Photo and information courtesy of Albion Central School
ALBION – National Junior Honor Society students at Albion Middle wrapped up their annual food drive this week.
On Wednesday, NJHS students and their advisor, Lisa Castricone, finished counting and sorting the donations before they were delivered to Community Action. Pictured from left include NJHS members Kendall Peruzzini, Kamryn Peruzzini and Stryker Braley.
The group is built on promoting scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. The NJHS hosts this annual event to help ease the stress of the holiday season.
File photo by Tom Rivers: Weston Burgio, 5, of Albion stepped up to meet Santa Claus on Dec. 2, 2019 at Hoag Library in Albion. Santa returns to Hoag on Dec. 2.
ALBION – Hoag Library invites the community to a wonderful variety of programs this November and December, featuring literary events, historical talks, and festive gatherings to celebrate the season.
Local Author Book Signing with Daniel Southcott
Saturday, Nov. 16, at noon – Join author Daniel Southcott for a book signing of Oh, Danny Boy. Meet the author, gain insights into his writing process, and purchase a signed copy.
Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario: A Journey of Discovery with Jim Kennard
Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. – Join the most successful shipwreck hunter in Lake Ontario on a personal and historic exploration of some of the most important shipwrecks discovered in Lake Ontario by his team and shipwreck peers.
Visions: Confessions of a Ghost Writer with Eric Weatherbee (The Humble Bard)
Saturday, Nov. 23, at 6 p.m. – Join us for an evening of wonder as Eric Weatherbee reads aloud some of his latest works.
A Tale of Two Disasters: The Buffalo Blizzards of 1977 & 2022 with Dr. Timothy Kneeland
Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 6 p.m. – This program will offer an in-depth look at two historic blizzards that swept through Buffalo.
Santa visits the Library
Monday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m. – Santa is coming to Hoag Library! Children and families are invited for a festive evening with Santa, spreading holiday cheer and joy.
Friends of the Library: Tasty Treats
Thursday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. – The Friends of the Library invite everyone for a delightful evening of seasonal treats and goodies. Join us for a sweet celebration of the holidays featuring Confection Connection. Call 589-4246 to register.
Hoag Music Series: Rochester Ukulele Orchestra
Saturday, Dec. 7, at noon – Enjoy a lively performance by the Rochester Ukulele Orchestra, bringing a unique and cheerful sound to the library. This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, administered by GO ART!
Friends of the Library: Holiday Sing-Along with Gary Simboli
Saturday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. – Gather with friends and family for a sing-along led by Gary Simboli. This joyous event is sure to fill the library with holiday spirit.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Saturday, Dec. 28. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Help save lives this holiday season by donating blood at Hoag Library. The American Red Cross will be on-site, and all eligible donors are encouraged to participate in this life-saving event.
Celebrate the season with Hoag Library’s exciting lineup of events!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 November 2024 at 9:19 pm
Provided photo: Albion eighth-graders Mary McCormick (left) and Kendall Peruzzini (right) are shown with Craig Lane of the Orleans County Department of Public Works after a headstone was delivered for a Civil War soldier buried in an unmarked grave at the Alms House Cemetery on West Countyhouse Road. The public is invited to a dedication ceremony this spring on May 17 at the cemetery.
ALBION – For more than a century, Daniel Walterhouse has been buried in an unmarked grave at the Alms House Cemetery on West Countyhouse Road.
That will change in the spring when a headstone is placed by at the cemetery for Walterhouse, who served with 4th Michigan Infantry during the Civil War.
Two Albion eighth-graders, Kendall Peruzzini and Mary McCormick, spent part of their summer vacation, researching Walterhouse and preparing the application for a headstone.
Tim Archer, the student’s service learning teacher, was tipped off that Walterhouse served in the Civil War by researcher in Michigan, George Wilkinson. He includes many documents about the 4th Michigan Infantry on a website. Wilkinson came across a news clipping that Walterhouse was living in Western New York after serving in the war.
Walterhouse was wounded in 1862 after being was stabbed with a sword in a battle.
Walterhouse and about 200 other residents were buried in a cemetery not far from the Alms House, which was a home for penniless, destitute, sick and others with infirmities and challenges.
Walterhouse lived there for about a decade. He was 87 when he died in 1910.
Peruzzini and McCormick scoured records from more than a century ago, working with Orleans County Historian Catherine Cooper and Albion Town Historian Sarah Basinait.
