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Summer, 1981 – Jake Schneider contacts Bill Koessler with an idea for a young businessmen’s group to assist in the revitalization of Buffalo and Western New York. Four additional charter members are recruited: Moe Naylon, Peter Hunt, Leon Smith and Brian Maher. The Buffalo Renaissance Foundation is born.

  • The Foundation is temporarily placed under the legal umbrella of the National Heritage Foundation
  • First fundraiser held on the U.S.S. Little Rock, approximately 500 attend

Fall, 1981 – Second group of six members is introduced: Rob Miller, Horace Gioia, Jim Eaton, Randy Murphy, Dan Roblin and Gary Brost

1982 – Inaugural Fall Golf Classic held at Crag Burn Golf Club

1983 – Private Foundation status established

1984 – First of two spring parties held at Hyatt Regency to benefit the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

1986 – St. Valentine’s Day party held at the Tralfamadore Cafe, featuring Ahmad Jamal

1987 – Third group of directors is introduced: Bill Collins, Peter Demakos, Tom Benzee, Ted Pierce, Mike DeRose, Tim Ortolani and Gary Stott

1989 – Fourth group of directors is introduced: Seymour Knox IV, Brian Lipke, Glen Kauffman, Chip Jones, Ed Gibbons and Bill Thuman

  • Foundation establishes a Sustainers category for past directors

1991 – First Spring Luncheon held at the Statler Tower Golden Ballroom featuring Don Criqui of NBC Sports and honoring Robert E. Rich Sr. as Renaissance Man of the Year. Proceeds to establish a scholarship for UB Division I Athletics

  • Golf Classic moves to Cherry Hill Club

1992 – 10th Anniversary celebration held at Country Club of Buffalo

  • Second Spring Luncheon benefits World University Games and features Lesley Visser of CBS Sports
  • Burt Flickinger is honored as Renaissance Man
  • 10th Fall Golf Classic moves to Wanakah Country Club

1993 – Fifth group of directors is elected: Mark Bonner, Gary Hess and Brad Randaccio

  • First publication of the Director’s Update newsletter is published
  • Third Spring Luncheon benefits YMCA
  • Los Angeles Kings owner Bruce McNall is guest speaker; Seymour H. Knox III is honored as Renaissance Man
  • By-Laws are formally adopted

1994 – Sixth group of directors is elected: Ed Duch, Neal Fatin, Chris Koch, Peter Marlette, Chris Ross, Ned Smith, Henry Urban and Ted Walsh

  • 12th Fall Golf Classic is most successful ever

1995 – 13th Annual Golf Classic held at Wanakah Country Club

1996 – 14th Annual Golf Classic returns to Cherry Hill Club

1997 – Seventh group of directors is elected: Joe Kreuz, Jeff Vukelic, Chris Jacobs and John Somers

  • 15th Annual Golf Classic held at Cherry Hill Club

1998 – 16th Annual Golf Classic held at Cherry Hill Club

  • Public Speaker Forum held with city officials and area business leaders for discussion of Buffalo Charter Revision and consolidation of regional services
  • Funded “No Handout – No Bailout” study exploring ways to cut cost of services in our region

1999 – Eighth group of directors is elected: Tom Comer, Alan Hastings, Anthony Jordan, Tom O’Brien, Art Russ, Buford Sears and Mike Walsh

  • 17th Annual Golf Classic held at Cherry Hill Club
  • Public forum held at Buffalo State College on Charter Revision process for City of Buffalo

2000 – Spring Luncheon is held at Statler Golden Ballroom honoring co-Renaissance Men Joel Giambra and Anthony Masiello. Over 500 people attend this very successful event emphasizing the spirit of cooperation and regionalism in Western New York

  • A Winter Speaker Forum is held with over 100 business leaders in attendance. The Downtown Buffalo 2002 Strategic Plan is presented by Robert Shibley of University at Buffalo’s Architecture and Planning Department. Ideas are shared among Shibley and the business community involving major areas of downtown development and planning
  • 18th Annual Golf Classic is held at Cherry Hill Club

