Tonight’s Events 6:30PM Check-In Music Begins: Jazz/Pop Quartet GRAVY Bar Opens Appetizer Buffet Opens Provided by the Restaurateurs of the West Side Bazaar Food Stations Open Basket Auction & 50/50 Raffle Open 7:30PM WELCOME WEDI Executive Director Carolynn Welch & WEDI Board President Stephen Zenger 2022 WEDI Entrepreneur of the Year Announced by 2021 Winner Christine Uwimbabazi, Owner, Prime Care Transportation Faces of WEDI Directed by Rich Wall, additional videography by Anna Sime 8:00PM The Wheels on the Bus/Education Director Courtney Yonce Text WHEELS to 801801 Live Auction hosted by Dr. John Gillespie Food Stations & Basket Auction Close Coffee & Dessert Station Opens Provided by Radah Baked Goods at the West Side Bazaar 8:30PM The Road to Niagara Street/Betsy & Jock Mitchell 8:35PM Basket Auction Winners Announced 9:00PM Check-out Begins 9:30 PM Hello Summer, Goodbye Winter…fest Concludes WEDI // 3
GIVE a man a fish and you feed him for a day. TEACH a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. — CHINESE PROVERB zenger.com ZENGER GROUP | PARTNERS PRESS | DOWNTOWN GRAPHICS Proud to support WEDI Winterfest and the fishermen and women of the West Side of Buffalo GIVE a man a fish and you feed him for a day. TEACH a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. — CHINESE PROVERB Proud to support WEDI interfest and the fishermen and women of the West Side of Buffalo 4 // WINTERFEST 2022
A Letter from the Executive Director Dear WEDI Friends and Family, WEDI has had an extraordinary year. Last April we were just beginning to see the end of quarantine and preparing to reopen the Bazaar for dine-in customers. The leadership of the capital campaign to build the West Side Bazaar on Niagara Street was formed. We were planning an in-person summer education program. All has been accomplished, and more. You may have seen WEDI in the news, and you may be following us on social media and getting our digital monthly newsletter but, being with you in person is incomparable. I want you to feel connected to WEDI, and most importantly, to be thanked for your contribution to the success of our organization that was founded only 16 years ago. Today, our focus is honed to English Language Learners in grades 1-12 and on nascent entrepreneurs from overlooked and underserved populations. Our goal? Equity. WEDI was built by hundreds and hundreds of supporters like you who have brought their best thinking, energy, and financial support to WEDI’s vision: that all residents of Western New York can succeed and thrive in a culturally inclusive community. I am thankful for you, and I am thankful that our region is emerging from the pandemic on a growth trajectory. I am also so grateful for the board, staff, and volunteers that made this evening’s event so wonderful. Please stay in touch, there are exciting times ahead and I want to share them with you. It lifts my heart when I walk into the Bazaar. See you there in 2022! Carolynn Welch Executive Director VISION WEDI’s vision is that all residents of Western New York can succeed and thrive in a culturally inclusive community. MISSION WEDI strengthens communities through a continuum of educational and financial resources, removing systemic barriers to economic equity for all Western New Yorkers. WEDI // 5
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Thank you, Winterfest Sponsors for a Record-Breaking Total of Support! $20,000 Crystal $10,000 Platinum M&T Bank $5,000 Sapphire The Buffalo News Community Bank, NA Erie County Industrial Development Agency Betsy & Jock Mitchell Zenger Group $2,500 Gold CTG The Habib Family Foundation Highmark Western New York KeyBank $1,000 Silver Micheal Beck, LMT Sarah Belliotti & Dr. Jack McGrath Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Buffalo Wire Works Goldfarb Financial Hayes Construction Services Hodgson Russ LLP Independent Health Gerald Kelly People Inc. Jane & John Perry Phillips Lytle Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Univera Healthcare Walsh Duffield Companies, Inc. Wegmans $500 Bronze JoAnn Belliotti Gretchen & David Brand Monique Brannon Cedarland Development Group Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation D’Youville University Camie & Chris Greene Harmac Medical Products Barbara Hoy & Beatrice Dunwoodie/ Hunt Real Estate Melanie Jaskolka & Robert Jones Jericho Road Community Health Center Mader Construction Company Normeltech Rigidized Metals Corporation Savarino Companies Stang Insurance Consulting Carolyn Hoyt Stevens, Licensed Realtor -- Gurney, Becker, & Bourne Snowflake Supporters Maria Corbo-Logan Cornelia & Richard Dopkins Raymond Herman Alice Joseffer Debby & Chris LaMendola Donna Niswander Pam & Lance Pollock Mimi & Erich Steadman Phillip Stevens Tom Warszawski WEDI // 7
