WNY UNITED IS BACK TO SCHOOL

After a successful summer, the Prevention Specialists are happy to be back in the classrooms. Most of WNY United's prevention programming is delivered as part of the

School Community Action Team (SCAT) Partnerships. In SCAT, a team made up of teachers, parents, administrators, students, and other concerned community members come together under the guidance of a trained WNY United Prevention Specialist. This team then implements a comprehensive substance abuse prevention program. SCATs identify and maximize resources and ensure that adequate training, materials, and services are available. They have access to all WNY United programming, including some prevention opportunities designed exclusively for them.

Changes in SCAT Program locations often occur with the start of a new school year. Some SCAT partnerships move to a self-sufficient “graduated” status and new partnerships are forged to take their place. In the upcoming school year, WNY United Prevention Specialists will be providing programs in the following SCAT locations.

Wes Borden: #6 BEST, and #89 Dr. Lydia T. Wright School of ExcellenceLynn Burdzy: Frontier Central School DistrictJen Calderon: #31 Harriet Ross Tubman School, #39 Martin Luther King Multicultural InstituteBecky Krebs: #93 Southside Elementary, #192 Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing ArtsJulie McCarthy: Buffalo United Charter, Gowanda Central School DistrictSarah Paruta: Lake Shore Central School DistrictTammy Regnet: #27 Hillery Park ElementaryDenise Bitar: #89 Dr. Lydia T. Wright School of Excellence, Cleveland HillJessica Ulmer: #30 Frank A. Sedita Academy, #56/#64 Frederick Law Olmstead Academy Theresa Villano: #18 Dr. Antonia Pantoja School of Academic Excellence, #19 Native American Magnet School,

#91 Build AcademySamantha Zappala: #33 Bilingual Center, #43 Discovery Elementary, #72 Lorraine Elementary

As always, Program Director Beth Anzalone will supervise all SCAT activities. Beth can be reached at 821-7722, ext. 317 or banzalon@wnyunited.org.

WNY United's Achievement Mentor Program (AMP) is also gearing up for another year in Buffalo Public Schools. In this program, WNY United “achievement mentors” go to the classrooms of students struggling with academic, attendance, or behavior issues and help to keep them on task and answer questions throughout the lessons. Students who continue to struggle are removed for individual or small group instruction. In some cases, the students report to their achievement mentor during their lunch period and continue to work while eating. While working on academics, trust is built with the students that allows the staff to also provide mentoring services. Field trips and prizes can be earned by students who show improvement.

This school year, WNY United plans to facilitate AMP at #18 Dr. Antonia Pantoja School of Academic Excellence, #19 Native American Magnet School, #27 Hillery Park Elementary, #30 Frank A. Sedita Academy, #31 Harriet Ross Tubman School, #33 Bilingual Center, #39 Martin Luther King Multicultural Institute, #43 Discovery Elementary, #53 Community School, #64 Fredrick Law Olmsted, #72 Lorraine Elementary, #74 Hamlin Park Elementary, #89 Dr. Lydia T. Wright School of Excellence, #91 Build Academy, #93 Southside Elementary and #192 Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts.

AMP is supervised by Tammy Regnet and Jermaine Jennings. Contact them for more information on the program. Contact Tammy at 821-7722, ext. 321 or tregnet@wnyunited.org. Jermaine can be reached at 821-7722, ext. 319 or jjenning@wnyunited.org.

WNYUNITED Digest

Promoting Healthy Choices Fall 2010Volume 15, Issue 3

In This IssueSummer L.I.T. Program: Pg. 2

Best Kept Secret

Fans Still Love Bisons Pg. 3 Mystery Ball

WYRK-FM Promotion Pg. 3at the Erie County Fair

First Night Buffalo Pg. 4

WiNnY the Buffalo Pg. 4

SCATSchool Community

Action Team

Leaders In Training (LIT) is a leadership, life skill development

program for active WNY United school partners. Sixth grade students are recruited each spring by Prevention Specialists based on recommendations by administrators, teachers, and counselors in each school. Over the course of the program students participate in a summer training program, conferences and service learning projects.

thThis year Medaille College was the site for the 15th LIT Summer Program from July 7

ththrough August 11 for a daily attendance of 109 to 117 students from Buffalo Public and Cleveland Hill school districts. During the five and half action packed weeks, the students participated in a highly structured curriculum which included ELA with music and poetry; Math for Life; Home and Careers; Build a Business; True Colors Diversity Training; Boys Only/Girls Only; and Physical Education.

A wonderful new addition to Summer LIT was Arts In Education funded by the Erie County Youth Bureau Prime Time dollars. This highly interactive piece included videography, hip-hop, poetry/spoken word and African drumming. At the closing of the program, the students produced “Curtain Up”, a performance showcasing all aspects of the program to parents, faculty, school administrators and various special guests. This performance was an impressive display of the talent possessed by all of the Leaders in Training students.

The program included spirit week, Career Day, with special guests discussing their various occupations, and girls summer basketball camp, which was run by the Medaille women's basketball team.