They were able to prove Union soldier Daniel Walterhouse was buried in an unmarked grave at the cemetery about 114 years ago. They found a death record and a 1902 ledger from the Orleans County Alms House listing him as a resident.
The Alms House or “Poor House” was open from 1833 to 1960. It closed in 1960 when the county nursing home opened on Route 31 in Albion.
Peruzzini, McCormick and their teacher Tim Archer submitted an application to the National Cemetery Administration, seeking a headstone for Walterhouse. That headstone has arrived and will be set in the spring by the Orleans County Department of Public Works.
There will be a dedication ceremony for the public to attend on May 17, Archer said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 November 2024 at 9:48 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: McKinstry Street is a popular route for school kids in the mornings and afternoons.
ALBION – The Albion Village Board agreed on Wednesday to reduce the speed limit on McKinistry Street from 30 to 25 miles per hour. That limit will go on McKinstry from East Avenue to East State Street, and will be in effect the same time as the school zone, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on school days.
Trustee Greg Bennett led the effort to lower the speed limit. He said McKinstry is a popular route for students walking to school in the morning and at home in the afternoon.
He wanted the speed to drop to 20 miles per hour but village attorney John Gavenda advised against that, saying the state’s Vehicle and Traffic Law suggests keeping a village speed limit at no lower than 25 miles per hour. A school zone limit can be lower but a school zone needs to be right in front of a school building. McKinstry is a side street near the school.
Bennett said signs about the lower speed limit and enforcement should bring down the speeds and keep pedestrians safer.
Jay Pahura, the DPW superintendent for the village, said pedestrians often walk in the street with earbuds and don’t try to get out of the way of traffic, including village snow plow trucks.
“A lot of the kids don’t get out of the road,” Pahura said during the Village Board meeting.
Bennett said parents and the kids need to do their part with safety on the street. He said the village is doing right by reducing the speed limit.
“We’re trying to slow down the traffic on a busy road,” he said. “It sends a message as a village because there is a lot of foot traffic there.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2024 at 2:28 pm
ALBION – The state Department of Transportation plans to pave a section of Ingersoll Street in the Village of Albion next week.
Ingersoll has suffered far more wear and tear than usual in the past two years while the Main Street lift bridge has been closed and some of that traffic has been redirected down Ingersoll Street.
The DOT has notified village officials Ingersoll will be repaved, one lane at a time, between Caroline and Bank streets on Nov. 18-19.
“The street will be open to one-lane traffic at that time,” said Joyce Riley, Albion’s deputy mayor. “The paving will be delayed if it rains.”
Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley, right, tell the Albion Town Board that village officials are willing to have Albion police officials expand their patrols outside the village in the Town of Albion on a trial basis for six months at no cost to the town. Albion Police Department representatives include, from left: Police Chief David Mogle, Sgt. Robert Wagner and Lt. Brandon Annable.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2024 at 8:26 am
ALBION – The Albion Police Department is willing to expand its patrols outside the village of Albion into the town to help with vehicle and traffic enforcement, and lower-level crimes.
Police Chief David Mogle said the department has the blessing from the Village Board to work outside the village in a six-month trial at no cost to the town.
Mogle said the department is currently hamstrung to respond to some calls because the town, outside the village, is outside the APD jurisdiction. The APD does assist in about 130 to 140 calls a year in the town, often larcenies at Walmart. Mogle said the APD will be the first officer on scene, and then hand those cases over to either the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office or State Police.
Mogle said the APD has at least three officers on duty working day and night shifts and they could respond to calls in the town.
The Town Board would need to sign a memorandum of understanding with the village, allowing the Albion PD to do vehicle and traffic enforcement and handle some of the lower-level crimes, such as harassment. Mogle said there have been fatal accidents and other serious car crashes in the town. The Albion PD could respond sooner to these incidents with the MOU with the town, Mogle said.
“We’d like to prevent crime before it gets to the village,” he said.
Mogle was joined by Lt. Brandon Annable, Sgt. Robert Wagner and Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley in a presentation to the Albion Town Board on Tuesday.
The Albion PD has 12 officers, plus a clerk. The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and State Police often have resources away from Albion and can’t quickly get to calls in the town, Mogle said.
“We’re not trying to undercut or diminish the work they do,” Annable told the Town Board. “They do a great job. We’re just trying to help out.”
Town Supervisor Richard Remley and the Town Board said they will consider the expanded coverage from the Albion PD. Mogle and Riley said they would like to see Albion PD working more outside the village in January and see how it goes for six months.