2001 – Fall Luncheon is held at the Buffalo Convention Center honoring Paul J. Koessler as 2001 Renaissance Man. Guest speaker Honorable Joseph P. Riley, Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina, shares his vision and insights on the rebuilding of his city and how we can apply those concepts to Buffalo’s revitalization

  • 19th Annual Golf Tournament at Cherry Hill Club

2002 – 20th Annual Golf Tournament at Wanakah Country Club

2003 – Ninth group of new class members is elected: James Dentinger, James Doyle II and Thomas Vanner

  • 21st Annual Golf Tournament at Wanakah Country Club
  • Luncheon held at Buffalo Convention Center featuring speaker Dennis F. Strigl, CEO from Verizon Wireless, and honoring Father Cooke

2004 – 10th group of new class members is elected: David Pfalzgraf, Jr., Eugene Kershner and Scott Hoffman

  • 22nd Annual Golf Tournament at Wanakah Country Club
  • Speaker Forum at Buffalo Club featuring William Greiner, past president of UB, on Committee for Regionalism

2005 – 11th group of new class members is elected: John Polvino, Michael Montante, Matthew Enstice and Michael P. Modrzynski

  • 23rd Annual Golf Tournament held at Cherry Hill Club . Luncheon held at Statler Towers, featuring Charles Jordan, Chairman of The Conservation Fund, honoring Victor and Corinne Rice, and benefiting the Olmsted Parks Conservancy

2006 – 12th group of new class members is elected: Bill Cleary, James Iglewski, James Jerge and Thomas Quealy

  • 25th Anniversary with celebration held at Statler Golden Ballroom on October 28
  • Luncheon held at Statler Golden Ballroom, honoring Robert Kresse, with keynote speaker Eric Lloyd Wright. The primary beneficiary is the Buffalo Niagara Cultural Tourism Initiative
  • 24th Annual Golf Classic held at Wanakah Country Club
  • Speaker Forum featuring Carl Montante, Jr., of Uniland Development on Waterfront Development

2007 – 13th group of new class members is elected: Timothy Geiger, James Segarra and Walter Zurowski

  • Spring Luncheon is held at Statler Golden Ballroom with record attendance and fundraising. Dan Gunderson from the NYS Economic Development Corporation delivers the keynote speech. Thomas Beecher honored as Renaissance Man of the Year
  • Proceeds for Luncheon used for commencement of Renaissance Fellowship Grant to the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus
  • 25th Annual Golf Tournament, held at Wanakah Country Club. Proceeds from tournament donated to the BISON Fund used to fund 15 scholarships for local youth
  • Speaker Forum featuring James Williams, Buffalo Schools Superintendent, at Hutch-Tech

2008 – 14th group of new class members is elected: Benjamin Obletz and Tod Martin

  • Spring Luncheon is held at Golden Statler Ballroom. Christopher C. Collins, Erie County Executive, delivered the keynote speech. Christopher Koch becomes the first former BRF director to be honored as Renaissance Man of the Year.
  • Renaissance Scholars Program benefiting City of Buffalo students announced at luncheon. Seed money provided by Brighter Futures Fund and proceeds from BRF luncheon.
  • 26th Annual Golf Tournament, held at Wanakah Country Club. Proceeds from tournament donated to the BISON Fund used to fund 14 scholarships for local youth.
  • First annual Veteran’s Luncheon held November 11, 2008. Speaker Forum featuring Patrick William Welch, PH.D, Director, Eric County Veterans’ Services.
  • Speaker Forum head at Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, featuring John B. Simpson, President of the University of Buffalo, UB’s 20/20 Plan.

2009 – 15th group of new class members is elected. Anthony Amigone, Andrew Fors, Richard Gilbert, Gerry Matos, Bill Rupp and Paul Vukelic.

