People to People

PeopletoPeople

S h a r i n g t h e c u r r e n t g o a l S & a c c o m p l i S h m e n t S o f t h e p e o p l e i n c . f a m i ly. y e a r i n r e v i e w 2 0 0 9

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Celebrating Disability History WeekThe third week of October is annually recognized in New York State as Disability History Week and People Inc. led a group of local human service organizations in organizing events and educational seminars to honor the progress and the future of individuals with disabilities. The kickoff event was a screening of the HBO-produced and Emmy Award-winning film, “Autism: the Musical” at the U.B. Center for the Arts. An overflow audience (many of whom watched the film on closed-circuit television in the Center’s atrium) also heard comments from Tricia Regan, the film’s director and Elaine Hall, Founder of the Miracle Project.

The 5th Annual disABILITIES Film Festival and Speaker Series. L-R: Dr. James M. Boles, People Inc. President and CEO; Tess Fraser, Museum

of disABILITY Director; Dr. Francisco M. Vasquez, People Inc. Executive Vice President; Elaine Hall, Founder of the Miracle Project and Tricia Regan,

Director of Autism: The Musical.

Frank Azzarelli, Director of the Elmwood Health Center, receives a check for $130,000 from Frederick Cook of the

Patrick P. Lee Foundation, to be used for improvements at the Elmwood Health Center.

A Half Million Visits Later….People Inc.’s Elmwood Health Center observed its 15th anniversary of providing quality health care services to Western New York in October with a lively ceremony, proclamation, luncheon, and grant award announcement.

According to People Inc. Vice President of Health and Senior Services Anna Korus, “We now see 43,000 patients a year. Since 1994 that’s almost 500,000 visits, and we’re proud we’re doing a very good job.” The center offers a comprehensive range of quality primary and specialized health care in a neighborhood environment and offers a wide range of medical, rehabilitative therapies and counseling for the general public, as well as services specifically designed for individuals with developmental disabilities.

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President’s Message2009 Financial ReportCenter for Disability StudiesPeople Inc. Honors FirefightersSummer Intern ProgramAmbassador ProgramLongtime EmployeesEmployees Honored

People Inc. in Pictures The Arts ExperienceGrants News“Spread the Word to End the Word” Respite Program Comes to the NorthtownsAre YOU a People Inc. Member?People Inc. Foundation Donor List

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table of contentS

People to People

2009 was another busy year for People Inc., as we carried out our mission on a daily basis and embraced new ideas to better serve the community.

We supported over 980 individuals with developmental disabilities in group homes across the region, and opened a new home on Union Road in Cheektowaga. We also provide assistance to people in their own family home, and have staff constantly traveling through neighborhoods of WNY.

Many families were happy to see the opening of our second Respite House, located on Townline Road in Niagara County. This expands the support we can give to families who need a break from the demands of constant caregiving.

During the summer, we celebrated the creation of a Center for Disability Studies, a collaboration between our Museum of disABILITY History and the SUNY at Buffalo. This important undertaking will help teach young people, making them more aware of the challenges people with disabilities face, and contributions they have made, ultimately creating a more accepting society.

Many new supporters joined as “People Inc. Members”, which we appreciate. To learn more about how to do this yourself, see the article on page 16.

As the year came to a close, the State’s fiscal crisis continued to be of paramount importance to all of us. During the first few months of 2010, Governor Paterson and the State Legislature will have to address an $8 billion dollar budget deficit. While we respect what has to be confronted, the funding from the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) is vital to the people we serve. We are going to need your help to tell our elected officials to preserve these programs -- as they are budget-neutral and they allow people with developmental disabilities to realize their fullest potential.

Thank you.

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2009 Board of Directors WILLIAM M. COLLINS ChairpersonTravers Collins & Company

DAVID M. DOWNING Vice ChairpersonTowne Auto Group

PATRICK F. REILLY TreasurerMarine Midland Bank, Retired Executive

JOSEPH J. ABDALLAH SecretaryLeadership Buffalo

GEORGIANA H. JUNGELSUniversity Consultants

ALFRED F. LUHR I I IM&T Bank

EUGENE MEEKSChild and Family Services

EDWIN CLAUSEN, PH. D.Daemen College

WILLIAM E. FINNThe Center for Hospice and Palliative Care

MARY ANN KEDRON, PH.D.UB Department of Neurosurgery

NANCY R. DOBSONUniland Development Company

ROBERT B. MAYERFleet/Norstar Bank, Retired Executive

DAVID E. HALL, ESq.Hodgson Russ, Retired Partner

President’s Message

2009 Foundation Board

ROBERT P. DERSAMM&T Bank

ALExANDRA MARzUCCO WEHRKeyBank

MORTON MEYERS, JR.Meyers Real Estate

LISA J. ALLEN, ESq.Harris Beach Attorneys at Law

KENNETH M. FRANASIAKCalamar Construction Management Inc.

RONALD J. PAPANational Fire Adjustment Company, Inc.

ROBERT J. O’LEARYParkview Health Services

RALPH J. VANNER, SR. PresidentVanner Insurance

MICHAEL A. SMITH TreasurerTowne Automotive Group

JAMES M. BOLES, ED.D. SecretaryPeople Inc.

WILLIAM M. COLLINSTravers Collins & Company

NANCY R. DOBSON Vice ChairpersonUniland Development Company

DENISE M. PASzKIEWICz DirectorPeople Inc.

People Inc.’s second Respite House, located on Townline Road in Niagara County.

president & ceo

Sincerely,

People to People

A People Inc. project is helping to remember some forgotten lives. The endeavor is also an active example of the strides that have been made in the treatment of people with disabilities and in acknowledging their history. In an isolated field near Route 62 in Collins, NY, the graves of 550 former patients of the Gowanda Psychiatric Center are typically marked by number, not by name. Unnamed and unmourned, the individuals interred there were patients from 1950 through 1991.

Led by David Mack-Hardiman, People Inc.’s director of training, volunteer crews, which include students from Siena College and St. Bonaventure University, are restoring and documenting a section of the cemetery. Names have now been identified, sunken stones raised, overgrowth cleared and rows of previously unnoticed gravesites discovered.

The Wheater Road Cemetery is the final resting place of some 1,200 people who lived in what was known as Gowanda State Hospital and later as the J. N. Adam Developmental Center, which opened in 1898 to provide residential care for the “insane

and idiotic.” Those who passed away while residing there were buried in adjacent fields. The majority of their graves do not include headstones or names, only a marker of rusted metal or flat concrete, without even a number and only occasionally a religious symbol.

“We’ve raised 434 markers so far,” said Mack-Hardiman. “It’s a functionally abandoned cemetery and we’re there to identify everyone, clean everything off and bring the deceased some dignity. We’re trying to find every stone.”

Each grave tells a story, but the stories come slowly. A piece of rusty angle iron notes the final resting place of “469,” for example, whose identity thus far is limited to “Anna,” a Catholic immigrant and a widow who was admitted to the Center in

1899 and died about 20 years later. These are the mysteries that await resolution in the

Wheater Road Cemetery.

A “Ceremony of Remembrance” was held on September 26 which included a tribute to those interred, the unveiling of new signage and a monument for the cemetery.

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One of the grave markers unearthed during restoration of Wheater Road Cemetery in Collins.

Restoring a Final Resting Place

The “I am a Person” celebration of workshops and artistic presentations took place at Canisius College and a number of local elementary and high schools included disability awareness studies in their curricula. Media outlets that included the Buffalo News, the Niagara Gazette, Forever Young Magazine and WKBW-TV’s “AM Buffalo” gave our recognition of Disability History Week significant coverage. Amherst’s Barnes and Noble and Elmwood Avenue’s Talking Leaves bookstores provided children’s story hours, informative displays and copies of the state legislation that recognizes the significance and impact of Disability History Week.