In addition to the curriculum, two field trips were taken. The Ropes Course at Iroquois High School, helped teach the students trust and team building skills, and as a reward for the hard work and dedication that was put forth all summer the program ended with a trip to Darien Lake.

A very special thanks goes out to Medaille College for allowing us to use the campus for the five and a half weeks, to Buffalo Public Schools for student transportation, and to AmeriCorps for providing us with

members Bob Allen, Wes Borden, Cassie Couch and Julia Hopson, whose work was outstanding and helpful to the success of our program. Congratulations LIT Summer Program Graduates!

This program is truly the best kept secret in Buffalo.

WNY United Digest -- 2

Leaders In TrainingLIT

WNY UNITED AGAINST DRUG & ALCOHOL ABUSE, INC.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Gary Kotaska, ChairmanRobert Travers, SecretaryGerald Pullano , TreasurerMilissa AcquardReginald Z. BurtOtis GloverBarbara HicksBrian ChellaSheriff Timothy HowardThomas KulaszewskiCarrie MeyerMary Lou MontanariMary Ellen MulveyAndrew NeymanMarcy PetersonRobert E. Rich, IIIDaniel SarzynskiDrew Cerza, Ex OfficioAssemblyman Sam Hoyt, Ex OfficioMelinda R. Rich, Chairperson EmeritusRobert E. Rich, Jr., Chairperson Emeritus

FOUNDATION BOARD OFDIRECTORS

Alvino Battistoni, PresidentUrmas Lupkin, Vice PresidentJeff Pappalardo, SecretaryHoward Martin, TreasurerTimothy Walsh, Past PresidentJoseph R. Ciffa, Past PresidentThomas Grys, Past PresidentMichael BuczkowskiJulie GicewiczOtis GloverGary KotaskaKim Rich LupkinJean TothMelinda R. Rich, Chairperson EmeritusRobert E. Rich, Jr., Chairperson Emeritus

STAFF

Linda Flowers, CPP, Executive DirectorBeth Anzalone, CPPDenise BitarWes BordenDonald BurchLynn BurdzyJennifer CalderonKate ChudobaKathy DeetJermaine JenningsMichelle JohnsBecky KrebsJulie McCarthySarah ParutaTammy RegnetKaren SmithTim Smykowski, CPPJessica UlmerTheresa VillanoSamantha Zappala

SUMMER L.I.T PROGRAM – BEST KEPT SECRET IN BUFFALO

What Is WNY United?WNY United Against Drug & Alcohol Abuse, Inc. is a grass roots initiative designed to increase awareness, educate, and

mobilize area residents to participate actively in proven strategies to prevent substance abuse. We actively promote healthy

choices. Funded by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services through the Erie County

Department of Mental Health. Additional funds provided by the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, the Rich Family

Foundation, the John R. Oishei Foundation, the WNY United Foundation, the Erie County Youth Bureau, and private

contributions. Member of Px20, the Erie County Prevention Alliance.

Summer LIT Class 2010

African Drumming Practice

Ropes Course at Iroquois High School

WNY United Digest -- 3

FANS STILL LOVE BISONS MYSTERY BALL

For the past eighteen years, WNY United has partnered with WYRK-FM at the Erie County Fair, to distribute information and raise money for our substance abuse prevention programs

through the station's “Wheel of Prizes”. This year “Everyone's a Winner” could be heard on the loud speaker throughout Slade Park. Each person who spun the wheel for a $1.00 donation walked away with valuable information and a prize. For the lucky fairgoers that landed on the “Star of the Day”, there was a choice of a puzzle from Buffalo Games, or a cap from New Era. Or they could select a mystery prize envelope which contained a gift certificate donated by a local business. The loyal listeners of WYRK seemed to really enjoy the new system and $10,324 was raised. At the Fair, WYRK has now generated over $155,000 for WNY United since the promotion began benefiting our cause in 1992.

Of course many people and businesses need to be recognized for contributing to the success of the event. Volunteers included Cassie Couch, Julia Hopson, Bob Allen, Wes Borden, Mary Lou Montanari, Francisco Arinci, Matthew and Danielle Ostrander, Emily Huttner, Grace Coyle, Hanna Pawlak, Nicollette and Jenna Winiewicz, Christine and Ricky Mann, Melissa Blattner, Richard Smith among others. The Buffalo Bisons gave over 1000 buy 1 get 1 free ticket vouchers, Buffalo Games donated over 1500 puzzles, and New Era Cap gave hundreds of caps to be used as prizes.

The following businesses also donated large value prizes to the promotion: Niagara Hobby & Craft Mart, JP Fitzgerald's, Curly's Grill & Banquet Center, Chef's Restaurant of Buffalo, Buffalo

Philharmonic Orchestra, Buffalo Athletic Club, Bob-O-Link Golf Club, Creekview Restaurant, Uncle Joe's Diner, Gullo's Garden Center, Anderson's, Lancaster Opera House Theatre, Frank's Bocce Club Pizzeria, Voelkers Bowling Center, Pizza Del Aureo's, Dessert Deli, Hamburg Palace Theatre, Wendy's, Pirates Plank, The Original Pancake House, E.B. Green's Steakhouse, Darien Lake Theme Park Resort, Ace Flag Company, Kid-N-Greens, BJ's, Chick-N-Pizza Works, Eileen's Centerview Bakery, Mischler's Florist, Subway (Eden location), Vara's Dry Cleaning, Nino's Pizzeria, TJ Maxx, Walmart, Red Osier, Delta sonic, Target, and Elaine's Flower Shoppe.