  • Spring Luncheon is held at Golden Statler Ballroom honoring Carl J. Montante and Howard A. Zemsky as Renaissance Men of the Year.
  • Renaissance Apprentice Program announced at luncheon to be run in conjunction with the Buffalo Urban League.
  • 27th Annual Golf Tournament, held at Wanakah Country Club. Proceeds from tournament donated to the BISON Fund used to fund 14 scholarship for local youth.
  • Second Annual Veteran’s Luncheon held at The Buffalo Club on November 11, 2009. Speaker Forum featuring Colonel Mark Murphy, 914th Airlift Wing, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station..
  • Speaker Forum featuring Jordan Levy and Larry Quinn, Harbor Redevelopment Project held at The Buffalo Club.
  • BRF is honored during the 2009 UB footbal home opener via induction into the UB Athletics Legacy Endowment Program.

2010 – 16th group of new class members is elected. Donald Brown, Jr., John Cleary, William Gurney and Hugh Russ.

  • Spring luncheon moves to the Hyatt Regency. Congressman Brian Higgins delivers keynote speech. Jordan Levy discusses the Canal Side Project. Eugene P. Vukelic is the 2010 Renaissance Man of the Year.
  • Renaissance Apprentice Program grows in 2010 as 10 summer interns find employment at BRF directed companies in conjunction with the Buffalo Urban League.
  • 28th Annual Golf Tournament held at Wanakah Country Club. Proceeds will again benefit the BISON Fund.
  • Third Annual Veteran’s Luncheon held at The Buffalo Club on November 11, 2010. Speaker Forum featuring Commander Anthony Deaville, United Sates Navy Commanding Officer, NOSC Naval Operations Service Center, Buffalo, New York.
  • Speaker Forum featuring Dottie Gallagher-Cohen, Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau held at The Buffalo Club.

2011 – Spring Luncheon held at the Hyatt Regency as M&T Bank’s Robert G. Wilmers is presented the Renaissance Man of the Year Award. Keynote speaker is Dottie Gallagher-Cohen of Visit Buffalo who unveiled a new video financial backed by the BRF. Proceeds from the luncheon underwrite a five part video series called Buffalo – For Real.

  • Renaissance Apprentice program continues to flourish in partnership with the Buffalo Urban League. BRF directors sponsor 10 summer internships for inner city youth.
  • 29th annual Golf Tournament is held at Wanakah Country Club.
  • The inaugural Downtown Buffalo Sculptural Art Initiative piece is unveiled on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus at the corner of High and Ellicott Streets called the Spirit of Life Tree. The piece designed by local artist, Valeria Cray-Dihaan, is the first of many permanent art structures the Foundation is planning to spread around Buffalo over the next few years.
  • Fourth Annual Veterans Day Luncheon held at The Buffalo Club, and the first BRF Veterans Scholarship is awarded to Frank Grillo, a student at Daemen College. On September 11, 2001, Frank decided to join the Army after spending an agonizing two days without being able to contact his family who lived and worked in New York. In May of 2003 Frank was deployed to Baghdad as a 91 Whiskey, Combat Medic with 1st Armored Division. Always on the front line Frank did three tours in places such as Sadr City, Ramadi, Talifar, and Kirkuk. He is currently a Mentor at the Veterans Treatment Court and studying Social Work at Daemen College.
  • The annual Grant Presentation and Speaker Forum is held in November featuring keynote speaker Patrick J. Whelan, Chief Operating Officer of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Ten organizations receive grant appropriations for the 2011 year.

2012 – The 17th class of new directors is elected: Frank L. Ciminelli II, John Gavigan, Thomas Quatroche and Arthur Wingerter.

  • The Spring Luncheon is held at the newly-reopened Statler City Ballroom and over 500 attendees listened to keynote speaker John Koelmel, CEO and President of First Niagara Financial Group discuss the current business environment in Western New York. The luncheon beneficiary is First Niagara’s Mentoring Matters Program.
  • The 30th annual Golf Classic is held for the first time on a Thursday afternoon at beautiful Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston, New York. Over 120 golfers help raise in excess of $60K for the Renaissance Foundation.
  • The annual Grant Presentation and Speaker’s Forum is held in early November, featuring keynote speakers Ted Black of the Buffalo Sabres. Seven organizations receive grant appropriations for the 2012 year.
  • Three scholarships are awarded to the BISON Fund for students at the Catholic Academy at West Buffalo named in honor of Louis and Betty Somers, parents of director John Somers.
  • The Fifth Annual Veterans Luncheon is held at The Buffalo Club and the keynote speaker is Dutch Van Kirk, the last surviving member of the Enola Gay. This year’s scholarship recipient was Ms. Morgan Woodson, a student at Medaille College, who is a retired Air Force veteran. Ms. Woodson is currently the secretary of the Medaille College Student Veterans of America Chapter and VA work-study program participant. She is also a member of the Erie County Veterans Day Parade committee.

