HCS Foundation: Making a Difference Today

The Heritage Christian Services Foundation exists to ensure people with developmental disabilities have the best care and the best quality of life regardless of how the economy is doing.

“Heritage Christian has received Medicaid cuts, which means the need to strengthen our financial base has never been more urgent – so we can maintain the fine services we offer now and ensure our agency will stand strong for generations,” said Mark Zawacki, executive director of the Foundation. “That’s why we’re asking you to give now, to our four key areas.”

·         Spiritual Life: The agency seeks to support people along their journeys of faith and facilitate attendance at places of worship. 

·         Workforce and Talent Retention: The fund will help provide salary increases and professional development, each a critical element in recruiting and retaining the best employees. Also, it will ensure the agency can offer generous benefits that are designed to retain a high quality staff. 

·         Residential Opportunities: Over time, people could face the loss of a parent or a sibling, steep medical bills or other unforeseen challenges. To prepare for that, the agency is creating a fund to ensure that financial grants can be provided in times of change or crisis. 

·         Health and Wellness: Through the creation of the Heritage Christian Services Successful Aging and Wellness program, which is now in a pilot phase, the agency can help individuals age with grace, dignity, greater health, and an even stronger sense of engagement.

 To donate, visit http://www.roctheday.org/HeritageChristianServices and know that all donations -- up to $1,600 -- will be matched dollar for dollar thanks to the KeyBank Challenge Grant.

Walk, run and fundraise to support people with disabilities

The Heritage Christian Legacy Mile & 5K is an annual event which benefits Heritage Christian Services Foundation. Proceeds from the event directly benefit the more than 1,600 children and adults with developmental disabilities. Since 2009, 11-year-old Madison Legault, granddaughter of Ruth Benjamin, HCS director of health maintenance and services, has been raising money for the Legacy Mile & 5K.

It’s through involvement with many Heritage Christian events where she has developed a beautiful friendship with Laurie Otto, one of Heritage Christian’s founding children. Madison understands the importance of raising money to ensure that the people supported by Heritage Christian will always have access to the highest quality of care – and that’s in part because of the friendship she has with Otto and others, including those she’s met through her participation in Heart of Dance.

“Laurie taught me how to be a good friend,” Madison said.

Madison’s Legacy Mile & 5K team, Pink Cupcakes, has raised more than $1,700. Madison has a simple approach to fundraising. “I make phone calls, send emails and ask friends and family for donations.”

More than 1,200 guests are expected to attend this year’s Legacy Mile & 5K event on Aug. 25, where Madison will be the spirit coordinator, helping to kick off the one-mile walk with Otto. The event is open to the public and families and friends of loved ones supported by Heritage Christian are encouraged to attend.

 

Heritage Christian Legacy Mile & 5K

• Saturday, Aug. 25
• Monroe Community College, 1000 East Henrietta Road, Brighton
• 5K registration 7 a.m.; race at 8:30 a.m.
• One-mile walk 10:15 a.m.
• Event highlights: live music, clowns, face painting, bounce house, yard games and more!

Register or donate at www.legacymileand5K.kintera.org

 

Q&A with Kelly Nash: Raising money for the Legacy Mile & 5K

Kelly Nash, a volunteer coordinator at Heritage Christian Services, is running for 24 hours on treadmill to raise money to support people with developmental disabilities. She starts at 9 a.m. Friday at the Pieters Family Life Center in Henrietta and proceeds go to the Heritage Christian Services Foundation.

1.       How did you get started in running?

I started running about 6 years ago after receiving a postcard in the mail from "Train to End Stroke.”  It was a program through the Stoke Association, I'd raise money and they'd train me to run a marathon.  I wanted to do this in my father's memory. He died after having a massive stroke.

2.       What has been your longest run to date? How long did that take?

My longest run to date is a 12 hour Ultra Marathon.  In the 12 hours I ran 63 miles.

3.       What do you rely on to keep you going?

During long runs I need to have plenty of liquids and carbs, usually gels and sport drinks.

Mentally I need to keep my mind moving and constantly remind myself of how far I've come and visualize how far I can go.

4.       Why is it important to you to challenge yourself?

I am a competitive person, mostly with myself.  It is during times of challenge that I grow, as a person and a runner, and I still feel relatively small ;)

5.       What advice do you have for others who want to try long distance running – or really anything in life that they are going to need to work at for a long time?

Running a marathon is similar to living a faithful life.  The training takes commitment, dedication, discipline and focus and it’s just plain hard at times.  But the reward of achieving a dream is priceless and well worth the effort!

Favorite verse:  Let us run the race before us and never give up! Hebrews 12:1

FUN FACTS

Kelly Nash has raced in 17 marathons, two ultras, 10 5Ks and two 10Ks for a total of 598.4 miles. In her training, she logged 1,150 miles in the first half of 2012.

Improving your golf game and the lives of others

Tuesday close to 150 golfers will raise money to support people with disabilities by participating in the WNY Golf Classic at Glen Oak Golf Course near Buffalo. Proceeds benefit the Heritage Christian Services Foundation.

While it's a little late to sign up for golf, you still have time to donate and to improve your golf game. To donate, visit www.heritagechristianservices.org. To learn golf tips from Buffalo business leaders, read on:

·         Mike DeBellis, partner at DeBellis Catherine Morreale Corporate Staffing

Play the ball back in your stance on green-side chips and hit down on the ball.

Make sure you make a smooth stoke on your putts, with the putter head following through to the hole…don’t jab at it!

Take the club back “low & slow." Finish your swing throwing your club down the target line with the club finishing with hands high – not around your body.

·         Todd Lee, account executive with Eaton Office Supply

Hitting Fat: The only thing this can be, ALWAYS, is your hands are too fast and out of synch with your body. Concentrate on letting your arms be pulled through instead of swinging at the ball.

Putting: Keeping your inner arms firm against your side and squeezing your chest muscles tight before putting the ball will help being too "wristy"  and eliminate the yips. It also promotes a more pendulum like swing.

·         Paul O’Leary, general manager of Parkview Health Services

Most mistakes are made before the club is swung. Be sure you concentrate on your grip, stance, aim and ball position. (Thanks Harvey Penick)

Don’t get mad when you hit a bad shot, and don’t get too excited when things are going great. Maintain concentration on the next shot.

Swing the club fast, not hard.