Canandaigua National Bank & Trust is celebrating the holiday season with a salute and donation to a dozen groups for their good work in our community.
St Andrews Food Cupboard provides provides more than 1,100 meals every month to those in need. In addition to food, they provide free clothing and toiletries in a unique "shop-through" format. Located at 890 Portland Avenue in Rochester, NY, St. Andrews is supported by donations and an all-volunteer staff.
"I was really so surprised. Two-thousand dollars does not get donated very often," said Margaret Oberst, Founder of St. Andrews. The funds will be used to support the purchase of items not commonly donated such as toiletries and basic meal items. "Inflation has made a big difference. Housing and health made a big difference in people's lives," she added.
CNB's Javier Quintana (far right), Vice President and Branch Manager of the College Town Community Office, joined with volunteers for the gift presentation. From left to right are Margaret Oberst, Tom Rosiek, Mike DeMott, Martha Henley, Barbara, Figuera, Joyce Deblieck, Sue Lucchesi, and Carol May.
Learn more about St. Andrews Food Cupboard at: https://sites.google.com/view/standrewsfoodcupboard
Trillium Health is a community health care center providing affordable health care for all, including LGBTQ+ individuals, in an equitable and judgement-free manner. Their services include primary care, diabetes care, gynecology, pediatrics, sexual health, HIV prevention and STI testing, harm reduction, and much more.
Joining in the gift presentation are (left to right): - Susanna Speed, Senior Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Trillium - Joseph Searles, VP, Chief Community Engagement Officer, Trillium - David Guzetta, VP, Wealth Advisor, CNB - Andrea DeMeo, President and CEO, Trillium - Jason Barnecut-Kearns, CFO, Chief Development Officer, Trillium - Javier Quintana, VP, Branch Manager, College Town, CNB - Kristin Cook, Director of Development, Trillium
Learn more about Trillium Health at: www.trilliumhealth.org
URMC's Pediatric Behavioral Health & Wellness program is dedicated to responding to the mental health emergency for youth happening in our community. They will soon break ground on renovating part of the R-Wing into the new Brighter Days Pediatric Mental Health Urgent Care Center.
The new center, the area's first, will provide walk-in access for assessment, real time crisis intervention, and connection with services to meet the needs of youth and families in a child and family centered, developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive, and comforting environment.
“Children around the world are facing a behavioral health crisis," said Dr. Michael A. Scharf, Psychiatrist-in-Chief at Golisano Children’s Hospital. "I am fortunate to live a community that is rallying together to help us provide the best evidence-based care and services to help our region’s children, youth, and families.”
Dr. Scharf (left) joined CNB’s Laurie Haelen, Senior Vice President Investment Solutions (second from left), Dario Saccente, Wealth Associate (second from right) and Javier Quintana (right), Vice President and Branch Manager of the College Town Community Office for the gift presentation outside of the building the urgent care facility will be housed.
Learn more about URMC's pediatric behavioral health program at: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/childrens-hospital/behavioral-health-wellness.aspx
Challenger Miracle Field is a one-of-a-kind environment for the 150,000 individuals who live with disabilities in and around Rochester.
"The gift means a lot to Billy and all of the kids and adults who participate in our year-round programs," said Ron Kampff, Co-Founder of Miracle Field (L), who accepted the donation with Bill Taylor (R), one of the organization's year-round athletes. "Your gift will help minimize the cost to hold our 2nd Annual Night to Shine Valentine’s Prom on February 10th!"
Challenger Miracle Field is located in Webster, NY, and is home to a barrier-free and fully wheelchair accessible athletic field made with turf that is rubberized and cushioned. An ADA-compliant playground is also nearby.
Learn more about Challenger Miracle Field at: https://rochestermiraclefield.org.
"What is means to us is we can serve so many more families," said Executive Director Allynn Smith. "Funding from funders that are not state or federal give us the ability to leverage additional funding from the state and federal. So your gift, no matter if it is large or small, really has more impact that people know. And it will serve so many more families, especially in the wintertime when it is so cold."
Bishop Sheen Ecumenical Housing Foundation (Sheen Housing) is a not-for-profit corporation provides safe, decent, affordable housing for very low to moderate income families, seniors, veterans and persons living with disabilities.
CNB's Director of Community Engagement Ginny Ryan (left) joined colleagues Laurie Haelen, Senior Vice President Investment Solutions (second from left) and Dario Saccente, Wealth Associate (right), to present the donation Allynn Smith (second from right).
Learn more about Bishop Sheen Housing at: https://sheenhousing.org/
When Covid-19 shutdown Rochester, Earl Johnston went to work to make sure people could get the essentials they needed to survive. Roc Mutual Aid continues its work today making more things, like bus passes and hygiene products, freely available. The organization is community funded and receives many requests for help.
“We’ve never received a donation like this (CNB’s). All of it will go toward helping people that need it,” said Johnston.
