Orleans Correctional Officers raise $6,500 at golf tournament

BATAVIA – The third annual golf tournament by officers from the Orleans Correctional Facility raised $6,500 for Crossroads House in Batavia.

The correctional officers had the tournament on July 20 at the Chestnut Hill Country Club.

In addition to supporting the Crossroads House, the tournament was held in memory of an officer who died suddenly earlier this year. Josef Young, who was assigned to Orleans Correctional Facility, was 49 when he died unexpectedly in January.

The Crossroads House is a comfort care house for the dying. The 24-hour care giving home serves the communities of Genesee and Wyoming counties at no cost to the patients or family.

The golf tournament had 142 golfers and numerous volunteers. Officers and civilian staff from Orleans Correctional Facility organized the tournament and were supported by local businesses in the area that donated raffle items and sponsored tee signs.

Numerous members of the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association from Attica, Gowanda and Wende correctional facilities also supported and attended the tournament.

“Since Crossroads House relies 100 percent on the generosity of the community, efforts like the NYSCOPBA Orleans Sector Golf Tournament are an integral part of continuing to provide Comfort Care for the dying,” said Jeff Allen, executive director at the Crossroads House. “The proceeds from the tournament helped to fund the installation of security cameras without impact to our budget. Because of the efforts of the Orleans Correctional Facility staff and the participants of the tournament, Crossroads House is a safer place for the residents, families, and volunteers.”

Last year the tournament benefited the American Heart Association, which received $7,000 in the name of Officer Duane Catanesi, who passed away suddenly in 2014.

The golf tournament has now raised and donated over $20,000 to charities in Western New York over the past three years in honor or memory of correctional officers.

“I would like to thank each and every officer who volunteered their time in organizing and participating in this important charity event,” said Western Region Vice President Mike Dildine. “For three years now this tournament has supported great organizations who are dedicated to helping others. NYSCOPBA members raise money for a wide variety of charities throughout western New York every year. I am extremely proud of our members and the impact they have on the communities they live and work in. They work in a profession that is constantly scrutinized and criticized and they don’t get enough credit for how they serve the public.”