Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Legacy Of Lacrosse By WKBW News

BUFFALO, NY –(release) The East Aurora High School Lady Blue Devils lacrosse team will be celebrating more than just their senior game against West Seneca West on Friday, April 29th. Students, staff, and community members will join together for the third year in a row to commemorate the life and legacy of long-time supporter, Michael Schafer.
Mike was a strong supporter of East Aurora lacrosse programs serving as President of the booster club and member of the Board of Directors. With his leadership and fundraising abilities Mike assisted the program by helping to provide scholarships for athletes to attend lacrosse camps, play in the winter league and have indoor preseason practice time. With his help, the program grew from one club team of varsity boys to four teams - varsity and junior varsity boys and girls - plus two club teams at the modified level. As a lacrosse dad, Mike could often be found on the sidelines cheering on his son, David (class of ’03) and daughter, Jennifer (class of ’07). With Mike’s passing two years ago, his children lost their biggest fan, and the lacrosse program lost a major advocate. Yet, Mike’s passion and enthusiasm for the game will forever remain a constant in the hearts of all who knew him.
Upon his death and in accordance with his generous personality, Mike gave the gift of life through organ donation with Upstate New York Transplant Services. Thanks to this selfless act, numerous people have received a second chance at life. As a reflection of the impact Mike made on the East Aurora lacrosse program, the Lady Blue Devils will be wearing lime green jerseys during their game specially designed by Laux Sporting Goods displaying the Upstate New York Transplant Services logo on the front, and Mike’s nickname, “Schafe,” across the back.
In preparation for the April 29th event, members of the Lady Blue Devils lacrosse team have designed posters promoting the Donate Life memorial game. Students will also be offered green Donate Life wristbands in exchange for “loose change” that will benefit UNYTS. In addition, team members will be giving educational morning announcements throughout the week of the game to increase awareness among the student body regarding the importance of organ donation.
The third annual Michael Schafer Memorial Lacrosse Game will be held on Friday, April 29th at 7:30pm at East Aurora High School, 1003 Center Street in East Aurora.
In attendance at the game will be Mike’s son and widow, Tracey. Time will be dedicated prior to the game’s start and during half-time to commemorate Mike’s life and to present Tracey with flowers.
Over 110,000 individuals are waiting for a life-saving transplant across the country, 10% are from New York State… 800 people live right here in Western New York. Sadly, an average of 18 patients dies everyday while waiting, simply because the organ they needed did not become available in time. A single donor can save or enhance the lives of up to 50 people through organ, eye, tissue & blood donation.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Sam's Club Giving of Health

 

Grants fund The Y-USA, Sesame Workshop, The OASIS Institute and Alliance for a Healthier Generation in cities throughout the United States

BENTONVILLE, Ark., April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity, are some of the most costly and deadly, but fortunately, they are also among the most preventable.* This week, as part of a national philanthropic effort, the Sam's Club Giving Program will award more than $2.8 million to organizations with programs that help prevent disease and promote healthy living. Prevention and awareness programs that help people from all walks of life make healthy choices and lifestyle changes can make a significant difference in reducing obesity, diabetes, heart disease and a host of other conditions.
The donations will be given to YMCA of the USA (Y-USA), Sesame Workshop, Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the OASIS Institute. Each of these organizations has sustainable, innovative programs that focus on disease prevention by creating awareness and providing education in an effort to target specific health and wellness issues. Most importantly, these programs can have a positive effect on the communities where Sam's Club Members and Associates live and work.
"At Sam's Club, we can make a difference by partnering with organizations that have the resources to implement national programs on a local level," said Jill Turner-Mitchael, senior vice president, Health and Wellness at Sam's Club. "These four organizations each address very different needs, and we hope that with these grants, they can make a lasting change in communities all across the country."
$2.8 MILLION IN ACTION
The Sam's Club Giving Program will award funding to the following organizations to support their programs that help prevent disease and promote healthy living.
places for kids to learn and staff to work.
FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY
In addition to financial support for deserving organizations, Sam's Club demonstrates a commitment to health and wellness issues in many other ways.
On Saturday, April 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in more than 500 Sam's Club locations, the company will provide free health screenings in the pharmacy areas. These events are open to the public and those who choose to participate will be measured for body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and lung capacity. The YMCA, Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the Oasis Institute will also participate at select clubs in a ceremonial check presentation. For more information, times and locations of health screenings of participating Sam's Club locations, visit SamsClub.com/HealthyLiving.
About the Sam's Club Giving Program
Sam's Club supports community-based programs that empower young people, families and small businesses to make smart choices that lead to healthy and bright futures. In 2009 alone, on behalf of Sam's Club, the Walmart Foundation gave more than $73 million in cash and in-kind gifts to support local U.S. organizations focusing on education, health and children's programs including donating more than 38-million pounds of food to Feeding America food banks.
For more information about Sam's Club Giving, visit SamsClub.com/Giving.
* The Power of Prevention: Chronic Disease…the public health challenge of the 21st century Center for Disease Control (2009). http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/pdf/2009-Power-of-Prevention.pdf

SOURCE Walmart Sam's Club