Karen Lazik of People Inc. and Tess Fraser of the Museum of disABILITY History were involved in the planning and execution of the week’s events, as were the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, Mental Health Peer Connection, WNY Independent Living Center, Hoover Elementary School, the Cantalician Center, Nichols School, Cheektowaga Central High School, Elmwood Village Charter School, Olmstead School 64 and People Inc.’s Kids on the Block puppet troupe.

”Disability History Week” continued from page 1

*Unaudited

2009 Financial Report*

expenSeSAdministration...............7%

Day Services................22%

Family Support and Education............3%

Health Services..............6%

Residential Services.....62%

Grants, New York State and Federal Contracts....$110,166,566 Fund Raising.......................$237,150

Total Revenue.....................$110,403,716

revenue

People to People 4

L-R: Mark J. F. Schroeder, New York State Assemblymember; Tess Fraser, Director, Museum of disABILITY History; Dr. Francisco M. Vasquez, Board Vice President, Museum of disABILITY History; Dr. Bruce McCombe, Dean, College of Arts and

Sciences, University at Buffalo; Dr. David Gerber, Distinguished Professor of History, University at Buffalo; Dr. Catherine Kudlick, President, Disability History Association;

Dr. James M. Boles, Board President, Museum of disABILITY History.

The State University of New York at Buffalo and the Museum of disABILITY History, a project of People Inc., joined to celebrate

the establishment of a Center for Disability Studies in Buffalo, New York. The event was held in Buffalo at the Jacobs Executive Management Center (Butler Mansion) on April 30.

The center will encourage the study, teaching and accurate representation of disability history and individuals with disabilities. Through this collaborative effort, The State University of New York at Buffalo and the Museum of disABILITY History will sponsor a visiting scholar for one semester each academic year beginning in the spring semester

of 2010. The scholar will teach and promote the study of disability history and develop new exhibits for the ever-expanding Museum of disABILITY History.

Speakers at the event included NYS Assemblymember Mark J. F. Schroeder, a longtime advocate for individuals with disabilities who recently championed legislation designating the third week of October as New York State Disability History Week; Dr. Bruce McCombe, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Buffalo; Dr. Francisco M. Vasquez, Board Vice President, Museum of disABILITY History and Dr. David Gerber, UB Distinguished Professor, Department of History, University at Buffalo.

Dr. Catherine Kudlick delivered the keynote address: When Blind People March for Dr. King. Dr. Kudlick is the president of the Disability History Association, an international scholarly organization that promotes the academic study of disabilities.

The event was sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York. A division of HealthNow New York Inc. an Independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association.

Professor Kudlick, President, Disability History Association

Center for Disability Studies EstablishedSawrie Becker of Erie County’s Office of Public Advocacy issued a proclamation on behalf of Erie County Executive Chris Collins designating October 29 as Elmwood Health Center Day. James and Barbara Barrett spoke with gratitude for their son Shamus’ involvement with the Elmwood Health Center as a patient and Director Frank Azzarelli announced a federal grant award to improve the Center’s electronic medical records (EMR) capabilities.

Frederick Cook and Rozalyn Adams of the Patrick P. Lee Foundation presented the Elmwood Health Center with a check for $130,000 to underwrite crucial upgrades and renovations to the Center’s communications system and building. This generous gift will help the center bring “a reduction in waiting times, happier patients who have better access to appointments, and an increase in visits,” according to People Inc. President and CEO James M. Boles.

With ceremonies over, the audience of about 100 entered a festively-decorated rehab room for lunch, followed by tours of the facility. People Inc.’s Elmwood Health Center has become a model for localized health care in the past 15 years with a low-cost and high-result program to serve its community. It comes as no surprise that its staff knows how to throw a party too.

”A Half Million Visits Later...” continued from page 1

Patrick P. Lee Foundation GrantThe grant will improve the Elmwood Health Center’s obsolete telephone system, which currently lacks even a “hold” function. The improvement in coordination of communications between patients and staff, pharmacies and other service providers will vastly improve the Center’s ability to serve its patients, many of whom have multiple health conditions and require access to several personnel with each telephone call.

The registration area will also be enlarged and made more accessible to our patients with wheelchairs and assisted walking devices. Our goal is to provide a roomier and less stressful entry to the facility and the capability of a single check-in procedure for each patient even if he or she has multiple appointments. The project will reduce duplication of records and increase access to appointments through greater efficiency.

The Patrick P. Lee Foundation, based in Amherst, is aware of our importance to the community we serve. The Elmwood Health Center is very grateful for their consideration and their understanding of our needs. The grant is instrumental in a larger effort towards a renaissance of the Elmwood Health Center.

People to People 5

Residential Services Offers Informational MeetingsIt’s the little things that matter in the lives of individuals and their families, and it’s a constant flow of communication that makes things work. People Inc. has embarked on a program of meetings to better serve and inform the families of the individuals it serves in our group homes.

“We’re looking for ways to improve how we work with families and family life,” said Jeff Bridenbaker, associate vice president. “It’s a general invitation to parents. We had 50 at our first meeting, an informational session.” Held at the office on Sheridan Drive in Amherst, it was directed toward families with individuals served by People Inc. locations in the northern suburbs. A Southtowns meeting held a week later, drew 15 people. The goal is to present four meetings per year, two for the northtowns and two for the southtowns.

Families have questions and concerns on a variety of topics and the sessions are designed to address them, lessening worries and giving family members a better understanding of People Inc.’s actions and protocols. Fire safety, for example: what measures we’ve taken to ensure their family members’ safety and how we respond in a fire emergency.

“Because of concerns, we’ve begun a big push to look at fire safety, our initiatives and fire safety procedures,” said Bridenbaker. “We can even invite local fire companies to attend house meetings or functions at our homes.”

The Northtowns meeting also answered questions about People Inc.’s stake in the current state budget.

“We encouraged people to call their legislators, and they told us they’d be willing to do that,” said Tracey Howard, program director. Bridenbaker added that “the state has put the brakes on development. People Inc. will not have any new residential programs in the near future.” Several new facilities, however, have been opened in 2009.

Another matter of interest to the families who attended concerned nutrition, “what we’re serving for meals, on-staff nutritionists, staff members who’ve grown up with a microwave in the kitchen. People seem glad to hear what we had to say,” said Bridenbaker.

“We offer choices to individuals, giving them some control over what they eat,” said Howard. “The meeting was really very positive,” she added, “an informational kind of night. Audience comments were positive as well. Even when things can be seen as problems, we addressed them. It almost ended up like a ‘support group.’”

It’s always exciting when firefighters arrive on the scene, but this time it was by invitation. Celebrating National Fire Prevention Week on October 8, People Inc. partnered with local first responders at five locations in Buffalo and Tonawanda to welcome visiting firefighters with parties, tours and the presentation of checks honoring two members of the Buffalo Fire Department who lost their lives while on duty in August.

The festive events began at People Inc.’s Main Street Day Program, whose individuals colorfully decorated the site with fire prevention-oriented posters, paintings and a life-size paper Dalmatian. Their guests, from Buffalo Fire Department Ladder #7, returned the favor by bringing two fire trucks. Needless to say, individuals and staff all went outside for a closer look.

The initiative is part of a bridge-building approach that will increase awareness of fire prevention and the special requirements of People Inc. individuals, staff and properties. The event was also an opportunity to present a donation in memory of Lt. Charles “Chip” McCarthy and Firefighter Jonathan Croom.

Lt. Jim Whalen was Croom’s supervisor, and spoke movingly of his dedication to duty.

“It’s nice to be here to honor him,” he said. “He loved the job, a young man but a seasoned veteran with a real desire to live. He was the best guy I had and that’s why I sent him in there,” a reference to Croom’s re-entry into a burning building after a report that a person remained inside.

Each of the visits to the People Inc. Buffalo locations included a check to the families of McCarthy and Croom.

“Their dedication to the community is outstanding,” said Main Street Day Services manager Kristen Brown of her guests. “Having them here is a privilege.”