WNY United thanks Clay Moden, Dale Mussen, Wendy Lynn, Dean Sarago, and Brad Hohman of WYRK-FM for making the event possible. Of course, the biggest thanks of all goes to the loyal and generous WYRK listeners who took the time to find us and donate to our cause. WNY United is extremely grateful to everyone for their support!

WYRK-FM PROMOTION – “EVERYONE'S A WINNER!” AT THE ERIE COUNTY FAIR

Othn August 7 , Bisons fans raised

$10,000 for WNY United through the third annual “Mystery Ball” promotion. As fans entered the gates of Coca Cola Field for the game, they could purchase gift-wrapped baseballs for $25 each. The 500 baseballs had been autographed by Buffalo Bisons, Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bills, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Indians or select members of the sports world and even a few celebrities. Fans were excited as they unwrapped and found out who their autograph was from. One man said “The best $25 I ever spent…I got Nolan Ryan.”

New this year was the STRASBURG RAFFLE. Each Mystery Ball purchaser received a raffle ticket for a Stephen Strasburg Autographed Baseball. During the

game, one lucky fan received an autographed baseball from the Washington Nationals' top prospect. Additional raffle tickets were available for $5.00.

The balls had been autographed by current and former MLB players including Nolan Ryan, Stephen Strasburg, Manny Ramierez, Cliff Lee, Jose Reyes Jon Niese, Victor Martinez, and Evan Longoria to name just a few. Other sports star autographs included C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson, Lee Evans Jim Kelly, Jason Pominville, Rob Ray, Paul Gaustad among others. While celebrity autographs from Bill Cosby, Tony Hawk, Steve Mesler, Al Roker and others added to the excitement.

“Mystery Ball” was created by Kate Wedge, wife of former Bisons and Cleveland Indians Manager Eric Wedge. WNY United thanks Mrs. Wedge, the Bisons staff, Board members Reggie Burt and Mary Ellen Mulvey and their families, volunteer Ray Delgado and his family as well as Julia Hopson, Kathy Deet, Doneshia Lewis, Theresa Villano, Emily Huttner, Kate Chudoba, and Linda and Ed Flowers for volunteering at the event.

It was another year of fantastic support from the Bisons. For Family Fun Day, the Bisons donated the use of Coca Cola Field as well as reduced price game tickets for all in attendance, staff, food, and raffle prizes. In addition, WNY United received over 1,000 buy one get one ticket vouchers to support the WYRK promotion at the Erie County Fair. Bisons General Manager Mike Buczkowski, an active member of the WNY United Foundation Board of Directors, served another year on the planning committees of all major fundraisers. Mike's staff, as always, was great to work with throughout the year. So, thank you Buffalo Bisons! Your continuing support of local substance abuse prevention is very much appreciated!

Mystery Ball 2010

Mystery Ball Fans

WYRK and WNY United

1195 Niagara StreetBuffalo, NY 14213

Nonprofit organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Buffalo N.Y.

Permit No. 1640

Against Drug & Alcohol Abuse, Inc.WNY UNITED

WNY United Digest is published quarterly. We encourage community members to submit dates of interest and articles for sharing in this newsletter.

Send to: WNY United Digest, 1195 Niagara St., Buffalo, NY 14213ATTN.: Kate Chudoba, Editor, or e-mail at kchudoba@wnyunited.org or fax at 821-7733.

WiNnY the Buffalo – Uniting the herd against drug and alcohol abuse.

ndThe 22 annual First Night Buffalo will be held at the Buffa lo Convent ion Center on New Year's Eve from 5pm – 10pm. First Night has proven to the ultimate drug-and alcohol-free New Year's Eve party for more than two decades. Independent Health Foundation and WNY United are partnering to plan an even more exciting family event. The night will feature activities for all ages to ring in the New Year, including carnival rides, bounce houses, music, crafts, magic and illusions, exotic reptiles and more. Storybook Forest is getting an overhaul to make it more exciting for attendees to meet their favorite characters. WNY United is also sponsoring Art and Poetry Contests for all kids grades K-12. Log on to www.wnyunited.org for more information. We hope to see you at First Night Buffalo!

WNY United will be unveiling their new life-size Drug-Free Buffalo and the 'HANDS OFF

DRUGS' campaign this holiday season. WiNnY the buffalo will be covered in handprints from kids from all over Western New York who want to join the herd and spread an important message.WiNnY will unite the herd by traveling to different WNY United

partner schools as well as other locations throughout the year. Stay tuned for “Where's WiNnY”!

If you want to be a part of our herd log on to www.wnyunited.org for more information.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!