“We’ll definitely consider it and get back to you,” Remley said.
Mogle and Annable presented similar agreements to the Albion Town Board that the Middleport Police Department has with the towns of Hartland and Royalton, and the Le Roy Police Department has with the Town of Le Roy.
The Albion PD would like to focus on traffic enforcement but could handle other calls “as needed,” Mogle said.
The Albion officers also go to EMS calls in the village and could do that for some of the calls outside the village. Mogle said the patrol cars have automated external defibrillators (AED). An AED is used when a person’s heart suddenly stops working. Mogle said officers have made a difference for three people by using AEDs.
“If we can save a life, we’re going to do it,” Mogle said.
Photo by Tom Rivers: A Mercy Flight EMS ambulance is shown Sept. 20 when it was on standby at an Albion varsity football game.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 November 2024 at 8:47 pm
(CORRECTION: This article was updated to state the contract includes an advanced life support fly car that would be staged in Orleans County 24-7, and not 12 hours, 7 days a week as first reported.)
ALBION – The Albion Town Board voted on a new contract for ambulance services for 2025, and picked Mercy Flight EMS over Monroe Ambulance.
Mercy Flight’s bid was less than half of the price from Monroe. Mercy’s bid was $250,000 compared to $570,000 from Monroe. That is for staging two basic life support ambulances in central and eastern Orleans 24 hours a day, seven days a week, plus an advanced life support fly car that would be available 24-7.
The three-year contract increases the ambulance presence by one more BLS ambulance.
“The cost differential is so great and the responses so identical it didn’t make sense not to take on Mercy,” said Richard Remley, the Albion town supervisor.
Monroe was paid $300,000 by the seven towns this year. In the first year of the contract in 2023 with Monroe, the towns paid $181,200. But that was from six towns. Kendall didn’t contribute the first year when Monroe was seeking $200,000 from the seven towns.
Mercy will use the former COVA base on South Main Street in Albion and is expected to have another ambulance based at the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray fire hall on Hulberton Road in Murray. (FHM is now part of the Murray Joint Fire District with the Holley Fire Department.)
Monroe staged an ambulance at the Albion Town Hall. The seven towns didn’t pay for an ambulance service until 2023. Monroe had the certificate of need for the eastern end of the county, but didn’t get paid in the town budgets until 2023. Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance had the CON for central Orleans, but that ambulance provider closed in late 2022.
The contract divvies up the expense for the seven towns based on call volume for 2024, according to the contract approved by the Albion Town Board this evening.
The contract calls for the towns to pay the following in 2025:
Albion, $93,000 ($155,820 in 2024)
Barre, $11,000 ($13,740 in 2024)
Carlton, $18,500 ($22,350 in 2024)
Clarendon, $28,000 ($25,350 in 2024)
Gaines, $38,500 ($12,030 in 2024)
Kendall, $12,750 ($17,850 in 2024)
Murray, $48,250 ($52,860 in 2024)
The contract is contingent on all seven towns approving the agreement. Jim Bell, the Albion town attorney, said he has spoken with representatives from the other six towns and they all expect to approve the new contract.
The agreement is a three-year deal with Mercy Flight getting $275,000 in 2026, and $300,000 in 2027.
Mercy Flight will operate on a fee-for-service basis and will bill insurance companies or patients for service. The money from the seven towns eases some of the financial pressure on operating an ambulance service in Orleans County, where many of the calls have low reimbursement rates from Medicaid and Medicare, town officials have said.
Mercy Flight EMS took over COVA’s ambulance station and vehicles after the organization ceased operations in late 2022. Mercy sought to be considered for the contract for the seven towns in 2023 and 2024. The seven towns put the contract out to bid this summer, requesting RFPs (request for proposals). Monroe and Mercy were the only ambulance providers to respond, Remley said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 November 2024 at 12:04 pm
Provided photo
ALBION – Albion’s Class 1950 held their 74th Reunion in September at the Village House restaurant in Albion. Pictured from left include Pete Nesbitt, Shirley Furnace Gould, Carol Francis Rowcliffe, Ted Swiercznski, Brad Shelp and Ken Rush.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 November 2024 at 7:54 pm
37,000 pounds of produce delivered to Community Action last year by FFA
Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion FFA students, alumni and other volunteers unload vehicles and trailers on Dec. 9 last year. Scott Oldenburg, left, is the Albion FFA advisor. Kaitlynn Basinait, second from left, is the FFA president.