2013 – The 18th class of new directors is elected: Bruce Popko and Daniel Zimmer.

  • The Spring Luncheon is held at Statler City Ballroom and over 450 attendees listened to keynote speaker Doug Marrone, new head coach of the Buffalo Bills discuss the current state of affairs at One Bills Drive. The 2013 Renaissance Man of the Year Award was presented to attorney James M. Wadsworth of Hodgson Russ LLP. The luncheon beneficiaries were the BRF Downtown Buffalo Art Initiative and Clear Path to Veterans.
  • The 31st annual Golf Classic is held on a Thursday afternoon at beautiful Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston, New York. Over 120 golfers helped raise in excess of $60K for the Renaissance Foundation.
  • Two Renaissance scholarships are awarded to Leadership Buffalo for the Youth Leadership Program of Erie County (YLEC).
  • The Sixth Annual Veterans Luncheon is held at The Buffalo Club and the keynote speaker is Captain James S. Bartkoski U.S. Navy Commanding Officer of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps in Rochester. Capt. Bartkoski is also a Professor of Naval Science at the University of Rochester. The 2013 scholarship recipient was Mr. Ian Drullard, a student at D’Youville College, a Navy SEAL who participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom has transitioned back into the civilian world and plans to remain in the Buffalo area to raise his family. He is in the Physician Assistant (PA) program at D’Youville and hopes to work in an emergency or surgical hospital settings as a PA.
  • The annual Grant Presentation and Speaker’s Forum is held in early November at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center, featuring keynote speaker Monica Pellegrino-Faix of the H.H. Richardson Corporation. Eight organizations receive grant appropriations for the 2013 year.

2014 – The 19th class of new directors is elected: Robert Clerici, David Kimelberg and Nicholas B. Tzetzo.

  • The Spring Luncheon is held at Kleinhans for the first time and over 450 attendees listened to keynote speaker Jody Lomeo, CEO of Kaleida Health discuss the current state of affairs of healthcare in Western New York. The 2014 Renaissance Man of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Nelson (“Nick”) Hopkins III of UB Neurosurgery. The luncheon beneficiaries were ECMC Lifeline Foundation, the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation and The Jacobs Institute.
  • The 32nd annual Golf Classic is held on a Thursday afternoon at beautiful Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston, New York. Over 120 golfers helped raise in excess of $60K for the Renaissance Foundation.
  • In August, the second sculpture of the Foundation’s Sculptural Art Initiative Spirit Series, entitled The Spirit of Transportation, is dedicated outside 149 Swan St. near The Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum. Designed by Buffalo artist Sarah Fonzi, the sculpture is made of stainless steel and stands 16 feet above grade. The artwork recognizes the role bicycle manufacturers played in the onset of the American automobile industry.
  • The Seventh Annual Veterans Luncheon is held at The Buffalo Club and the keynote speaker is Lieutenant Commander Patrick Griffin. The 2014 scholarship recipient is Mr. Ian Millermohn, a student at D’Youville College.
  • In December, the BRF visited St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy to perform community service work. The directors and their children cleaned, decorated, and put together treat bags for less fortunate children during the morning at the Mission.
  • The BRF Directors pledged $50,000 to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation of Buffalo for the new John R. Oishei Chidlren’s Hospital, the single largest gift in Foundation history.

2015 – The 20th class of new directors is elected: Donald Boswell, Ron Raccuia and David Schutte.

