021

Lake Shore Bancorp, Inc., the holding company of Lake Shore Savings Bank, announced that its Board of Directors has renewed an agreement to have Lake Shore Savings serve as the presenting sponsor of the TRC Golf Classic for three years.

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.

Lake Shore Savings has sponsored the TRC Golf Classic every year since the tournament began in 1997, and since 2012 has been the event’s presenting sponsor.  One of the most successful one-day charity golf tournaments in Southwestern New York, the TRC Golf Classic has netted more than $1.6 million since it began in 1997.

“Lake Shore Savings Bank has been a proud supporter of The Resource Center for the past 25 years,” said Daniel P. Reininga, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Their individualized support services, including residential services, educational and training opportunities, clinical services including primary care, dental, podiatry, physical, speech and occupational therapy, school-based clinic, mental health services, employment services and community habilitation services benefit over 8,000 individuals throughout Chautauqua County and make an impactful difference in the lives of those with disabilities and other challenges. The valuable work of The Resource Center helps to ensure these individuals receive the support they need to achieve maximum independence while contributing to their community and experiencing lifelong growth and quality of life. We are proud to continue to support the ongoing efforts of such a vital organization in our community.”

“Everyone at The Resource Center and Filling the Gap are grateful to Lake Shore Savings for its commitment to continue as the presenting sponsor of the TRC Golf Classic,” said Denise Jones, The Resource Center’s Chief Executive Officer.  “We rely on the generosity of our local business community to make our events successful.  Lake Shore Savings has been one of our most generous corporate partners over the last quarter century.  Their support allows us to fulfill our mission of helping people with disabilities to enjoy meaningful lives.

“On behalf of The Resource Center and the TRC Golf Classic Steering Committee, we applaud Lake Shore Savings Bank for once again agreeing to be the presenting sponsor for the next three TRC Golf Classics.  Lake Shore Savings has been a major sponsor of our event for 25 years.  And, for the last ten years, as presenting sponsor, they have contributed $150,000.  Lake Shore’s motto is ‘Putting People First’ and they have once again lived their mission as a wonderful community partner.  We thank Dan Reininga and the Board at Lake Shore Savings Bank for their generous commitment to the Resource Center and the people we serve,” said Chris Anderson, Chair, and Gregg Bender, Chair Emeritus, TRC Golf Classic.

The 2021 TRC Golf Classic is scheduled for July 26 at Moon Brook Country Club in Jamestown.  For more information or to sponsor, please visit www.trcgolfclassic.com.

Picture:  l to r – Daniel Reininga, President and Chief Executive Officer, Lake Shore Savings Bank; Gregg Bender, TRC Golf Classic Chair Emeritus; Chris Anderson, TRC Golf Classic Chair; Kelly Dimitri, The Resource Center Chief Financial Officer; Adam Dimitri, Vice President, Regional Sales Officer, Lake Shore Savings Bank

Filling The Gap
Fundraising News The Resource Center TRC Golf Classic

Virtual “Blingo” fund-raiser to take place in April

March 18, 2021

People who enjoy the excitement of a daily prize drawing may want to take part in the fifth annual Sassy Baggs & Beyond “Bingo” fundraising event to benefit people with disabilities.

Typically for the Blingo event, more than 120 people gather at The Resource Center for a night of bingo, with designer handbags as prizes.  That wasn’t possible this year because of the pandemic, so instead organizers have created a “20 Prizes in 20 Days” event.

Every weekday starting April 5 and lasting through the end of the month, Filling the Gap, Inc., will hold a drawing for one of 20 prizes.  The prizes include handbags, gift cards, a smart speaker, an air purifier, a wireless charging station, a blender, windchimes, and an air fryer.  All of the prizes can be viewed at www.fillingthegap.net.

“Our 2021 Blingo event has taken the fun to another level,” said Victoria Trass Bardo, Development and Events Manager.  “The details are 20 prizes, 20 tickets for $20 for 20 days of fun.  We included items that are unique and a wide variety that surely has something for everyone.  Winners will be selected at noon each day on Facebook live.”

A $20 ticket gives the buyer one chance in each of the daily drawings.  People can improve their odds of winning by buying multiple tickets.  Tickets can be bought online at the Filling the Gap web site or in person at the Felice Corporate Center, 92 Fairmount Avenue in Jamestown, and The Resource Center’s administrative offices at 200 Dunham Avenue in Celoron.  Tickets can be purchased until March 31.

The Blingo event is being organized by Filling the Gap, which works with The Resource Center to improve the lives of people with disabilities in Chautauqua County.  Proceeds will benefit the Mark Pacheco WOW (Working on Wonders) Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.  The WOW Fund, which was created in memory of a Resource Center employee who died in 2010, supports people with disabilities to enjoy awesome experiences.

Click here to listen to a radio interview about our Blingo event.  For more information, phone Vicky at 661-1477.

Filling the Gap officials pose with tickets and prizes for this year’s Blingo fund-raiser. Pictured are, from left, Ashley Hammond, Human Resources/Payroll Supervisor; Cindy Hitchcock, Vice President of Business and Finance; Victoria Trass Bardo, Development and Events Manager; and Kayla Bohall, Payroll/Special Event Assistant.

Filling The Gap
Fundraising News Sassy Baggs The Resource Center

Laurel Memorial Run/Walk logo contest under way

March 10, 2021

Area high school students can put their artistic talents to use by participating in a contest to design the logo for the 2021 Laurel Memorial Run and Walk.  The person who designs the winning entry will receive a $100 gift card to a business of their choosing.