Similar outreach events took place at People Inc.’s Indian Church Road Day Program in South Buffalo, the Day Program at the Elmwood Health Center, Brighton Park Day Center and at 4268 Delaware Avenue. Future People Inc. activities, with the involvement of local fire companies, will include safety demonstrations, tours of fire houses and presentations by fire house personnel.

People Inc. Honors Firefighters

Representatives of Buffalo’s Ladder 13 drew a crowd at the Elmwood Health Center with a demonstration of extending the 75-foot ladder

attached to their truck.

Upcoming Residential Family Meetings have been scheduled for:

tuesday may 11th 7 PM – 8:30 PM at Orchard Park Day Services; 3763 Southwester Blvd., Orchard Park, NY 14127

wednesday may 12th at 7 PM – 8:30 PM at 3131 Sheridan Dr.; Amherst, NY 14226

For more information, please call 817.9000.

People to People 6

People Inc. has long had respect and admiration for its interns, the students who learn first-hand about People Inc.’s mission and procedures through summer and semester placements, both for pay and for college credit. President and CEO Dr. James M. Boles, has pointed out that “we consider our interns a valuable resource. Clearly they’re learning from us about the responsibilities of the working world and the many ways their interests and skills can fit into it today and in the future. But everyone here can learn things from them, they share new and unique attitudes and approaches that can be useful to us as well.” From the 2009 summer internship program, we would like to introduce you to some of the interns at 1291 North Forest. This site, known as the “house next to the People Inc. headquarters,” also contains the Museum of disABILITY History, the Public Affairs Department and Grants Department. Highlighted are two interns and one former intern, now an employee in the Public Affairs Department.

Summer Intern ProgramPeople Inc.’s interns add something special

Laura Shea, recent graduate of Holy Angels Academy in Buffalo, was a Museum of disABILITY intern in 2008 and again this year.

“I learn something new every day here,” she said, “and I’ve known people at People Inc. all my life.” Her mother, People Inc. Associate Vice President Concetta Ferguson, “has worked here since I was born,” (twenty years, actually).

Looking toward the future, Laura says, “My heart is set on becoming a police detective but whatever I do, I know my career will involve helping people.” She is currently a criminal justice major at SUNY Fredonia.

When he’s not pursuing an English degree at Buffalo State College, Brian Pietrus is a part-time researcher at the renovated “house.”

“It was Dr. Boles’ idea. He saw that I have an interest in writing, so this is my assignment.”

The topic is the Kennedy Administration, said Brian, “and the Kennedy family’s involvement in the disability rights movement. It’s about how this family changed perceptions about disabilities in this country.”

Rochester native Rachel Gottorff, a former intern, now a graphic designer with two years experience with People Inc., occupies a second floor office in “the house.”

“Prior to becoming an employee she interned for us,” said Kevin Horrigan, director of public affairs. “She did an awesome job and we knew we wanted her on our team.”

Rachel is responsible for the layout, design and photographs seen in the variety of handouts and informational materials that People Inc. distributes, as well as its website.

“The newsletters that everyone reads, about a million flyers, all the brochures, all the public relations materials and our Annual Report --- that’s all mine,” she says.

L-R: People Inc. interns Laura Shea and Brian Pietrus and former intern turned staff member Rachel Gottorff outside “the house”

with the People Inc. buffalo.

COMPASS (an acronym of Consumerism, Outcomes, Management Plan, Agency Self Survey) certification is an initiative of New York State’s Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities that recognizes provider agencies that have progressed beyond minimal regulatory compliance. It is not an award, but a designation that an agency can rely on its own internal self-assessment instead of regular external review. Of 750 provider agencies in the state, only seven are COMPASS agencies. The latest is People Inc.

“It’s very prestigious,” said Denise Paszkiewicz, People Inc. director of foundation and corporate affairs. “Instead of having the State look at our 120 programs, we can monitor our own quality. It’s been a team effort, and it’s definitely a feather in our cap.”

Beyond the accolade, COMPASS approval is a means of self-monitoring the decision-making process in every facet of the organization.

“We can measure meaningful things with our own indicators,” said Paszkiewicz, “and it gives us more flexibility, allowing us to identify issues of quality on our own. Our resources can be put in places that need improvement and it’s not relying on the standard book from the State but holding the bar higher. This was several years in the making, and the process involved every area in our agency and they finally said ‘yes.’ It’s something to celebrate”, she said.

The COMPASS initiative focuses on the individual receiving services. Empowerment, support of choices and preferences and satisfaction are objectives of any provider, but COMPASS focuses on an agency’s achievement of goals and outcomes through continuous effort in identifying and correcting problems, rather than in awaiting a periodic re-certification inspection. Each applicant agency is encouraged to demonstrate innovation in developing its own processes, procedures, and systems, with the goal of capitalizing on its culture and unique strengths.

A Prestigious Designation

People to People

There is a lot of “above and beyond” in People Inc.’s Ambassador Program, a community outreach effort of the Public Affairs Department. Over 100 people have participated in voluntary training in the past two years and in projects that promote and expand community relations. The program helps reinforce People Inc.’s mission of support, integration and acceptance for individuals with special needs.

A People Inc. Ambassador is an authorized representative or messenger building relationships with the community. We want to end any kind of concerns that people may have about folks that are developmentally, physically challenged and/or seniors that are “low income.” said, Kevin Horrigan, director of public affairs.

People Inc.’s mission of support, integration and acceptance for individuals with special needs will affect the quality of everyone’s lives. In Western New York, staff and individuals have organized clubs and participated in walks to raise awareness and inform the community. In the areas that group homes and programs are located, many individuals and People Inc. employees have joined local Kiwanis chapters; many individuals have developed an Aktion Club, a branch of this service club. Others are joining Chambers of Commerce, Rotary, and Lion’s clubs. Seniors and Day programs have supported and recognized local Veterans and Firefighters. Ambassadors volunteer at community events with tables of information and/or health screenings. Overall this year People Inc. Ambassadors have participated in over 200 events, health fairs, festivals, walks, conferences and much more.

To continue the trend in 2010, and increase volunteerism, advocacy, and awareness, People Inc. will begin a monthly informational Ambassador Tour. These tours will take members of the Administrative divisions of People Inc. on tours guided by tenured and well informed Ambassadors like People Inc.’s Chief Operating Officer, Rhonda Frederick. Your tour guide will give you insight and information about each program visited and introduces you to the people who are directly impacted by the agency’s mission. Tours will visit residences (group homes), and other day programs that service individuals, families, and seniors throughout Western New York.

Ambassadors cement relationships and bring out the very best in everyone involved. To find out more about Ambassadorship, contact Bradford Watts at bwatts@people-inc.org.

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Being an Ambassador for People Inc.

Bradford Watts, People Inc.’s community relations coordinator, provides information and tips on community relations skills to People Inc.’s

newest ambassadors.

Innovative approaches to serving individuals’ needs is taking form at People Inc. Staff members, after a series of meetings at The Learning Institute, are encouraging one-on-one individual and mentor relationships in projects inspired by person-centered planning. People Inc. staff Lizbeth Booth, Linda Rinaldo and Rick Banner attended meetings in Albany over a two-year period to learn more about The Learning Institute’s Innovation in Individualized Supports, presented by the Rensselaer Association for Retarded Citizens and underwritten by the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, and the New York State Association of Community and Residential Agencies.

People Inc. was one of fifteen agencies from across the state meeting monthly in Albany to learn how to better work with one person at a time by being more innovative, personalized and person-centered. The program trains participants on how to create an opportunity, a way of becoming aware of what is available to individuals in spite of a disability, that changes the service People Inc. provides to people with disabilities. These are the tools and training that amplifies an individual’s voice so that the individual is heard. The program stresses a person’s choice in improving his or her life, and strengthens the dyadic relationship between a staff member and the individual; a more holistic approach and much more personalized than simple metrics or satisfaction ratings. The program is changing how People Inc. is doing business and it’s setting people up for success. The training in Learning Independence Through Enterprise (LITE) will support five women who are starting their own businesses.