The Buffalo News honors WEDI’s efforts to build inclusive communities. We join your efforts by sharing the stories of all Western New Yorkers to help foster deeper connections and understanding across the region. 8 // WINTERFEST 2022
THANK YOU! WEDI Board, Staff, and Volunteers Board of Directors Stephen Zenger Board President Krista Schwartzott Vice President Emily Oaks Secretary Luke Donigan Assistant Secretary Melissa Woods Treasurer JoAnn Belliotti Zelalem Gemmeda Donna Genesky Melanie Jaskolka Michael Kenline Gustavo Lima Catherine March Betsy Mitchell Katie O’Connor Louise Sano Mimi Steadman Jonathan Willcox Event Committee JoAnn Belliotti, Co-Chair Stephen Zenger, Co-Chair Katherine Colman Cody Clement-Sanders Sarah Cudmore Catherine Dolan Christian Holdridge Melanie Jaskolka Erin St. John Kelly Catherine Carr Lincoln Elizabeth Lovria Catherine March Baaqeyah Muhammad El Purnima Mohan Michael Moretti Laura Munson Katie O’Connor Yanush Sanmugaraja Courtney Yonce Auction Volunteers: Ellen Bean M&T Bank Program Design: Cindy Ball, Zenger Group Staff Carolynn Welch Executive Director Directors Cody Clement-Sanders Erin St. John Kelly Yanush Sanmugaraja Morgan Vacanti Courtney Yonce Staff Joshua Brenner Nysha Camilo Dave Chambers Katherine Colman Daniel Conneely Catherine Dolan Magdalena Gil Donna Glasgow Cristen Gregory Fatouma Hamza-Garba Eboni Hayes Zanaya Hussain Elizabeth Lovria Purnima Mohan Michael Moretti Baaqeyah Muhammad El Laura Munson Katrina Nanor Steven Pantoja Yesilliam Rivera Pratts Nimo Qasim Evan Roorland Esperance Rwigamba Nicholas Sessanna Hamadi Shebule Ryan Schupp Donata Uzamukunda Shirley Vazquez WEDI // 9
2006$400,000 Seed Funding • Founded by Westminster Presbyterian Church • 1st full-time employee hired 2009Annual Budget $110,438 • Launches microloan program 2011Annual Budget $96,478 • 1st West Side Bazaar opens with 6 businesses 2012Annual Budget $108,838 • West Side Bazaar opens at 25 Grant Street, more than doubling capacity 2016 Annual Budget $718,606 • Becomes a microloan intermediary authorized to issue Small Business Association (SBA) loans • Becomes a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with lowest lending threshold ($500) 2017 Annual Budget $998,0000 • 15 full-time employees, 16 Americorps • Community Stakeholder Focus Groups (through 2019) • Board & Community Committee formed to test expansion strategies • 19 foundation, corporate, government grants funded 2018Annual Budget $1,360,000 • 15 full-time, 8 Americorps • Purchase of 1432 Niagara Street • 55 grants submitted 2019 Annual Budget $1,657,000 • Carolynn Welch becomes Executive Director • Expanded Board of Directors • CJS Architects retained for new West Side Bazaar 2020 Annual Budget $1,707,000 • 20 full-time employees • Staff is restructured and professionalized • Capital Campaign planning begins • Hayes Construction Corp. retained for new West Side Bazaar PILLARS WEDI’s dual focus areas of Education and Economic Development (ED) work in tandem to tackle systemic inequities that affect Buffalo’s underserved residents, many of whom are people of color. By supporting youth to succeed in school and empowering entrepreneurs to launch, sustain, and grow small businesses, WEDI is helping to create a more equitable Buffalo. 10 // WINTERFEST 2022