Laurel Run was started in 1997 by Wayne and Elaine Hotelling of Silver Creek.  The annual event is named in honor of their oldest daughter.  Laurel, who died in 2017, had Down syndrome, and the Laurel Memorial Run/Walk seeks to raise awareness and appreciation about the achievements of people with Down syndrome and other types of disabilities.  The Hotellings have dedicated the Laurel Memorial Run and Walk to Laurel and to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities who receive supports from The Resource Center.

The Laurel Memorial Run and Walk raises money for Filling the Gap, Inc., which works with The Resource Center to support people with disabilities and their families in Chautauqua County.

The logo contest is open to high school students in Chautauqua County.  Design entries should not be too intricate, since the design needs to reproduce well on a T-shirt.  Artists also are encouraged to submit original designs, rather than using artwork they find on the Internet or through other sources.

Designs must be received by Monday, April 26.  Internal voting at The Resource Center and Filling the Gap will identify the finalists.  The public then will have the opportunity to vote online to help determine the winning design.  Pictured above is the logo that was used last year.

Designs should be submitted to: Laurel Run Logo Contest, c/o Filling the Gap, 92 Fairmount Avenue, Jamestown, NY, 14701.  Designs also may be submitted electronically to kayla.bohall@resourcecenter.org.  All entries become the property of Filling the Gap.

The 25th annual Laurel Memorial Run and Walk will take place July 16 and 17.  The traditional Jamestown-to-Dunkirk relay run will take place Friday, July 16.  The following morning in Silver Creek, organizers plan to hold an 8-kilometer running race, a 5k walk, a 1k fun walk, children’s runs, “Laurel’s Lap” (for anyone with a disability), and a party in the village square.  Some of those activities may need to be adjusted based on the pandemic.

For more information about the logo contest or the Laurel Memorial Run/Walk, phone 661-4735.

Filling The Gap
Laurel Memorial Run News The Resource Center

TRC and Community Foundation announce partnership

January 5, 2018

Since being established in 1994, TRC Foundation has supported thousands of people with disabilities and their families by awarding more than $1 million in grants. A new partnership with the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation will only improve on that positive track record.

After more than a year of planning, officials from The Resource Center, TRC Foundation and the Community Foundation recently announced a collaboration that will see the dissolution of TRC Foundation and the transfer of its $2.2 million in assets to the Community Foundation. That money will be spread among several new endowment funds that will be managed by the Community Foundation:

  • The Resource Center TRC Foundation Fund – This fund provides support to The Resource Center and the Filling the Gap, Inc., network in supporting people with disabilities and other socio-economic challenges and their families including but not limited to autism services, educational services, community activities, guardianship, transportation, and otherwise unfunded programmatic and capital expenditures.
  • The Resource Center Laurel Run Fund – This fund supports community awareness, prevention services, and employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities.
  • The Resource Center Look Good Fund – This fund supports the needs of people with disabilities in the areas of personal care, personal appearance, clothing, protective gear, transportation, and other unfunded needs.
  • The Resource Center Mark Pacheco WOW (Working on Wonders) Fund – This fund supports persons with disabling conditions in fulfilling their wishes and dreams to enjoy recreational and travel experiences based on financial need.
  • The Resource Center Kathy Seastedt “Dream On” Fund – This this fund provides financial resources to assist people with disabling conditions who live in the community and who have unfunded needs.
  • The Resource Center TRC Excellence Awards Fund – This fund provides financial resources to assist with the recognition of the achievements of people with disabilities and the staff, community members, volunteers, and businesses who support them. This includes, but is not limited to, the Disability Awareness Awards, achievement awards for people with disabilities, TRC Educator Award, TRC Employee of the Year and TRC Direct Support Professional of the Year.

Click here to learn more about these funds.

Despite the tremendously positive impact TRC Foundation has made, TRC and TRCF officials realized they could do even more by partnering with the Community Foundation. Established in 1978 to assist donors in making a positive impact on the local community, CRCF currently manages $94 million held in some 750 funds.

“The Community Foundation has a 40-year history of serving the greater Chautauqua region,” said Randy Ordines, the Chair of TRC Foundation’s Board of Directors. “(They) bring a vast amount of experience in fund and investment management, planned giving and fund development.”

“Because of CRCF’s experience, and the funds already entrusted to their management, we are able to reduce our overall administrative costs while at the same time ensuring the assets of TRC Foundation will be utilized for their intended purposes into perpetuity,” said Denise Jones, The Resource Center’s Executive Director.

The Community Foundation has been a longtime supporter of people with disabilities in Chautauqua County, having donated more than $50,000 over the years to The Resource Center to support a number of programs and initiatives. The new partnership strengthens the bond between the organizations.

“The Resource Center and TRC Foundation have profoundly impacted thousands of area residents with disabilities, as well as their families and fellow community members,” said Randy Sweeney, the Community Foundation executive director. “This new partnership with CRCF ensures that these relationships will continue today and into the future.”

Tax-deductible donations to any of the six named funds above benefitting The Resource Center can be made directly to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring Street, Jamestown, NY, 14701, or by visiting www.crcfonline.org. The Resource Center will also accept donations mailed to 200 Dunham Avenue, Jamestown, NY, 14701, or made online at www.resourcecenter.org.

From left, TRC Executive Director Denise Jones; Randy Ordines, the Chair of TRC Foundation’s Board of Directors; and Randy Sweeney, the Executive Director of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, go over some final details regarding the partnership among The Resource Center, TRC Foundation and CRCF.

Filling The Gap
Community Funds News The Resource Center