Charity

Niagara Region PCA has a long history of charitable giving.  Each year, Niagara has set aside funds for donation to a wide variety of worthy causes both locally and globally. Many of our members have a deep connection with a variety of charities and as a group we work towards finding ways to contribute.

Joel Ajavon Memorial Scholarship

In addition to Niagara’s annual giving, members of the the Niagara Region have been involved in establishing a charity.

At Niagara Region’s 2013 Annual Fall Dinner, we were fortunate to enjoy the company of Joe and Gale Ajavon.  Joe and Gale Ajavon are close with many of our members and their beloved son Joel was killed in a car accident in August of this year. Just like his father, Joel Ajavon was always ready to help a friend. Many of his friends have expressed their appreciation for what Joel did for them. He truly made a difference in their lives.

In  honor of Joel’s life, we have begun the process of creating a permanent memorial.  His wonderful spirit and love of the cars and the culture that brings us together is a great opportunity for giving to a worthy cause. Our objective is to establish a fund that would award an annual scholarship to a worthy student studying Robotics or Engineering, which were Joel’s educational choices. Worthy recipients will be chosen based on achievement and financial need.

As the rules and regulations governing scholarships are complex, we have enlisted the help of a special adviser at the Rochester Area Foundation who will assist with administration, guidance, IRS filings, etc. Our ultimate goal is to reach a self-sustaining balance of $25,000.  This amount will allow the scholarship fund to fund itself through investments, and provide scholarships year after year.

If  you would like to be a part of funding this most worthy cause, you can do so at www.racf.org/Donate, or your tax deductible check should be made out to: The Community Foundation, with “Joel Ajavon Memorial” in the subject line.

Scholarship Awards:

✦The Joel Ayite Ajavon Scholarship for 2014 has been awarded to Frederick M.Griffin!

July 11, 2014 – The trustees and family of Joel Ajavon are pleased to announce that the Joel Ayite Ajavon Scholarship for 2014 has been awarded to Frederick M.Griffin.  Fred is a fine young man who will be attending MCC this fall and was selected from a very qualified group of candidates.  He has studied Robotics for 2 years , is a Rochester based student and and has promised to keep us updated on his progress throughout his studies.  The generous donations that you all made in Joel’s memory are what made this day possible.  The committee has pledged to continue to raise funds in the hope that next and future years can be even greater amounts  of financial support.  

We have attempted to find worthy candidates each year who hope to study similar subjects that Joel was pursuing, science, robotics, and engineering.  Reviewing the applications each year has become a labor of love and Joe and Gale are always part of the process, Joe is also a trustee and we recently added one of Joel’s best friends as a trustee as well. We have awarded 6 scholarships to date and are choosing this year’s recipient right now.  Joel meant so much to so many of our members that we promise to keep his memory and legacy alive forever.  Our club is about much more than cars, our families become one and we have will share these bonds for life.

Recipients to date:
Tydarius Young
Frederick Griffin
Ajeeta Jandkshi
Angel Colbert
Farhiya Mohamed
Jyeshia Griffin

2019 Charitable Giving Recipients 

This year we teamed up again with Community Action of Orleans & Genesee County for our Food Drive and Family Help Center in Buffalo for our Toy Collection.  As usual, our tables were overflowing with daily necessities for the local families and lots and lots of toys and mittens, scarves and socks for our kids.  Because of our members generosity, the holidays will be just a little brighter this year for some folks and children.  Thanks to everyone who helped to make this year a success. 

♦Community Action of Orleans & Genesee was our Food Drive recipient. 
♦Family Help Center of Buffalo was this year’s Toy Drive recipient.

Board member selected charities this year:

✦American Cancer Society $500
✦Lockport Salvation Army, Long Point Camp camperships $500
✦Joel Ajavon Scholarship $500
✦21_Connect $500

In addition, four charity drawing were made from the attendees at our dinner and awarded $250 each:

✦Rob Dean – Juvenile Diabetes
✦Tom Needell – Family Help Center
✦Helmut Hirshauer – The Lollipop Farm
✦Allen Schuessler – Wyoming County SPCA

2018 Charitable Giving Recipients

2018 has been as phenomenal year for our charitable activity.  We have partnered again with  Community Action of Orleans and Genesee Counties. We filled tables with the daily necessities that local families need on a daily basis.  We also, worked with Toys for Tots of Rochester to help fill their toy bins to help make a happier holiday season for disadvantaged children.  Many thanks to all who helped make this another successful year. 

