Deaconess Center
15th Annual Tee Off for Tots a Success
Joan Sturdivent (right) Past President of the Deaconess Women’s Board and Board Member Brenda Stafford (second from right) present Maureen Caruana, (left) Vice President of Long Term Care at Deaconess Center and Dawn Gammack, (second from left) Assistant Administrator of Deaconess Center with a check representing the Deaconess Women’s Board contribution to the Tee Off for Tots Golf Tournament to benefit the Center’s Long-Term Care Pediatric Unit.
The 15th Annual Tee Off for Tots Golf Tournament held at the Niagara Falls Country Club on Monday, September 21, 2009 raised nearly $54,000 to benefit the children who reside on the Deaconess Center's Long-Term Care Pediatric Unit. Proceeds have been used to purchase ventilators, custom ventilator carts, therapy equipment and supplies, adaptive devices, customized wheelchairs and seating inserts, toys, school supplies, funding for outings, sensory stimulation items and other items to enhance the quality of life for those children who call the Deaconess Center Pediatric Unit home.
The Deaconess Women’s Board was the Corporate Super Sponsor of this event. The generosity of tournament participants/sponsors/volunteers and the leadership of Co-Chairs Robert Minicucci & James Lillis is greatly appreciated. The tournament continues its 16th year on Monday, September 20, 2010. For information, please contact Dawn Gammack at 887-8001.
Local Veterinarians Bring Holiday Cheer
Brianna hugs a new friend.
On Tuesday, December 29th, members of the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society brought some extra special holiday cheer to the children and staff of the Deaconess Long Term Care Pediatric Center. In addition to 100’s of toys, Physicians, Staff and Friends from Veterinary Hospitals all over Western New York brought their cats and dogs to spread love, laughter and warm feelings to the children.
For more than 15 years this event has been the holiday focus for over 70 Veterinary Practices around WNY. Dr. Reed Stevens brings his dog “Poppy” every year. “The animals seem to enjoy it as much as the children. It is a wonderful opportunity for socialization and stimulation through loving touch,” said Dr. Stevens.
Many of these children, ages 1 to 21 years, do not speak and/or have a tracheotomy tube. Most have limited physical ability. “The gifts are used throughout the year for special occasions like birthday’s and the monies are used to sponsor special events like entertainment, zoo mobile, Fantasy Island trips and more”, said Pat Bagley, Activities Director for Deaconess.