2021 Annual Budget: $1,726,000 • 33 full-time employees • 15 year anniversary • Rebrand and visioning • Architectural plans released • Capital Campaign launches early phase 2022 Annual Budget: $2.424,516 • Groundbreaking and construction commences • East Side Expansion underway in Bailey-Green neighborhood Education Program Growth 1998 Westminster Presbyterian Church begins ENERGY after school tutoring program 2006ENERGY after school tutoring program tailors for English Language Learners 2009ENERGY segments for grades 1-5 2016FLY after school tutoring for grades 6-8 established 2018LAUNCH after school tutoring for high school students & Saturday Girls’ Club established ssue ncial 500) 019) ed Economic Development Since 2012, clients have created or retained more than 180 full-time jobs, all of which are filled by residents of WNY. Between 2017-20, 35 Economic Development clients generated gross revenues of $15+ million. Over the course of the pandemic, WEDI deployed more than $1.2M in funding to help businesses recover from the pandemic. A majority of these businesses were Minority and Women Owned Businesses (MWBEs). WEDI is on track to deploy an additional $1M by the end of 2022. Microlending Since launching the microlending program in 2009, WEDI has loaned nearly $1.4 million to 113 business owners. Since 2011, WEDI’s West Side Bazaar has incubated more than 48 small businesses. WEDI // 11
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2022 Entrepreneur of the Year Novi Paluch Presented by 2021 Entrepreneur of the Year Christine Uwimbabazi, owner of Prime Care Transportation Novi Paluch opened Sasmita Batik more than nine years ago in WEDI’s West Side Bazaar. Since then, she has offered our community and beyond a fine selection of handmade traditional Indonesian batik. After Sasmita Batik graduated from the West Side Bazaar in 2014, she sold in several retail locations including the Market Arcade, and is now in her own space at 43 1/2 Allen Street. Sasmita Batik is always open for customers beyond WNY, and since the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2019, it has rapidly grown online sales through its website, sasmitabatik.com. Since 2019, Sasmita Batik has shown at the prestigious NYC Fashion Week. This past year, Novi was proud to highlight several new collections she designed and made available from Sasmita Batik. They were all huge successes at the show this year! All of the staff at WEDI who have had the pleasure to work with Novi have always admired her resourcefulness and kindness. Novi is eager to put all of the great things at WEDI to full use, and she has learned from experience how an entrepreneur could use the products and services at WEDI to grow a small (micro) business with few resources. Novi consistently shares kind words about WEDI, and the continued growth and accomplishments of Sasmita Batik are all ways Novi shows that she is appreciative of this support. She continues to set new goals to achieve. She is looking forward to using this recognition to inspire other entrepreneurs and encourage everyone to have confidence in themselves and their skills. Congratulations, Novi! www.sasmitabatik.com WEDI // 13
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Education 2022 The Wheels on the Bus/Education Director Courtney Yonce Lack of access to quality education is one of the main contributors to the cycle of poverty. This is especially true for non-native born people who struggle to attain even the basic level of literacy they need to succeed in school and in life. We’re asking you to help us get students to our programs this summer. Just the cost of the school bus is $40,000. Without English language literacy, students have no clear path towards earning sustainable incomes and exercising choice over their lives. Literacy is the critical first step on the path to economic equity. Buffalo is home to 25,000 foreign-born people, 10,000 of whom are refugees—a 95% increase since 2006. The number of English Language Learners (ELLs) in the Buffalo Public School System (BPS) has doubled in the last decade and now comprises roughly 21% of the total student population. With over 74 countries represented and 82 different languages spoken, BPS serves the most linguistically diverse district in New York State. However, in 2019 only 33% of the district’s ELLs graduated, lower than the New York State average for ELLs (39%) and far lower than the average for native speakers in Buffalo (65%) and New York State (83%). These glaring inequalities are what inspired WEDI’s founders to establish the Education focus area in 2006. WEDI’s Education focus area addresses these issues by supporting 1st-12th grade ELLs through four programs: ENERGY (elementary-aged students), FLY (middle schoolers), Launch (high schoolers), and Girls and Boys Clubs (peer support groups). Taken as a continuum, the programs scaffold the building blocks of literacy—reading, writing, and speaking English—with socialemotional support to help students achieve academic success, navigate higher education and career opportunities, and achieve economic stability and independence. The programs also support families to navigate and acclimate to life in Buffalo while maintaining their own cultural identities. To donate, text: WHEELS to 801801 WEDI // 15
716.674.7900 ebchcm.com EBC HR & Payroll Solutions is proud to sponsor the Westminster Economic Development Initiative, Inc. At EBC, we have been committed to delivering the highest level of service to small businesses since 1964. We thank WEDI for all the work they do in our community. As the Largest Independent HR, Payroll & Time Solutions Service Bureau Provider in all of WNY & Upstate NY, we know we can support your business needs. 16 // WINTERFEST 2022
2021-2022 ENERGY & FLY serve 90 students: o 100% English Language Learners o 63% African-American o 37% Asian o Areas of origin: Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa. To Date: Economic Development programs serve nearly 300 clients: o 80% Racial or ethnic minority o 49% Women o 51% Refugees o 85% Previously low-income EDUCATION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEDI Community Taken as a continuum, the programs scaffold the building blocks of literacy—reading, writing, and speaking English. WEDI EDUCATION Supporting English Language Learners • Elementary School Students ENERGY • Middle School Students FLY • High School Students LAUNCH • Peer Support Groups BOYS & GIRL’S CLUB WEDI // 17
Live Auction Experiences DINNER FOR 8 CATERED BY THE WEST SIDE BAZAAR Enjoy a curated five-course meal from appetizers to dessert catered by the West Side Bazaar in your home. We will work with you to determine a menu from any or all of our restaurants that will be perfect for you and your guests. Mix and match Chinese dim sum appetizers to Ethiopian injera to Thai beef salad, Pad Thai, sushi, ramen, and to finish, cupcakes and you will host a memorable meal. Four bottles of wine will accompany the meal. ELEGANT LIVE MUSIC FOR YOUR EVENT OR PARTY Acclaimed performer and director of music at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Garrett Martin will play the piano at your party or event on a mutually determined date. Let Garrett make your next event an elegant evening of fine music for your company. COUPLES PHOTOSHOOT WITH NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PHOTOGRAPHER LIBBY MARCH Enjoy a 90-minute couples portrait session. The winning bidder will work with Libby to determine the Western NY location, date and backup rain-date for the session. Delivery via online gallery includes approximately 50 digital images for personal use. Libby March is an independent photojournalist and portraitist with ten years of experience based in Western NY. With frequent contributions to The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and Buffalo magazine, Libby’s work tells stories of issues facing Buffalo, the Rust Belt, and the nation. For more information on Libby’s repertoire of work find her on Instagram @libbymarch or on her website libbymarchphoto.com. 18 // WINTERFEST 2022