  • The Spring Luncheon is held at Kleinhans and over 500 attendees were on hand to see Kim and Terry Pegula accept the 2015 Renaissance Couple of the Year Award.  Former Bill Steve Tasker moderated the keynote panel that included the Pegulas as well as Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan.  Proceeds from the luncheon will go the support the BRF Forward Thinking Project.
  • The 33rd annual Golf Classic returns to its roots on a Wednesday afternoon in August at the Crag Burn Club in East Aurora, New York. Over 120 golfers helped raise in excess of $60K for the Renaissance Foundation.
  • In October, the third sculpture of the Foundation’s Sculptural Art Initiative Spirit Series, entitled “The Spirit of Leadership,” is dedicated outside the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site. Designed by Toby Mendez, the 7’6” statue of Theodore Roosevelt is a fitting tribute to the legacy of the 26th. President and a crowning touch to the great work that has taken place at one of Western New York’s best museums
  • The Eighth Annual Veterans Luncheon is held at The Buffalo Club in front of a record audience and the keynote speaker is Commander Paul R. Burkhart of LCS Crew 109 Warhawgs. The 2015 scholarship recipient is Mr. Michael Hearon, a student at D’Youville College.
  • In December, the BRF visited St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy to perform community service work. The directors and their children cleaned, decorated, and put together treat bags for less fortunate children during the morning at the Mission.

2016 – The Foundation announces donating $50,000 seed money to kick start the USS Little Rock Commissioning Committee for the event to be held in Buffalo in December of 2017.

  • The Spring Luncheon is held at Kleinhans and over 450 attendees were on hand to see Jeremy M. Jacobs, Sr. accept the 2016 Renaissance Man of the Year Award. Director Matt Enstice moderated the keynote panel that included the Chris Koch, Robert Gioia and Mr. Jacobs discussing philanthropy in the 21st century. Proceeds from the luncheon will go the support the BRF Signature Project.
  • In July, a group of BRF directors through our Outreach Program spent an afternoon at The Miracle League on Grand Island. The organization in Western New York provides children with mental and physical challenges an opportunity to play baseball on a specially designed field. The turf can accommodate wheelchairs, crutches and walkers.
  • The 34th annual Golf Classic was held on a Thursday afternoon in August at the Crag Burn Club in East Aurora, New York. Over 120 golfers helped raise funds for the Renaissance Foundation.
  • The Ninth Annual Veterans Luncheon is held at The Buffalo Club in front of a record audience and the keynote speaker is Brian G. Stiller, Medical Center Director of the VA Western New York Healthcare System. The 2016 scholarship recipients were Anthony Samuel Newkirk and Nicholas F. Pilozzi.

2017 – The Foundation announces at its October Board meeting its 21st class of directors: David Beaton, A.J. Baynes, Jr. and Fredrick Mertz.

  • In April, a group of BRF directors spearheaded by Director Jimmy Jerge spent a morning organizing the first annual Community Easter Egg Hunt where fellow directors hid over 6,000 stuffed eggs throughout Buffalo’s Front Park on the West Side. The BRF Outreach Committee with assistance from Rich Products hosted the event which was open to children 12 and under. It was a great kickoff to what we hope is an annual event.
  • The Spring Luncheon is held at Kleinhans and over 500 attendees were on hand to see Russell Salvatore accept the 2017 Renaissance Man of the Year Award. Mr. David O. Egner, CEO of the Ralph Wilson Foundation was our keynote speaker and discussed Mr. Wilson’s vision and how his philanthropy has and will continue to impact Western New York. Proceeds from the luncheon will go to support the BRF Signature Project.
  • In August, the BRF Outreach Committee once again participated as buddies for the Miracle League of Western New York.
  • The 35th annual Golf Classic was held on a Thursday afternoon in August at the Crag Burn Club in East Aurora, New York. Over 120 golfers helped raise funds for the Renaissance Foundation.
  • The 10th Annual Veterans Luncheon is held at The Buffalo Club in front of a record audience. The keynote speaker is Command Master Chief Joseph P. Reynolds, who discussed the USS Little Rock Commissioning to be sponsored by the BRF. The 2017 scholarship recipients were Tenisha D. Johnson and Morgan Hailey Kiff.
  • The USS Little Rock is commissioned at Canalside on the Buffalo waterfront on December 16, 2017.  The local commissioning committee led by BRF Director Maurice L. Naylon completes a successful week-long event dockside.  The BRF seeded the local committee with $50K which will turn into significant scholarship dollars upon the completion of the momentous event.  The warship was the first in the Navy’s 241-year history to be commissioned next to its namesake.