The primary return and the successful application of this approach is People Inc.’s Everyday Heroes Program. An individual joins a staff member for a dyadic mentoring relationship in a given topic of mutual interest, which is then pursued in sessions several times each week. A garden, a research project, a small business; the idea comes from the individual first, followed by a mentor from People Inc. who is willing to listen to this one voice and provide support and structure through work with the individual’s family and friends. Support from People Inc.’s direct care staff also contributes toward a change in the life of the person with a disability.

These three difference-makers, Liz Booth, Linda Rinaldo and Rick Banner, are enthusiastic about what they’ve learned by participating in The Learning Institute’s program and how to apply it to People Inc. service to people with a disability. They tell stories in which success might not appear on protocol charts, but where the quality of life of the person with a disability clearly improves.

Learning Institute - Learning how to be more

People to People

There’s something to be said about a person who loves her work. Beverly Lacey, registered nurse at People Inc.’s Brighton Park day program, is up at 4 a.m. to be on duty by 5:30 a.m., and recently celebrated her 25th year with People Inc. She is responsible for maintenance of the health offices, medications, treatments, special feeding and breathing issues and according to Beverly, “tons of bookwork.” “I love it. I really enjoy working with our individuals, and enjoy the versatility of the job.” Brighton Park

Administrator Jill Magno calls her “the guru, the one who knows everything. Bev is the most efficient, most thorough nurse with everything she does, A to z, and she’s a very sweet woman as well.”

After retirement from a position with New York State at the West Seneca Developmental Center, Beverly came to People Inc., first at the Central Park facility in Buffalo, then to Brighton Park in the Town of Tonawanda.

She has no plans to retire. Neither does Les Kelly.

Having recently celebrated his 30th anniversary with People Inc., Les Kelly of the North Forest office provides a reflective comment that could be used as advice to a young graduate or a self-presented lifetime achievement award:

“I’m very fond of the agency. I definitely enjoy what I do

and I’ve done enough not to get burned out.” In his position with the Information Technology Department, he creates computer applications and tracks all the vital information of People Inc. and the individuals served, and Les is precisely where he wants to be.

The versatile Kelly began his career in a community residence that is now the Delaware Avenue IRA, spent 16 years in Residential Services and later moved to the Information Technology Department. He also went back to college; an Economics degree got him started, but he proudly refers to earning “a Computer Science degree at the age of 42. This is something I always wanted to do. When I started there were no computers here, and I was always saying ‘we need to get some computers in here.’ Eventually we got two, an Apple and a word processor,” he says. People Inc. currently uses 860 desktop and laptop computers.

A long-term career with one employer is enough time to learn, to grow, to contribute and to make lasting friends. Les Kelly and Bev Lacey, valued and valuable members of People Inc., have clearly done it correctly.

Longtime Employees

Beverly Lacey

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Les Kelly

Penny Forbes Reflects on her CareerI was majoring in Social Work at Buffalo State, and thought People Inc. would be a great summer job. Little did I know it would be my life for 25 years. You’ll always talk of your first home base, and mine was the Linwood IRA.I think of the crazy weekend shifts we had, 24-hour shift on weekends, often returning the next day for a 12-hour shift. Now I realize just how important and powerful it could be to teach people simply how to make a pot of coffee “because they loved coffee,” or to teach them to safely cross the street to get their favorite Burger King, or how empowering it was to them to take the bus to their Mom’s. How proud they were of their accomplishments!

In 1994, I entered the Service Coordination department. One of my first tasks was helping open the Transitional IRA for the homeless in Silver Creek, and to find them housing. I learned quickly how to network, and worked with local providers to find appropriate and safe places to live. I was thrilled to be offered such a challenge, accessing the resources available to our individuals. I also began working with three individuals who remain on my caseload. One young lady was 16 and had just lost her parents, and I look back now and realize that I was a part of her life’s milestones --- high school graduation, marriage, and the birth of her two children. I was there to help her buy her first home, and now, three homes later, I am still helping her through life. Oh, how wonderful this job can be!

I left the agency for a few months after my second child, and returned as a service coordinator. I have gained strength from, and have a real appreciation for, families who struggle 24 hours a day. We are the link for many families to find help and to get the support to lead lives as normal as possible. It wasn’t that long ago I was teaching someone to measure coffee and water; now I see them living with friends they choose, meeting others and forming real and lasting relationships, and having a support system which pushes them to dream big and have a life with meaning.

I recently reached my 25-year benchmark with People Inc. and enjoyed a small celebration with my co-workers in Service Coordination. Throughout the day, I continued to think of the many families, individuals and staff who have been a part of my life. Remember, this job can be powerful. It can be a catalyst to do powerful things and make lives better.

Penny Forbes (second from right) joins Annie H. in her new home, a woman she has assisted for many years, along with Annie’s two

children, Brittany and Dommnick.

People to People

People Inc. Chief Operating Officer Rhonda Frederick was named a “Woman of Influence” by Business First of Buffalo. She was honored at a September luncheon at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens. The business publication chose 24 individuals from Western New York’s spectrum of corporate, education and public policy leaders to honor. Frederick was selected as one of three in the “Nonprofit Leadership”

category, acknowledging “women who display high energy and skill in a leadership role at a nonprofit organization.”

Rashaan Slocumb, a project manager who oversees 50 People Inc. sites with facilities coordination, maintenance and construction management, was among 20 chosen as 2009’s “Black Achievers in Industry.” The award, sponsored by 1490 Enterprises, Inc., was presented at a banquet at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in October.

Museum of disABILITY History Director Teresa Fraser is among this year’s “40 Under Forty” class, selected by Business First of Buffalo. The award is presented to 40 local business people for professional accomplishment and community service, each under the age of 40. The honorees were recognized at a November luncheon in the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.

Frank Azzarelli, director of People Inc.’s affiliate Elmwood Health Center, was recognized as a member of Business First of Buffalo’s 2009 “Healthcare 50” list. He was identifed as one of Western New York’s “movers, innovators, strategists, outstanding caregivers and pioneers in this dynamic sector of the local economy.”

People Inc. Executive Vice President, Dr. Francisco M. Vasquez, was selected as board chairperson for Leadership Buffalo. He now presides over a diverse network of over 1,000 business and civic leaders committed to improving their organizations and building a better Buffalo. Leadership Buffalo’s mission encourages community leadership based on the values of service, diversity, inclusion and openness to change.

Of Course We’re WinnersIt is no secret People Inc. employees are dedicated and innovative people who care about their communities and the society in which they live, but it’s good to know others have noticed, too. A number of People Inc. personnel have recently been recognized for lives and careers that serve the public good.

Susan Mancuso has been elected to serve as president of the Financial Manager’s Association of New York’s Corporate Board and Central Group. The Financial Manager’s Association of New York promotes communication among financial

professionals of not for profit rehabilitation agencies and serves as a resource in providing networking opportunities and educational seminars specific to disability service provider agencies.

Susan has worked for People Inc. for 13 years in Accounting; she is currently the Assistant Controller, handling budgets specializing in HUD and grant funding compliance. She has been married to husband John for 16 years and they have two great children named Louisa and Johnny. Susan stated, “the appointment is an opportunity for me to be an energizing force in making dreams come true for individuals and families receiving services at People Inc., and networking with other professionals keeps me abreast of the new trends as well as changes in the field. To be at an open house and hear from a tenant that now calls one of our projects home is what I really love.”

Taking Pride in Compliance is her Motto

Susan Mancuso

Sharon Plant, formerly Director of People Inc.’s ICF Department, has been named new Associate Vice President of Senior Living. In her new role she will have oversight of a staff of 40 and People Inc.’s 17 HUD-subsidized affordable senior apartment complexes; three more buildings will be added by 2011.

Anna Korus, People Inc. vice president of Health and Senior Services, has been nominated to serve as Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Visitors at the New York State School for the Blind. “I am proud to be associated with it. The school does so much to prepare kids with blindness and other disabilities for the world,” said Korus, who has served on the school’s board for the past eight years.