SALVATORE’S GRAND ESCAPE Enjoy a special night away from home with a relaxing and elegant stay at Salvatore’s Grand Hotel and Russell’s Steaks, Chops & More. The package includes the Good Morning Breakfast Buffet plus a $100 gift certificate for dinner to be used anytime. 3 NIGHTS OF CULTURE! DINNERS! DRINKS! A sampler of Buffalo’s cultural jewels: Irish Classical Theatre Company, Road Less Traveled Productions, and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra all await you and your guest. Make these evenings downtown even more special with dinner and drinks at 3 different restaurants. 1-WEEK STAY AT AIRBNB IN TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA Book a 1-week stay between October 1, 2022 and April 30, 2023 in this beautiful family home within walking distance of North Beach, near Savannah, Georgia. The home has 4 bedrooms with the ability to sleep 9 guests (1 king bed, 2 queen beds, and 2 twin beds), 3 bathrooms, washer and dryer, WIFI, covered patio and table with chairs, charcoal grill, and parking for 4 cars. Go to https://qrs.ly/n1dla9p to see AirBnb listing for details about this vacation property. THIN MAN BREWERY & YOU: NAME YOUR OWN BEER IS JUST THE BEGINNING Name your own beer and design its label with Thin Man’s graphic designer, then receive one-of-a-kind T-Shirts featuring your beer label for you and three friends. Thin Man will host a social media “brew” day featuring you and three friends and a real happy hour for you and three friends on the day of the release. You will receive one case of your beer, a $100 Thin Man gift card, and the heady feeling of having fun while doing good because $1 from every pour of your beer will be donated to WEDI! WEDI // 19
Putting our communities and customers first has been our philosophy for more than 155 years. It’s how we do business and it’s what sets us apart. Our checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, personal and business loans, and financial planning help people reach their goals and live their dreams. Banking should be personal—we’ll show you why that makes all the difference. cbna.com Make dreams, projects, & plans happen. Equal Housing Lender | Member FDIC 20 // WINTERFEST 2022
WEDI's 2021 Entrepreneur of the Year WEDI // 21
Vision: WEDI’s vision is that all residents of Western New York can succeed and thrive in a culturally inclusive community. Mission: WEDI strengthens communities through a continuum of educational and financial resources, removing systemic barriers to economic equity for all Western New Yorkers. Neighbors of the new Bazaar include: 6 apartment buildings + other residential homes, 20 manufacturing and retail operations with more planned As a mom and an entrepreneur, your kids see the hard work you put in. I hear how proud my children are to say their mom is a CEO to their friends. It's amazing to be a woman and an entrepreneur at the same time. — Christine Uwimbabazi, Prime Care WEDI Microloan Client & 2021 WEDI Entrepreneur of the Year Campaign Leadership Betsy & Jock Mitchell (Founder & Community Leaders) Tina Grant-Holt & Dale Holt (WEDI Entrepreneurs, Owners Manna @ Northland) Stephen Zenger (WEDI Board Chair, CEO of Zenger Group) 3,200 sq. ft. to 16,500 sq. ft. 16 businesses to 24+ businesses 35 seats to 82+ seats in Community Cafe 80,000 visitors to 120,000+ visitors (projected) • Diversified businesses: including accountants, special event planners, health and beauty • Dedicated spaces: for community, family and social events, workforce training, technology and test kitchen • On-site programming: speaker series, tastings, cooking classes for all ages Niagara Street is Resurgent Community Opportunity The New West Side Bazaar 22 // WINTERFEST 2022
JOIN US FOR BAZAAR BASH THE ROAD TO NIAGARA STREET STARTS HERE: 25 GRANT STREET, BUFFALO JULY 30, 2022 • 4PM Bring the whole family for fun, food and entertainment. Come learn more about the Campaign for the New West Side Bazaar! For information please contact: Director of External Relations Erin Kelly ekelly@wedibuffalo.org or Capital Campaign Manager Laura Munson lmunson@wedibuffalo.org Capital Campaign Co-Chairs Tina Grant-Holt & Dale Holt WEDI Entrepreneurs & Owners, Manna @ Northland Betsy & Jock Mitchell Co-Founder & Community Leaders Stephen Zenger WEDI Board Chair & CEO, Zenger Group Deborah & Eric Alcott Elizabeth Kahn & Stephen Bell Matthew C. Collard Camie & Christopher Greene Leslie Garcia Nickole Garrison Katie Hamister Melanie Jaskolka Charles F. Kreiner, Jr. Gustavo Lima Emily Oaks Marcia & Alphonso O’Neil-White Bonnie Smith John F. Somers Mimi Steadman Edward Walsh, Jr. Jonathan Willcox WEDI // 23
When you’re part of a community, caring iswhatyoudo At Univera Healthcare, we’re committed to caring for our neighbors. We are here to support WEDI and the residents of Western New York. 24 // WINTERFEST 2022