ALBION – The FFA chapter in Albion is again organizing a big food drive from the agricultural community. Last year, farmers donated 37,000 pounds of produce for the FFA food drive.
That food was collected by the FFA at the high school and then delivered to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee on State Street in Albion.
About 25 different food pantries were able to share the food.
The FFA started the food drive in 2010 with 3,000 pounds in the first effort and it typically tops 30,000 pounds in more recent years. The record is 53,000 pounds in 2020.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 November 2024 at 9:17 pm
Photos by Marsha Rivers
ALBION – The Albion High School band and chorus performed a patriotic concert for veterans on Thursday evening.
In the top photo, Elliott Michki, the vocal music teacher, directs the chorus. Kathleen Same is the accompanist.
The concert was a musical celebration of the United States and veterans, featuring American music and American composers.
The concert including the singing of the national anthem, led by the Mixed Chorus. Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent, then recognized the veterans in attendance.
The Mixed Chorus also sang “In Flanders Fields,” “A Tribute to the Armed Forces,” and “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor.”
The Concert Band led by instrumental music director Mike Thaine performed the “Monterey March,” “Song of Operation Desert Storm,” and “Sparks.”
The combined Mixed Chorus, Concert Band and audience joined for “America the Beautiful.”
The concert included the premiere of a new composition, “Song of Operation Desert Storm.” It was written by the Moses Sherman, who led the Albion marching band from 1950 to 1975. Sherman passed away in 1997. His family recently discovered the song he wrote and four of the family members sang, including great-grandson Hunter Zambito, son Alec Sherman, great-granddaughter Keira Zambito and granddaughter Megan Zambito.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 November 2024 at 9:10 pm
UdderWays developed by Neal family wins 2nd place in Grow-NY competition
Provided photo: Zachary Neal and his father Jody Neal discuss UdderWays during the Grow-NY competition held in Ithaca the past two days. Jody’s son Jayden also is part of the UdderWays team.
ALBION – An Albion family won second place and $500,000 in the Grow-NY competition featuring 20 finalists in food and agriculture startups from around the world.
UdderWays LLC in Albion was developed by Jody Neal and his sons, Zachary and Jayden. They competed with 19 other finalists for a combined total of $3 million in prize money from the Grow-NY business competition. It is focused on enhancing the emerging food, beverage and agriculture innovation cluster in upstate New York.
There were 312 startups that applied from 26 states and 50 countries for the competition. UdderWays made the 20 finalists and emerged as one of the top winners.
UdderWays last January finished second in an agricultural innovation challenge at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. They won $20,000 at that event.
The Neals have developed a new system to sanitize and prepare udders for milking. The Neals worked on their udder cleaning system for nearly a decade. The device is used just before a cow is milked. Their invention uses a unique, brushless technology to gently stimulate cows and ensure clean and dry teats.
Jody Neal is a partner a Poverty Hill Farms in Albion, a dairy farm on West County House Road. His sons were active in the Orleans County 4-H Robotics program, where they learned programming and tech skills as part of a team that competed in the Rochester region.
The winners in the Grow-NY competition include:
$1 million grand prize winner: Unibaio of New York City offers naturally derived particles that trap the active ingredients of pesticides, fertilizers, and phytosanitary, enabling them to penetrate plants more efficiently.
$500K winner: PureNanoTech – From Parsippany, N.J., PureNanoTech created a nanobubble irrigation solution to maximize irrigation performance and optimize energy usage in the agriculture, pond and lake restoration, wastewater treatment, and disinfection industries.
$500K winner: UdderWays – From Albion, the UdderWays uses a unique, brushless technology to gently stimulate cows and ensure clean and dry teats. With the startup’s patented vortex-style application, farmers can achieve consistent stimulation and effortlessly promote milk letdown.
$250K winner: Clean Crop Technologies – Based in Holyoke, M.A., it combines electricity and food-grade gasses to remove pathogens from seeds before they are planted, increasing yields, reducing waste, and improving food safety without preservatives.
$250K winner: ClearLeaf – Based in San José, Costa Rica, ClearLeaf offers safe fungicides and bactericides protects soil and crops from a wide range of pre- and post-harvest pathogens, without harming the environment or human health.
$250K winner: For Bitter For Worse – The Portland, Oregon company has a distillery using certified organic, locally farmed ingredients to create a healthier, more inclusive culture with their non-alcoholic cocktails.