2018 – The Foundation announces its inaugural Signature Project donation on the East Side of Buffalo.

The largest donation in our history will propel a community project to completion on East Ferry Street energizing a neighborhood in need. In exchange for the donation, we received the naming rights to the Community Center at that location that will serve as the center point to the youth sports complex.

  • In April, the BRF held its second annual Easter Egg Hunt on the west side of Buffalo at Front Park. In partnership with Rich Products Corp. over 6,000 eggs were hidden throughout the Park. Stuffed inside the eggs were prizes such as bicycles, chocolate rabbits, sports equipment, scooters and much more
  • In May, the BRF honored Kaleida Health CEO Jody Lomeo with our Man of the Year award. Lomeo, a former keynote speaker at our annual luncheon, gave an impassioned speech about what it means to be a Buffalonian and accepted the award with grace. Director Dr. Richard Gilbert provided an emotional toast to late director Thomas J. Comer, Jr. in a remembrance of our past president who died unexpectedly in November 2017.
  • In August, BRF directors made their annual pilgrimage to The Miracle League for a day at Miracle Field in Grand Island to work with children with mental and physical challenges providing them an opportunity to play baseball on a specially designed field. The Specialized rubber surface can accommodate wheelchairs, crutches and walkers.
  • The 36th annual Fall Classic was once again held at Crag Burn Club, where its inaugural golf tournament was held in East Aurora in 1982.
  • Our 10th annual Veterans Luncheon, an event that continues to grow and support our local Veteran community was held at The Buffalo Club in November and honored our 2018 scholarship recipients. Well over 100 people were entertained after the scholarship awards presentation by a speech by Larry Verria, author of the book The Kissing Sailor: The Mystery Behind the Photo That Ended World War II. Also in attendance at the Luncheon was Sharon Molleur, daughter of USS The Sullivans plankowner and “The Kisssing Sailor,” George Mendonsa.
  • This year’s recipient of the UB Athletics scholarship award, a scholarship that was endowed from proceeds from the BRF’s first luncheon in 1991 is Devon Patterson (Track & Field). Devon is a senior Accounting Major from Williamsville South. His main track and field events are the discus throw and the shot put.

2019 – The Foundation announces at its October Board meeting its 22nd class of directors: Shawn Glogowski, Daniel Mecca and Zachary Schneider.

  • In April, the BRF held its third annual Easter Egg Hunt at Front Park in Buffalo. In partnership with Rich Products Corp. the hunt attracted a number of youths from the west side that enjoyed the hunt and prizes gathered.
  • In May, the BRF honored Albright-Knox benefactor Jeffrey E. Gundlach with our Man of the Year award. Dr. Janne Siren provided the keynote address showing the sold-out audience at the Mary Seaton room at Kleinhans the exciting new expansion plans at the art gallery.
  • Also, in May city leaders and local sponsors were present for the Grand Opening of Perkins Park, a result of the BRF’s Signature Project funding in 2018. President Hugh Russ spoke on behalf of the Foundation at the east side community center named for the BRF.
  • In August, BRF directors made their annual pilgrimage to The Miracle League for a day at Miracle Field in Grand Island to work with children with mental and physical challenges providing them an opportunity to play baseball on a specially designed field. The Specialized rubber surface can accommodate wheelchairs, crutches and walkers.
  • The 37thannual Fall Classic returned to Wanakah Country Club in early September to a beautiful Fall day at the lakeside venue.
  • Our 11th annual Veterans Luncheon, an event that supports our local Veteran community was held at The Buffalo Club in November and honored our 2019 scholarship recipient, Mikayla Reynolds from SUNY Fredonia. Well over 100 people were entertained after the scholarship awards presentation by a speech by Kelly Sullivan Loughren, granddaughter of Albert Sullivan, one of the five Sullivan brothers killed during the sinking of the USS Juneau on November 13, 1942. Commanding Officer Jing Shi from the Nay Operational Support Center in Buffalo, NY was also a speaker at the luncheon.
  • For the second straight year our holiday Outreach event was held at the BRF Community Center on W. Ferry Street on the east side of Buffalo, where children from a nearby school were treated to lunch, a visit from Santa and presents from the big guy.