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEDI is the only lender in Buffalo offering capital to our target population, who might otherwise consider borrowing from predatory lenders. •$500-$20,000 •Start-Up Costs •Does Not Exceed 10% APR Small Business Loans •Refinancing Business Debt •Working Capital Credit Builder Loans •Pre- and Post-Loan Assistance •Financial Education •Coaching Technical Assistance WEDI // 25
ABOUT MAKING A DIFFERENCE. PASSIONATE Independent Health is proud to support WEDI for their passion for making a difference. Their commitment to excellence and dedication to help improve the lives of others brings the essence of the RedShirt® Treatment to life. independenthealth.com ©2022 Independent Health Association, Inc. IH31873 Helping create healthier, better neighborhoods FAMILY Insurance Solutions to Keep You Safe &Well Proud Supporter of WEDI Personal - Commercial - Employee Benefits 26 // WINTERFEST 2022
(We also Industrial-strength legal technology born in Bu alo, New York. WEDI! We changing the way legal services are priced.) WEDI // 27
Michael J. Pratt, CFA® President Matthew C. Collard Managing Partner W. Lawrence Buck, CFP® Chairman Colin D. Pratt, CFP® COO, VP-Financial Planning Charles A. Noonan Junior Portfolio Manager 120 West Tupper St. Suite 205 Buffalo, New York 14201 716.566.9140 | Toll Free 855.270.7878 www.pcbadvisory.com Investment advice offered through Private Advisor Group, a registered investment advisor. Michael J. Pratt, CFA® President Matthew C. Collard Managing Partner W. Lawrence Buck, CFP® Chairman Colin D. Pratt, CFP® COO, VP-Financial Planning Charles A. Noonan Junior Portfolio Manager 28 // WINTERFEST 2022
It’s all about better lives and more opportunities. Programs that strengthen families strengthen our community. That’s why we support programs that focus on families. We recognize their tireless efforts and thank them for helping to improve the lives of parents and children in so many ways. KeyBank thanks WEDI for making a difference. ©2022 KeyCorp. KeyBank is Member FDIC. 190104-521095-1229266036 WEDI // 29
We are honored to help power WEDI through Capital Campaign Management, Fundraising, and Branding Congratulations to the entire WEDI team! Powers Entrepreneurs Siobhan McDermott Zoe Behan Svenja Greenwood & P 917.817.3962 siobhan@strategicnyc.com www.strategicnyc.com F_SMC—WEDI-Ad_mech.indd 1 4/11/22 9:38 AM 30 // WINTERFEST 2022
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business. www.ecidany.com Your growth is our Congratulations to WEDI on a successful Winterfest 2022! The ECIDA is a proud supporter of the Westminster Economic Development Initiative Learn about our small business loans and resources: 32 // WINTERFEST 2022
westherr.com From Sales to Service, Parts, Collision, Accessories and Glass... it would be our pleasure to assist with all your automotive needs. Proudly serving West Herr New Yorkers for over 72 years. In Proud Support of WEDI Winterfest 2022 New York State’s Largest Vehicle Retailer WEDI // 33
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www.ctg.com Agile and DevSecOps Internet of Things Intelligent Automation Data Analytics Cloud Automated Testing Accelerating Digital Transformation Proud sponsor of the WEDI vision: A Western New York where all residents can succeed and thrive in a culturally inclusive, equitable community. WEDI // 35
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Thank you to WEDI for all of the work you do to better our community through educational and economic development programs. Your service to the Western New York community is integral to our region's renaissance. /HigginsforCongress @HigginsforWNY HigginsforCongress.com Paid for by Higgins for Congress WEDI // 37
Investing in Our Community At Manning & Napier, we’re committed to serving our community and are proud to help organizations create meaningful change. It is our great honor to support Westminster Economic Development Initiative. www.manning-napier.com 38 // WINTERFEST 2022