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People to People 10People Inc. in Pictures

Indian Church Ribbon CuttingWith the last of its eight program rooms finally open, People Inc.’s day program building on Indian Church Road in South Buffalo was the site of a gala dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony. A long list of dignitaries with an interest in People Inc.’s mission were in attendance, as were many of the 50 individuals served by the location and its 20 staff members.

L-R: Joe Maggio and Matthew Prynn, Indian Church Day Program participants; Pam King, People Inc. Program Director; Rhonda Frederick, People Inc.

COO; Tim Kennedy, County Legislator; Lisa Guglielmi, People Inc. Program Administrator; Congressman Brian Higgins; Dr. James M. Boles, People Inc.

President and CEO; and Assemblymember Mark J.F. Schroeder.

L-R: Top row: Reid Dunlavey, Sue Crocker, Denise Paszkiewicz, Jocelyn Bos Fisher, Julie Witt, Colin Maloney, Terri Snider, TC Ferrito.

Bottom row: Rachel Gottorff, Callie Maloney, Tracey Kosmoski.

Ilio DiPaolo Golf TournamentThe 30th Annual Ilio DiPaolo Memorial Celebrity Golf Classic was a huge success! More than 175 golfers and local celebrities gathered on June 8 at Wanakah Country Club to raise money for the People Inc. Foundation and the Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Fund. The rainy weather did not dampen the spirits of the golfers or the team of People Inc. volunteers who helped make this year’s event a success.

On November 10, Sunflower Apartments, a People Inc. Senior Living Community, opened its doors to honor veterans from the Lackawanna community and hosted a very special Veterans Day tribute. The event included a famous Marine tradition, a flag raising by American Legion Post 63, the Marine Corps of India Company Color Guard and a keynote speech by Dr. Patrick Welch, Director of the Erie County Veterans Service Agency.

Veterans Day Tribute

Commander Paul Strycharz, of American Legion Post 63 salutes as the flag is raised before the India Company Marine Corps Color Guard.

This year’s holiday card was designed by Mary S., who resides at a People Inc. residence.

Holiday Card ArtworkEach year, People Inc. looks to the individuals we serve for help in creating our annual holiday card. Holiday-themed pieces of art are submitted from residential sites to day programs, and the artwork chosen becomes the cover of the card. We continue to be impressed by the quantity and quality of the artwork we receive.

People to People

Buffalo News Kids DayOver 25 People Inc. employees helped sell 600 copies of a special Kids Day edition of The Buffalo News. The proceeds from the sale of this special edition are presented to Variety Club, the Children’s Charity, to benefit Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, the Robert Warner MD Center for Children with Special Needs and Children’s Charities of Western New York.

L-R: Dr. James M. Boles, People Inc. President and CEO, Rebecca Boles, Program Coordinator for the ISE Department, and Linda Anderson,

Admissions Intake Specialist.

People Inc. in Pictures

Holly Apartments Groundbreaking

Representatives from the Village of Angola, Town of Evans, People Inc., Erie County Legislature, United States Department of Housing and Urban

Development (HUD), Erie County Department of Environmental Planning, the Western New York Foundation, and the surrounding community took part in the

groundbreaking ceremony for People Inc.’s 17th Senior Living Community.

With locations from Lockport to Angola, construction has begun on People Inc’.s 17th affordable senior living community on Main Street in the Village of Angola. “This project, three years in the making, would not have been possible without the persistence of Mayor Howard “Hub” Frawley, funding from HUD, Erie County and the WNY Foundation, and the support of Congressman Brian Higgins,” said Kevin Horrigan, People Inc.’s Director of Public Affairs.

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Shawn Carden with his family, the Gugliuzza’s, aboard the Excalibur, a state-of-the-art, wheel-chair accessible Island Hopper 30’ Open Lake Cruiser.

Excalibur Boating ExcursionsExcalibur Leisure Skills Center, Inc.’s Accessible Recreation on the Lake program was designed for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families who are living at home in Western New York. This family-oriented program provides an invaluable opportunity for individuals with disabilities to enjoy adaptive fishing and boating experiences on Lake Erie.

Drive Fore Disabilities

L-R: Peter Krog, President of the Krog Corporation;Mark Byrne, Vice President of Vanner Benefits and co-chair of the tournament; Ralph Vanner Sr., People Inc. Foundation President;

Ralph Vanner Jr., President of Vanner Insurance.

People Inc.’s 8th Annual Drive Fore Disabilities Golf Tournament was held on August 24, 2009 at the East Aurora Country Club. Proceeds help support People Inc.’s mission to help individuals with disabling conditions and special needs receive the support they need to succeed and participate in an accepting society in every neighborhood in Western New York.

People to People 12

The Arts Experience, sponsored by People Inc., is Western New York’s newest center for the arts. Located in a busy and exciting storefront on Union Road in Cheektowaga, the center offers adult individuals with disabilities the support, direction, tools and means for expression through painting, sculpture, dance, creative writing, music and reading. Supplies ranging from computer workstations to painting supplies to guitars and pianos are available, as is a large and mirrored room for dance, aerobics and yoga. Created in 2008 by Michelle Silverblatt, a dancer and choreographer, the Arts Experience has provided a critical artistic outlet and supportive workspace to individuals with a disability receiving services through People Inc. The program has a staff of six offering classes and advisement to 38 individuals. It is a remarkable undertaking and one that dramatically underscores the creative potential of individuals with disabilities. “We have an amazing, creative, talented staff, and we give the individuals full responsibility for their work,” she said.

The remarkable output of the staff and participating individuals includes the work of Lee Allan Hartlieb, a playwright whose “Lament for Joe” play was done as a staged reading at Alleyway Theatre. Theatre Plus theatre company produced the staged reading of his play. Other contributors include the numerous

writers of poetry and essays who appear in the People Inc. day program quarterly publication, “Our Voice;” painters who are veterans of the “Arts in Motion” art show; Eric Bisantz, composer of music for “Circle Time,” a program of music and dance for children with developmental disabilities; and members of a dance

troupe that has performed at the M&T Bank’s summer concert series and at Developmental Disabilities Day in the Buffalo Convention Center. In the back room of the spacious complex, individuals are creating an ambitious Civil War-era opera: writing it, rehearsing it, choreographing it and creating costumes from curtains and donated dresses.

Artwork by five individuals was part of September’s “Rehabilitation Summit,” a training seminar at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany. The event, sponsored by the New York

State Rehabilitation Association, included “Art in Motion,” a competitive art exhibit and “Arts Experience” featuring works by artists Melissa McDougall, Sarah Schmidt, Lisa Olewniczak, Catalina Aloi and Jon Caldwell. The cover art for the fourth annual “Art in Motion” exhibit journal, the official souvenir program of the event, was painted by Caldwell and had its unveiling prior to the dinner.

Creating Masterpieces

The cast of “Donna: A Civil War Opera.” Cast L-R: Cameron Fadale, Phillip Cercone, Elena Collins, Keller Vogelsang, Johnathan Place,

Lee Hartlieb, Chris Frushone, Gay Meyers, Crystal Owens, Shanita Wilson. Lyrics by Keller Vogelsang and Libretto by The Arts Experience

theatre class.

We had a gem in Lois Cammarata, who shared her friendship and talents in a 26-year People Inc. career. Her November 2005 death inspired her colleagues and friends to remember her with the Lois Cammarata Foundation, which organizes fundraisers throughout the year to underwrite an annual scholarship in her name.

Sales of People Inc. logo wear, a book sale and a “scare fair” Halloween event for employees and individuals at the 976 Delaware Avenue location are especially successful in raising funds for the Foundation. The scholarship is maintained by a standing committee of some of Lois’ family and dearest friends, who arrange an evening recognizing the winner of the scholarship and an event filled with joy and laughter.

The 3rd award event, held this year at Ilio DiPaolo’s restaurant, was another winner. Organizer Marcia Ergort put it well: “Every

year you don’t think it can get better, but it does…this yearI saw people that I haven’t seen since they left People Inc…it was like a homecoming.”