♦Community Action of Orleans & Genesee was our Food Drive recipient.
♦Toys for Tots of Rochester was this year’s toy drive recipient

Board member selected charities this year:

✦Joel Ajavon Scholarship $500
✦Watermelon Truck Rescue $500
✦American Cancer Society $500
✦Lockport Salvation Army, Long Point Camp camperships $1000
✦Ladies of Charity, Fresh Start Program $500

In addition, four charity drawings were made from the attendees and awarded $500 each:

✦ Rosemary Darrow – UR Medical Golisano Children’s Hospital
✦ Michelle Buschner – Joel Ajavon Scholarship
✦Tom Vossler – American Cancer Society
✦ David Clark – St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital

2017 Charitable Giving Recipients

This year as we ended our driving season and gathered to celebrate our 55th anniversary as a region within PCA, the members of this amazing club showed yet again their generosity. For yet another year, the NRPCA members filled tables to overflowing with vital supplies and toys for two local very deserving groups.  Thank you to everyone who helped make this the wonderful success that it was.

♦Community Action of Orleans & Genesee was our Food Drive recipient.
♦Cornerstone Manor was this year’s Toy Drive recipient

Board member selected charities this year:

✦Greater Rochester United Way $500
✦Alzheimer’s $500
✦Cornerstone Manor $1000
✦Lockport Salvation Army, designated for hurricane relief $1000
✦Pets for Vets $1000
✦Ladies of Charity, Fresh Start Program $1000

In addition, four charity drawings were made from the attendees and awarded $500 each:

✦ Jerry Zack – Cornerstone Manor
✦ Bruce Friedhaber – Frank  Lloyd Wright Graycliff Estate
✦Nancy Killian – Epilepsy Association of WNY 
✦ Allen Schuessler – Wyoming County SPCA

50-50 split charity winner was Monroe Community Hospital for $666.00.  That was the total of all of the 50-50 splits for the year.  Thanks to all who participated at our monthly meetings and social events.

2016 Charitable Giving Recipients

This year NRPCA members again opened their hearts and flooded Terry Hills banquet hall with toys and non-perishable food goods to help two local agencies help make a little brighter holiday season for those less fortunate. Our Food and Toy drives were overwhelming successes. Thank you to everyone who participated.

♦Community Action of Orleans & Genesee was our first Food Drive recipient.
♦Pirate Toy Fund was this year’s Toy Drive recipient

Board member selected charities this year:

✦American Diabetes Tour De Cure $500
✦Alzheimer’s $500
✦It’s About Caring For Kids $1000
✦Lockport Salvation Army, designated for camperships to Camp Long Point $1000
✦URMedicine NeuroMuscular $1000
✦NAMI in memory of John Jerabeck Jr. $100

In addition, four charity drawings were made from the attendees and awarded $500 each:

♦Joe Prinzbach– Ladies of Charity, Fresh Start – $500
♦Robert Fuss– Lollypop Farm Humane Society of Rochester – $500
♦Jean McCallister, Kevin Kepner – Open Door Mission – $1000

2015 Charitable Giving Recipients

✦Finger Lakes Land Trust for a gift of $100 made in memory of Sam Argetsinger.

This years annual charities selected by the board were:

✦ American Diabetes Tour De Cure $1000
✦ Rochester General Hospital $1000
✦ Lockport Salvation Army, designated for camperships to Camp Long Point $1000
✦Ricky Hoyt Recovery $1000

In addition, four charity drawings were made from the attendees and awarded $500 each:

✦ Stuart Jenkins – Roswell Park
✦ Pat Needell – Schuyler County Humane Society
✦ Kerry Rittenhouse – National Multiple Sclerosis Society
✦ Renee Krotz – Buffalo Suzuki Strings

Also, the Buffalo News Neediest Drive benefited from the generosity of our members, as they yet again filled the table with children’s toys.