$250K winner: Zordi of Oakfield in Genesee County Zordi builds autonomous greenhouses with robots and AI to make delicious, high-quality produce available anywhere.
Press Release and photo from Community Action of Orleans & Genesee
ALBION – Community Action of Orleans & Genesee is pleased to announce the return of its “Wishing Tree” at Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts, and More this November, offering community members a unique way to support those in need during the holiday season.
Beginning the first week of November, the Wishing Tree will be adorned with special coupons and anonymous wishes that provide a helping hand to community members who may be facing hardships this season.
The Wishing Tree invites individuals to purchase coupons in-store or online that can be redeemed by others in need. These coupons include practical items such as two pairs of socks, a winter jacket, or $5 toward clothing or gift purchases. All purchased coupons will be hung on the Wishing Tree, offering immediate assistance to those who need it most.
In addition to the coupons, the Wishing Tree will hold anonymous wishes submitted by community members. After filling out a short intake form, individuals can share a wish that will be posted on the tree for adoption by others. Once a wish is fulfilled, the gift will be brought to Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts, and More for pickup.
“We are thrilled to bring the Wishing Tree back this year, especially after seeing the impact it had on our community last holiday season,” said Cassie Healy, store manager. “This year, we’ve made it even easier for people to participate by adding online links for those who may not be able to visit the store in person. Every act of kindness helps, and we’re excited to see our community come together again to support one another.”
To purchase a coupon online, community members can use the following links:
Coupons purchased online will be hung on the tree by Community Action staff, and anonymous wishes will be updated on the Community Action Facebook page. Any extra coupons will be distributed to other Community Action locations and local warming shelters, extending the reach of support throughout the region.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 November 2024 at 6:30 pm
Students boogie in protest in ‘Do You Want To Dance?’
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion High School Drama Department performs “Do You Want To Dance?” on Friday evening in the Albion Middle School Auditorium. The cast of about 30 also has two shows today at noon and 7 p.m.
The show is co-directed by Elliott Michki, Kailey Winans and Kathy Winans.
In the musical, Mayor Pete Lightfoot (Sawyer Brigham) reads a decree that there will be a tax on dancing. The town of SnapHappy, Ohio, revels in the joy of singing and dancing.
The mayor’s wife, Mona Lightfoot (Keira Zambito), leads the charge against taxing dancing.
SnapHappy kids keep dancing in protest and end up jailed.
The kids of the town continue to push back on the decree by boogieing. From left in front include Lily Brigham, Bradyn Whittier and Ella Trupo.
Chloe Mosele as Brandi, in front, and the cast sing “Walking on Sunshine “ in this scene. In back from left are Makenzie Cook, Madalyn Ashbery and Olivia Andrews.
The cast performs to “Dancing Machine.” From left Carly Smith and Kamryn Simmons.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2024 at 3:00 pm
Bob Gibbs doesn’t shy away from tough jobs
Photos by Tom Rivers: Bob Gibbs, owner of the Environmental Construction Group in Albion, is shown inside the warehouse for company at 14109 Route 31, Albion.
ALBION – Bob Gibbs used to tag along with his father, helping him at construction jobs. Bob Gibbs Sr. was a local contractor and builder.
The elder Gibbs had a house on Brown Street, and at age 19, his son bought it and took on his first project by himself. For two years Gibbs redid the house and made it his home.
Gibbs felt the pride in bringing a distressed property back into a neighborhood asset. He also built a garage and in-ground pool for the property.
In the past 30-plus years Gibbs has sought out properties many other developers wouldn’t touch, from burnt-out structures to others enduring years of neglect.
“I like to see things that are in rough shape and then turn them into beautiful,” Gibbs said. “I like to see the progress.”
Bob Gibbs has turned 101 East Bank St. in Albion into a place that can be rented out of parties and events. His daughter recently had her bridal shower there.
He has put many forlorn buildings back to use for residents and businesses. And that’s in his spare time. He would rather do that than play golf.
In his full-time career, Gibbs owns and runs the Environmental Construction Group, which has 50 employees based in Albion. They do asbestos remediation, selective demolition and other work at distressed properties.
The Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 17 honored Gibbs as the “Business Person of the Year.”
Gibbs saw opportunity doing environmental work in the construction industry. He made that his career at age 23 and his skills were in demand. He was often away from home, including long stretches for work in New Jersey.
