Daemen College has received an unprecedented $1 million gift from the Paul A. Saffrin Foundation to support the institution’s Center for Sustainable Communities and Civic Engagement, making it the largest private gift in the college’s nearly 70-year history.

In honor of this historic gift to the college, the center has officially been renamed the Paul A. Saffrin Center for Sustainability and Civic Engagement.

“Robust civic engagement contributes to many positive social outcomes, so it is my honor and privilege to support Daemen College as it prepares students to acquire the knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make a difference in society,” said Saffrin.

The Rural Outreach Center (ROC) is pleased to announced that it has been awarded a $3,500 grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities of WNY, Inc. to enhance the organization’s “Especially for Kids” program. The grant will be used to purchase therapy supplies, backpacks, school supplies and winter coat gift certificates.

Located at 730 Olean Road in East Aurora, the mission of the Rural Outreach Center is to assist, empower and elevate the impoverished rural population in southern Erie County and surrounding areas. In January, the ROC will launch its ROC Resolutions campaign to shine a spotlight on rural poverty in Western New York. Several well-known members of the local business and sports communities — including co-chairs Steve and Sarah Tasker — will assist in promoting areas of concern for those living in poverty, such as nutrition, utilities, transportation and clothing. 

The Suneel’s Light Foundation, a local non-profit dedicated to raising funds for research that will lead to the treatment and a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), while increasing public awareness of the genetic disease, is proud to announce that the fourth annual Suneel’s Celebrity Gala will be held on October 29th, from 6 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. in the elegant grand ballroom of Salvatore’s Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Road, Depew. The “Dancing with the Stars” inspired event will feature six, well-known, local celebrities from across Western New York showcasing their dancing prowess in a head-to-head competition. Tickets for Suneel’s Celebrity Gala are $175 per person or $325 a couple.