2014 Charitable Giving Recipients

✦Tour de Cure

June 8, 2014 – Team Niagara Cycling rode the Tour de Cure to help stop Diabetes and accomplished all of the metric century (a five hour marathon) . We raised over $4,000. and were led by Captain Peter Swift. Team Members – Koen Goorman, Peter Swift, Anthony Giovinazzo, Ken Buschner.

This years annual charities selected by the board were:

✦ American Diabetes Tour De Cure $1500
✦ Darwin Martin House $500
✦ Riviera Theater $500
✦ Lockport Salvation Army, designated for camperships to Camp Long Point $1000
✦ Team Keuka MS Bike Ride (Ken Bushner’s team) $500

In addition, four charity drawings were made from the attendees and awarded $500 each:

✦ Bruce Friedhaber – Mercy Flight of WNY
✦ Karen Politi – Make A Wish Foundation Metro NY and Western NY
✦ Amy Irish – Open Door Mission
✦ Rick Hoyt – University of Rochester, Donate Life @ Strong Memorial Hospital

At the 2014 Fall Dinner, members brought a PILE of toys for the Kenmore Volunteer Fire Department’s annual food and toy drive. Thank YOU for your generosity.

2013 Charitable Giving Recipients

What a great year for giving!

Early in the year, Niagara donated to:
✦The Corner Place Arts Academy

Sponsored a team for:
✦Tour de Cure – American Diabetes Association

This years annual charities selected by the board to receive $1,000 each were:

✦ American Red Cross, Disaster Relief, Typhoon Appeal
✦ Lockport Salvation Army, designated for camperships to Camp Long Point – on behalf of Hank and Sue Beamer
✦ Graycliff Conservancy Inc on behalf of Tom and Babs Lyons
✦ Flower City Habitat for Humanity on behalf of Sue and Chad Juby
✦ The Joel Avajon Memorial Fund on behalf of Rich deAsis

In addition, six charity drawings were made from the attendees and awarded $500 each:

✦ Betty Jerabeck – East House
✦ Linda Hertel – Lollypop Farm Humane Society of Rochester
✦ David Clark – Patriot Guard of New York
✦ Mark Eksten – Flower City Habitat for Humanity
✦ Lavina Schuessler – Buffalo City Mission
✦ Don Stephans – American Cancer Society

Congratulations to the winners and their charities!

In addition, a large number of toys were also collected for the Sojourner House in Rochester, NY. Thank you to everyone who donated!

2012 Charitable Giving Recipients

Our club was very fortunate this year to be able to contribute funds to several worthy local charitable organizations:

✦ American Diabetes Association on behalf of Peter and Jackie Swift
✦ National MS Society, Upstate NY Chapter, on behalf of club member Ken Buschner and family
✦ Adoption Star on behalf of Tom and Babs Lyons
✦ International Motor Racing Research Center as suggested by Bruce and Elaine Friedhaber
✦ West Webster Fire Department

Thank you to all of these organizations for doing what they do on a daily basis for members of our community. We are honored to be able to provide these financial contributions.

We also collected an abundance of toys for the Kenmore Volunteer Fire Department’s annual food and toy drive. Thank YOU for your generosity.

2011 Charitable Giving Recipients

✦ Rochester Open Door Mission
✦ Buffalo City Mission
✦ National MS Society, Upstate NY Chapter, on behalf of club member Ken Buschner and family

We also collected an abundance of toys for the 97Rock Christmas is for Kids toy drive. Thank YOU for your generosity.

2010 Charitable Giving Recipients

Our club was very fortunate this year to be able to contribute funds to several worthy local charitable organizations:

✦ $2,000 to Multiple Sclerosis Society, Upstate NY Chapter, on behalf of club member Ken Buschner and family.
✦ $2,000 to NYS Sheriff’s Association’s Summer Camp for Kids
✦ $1,000 to Wease Cares Children’s Fund
✦ $1,000 to Lollypop Farm
✦ $2,000 to The Open Door Mission, on behalf of last year’s Deegan Award winner Curt Hinchliffe and family.
✦ $2,000 to Mercy Flight of WNY

Thank you to all of these organizations for doing what they do on a daily basis for members of our community. We are honored to be able to provide these financial contributions.

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