Janice Hicks was awarded the $2,000 scholarship after impressing the committee with her work as Program Manager at a People Inc. residence with mainly new staff. Her dedication in rallying the staff and the families has made a significant difference in the lives of the individuals involved. “I don’t see it as a job. It’s personal to be in

someone’s home and to be a help,” Hicks said.

She’s not Forgotten

L-R: People Inc. employees Kathy Bechtel, Gina Frank, Carol Robertson, Clare Piszkin, and Donna Mostiller at the 3rd Annual Lois Cammarata

Scholarship dinner.

People to People 13Grants News

Grant Donor: Arts Council in Buffalo and Erie CountyThe Kids on the Block program received $2,000 from the Arts Council of Buffalo and Erie County to sponsor several community performances of the Kids on the Block puppet troupe, as well as purchase equipment to improve the presentation. Kids on the Block is an outreach program that uses Bunraku, a 300-year-old Japanese style of puppetry, to counter cultural misconceptions about people with developmental disabilities. Kids on the Block combines puppetry and the tradition of oral storytelling to present critical information about people with disabilities. Kids on the Block is very popular with younger audiences, parents and teachers.

Among People Inc.’s newest programs is an undertaking funded by an Erie County grant from the New York State Department of Labor to help out-of-school young people with disabilities. According to Bill Schultz, Vocational Services program director, 80 individuals will be served in a project designed to keep this target population in school.

In a job market with a sinking demand for unskilled labor and an environment in which, for example, only 19.6 percent of the Buffalo Public Schools’ special education students graduate and 33.6 percent drop out, this program is an important opportunity and deserves priority.

The first mission is to identify those who have dropped out of special education classes, then “focus on those individuals to help them enter or re-enter the workplace,” according to Schultz. “We then use individual placement models, and help them obtain job referrals through Workforce New York’s ‘One-Stop’ service, Catholic Charities and other agencies.” Other priorities include improvement in academics and preparation for GED testing.

The one-year grant, a component of which includes Federal economic stimulus funds, will be shared by four Western New York agencies that are attuned to the needs of students and workers with disabilities, including People Inc. According to People Inc. Grant Writer David LoTempio, “We have experience working in Buffalo high schools, the Buffalo Occupational Center and in most schools throughout Erie County” in school-related transition services.

The new undertaking continues the successful relationship People Inc. has had with other agencies through the Youth Enhancement Services (YES) program, with local schools and with the at-risk population it serves.

Out-of-School Grant

Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New YorkPeople Inc., in partnership with D’Youville College, has received a grant of $25,000 to test the effect of Taiji/qigong exercises to prevent falls among adults with developmental disabilities and senior citizens. Gait and balance problems are common among individuals with disabilities or special needs. The injuries caused by falls have tremendous consequences in regard to their independence, often making individuals more dependent on others. People Inc. encourages individuals to live their lives as independently as possible, therefore, we are very excited to work on this innovative project.

The goals of the project are to reduce falls, fall risk and to maintain mobility among residents in two settings: day habilitation programs for individuals with developmental disabilities and housing complexes for low-income seniors. We plan to achieve these goals by offering Taiji/qigong and balance training exercises. These exercises were selected for the mobility intervention because there is research evidence that they are effective in lowering the risk of falling in these populations. This practice offers slow, manageable exercises that can be performed by individuals who have balance, mobility and/or cognitive challenges. If the interventions are successful and participants improve balance and mobility and reduce the risk of falling, then the program has the potential to yield long-term benefits in health and wellness for all individuals with balance and mobility concerns.

Training and monitoring of participants will be conducted by Dr. Penelope Klein, a professor of Physical Therapy at D’Youville College. Dr. Klein has a wealth of experience instructing the public in Taiji/qigong and evaluating the impact of this ancient Chinese practice.

Individuals practice Taiji/Qigong exercises which can be effective in maintaining mobility and lowering the risk of falling.

People to People 14

name change: You may have noticed that People Inc. Senior Housing has recently changed its name to People Inc. Senior Living. All 17 of the People Inc. apartment locations received new signs highlighting People Inc.’s commitment to offering attractive and affordable apartments for those 62 and older in our Senior Living Communities across Western New York.

Seniors unlimited Day program: So many of us have ample concern about where our children go to day care, but are we similarly concerned about the day care that our parents are receiving? People Inc. Seniors Unlimited day program is designed specifically for the needs of individuals with dementia and memory loss. The program’s specially trained staff provides a social, safe and stimulating environment. This program may be covered by long term home health program or some other funding, but when it is not, many caregivers have found that the nominal $40 per day rate is quite affordable, considering it includes transportation within the City of Buffalo and two meals. This program gives caregivers a much needed break and the peace of mind they need, knowing that their loved ones are being cared for by compassionate, trained professionals. It is the next best thing to being home with family and friends.

the gift of time: In December, the Seniors Unlimited Day program for individuals with dementia and other memory loss offered caregivers a special holiday gift so they could take time to shop or just rest while we cared for loved ones. Several individuals took advantage of this special gift to caregivers - our gift to them for their dedication to their loved ones. For more information on the Seniors Unlimited program go to www.people-inc.org or call 716.853.4500.

a warm welcome: Angola has opened its arms wide for the new People Inc. HUD funded Holly Apartments. Businesses and citizens alike are enthusiastically awaiting the early 2010 opening of this lovely, smoke-free building, set back off of North Main Street in the heart of Angola, 30 miles south of Buffalo.

It is expected that those individuals 62 years and older that move into these apartments will likely be from Angola. Some will have made the decision to rid themselves of the albatross of their aging home, managing living expenses in a way that will enable them to live life more fully. Perhaps some will make a decision to come back to Buffalo after spending years out of town - finally deciding to be near family and friends. Regardless of who these new tenants may be, the lucky ones that move to Angola can rest assured that the Village of Angola will extend its warm welcome.

History has shown that the new sense of community and security that surrounds People Inc. Senior Living Apartments has enabled so many tenants to restore their social lives and thrive. Applications are currently being accepted. For more information on this or any of People Inc.’s other 16 sites across Western New York, please call 716.817.9090 or go to www.people-inc.org.

Senior Services Corner

This spring, over 150 people joined People Inc., the Museum of disABILITY History and the Special Olympics to “Spread The Word to End the Word.” The rally, held at People Inc.’s administrative offices on North Forest Road in Williamsville, was part of a national campaign urging people to pledge to end the use of the word “retard” and educate others on why to stop using this hurtful term.

Unfortunately, much of society does not recognize the hurtful, dehumanizing effects of the word “retard.” The goal of this pledge along with the efforts of individuals, families, schools, and member agencies worldwide is to encourage and educate to use respectful and inclusive language that is essential to the movement for the dignity and humanity of people with intellectual disabilities.

As keynote speakers roused a rally cry for more inclusion, awareness, advocacy and education, Cheryl Creekmore, chairperson for People Inc.’s Self Advocacy group stated, “Our group is called, ‘United Voices for Change,’ which is its purpose. If you don’t know it’s wrong to use that word, someone needs to tell you why it’s wrong.” That sentiment was echoed by Larry Jordan who said, “No more labels…My name is Larry, what’s yours?”

As the crowd chanted, “Spread The Word to End the Word,” Nick zmuda, Special Olympic athlete, took the microphone and told of his thirteen years of being an ambassador in the community. “Don’t let anyone or anything stop you…I don’t plan to stop ‘Spreading the Word to End the Word,’ so don’t you!”

This rally made it clearly evident that understanding the person was paramount over understanding their ability, disability, capability, or other marginalizing term because words will never get to the heart of the matter. Society is a fabric of differences linked inevitably by the common factors of love and dignity for all. It was certainly summed up well by Museum docent Charles DeGraffenried, “I ask people during tours, at art festivals and during trainings I conduct…can you understand me?” The crowd gave a resounding answer – “yes!”

National Effort to End the R-word Kicks Off With Rally at People Inc.