Celebrating even the small victories, can mean something big. The outpouring of support from our community over the past year has done so much good – more than you’ll ever know. RoswellPark.org/StartToHeal WEDI // 39
Energizing entrepreneurial communities Helping Small Businesses Flourish Through Energized Communities of Entrepreneurs and Advisors Click the QR to see how WEDI uses Fivenomics to facilitate advisor - entrepreneur engagement www.fivenomics.com/wedi people-inc.org WEDI’s Winterfest People Inc. strives to promote a culturally inclusive and equitable community and is so proud to support People Inc. provides comprehensive services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families and older adults to lead more healthy, independent and productive lives across Western New York and the Greater Rochester region. 40 // WINTERFEST 2022
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York is a trade name of Highmark Western and Northeastern New York Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Building a brighter future Life is full of unexpected moments — and great ones, too. You’ve counted on us through it all. Supporting WEDI in promoting inclusive communities. WEDI // 41
Helping to Build&ProtectWEDI’s brand this season and all year long. Celebrating all that WEDI does for the Western NY Community www.inkbench.com Inkbench Proudly SupportsWinterfest! Hayes Construction is thrilled to partner with WEDI at Winterfest and West Side Bazaar! 716.768.0145 www.hayesbuild.com 42 // WINTERFEST 2022
HERITAGE WESTERN NEW YORK Subscribe today and save 50%! Receive a year of the region’s engaging art, architecture and history for just $20. Visit our website or call our office and use promo code WEDI22. 716.893.4011 • www.wnyheritage.org New subscriptions only. Offer expires March 31, 2022. Western New York’s Illustrated History Quarterly Please join us in conversation on our Facebook page at facebook.com/WNYHeritage or on Instagram WNYHeritage WEDI // 43
Wherever you go in Western New York, it goes without saying that Northtown Automotive is a part of it. We work here. We play here. We live here. We take pride in our community by giving back and supporting it in many ways. With 19 brands and 11 locations, we are committed to serving our customers and neighbors, today and tomorrow to the nth degree! Official Automotive Dealer of the Buffalo Bills! Shop at YEARS Servicing WNY for + northtowncareers.com Savarino Companies is a proud sponsor of WEDI, their Winterfest event & their vision to support WNY. savarinocompanies.com | 716-332-5959 SEM BUFFALO SEMINARY EST.1851 Independent day &boarding schoolfor college-bound girls SEM is proud to have volunteered for WEDI's education program for more than a decade! buffaloseminary.org 44 // WINTERFEST 2022
Ways to Help Our Region Thrive with WEDI VOLUNTEER In the English Language Learner program for grades 1-12 At Winterfest As an economic development mentor Contact Community Engagement Coordinator Cristen Gregory/cgregory@wedibuffalo.org OFFER FINANCIAL SUPPORT As an Annual Fund donor As a Dreammaker – Recurring donors allow us to strategize and efficiently build budgets As a Legacy Donor – Impact the region indefinitely with a gift to WEDI in your estate plans Select WEDI on AmazonSmile Shop through IGive with WEDI as your beneficiary Go to wedibuffalo.org/donate or text WHEELS to 801801 CANDID has awarded us its highest rating: Platinum. You can give to WEDI with confidence. SHOP & EAT at the West Side Bazaar From cupcakes to ful, to ramen and injera, there’s something for every appetite at the West Side Bazaar — and for every style and age there are beaded earrings, fur-trimmed ponchos and bearfaced mittens, purses and backpacks, and home decorating accents from Asia and Africa. WEDI // 45
000 To bid, hold this number up high so the auctioneer or spotter can see it. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! 46 // WINTERFEST 2022
PARTNERING FOR A VIBRANT FUTURE. POWERED BY PARTNERSHIP. Dedicated to the people, partnerships, and projects that fill our plates and fuel our passion, Table catalogs the impactful community work we’re proud to be a part of. www.richs.com/our-impact/community/table
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