Thursday, March 29, 2012

Many Updates & Happy Spring!

The past few weeks have just flown by and have been busy! I was recently in Orlando, to see some friends and work out some of the details and plans for our upcoming Florida Fun Fest, during which we will be bringing a group of campers to the Central Florida area, as well as to work on CANCER MISSION 2020 and while I was there, I saw firsthand the fallout from the tragic death of Trayvon Martin. It is my hope that out of Trayvon’s tragic death will come something positive, in the form of a learning experience for citizens across our country.



For the past 13 years, I have been pleased to serve as the Chairman of the Project Exile Advisory Board, which is a group of law enforcement, prosecutorial, community and business leaders, all working together to remove illegal guns and drugs from the streets of our community. One thing I have learned through my involvement with Project Exile, as well as through attending the FBI Citizen’s Academy and the Rochester Police Department’s Citizen’s Police Academy is that the presence of a gun elevates any human interaction to a potentially life or death situation. No one should be carrying a gun without the proper training and experience, and there needs to be a clear definition of the role of neighborhood watch participants so that they understand that they are there to help and assist law enforcement in serving and protecting their community.



Although the facts and details are still coming to light, this tragic loss of a 17-year-old young man has forever changed the lives of his family, and George Zimmerman’s life is forever altered. If Zimmerman had not had that gun, there is a very good chance that both of them would still be here today.



Hopefully all of the conversations and demonstrations that have come about as a result of this tragedy will become a teaching opportunity and a learning experience and will lead to some real changes, including a federal uniform policy when it comes to handguns, which will help to prevent a situation like this from happening in the future.



I believe it is the right of any law-abiding citizen to legally own a gun, but along with that right and ownership comes an awesome responsibility. Legal gun owners need to understand the gun they are purchasing, have a comprehensive background check, and know how to properly store and lock their guns, when they are not in their possession, so that they do not end up in the hands of those who ought not to have them (i.e. burglaries, car break-ins).



The tragedy of Trayvon’s death was avoidable and unnecessary and the subsequent situation, by the time it is through, will cost the American citizens millions in tax payer dollars. Let us hope that this tragedy will end in something positive and with a beneficial return on our tax payer investment.



In other news, the 12th Annual Finger Lakes International Wine Competition took place last weekend and the event continues to be amazing! We received more than 3200 entries from 788 wineries, including 109 New York State Wineries, from 22 different countries around the world, all 50 states and five Canadian Provinces. All of the entries were evaluated by a world-renowned panel of judges representing distributors, educators, enologists, sommeliers, restaurateurs, winemakers and writers. These diversified experts came from all over the United States and around the world. The judges spent Saturday, March 23rd and Sunday, March 24th evaluating all of the wine entries and spent Monday, March 25th touring the Finger Lakes Region of our state and visiting some of our fantastic Finger Lakes’ wineries.



For a complete listing of our judges, as well as the medal winning wines, check out www.fliwc.com.



Over the past 12 years, the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and Auction Dinner has become the largest fundraising event in the Greater Rochester area to support the children and families at Camp Good Days. The medal winning wines, along with some great live and silent auction items will be featured at the 12th Annual Wine Auction Dinner on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at the Rochester Plaza Hotel. Tickets are $150 per person and can be purchased by contacting us, here at Camp Good Days, 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135 or can be purchased online via www.campgooddays.org.



In regards to CANCER MISSION 2020…THE END OF CANCER BY THE END OF THE DECADE, we have some exciting things taking place. We are looking forward to our first meeting on April 11th with a small, working committee to develop a plan for addressing cancer in Monroe County, where cancer is now the leading cause of death. We have a good group of people committed to being a part of this plan’s development and we look forward to sharing more information about this in the coming weeks.



Our College Campus Advocates are working hard on their respective campuses to help us spread the word about CANCER MISSION 2020 and generate awareness about where we currently stand in our fight against cancer. Our advocates at St. John Fisher College held a CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition Drive this past Monday and Tuesday and did a great job in obtaining petition signatures from their fellow students. The advocates at the University of Rochester are working on a CANCER MISSION 2020 Forum for mid-April and more details about that event will be available soon.



PLEASE…if you have not yet done so, check out www.cancermission2020.com, learn the facts about where we stand in the fight against cancer and if you feel the way that we do, sign the CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition and share the site with your network of contacts. There is strength in numbers and we need everyone’s support!