Bradford Watts, People Inc.’s community relations coordinator and event emcee, spreads the word along with Charles DeGraffenried, Museum of

disABILITY History docent, Nick Zmuda, Special Olympic athlete, and Larry Jordan, People Inc. self advocate.

People to People 15

A People Inc. Respite Program Comes to the NorthtownsPeople Inc.’s second location exclusively dedicated to 24-hour respite service opened in August. The custom-designed and constructed building in a pastoral part of North Tonawanda is the Northtowns’ compliment to Downing House, People Inc.’s respite facility in Bowmansville. The respite program serves caregivers who have never been able to go on a vacation, even take a short break from the 24 hour-a-day responsibilities of taking care of a loved one with disabilities. Until now there has been no similar service available in the Niagara-Northtowns area.

“We’re bringing services to families in Niagara County that they previously haven’t had access to,” said Caitlin Sestokas, acting manager and program director. “The individuals now have a place to go on weekends and after school.”

It never seems to have the same population two days in a row, and is already a big hit with the after-school crowd; about a dozen students from nearby Meadow Elementary School arrive in the afternoon and have dinner before it’s time to go home.

The facility on Townline Road, surrounded by farms and woodlands, has a roomy, home-like setting, with five bedrooms and a spacious fenced backyard currently full of soccer and basketball gear. It offers a temporary place for individuals to stay for a night, a weekend, a few hours after school or in an emergency and already has 125 individuals benefiting from the program.

“I got to see it when it was brand-new, when it had little furniture,” said Sestokas, “and now we have a real home atmosphere. The kids feel at home, and you can see the relief on the family’s faces. This really improves the quality of life, of kids and of their families.”

People Inc. has long viewed the Northtowns as an area in which it could serve its clients with a respite house. Rather than retrofit an existing, older building, it constructed precisely what was required. The result is magnificent, and an excellent addition to People Inc.’s list of available services.

Foundation Awards Ceremony The People Inc. Foundation Scholarship Program recognized 10 student/staff members who are both advancing our mission and preparing for future achievement, in choosing them to each receive a $2,000 scholarship for their studies. The awards were presented by the People Inc. Foundation Board at a Buffalo Club luncheon, co-hosted by partners KeyBank and Uniland Development Company, in August.

The annual award provides assistance to employees in five professional categories. Applicants for the scholarships must be employed at People Inc. while pursuing additional education.“This is the 15th year anniversary of our scholarship program,” said Foundation President Ralph Vanner Sr., “and it’s something we feel very strong about. It’s an advantage, there to help People Inc. employees, and we’re very proud of it.”

The Foundation has been instrumental in a number of recent People Inc. projects, including the construction of respite houses in Lancaster and in North Tonawanda.

Of 45 who applied, 10 scholarship recipients were chosen: in the category of Administrative, Frank Cammarata; in Education, Kelly Matthews; in Therapy, Michael Maerten; in Nursing, Lorna Barber, Deborah Kinsey and Ann Marie Miller; in Human Services, Barbara Callen, Kelly Igoe, Roseanne Jackson and Ismalia Mane.

L-R: Deborah Kinsey, Michael Maerten, Barbara Callen, Dr. James M. Boles, People Inc. President and CEO, Lorna Barber, Ismaila Mane,

Kelly Igoe, Roseanne Jackson. Not pictured: Frank Cammarata, Kelly Matthews, Ann Marie Miller.

People Inc. Offers Parent and Family Support GroupPeople Inc. offers parent and family support group meetings every four to six weeks to provide support while addressing and focusing on transition issues, such as feelings of guilt when placing a loved one in a group home. During these supportive meetings, family members share experiences and stories that are a great resource and support for new families approaching difficult and emotionally painful decisions.

For more information about People Inc.’s parent and family support group, please contact Sheltina Watson at 817.7438 or Swatson@people-inc.org.

Become a Puppeteer!Are you enthusiastic, do you enjoy working with kids, and believe in promoting disability awareness? You may be qualified to become a Kids on the Block puppeteer! No prior puppeteer experience is necessary, only a commitment to training for memorization of scripts and the ability to appropriately answer questions generated by the audience. qualified applicants should be energetic and dedicated to spreading the message that being different is a universal condition that should be celebrated. For more information on becoming a Kids on the Block puppeteer, contact Brie Kishel, Kids on the Block Project Coordinator at 716.817.7478 or email Bkishel@people-inc.org.

People to People

“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”

SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL

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Are YOU a People Inc. Member yet?People Inc. Members are the backbone of our Annual Fund, made up of family members, staff and community-minded individuals throughout Western New York. By signing on as a People Inc. Member and maintaining an annual membership, you help us to better plan, invest and put donations to the best use toward our mission. And, it’s simple to become a People Inc. Member, so simple, you may even be one and not know it! Any supporter who donates $100 or more within a calendar year qualifies as a People Inc. Member. These include pledges and cumulative gifts over the year. So, you can:

All gifts are important expressions of your support of our mission. a special thanks to our growing family of people inc. members!

Name Us LastThis time of the year is a time when many of us “take stock” and get things organized. With resolutions freshly written, the new year is a natural time to do this. You may be planning to review your Will or even write one for the first time.

After you’ve taken care of your family concerns, please consider including People Inc. in your will. For many families, we’ve played an integral role in the life of your loved one for 10, 15, even 20 years or more. Including People Inc. in your Will helps to secure the future of our organization so that we can continue to meet special needs for families into the future. You can name us upfront, as a contingent beneficiary or even name us last. We appreciate your help in planning for People Inc. while you plan for your family and estate. Call Denise Paszkiewicz, foundation director, at 716.817.7470 if you have any questions about how best to convey your wishes.

Giving at Work…Have that Conversation!It seems like every workplace has some way to give back to the community. Hundreds of our own staff at People Inc. donate to our Foundation through payroll deductions. You or your spouse and family members may participate in an informal charitable giving program, like “dress down days,” or something more formal like the United Way or other federated appeals. Some companies even match their own employees’ gifts to charity. One way to multiply your own generosity is by checking out what your “giving situation” is at other workplaces to which your family is connected. You may find that you can designate People Inc. as the final charity to benefit from a formal program or discover an opportunity to be more directly involved in the process. So, have that conversation! Ask:

Do we have an organized charitable giving program here? - If so, how can I get involved or get in contact with the point person? (sometimes these are managed by employee committees who review proposals) - Does our company have any sort of matching gifts for employees’ own donations? (usually there is a form to be mailed to the charity) - If not, who can I talk to about starting something like this?

I’d like to designate People Inc. to receive funds through my regular payroll deduction to our federated program. Is there a form I need to fill out or a phone number I need to call to start that?

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Al Boswell, a longtime resident of Buffum IRA who passed away in December, was a good friend of Ilio DiPaolo. In his honor,

Al was featured in the Ilio DiPaolo annual golf tournament event poster and calendar, “Remembering our Friends.”

Pledge to be a member in 2010 (complete and return the form on the back page of this newsletter).

Give at different times and in different ways through the year. For example, you might make two Memorial Gifts in lieu of flowers as a way to commemorate a friend of the family and one gift later at holiday time.

Call us to find out more at 817.7461, or if you’d like to check on how much you’ve donated this year-to-date.

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for more information, please call the foundation Department at 716.817.7461.