Gibbs in 2005 decided to launch his own business so he could be closer to home. He started Environmental Construction Group with a friend, Bruce Corey, who oversaw abatement for LeChase Construction Service in Rochester. Gibbs and Corey ran ECG together until Corey retired in 2019 and Gibbs bought him out.
They ran the business initially out of two tractor trailers in a spot behind Ace Hardware on Clinton Street. Then they moved to the former Halstead Oil building on West State Street. About 15 years ago, ECG moved to 14109 Route 31, which offered more space for the growing company and its abatement equipment – showers, negative air filters, ladders, scaffolding, hand tools, excavators and other materials. When ECG moved to Route 31, the company put a new roof and windows on the building, and painted it.
Provided photos: Bob Gibbs is shown outside 101 East Bank St., which was a storage building for a furnace and air-conditioning business. Gibbs has given it a new look, with new windows, and will make it available to be rented out for events. It also may be used for food education events with wine pairings. Gibbs’ daughter, Madeline Miller, is a registered dietician and may lead programs for the community at the location.
ECG is typically working on five to 10 projects at a time, mostly in Western New York but sometimes in Arkansas, Virginia, Texas and Wisconsin. ECG has worked on some of the biggest projects in Rochester, including nearly gutted 29 floors of Innovation Square (the 580,000-square foot former Xerox Tower).
Gibbs praised the hard-working team of employees. Many have been with the company for years.
Tim Lonnen, the operations manager and estimator, is Gibbs’ “right hand man.”
Three of the company’s superintendents are all long-time employees from Albion – Shawn Wright, Ron Enright and Ace Ashton. David Nieves, a foreman from Rochester, also has been a critical employee for the business since it started, Gibbs said.
About 40 percent of the employees have been with ECG for at least 10 years. That is an amazing retention in a business with a very high turnover, Gibbs said.
“We have grown to the company we are today, a task I could not have done alone and acknowledge that this could only have happened with the dedicated employees at ECG,” he said. “I try hard to invest in my community. I like projects that improve the image of buildings, from investing in the buildings that service ECG, developing vacant land into ready-to-build lots, to several homes picked up from the county auctions, and my new project at 101 East Bank Street. I firmly believe it’s my responsibility to give back to my community.”
Bob Gibbs renovated a house that burned in a fire on West Academy Street in Albion. These photos show the before and after of the stairwell in a house that he saved from the wrecking ball.
Photos courtesy of Community Action: (Left) From left include Community Action’s Facilities Manager, Ricky Standish; Director of Community Services, Katrina Standish; Pirate Toy Fund Executive Director, Otto Harnischfeger; and Community Action’s Lead Case Manager, Kristina Ettinger.
Posted 29 October 2024 at 1:48 pm
Press Release, Community Action of Orleans & Genesee
ALBION – Community Action of Orleans & Genesee Inc. is thrilled to announce the arrival of 300 toys generously donated by the Pirate Toy Fund.
On Tuesday, Community Action staff traveled to Spencerport to collect these toys, which will provide joy and support to children in need during the upcoming holiday season.
The Pirate Toy Fund is the nation’s only nonprofit organization dedicated to providing new toys year-round to agencies that assist children in need. Since its founding in 1995 by beloved children’s entertainer Gary the Happy Pirate and Dave and Lorrie Simonetti, the organization has distributed over 500,000 toys to children across the Greater Rochester area.
Inspired by the extraordinary life of Christie Simonetti, special friend to Gary and daughter of Dave and Lorrie, the Pirate Toy Fund continues to grow and fulfill its mission of spreading joy to children in difficult circumstances.
This year marks the fourth year that Community Action’s Director of Community Services, Katrina Standish, has coordinated the toy donations through the Pirate Toy Fund, a partnership that has significantly impacted the agency’s holiday program. Last year alone, approximately 285 children received toys directly from Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, while another 275 children were adopted by outside agencies, ensuring each child received a gift for the holidays.
“The toys we receive from the Pirate Toy Fund are crucial to the success of our holiday program,” Standish said. “These donations allow us to serve a significant number of children and help us make the holiday season brighter for local families.”
Community Action is deeply grateful for the ongoing support from the Pirate Toy Fund, which allows them to expand their reach and provide comfort and happiness to children who may otherwise go without.
ALBION – Community Action of Orleans & Genesee is pleased to announce the return of its “Wishing Tree” at Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts, and More this November, offering community members a unique way to support those in need during the holiday season.