Summer will be here before we know it and things are coming together for a fun and exciting summer season here at Camp Good Days. Registration Forms for all of our programs are available now and complete program information and online registration can be found on our website, www.campgooddays.org. To obtain a hard copy of the program brochures and registration forms, please contact our Headquarters at 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135.



We are always looking for a few good men and women to serve as volunteers for the many programs. Volunteer Applications for the summer programs are also available now, either online at our website, www.campgooddays.org, or by calling 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135.



All of our programs and services are provided free of charge so please help us give some good days and special times to someone you know who is dealing with cancer…share our program information or become a volunteer!



As we approach the Easter and Passover holiday, it is important to take some time and reflect on our lives and be conscious and thankful for our blessings. I wish all of you a beautiful holiday and don’t forget to check out our website, www.campgooddays.org, for all of the most up-to-date information about our programs, services, volunteer opportunities and upcoming events!

Friday, March 16, 2012

CANCER MISSION 2020; WINE; NIGHT OF GRATITUDE & MORE!

A few weeks ago, on Tuesday, February 28, 2012, Monroe County Executive, Maggie Brooks, along with Monroe County Health Department Deputy Director, Dr. Byron Kennedy, and myself, hosted a meeting at Monroe Community Hospital for government, medical and support service leaders and representatives, to share information and discuss strategies for addressing cancer in Monroe County.



Approximately 35 people attended the meeting, including Rochester Mayor, Tom Richards; Monroe County Clerk, Cheryl Dinolfo; and representatives from Congressman Tom Reed’s Office; Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle’s Office; Congresswoman Louise Slaughter’s Office; Congresswoman Kathy Hochul’s Office; Wilmot Cancer Center; University of Rochester Medical Center; Rochester General Hospital; Thompson Health; Anthony Jordan Health Center; Rochester Primary Care Network; Greater Rochester Health Foundation; Monroe County Board of Health / Penfield Place; American Cancer Society; and Gilda’s Club Rochester.



Attendees learned about cancer in Monroe County, including the fact that cancer is now the leading cause of death in Monroe County and about the establishment and progress of CANCER MISSION 2020…The End Of Cancer By The End Of The Decade. Discussions took place as to how to strategically approach addressing this issue of cancer within Monroe County, all in an effort to put an end to cancer and to improve the quality of life for citizens in Monroe County.



In follow-up to this initial meeting, County Executive Brooks has asked Dr. Kennedy and I to lead a small committee to develop a comprehensive plan, by the end of June 2012, for addressing cancer in Monroe County. This committee and the plan that is developed will focus on three key components: Prevention; Education & Research, in terms of sharing information about where we are now in the fight against cancer and about how people can become active advocates for making finding the answers to cancer a priority; and Support for those who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis and treatment.



I am so pleased that we are moving forward with this important initiative and I am excited that we are leading the way in truly finding the answers to cancer. It is our hope to create and provide the example and plan for putting an end to cancer, not only in our community, but throughout the country and the world.



As so many of you know, Camp Good Days has grown and thrived due to the generous support of so many individuals, businesses and organizations, and it is through this continued support that we are able to provide our programs and services free of charge for the participants who need them. Last Friday evening we took some time to honor and recognize some of these outstanding supporters and volunteers, our Teddi Award recipients and Ring of Honor Inductees for 2011, at the Camp Good Days’ Night of Gratitude.



The Ring of Honor was established as part of our 25th Anniversary Celebration in 2004 and includes those who are selected for their outstanding dedication, commitment and support of the thousands of children and families served over the years. In addition to their award, inductee’s names will be included in the permanent Ring of Honor display, which is located at the Camp Good Days’ Recreational Facility, in Branchport, NY, for all to see. The inductees for the Ring of Honor, recognized at A Night of Gratitude were:



Mary Pat Allen of Rochester


Gary Amendola (posthumously) / The Gary Amendola Fun Fund at Woods Oviatt Gilman


Joe Cascio of Buffalo


Sarah Clapper of Rochester


Ron Dougherty of Webster


Will & Muriel Herzog of Rochester


Monroe County Sheriff’s Department


New York State Police


Rochester Police Department


St. Philip’s Church in Cheektowaga


Stacey & Chris Ruisi of West Henrietta


Sahlen’s Packing Company in Buffalo


Amy Schmidt of Fairport


Cameron Tebbi, MD of Tampa, FL


The Vinette Family of Syracuse



The Teddi Award is one of the highest honors bestowed by Camp Good Days to those who have gone above and beyond within the past year, in helping to fulfill the mission of improving the quality of life for children, adults, and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life challenges. The recipients of the Teddi Awards were:



Emily Adasiak of Rochester


Joe Comfort of Webster


Melinda Cooper of Fayetteville


Dave Cooper of Conesus


Patti Curns of Canandaigua


Paul Estabrooks & the Caledonia-Mumford National Junior Honor Society


Bob Gerace of Fairport


Cathy Griepsma of Sodus Point


Teal Hardy of Wayland


Hockey Versus Cancer / Rochester Monarchs


Laurie Jacoby & Art Stern of Ithaca


Skip Johnson of Penn Yan


Karpus Investment Management


Michael Lawandus of Lancaster


Lechase Construction


Michael Margiotta of Rochester


Old Navy – The Shops at Ithaca


Carol Page of Perkinsville


Park Place Global Transportation


John Powell of North Chili


Shari Rife of Kenmore


Ken Rosenfeld of Rochester


Joanne Serpe of Gates


Garrett Smith of Clarence


Mark Sofia of Tampa, formerly of Rochester


The Family of Scotty Toombs of Spencerport


Amanda Vaccaro of Buffalo


Vanderstyne Toyota


Don Zrebiec of Fairport



Congratulations and THANK YOU to all of the Teddi Award recipients and Ring of Honor inductees!



All of us at Camp Good Days are enjoying this early spring weather and gearing up for all of the summer camping programs. Registration Forms for all of the programs are available now and complete program information and online registration can be found on our website, www.campgooddays.org. To obtain a hard copy of the program brochures and registration forms, please contact our Headquarters at 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135.



We are always looking for a few good men and women to serve as volunteers for the many programs. Volunteer Applications for the summer programs are also available now, either online at our website, www.campgooddays.org, or by calling 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135.


Help give some good days and special times to someone you know who is dealing with cancer…share our program information or become a volunteer!



We are only able to continue providing our programs and services free of charge for the participants because of the generosity of so many and the success of special fundraising events. I would like to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge all of the students, faculty, administration, parents and community members who helped to make this year’s Fayetteville-Manlius Dance Marathon, which was held on Saturday, March 3, 2012, a phenomenal success. These students generated $133,000 to support the children and families at Camp Good Days and we are forever grateful for their support, dedication and commitment!



In the Greater Rochester area, the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and Auction Dinner has become the largest fundraising event to support Camp Good Days. Next weekend, March 24 & 25, 2012, the 12th Annual Finger Lakes International Wine Competition will take place at the Rochester Plaza Hotel. To date, over 3000 wines have been entered into the competition, from more than 700 wineries from 22 countries and 49 states!



All of the wine entries will be evaluated by a world-renowned panel of judges representing distributors, educators, enologists, sommeliers, restaurateurs, winemakers and writers. These diversified experts come from all over the world. For a complete listing of this year’s Finger Lakes International Wine Competition Judges, with photos and biographies, log on to http://www.fliwc.com/judges.asp.



Throughout the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, each wine is judged on its own merit – its presence, balance and varietal character. Wines are blind judged and all wines are presented to the judges in Riedel crystal stemware. Medals are awarded for the unanimous Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze winning wines and all award winning wines will be featured on www.fliwc.com.



The medal winning wines will be featured at the 12th Annual Camp Good Days’ Wine Auction Dinner on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at the Rochester Plaza Hotel. If you love wine or want to enhance your wine collection, the 12th Annual Wine Auction Dinner is the place to be. With medal winning and rare wines and other exceptional silent and live auction items available, along with great food and great conversation, this is definitely the wine event you want to attend!



Tickets to attend the Wine Auction Dinner are $150 per person and can be purchased by calling Camp Good Days at 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135, or can be purchased online at www.campgooddays.org or www.fliwc.com. Don’t delay – this event is sure to sell out quickly!



On a final note, we have a few opportunities available for people who are interested in becoming part of our team and family here at Camp Good Days. We currently have two positions open, including Finance Director and Social Media Manager. Complete job descriptions for these positions are available on our website, www.campgooddays.org, under the employment section. If you are interested or know of someone that might make a great addition to our small paid staff, please have them submit their letter of interest and resume.



If you are in the Rochester area and out and about for the St. Patrick’s Day festivities, stop down and see some of our Camp Good Days’ staff and volunteers at the TOPS Celtic Faire at the Radisson Hotel. Special thanks to Kathleen Graim and TOPS for once again choosing the children and families at Camp Good Days as the beneficiary of the Celtic Faire!



Wishing all of you a safe and Happy St. Patrick’s Day weekend!