2020 – The Foundation welcomes its 23rd class of directors: Michael Dolan, Timothy Domino, Charles Hunt and Dharshan Jayasinghe. In March, the Covid-19 pandemic hits and our annual luncheon is canceled. The Foundation pivots and helps support a local initiative, Western New York Feeds the Frontlines and helps channel $350,000 of funds raised to restaurants that feed our critical front line workers during this time of crisis. The annual golf tournament is “reimagined” and held in September at Wanakah Country Club and the community responds resulting in a record event in fund raising and participation. In October, the Board commits $100,000 to a Bailey Green signature project to be announced in early 2021. In December our outreach group works with the Oshei Children’s Hospital to provide 50 children with gift cards and toys.

2021 – The Foundation announces at its October Board meeting its 24th class of directors: Jonathan Notarius, Michael Ross and Damon Wojciechowski

  • This year marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation. We have charted a year of community giving, communication and celebration.
  • Our Appropriations Committee are awarded grants to the Buffalo Collegiate Charter School, Friends of Little Portion Friary, Kevin Guest House, Lancaster Baseball Booster Club, Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica Centennial, The Nativity Miguel Middle School of Buffalo, and The Buffalo Renaissance Foundation Community Center.
  • Our Veterans and Military Committee awarded grants to the Buffalo Naval & Military Park, Shawn’s Heroes for Life, the Marshall Legacy Institute and the Virginia War Memorial Foundation as well as provided another WNY Gold Star luncheon for those who lost loved ones that died in service to our nation.
  • We postponed our Annual Easter Egg Hunt this year and shifted gears to recognize how difficult life has been on the elder population in WNY during the last few years of COVID. We delivered Easter Baskets to the residents of Fredonia Place of Williamsville in April.
  • We hosted our Annual Golf Classic in May at Brookfield Country Club, pivoting from our typical fall tournament due to the pandemic. The Golf Classic remains the second oldest charitable tournament in WNY and our 40th raised over $100,000 of revenue for the second straight year.
  • In July, BRF directors continued their annual visit to The Miracle League of WNY for a night at Miracle Field on Grand Island. Our directors and their families volunteer to participate in baseballwith individuals with adaptive needs. The specialized rubber field surface can accommodate wheelchairs, crutches and walkers.
  • In September, the BRF honored Roswell Park Cancer Institute’s CEO Dr. Candace Johnson with our Renaissance Award. She gave an impassioned speech about what it means to be a Buffalonian and accepted the award with grace. Scott Bieler, CEO of West Herr Automotive Group, provided the keynote address and confirmed the tremendous impact Dr. Johnson has had on the Western New York community.
  • Our annual Luncheon served for the premier of the Buffalo Renaissance 40th anniversary video “Moving Forward,” commissioned with our appropriation dollars.
  • Our 13th annual Veterans Luncheon, was held at The Buffalo Club in October and honored our late sustaining member and past president, Gary Stott. We gave away our first annual Gary M. Stott Scholarship to Joshua Kitchens. We were honored to have Major General Robert M. “Bo” Dyess as this year’s keynote speaker.
  • As a way to celebrate our 40th Anniversary, we hosted a black-tie gala for all of the past and present directors of the BRF. President Modrzynski, the 25th President in the 40 years of existence, addressed the fifty Directors with an emotional and passionate speech.
  • We continued our December Holiday Outreach event and hosted students from the West Buffalo Charter School at the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation Community Center. Students were presented with the special edition Buffalo Monopoly game, which was developed as a fundraiser for Roswell Park Cancer Institute and the Oishei Children’s Hospital.

2022 – The Foundation announces at its October 2021 Board meeting its 25th class of directors: Thomas S. McManus