Joining the celebration are (left to right):
- Josh Knoblock, volunteer
- Chris Crouse, volunteer
- Dario Saccente, CNB Wealth Associate
- Earl Johnston, Roc Mutual Aid, founder
- Ginny Ryan, CNB's Director of Community Engagement
- Erin Turpin, volunteer
Learn more about Rochester Mutual Aid Network at: https://rocmutualaid.com.
Since the inception of its scholarship program in 1985, over $320,000 has been awarded to 482 graduating students via the Urban-Suburban Scholarship Award. In 2023, the program will have 78 seniors graduating across the program.
Program Director Felicia Smith (second from left), and Janice Kpor (second from right), a member of the Parent Advisory Council, joined CNB's Wealth Associate Dario Saccente (L) and Javier Quintana (R), Vice President and Branch Manager of the College Town Community Office, for the presentation of funding. Kpor is also a parent of a graduate of the program, and CNB's Saccente was a scholarship recipient.
CNB's donation will be used to assist urban-suburban graduating seniors with the costs of continuing education. Alumni of the program have gone on to Division I schools, HBCUs, law school, and more. The program is primarily funded through voluntary pledges.
Learn more about the scholarship program at: www.monroe.edu/US.
The seeds for this group were planted by Chloe Smith and handful of others. Five years later, this community garden has grown to reach 1,000 people in Rochester working to create a space where people feel welcome and food insecurity is addressed.
The 490 Farmers operate a food pantry and farm year-round. The garden is located at 550 Meigs Street in Rochester.
Next year, the 490 Farmers hope to double their space and CNB’s support will help them plant even more seeds. You can learn more about the organization at: www.490farmers.com.
CNB's Dario Saccente (third from left), Wealth Associate, presented the donation to the founders and board of directors of 490 Farmers. Joining in the celebration are (L to R):
- John Akers, musician-in-residence and former board member
- Doug Aldridge, Treasurer, Board of Directors
- Dario Saccente, CNB
- Chloe Smith, Founder, 490 Farmers
- Grant Marthinsen, Member, Board of Directors
- Courtney Klee, Executive Director
- Karen Soanes, Chair, Board of Directors
- Erin Turpin, Secretary, Board of Directors
- Amy Stell, Member, Board of Directors
- Rachel Snyder, business consultant to 490 farmers
The Association for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) brings people together from all backgrounds in 17 area counties to prevent suicide through education and innovative prevention programs.
“We are seeing an uptick in cases this year and we are doubling down with efforts,” shared Tiffany Rollek, Area Director for AFSP. It is a cause close to her heart and she serves with great purpose.
CNB's David Gibbons, Senior Vice President and Program Manager of Retail Wealth (L), joined colleague Ginny Ryan, Director of Community Engagement (R), to present the donation to Rollek (C).
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is dedicated to providing support, education, and advocacy to people and families of all backgrounds impacted by mental illness. All NAMI’s programs are free.
“Access to mental health services is essential, especially at a time when mental illness is stigmatized,” said Krista Jenkins, Development Director at NAMI. Her passion for the job is palpable!
CNB's Laurie Haelen, Senior Vice President Investment Solutions (C), joined Dario Saccente, Wealth Associate (R), to present the donation to Krista Jenkins (L).
St. Joseph's provides medical, dental, and mental health care for 3,000 uninsured and underinsured people in our community every year. They are a group dedicated to making a difference.
CNB’s gift will be used to provide bus passes, groceries, and prescriptions to support patients.
“It will go a long way in providing needed services,” said Executive Director Jen Sahrle.
Joining in the donation celebration are (left to right):
- Elissa Fleming, St. Joseph's Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator
- Ginny Ryan, CNB's Director of Community Engagement
- Dario Saccente, CNB Wealth Advisor
- Jen Sahrle, Executive Director of St. Joseph's
- Laurie Haelen, CNB's Senior Vice President Investment Solutions
- Tiffany Paine-Cirrincione, St. Joseph's Development and Communications Director
- Lauren Adams, St. Joseph's Administration
Learn more about St. Joseph's at: www.sjncenter.org.
"When people give us money it turns into books. The CNB donation means hundreds of books," said Dr. Matt Present, founder of the local Imagination Library. The library provides free books to Rochester children every month from birth to age 5.
CNB's Director of Community Engagement Ginny Ryan (left) joined colleagues Laurie Haelen, Senior Vice President Investment Solutions (second from right), and Dario Saccente, Wealth Associate (right), to present the donation to Dr. Present (second from left).
Through the month of December, donations to the Rochester Imagination Library will be doubled during their matching-gift campaign. More info at: www.rochesterimaginationlibrary.org.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a national program "dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five, through funding shared by Dolly Parton and local community partners in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Republic of Ireland."
Special "Thank you!" to the team at the Phillis Wheatley Branch Library for sharing their space with us.
CNB's employee-led committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is proud to support local organizations through its philanthropy program.