People to People2009 Individual DonorsP E O P L E I N C . F O U N D AT I O N C H A R I TA B L E L E G A C Y S O C I E T Y

Mr. Howard BenzDr. James M. BolesMr. Donald GregoryMr. & Mrs. Isobel & David HorvathMr. James LembeckMs. Emma MahoneyMr. Robert RuhlmanMr. Ralph J. Vanner, Sr.Mr. & Mrs. Stanley & Isabel Wadell

P E O P L E I N C . H E R O E S( $ 1 0 0 0 A N D U P )Dr. James M. BolesMr. and Mrs. Franklin Downing, Sr.Mr. John HammMr. and Mrs. Francis M. O’ConnorMr. Kevin F. O’LearyMr. Robert J. O’LearyMs. Nancy A. PalumboMr. Anthony B. ParisoMr. and Mrs. William A. PruddenMr. and Mrs. Larry SkerkerMr. Michael A. SmithMr. John H. StetterDr. Francisco M. Vasquez

P E O P L E I N C . F R I E N D S( $ 5 0 0 - $ 9 9 9 )Mr. William M. CollinsMrs. Nancy M. ConleyMr. Edward J. DesmarestMrs. Nancy DobsonMrs. Marcia R. ErgortMs. Concetta FergusonMr. and Mrs. Joseph FidanzaMs. Rhonda I. FrederickMr. David E. HallMrs. Mary Beth IwanskiMr. and Mrs. Joseph E. KnarrMr. Thomas P. La PennaDr. and Mrs. LaniganMr. Robert B. MayerMr. Robert T. MayerMrs. Peggy A. McDonnellMr. and Mrs. Patrick F. ReillyDr. and Mrs. David J. TriggleMrs. Lois K. Warren

P E O P L E I N C . M E M B E R S ( $ 1 0 0 - $ 4 9 9 )Mr. Charles M. Abbott, Sr.Mr. Rick AbbottMr. Joseph J. AbdallahLisa J. Allen, Esq.Mr. and Mrs. James P. BalcerzakMr. and Mrs. Edward J. BalonMs. Lorna BarberMr. and Mrs. Joseph F. BasilMs. Susan B. BayerlMs. Katherine A. BechtelMrs. Jane M. BergmannMr. William D. BergmannMr. and Mrs. Lawrence W. BermanMs. April M. BigginsMs. Donna BloomMr. and Mrs. Robert BloomquistDr. Lizbeth J. BoothMr. and Mrs. James BraunMr. and Mrs. Jeffrey L. BridenbakerMr. Daniel F. BrownMrs. Wende S. BurgioDr. and Mrs. James R. BurkMs. Roxanne CalleaMrs. Ruth M. Camann

Mr. Charles CammarataMr. David CammarataMr. Frank A. Cammarata IIIMr. and Mrs. Joseph M. CardenMr. Jeremy S. CarlsonMs. Kerri A. CarriganMs. Bonnie CaveMr. and Mrs. Timothy D. ClarkMs. Kimberly E. ColbyMrs. Rosalie CovialMr. and Mrs. David C. CraigMrs. Lois L. CraneMr. and Mrs. Bernard W. Cryan, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. John E. DanaherMs. Amy M. DarlingMr. and Mrs. Carl I. DiehlMr. William DimmigMr. David DowningMr. Christian DoyleMs. Patricia DukeMs. Micheline B. DurocherMr. and Mrs. David W. Evans, Sr.Mr. and Mrs. Lee A. FilbertMr. William E. FinnMr. Michael F. FischerMr. and Mrs. Steven E. FisherMrs. Linda B. FoleyMr. Charles B. FranksMrs. Joan N. FriehMr. and Mrs. John R. GalvinMr. Peter L. GaskinMrs. Eleanor M. GavacsMs. Melissa A. GeraceMr. and Mrs. William GieslerMrs. Doris W. GivensMr. and Mrs. Charles GordonMr. Robert J. GreenauerMr. and Mrs. Daniel C. GrimaldiMs. Michel Ann GroupMr. and Mrs. John F. HaagMr. and Mrs. Wayne R. HadleyMr. Thomas HanoverMr. and Mrs. Warren F. HardyMr. Tracy S. HarriengerMrs. Betty HeimillerMr. Michael G. HerrmannMs. Chris HeydenMr. and Mrs. William H. HeywoodMr. and Mrs. John A. HinesMr. John J. HoranMs. Doris HughesMr. and Mrs. William J. InchukMr. and Mrs. Gregory JokMs. Linda E. JonesMr. and Mrs. Tom JudaszMrs. Georgiana JungelsMs. Kimberly KadziolkaThe Honorable and Mrs. James B. Kane, Jr.Ms. Mary B. KazmierczakMary Ann Kedron, Ph.D.Mr. Ron KelleyMr. Lester G. KellyMr. and Mrs. Antoun KhouryMr. and Mrs. Douglas W. KillipMr. and Mrs. Brian KingMr. George M. Kingsley, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. William A. KnessMs. Elaine KnightMrs. Anna N. KorusMr. and Mrs. Michael G. KrausMr. and Mrs. Donald LahrsMr. and Mrs. John P. LaneMs. Karen LazikMs. Lynda A. LemanMs. Denise M. LitzMrs. Gwendolyn I. LoomisMr. F. Paul LounsburyMrs. Dawn M. MacMurrayMs. Ismaila ManeMs. Susan MarmionMr. and Mrs. Anil K. MathurMs. Holly MazurkiewiczMrs. Nancy J. McCormickMiss Faith A. McDanielMr. and Mrs. Jeremiah J. McquillenMr. and Mrs. James E. Meade, Sr.Mr. Eugene MeeksMr. and Mrs. Paul K. Meyer

Mr. Gregory A. Miller and Ms. Nancy B. MeadeMs. Kathleen MinyardMs. Lynn E. MoermanMr. and Mrs. John MontgomeryMs. Donna L. MooreMr. and Mrs. Richard J. MoranMs. Jean M. MoranoMr. and Mrs. John MosserMs. Donna MostillerMr. James W. MrozekMr. and Mrs. Randy A. MuenzerMs. Mary Jo NeriMs. Veronica A. NoahMs. Marilyn NortonMrs. Karen NusinovMs. Tanja M. O’BroctaMs. Jennifer A. O’SheiMrs. Sidney J. ParnesMrs. Denise M. PaszkiewiczMr. and Mrs. James PaulDr. and Mrs. Richard M. PeerMs. Robin PerryMrs. Elsa PetersMs. Mary J. Petrakos TerranovaMr. Joe PettysMs. Susan R. PfohlMs. Clara PiszkinMrs. Sharon L. PlantMs. Carol L. PlecMs. Raquel PoliduraDr. and Mrs. Thomas D. PolisotoMs. Jada A. PorebskiMs. Mildred PrzepasniakMr. David RappoldMr. and Mrs. Harold RiceMs. Kari RichardsMr. and Mrs. John RicottaMs. Linda B. RinaldoMs. Carol E. RobertsonMr. and Mrs. Mitch RubinMs. Shannon RyndakMr. Neal R. RzepkowskiMs. Roslyn SantaluciaMs. Gloria J. SantoMs. Mary V. ScanlonMs. Kimberly SchillaceMr. and Mrs. Thomas E. SchoenwetterMr. and Mrs. David SchottMr. C. W. SchultzMs. Ashley SikorskiMs. Heather L. SimpsonMr. and Mrs. Robert B. SommersteinMs. Anne M. StoneMr. Gordon H. TreschMr. and Mrs. Anthony TrigilioMr. Russell Gulino and Mrs. Carol TumielMr. and Mrs. Carmen TurchiarelliMs. Karen TurchiarelliMrs. Bonnie S. VancuranMr. and Mrs. Dante A. VespertinoMs. Rayna M. VoychakMs. Sheltina A. WatsonMr. and Mrs. David WehlingMs. Debbie WhalenMr. Thomas WilliamsMs. Helen K. WoeppelMr. & Mrs. Barry & Penny zeplowitz

D O N O R S U P T O $ 9 9Ms. Kelly L. AbbottMs. Sarah M. AlessiMs. Jessica AlgerMs. Janet AllenMr. Raymond A. AlvaradoMs. Hillary AndersonMs. Linda J. AndersonMs. Ellen G. AnstettMrs. Etta Lou ArmstrongMr. and Mrs. Vincent ArnoneMrs. Michele J. AustinMs. Denisse AybarMs. Erin BadameMr. and Mrs. Lee BadgleyMr. and Mrs. Donald U. BaileyMs. Darshit BakhaiMs. Brittany Balester

Ms. Dorothy BambergerMs. Katelyn E. BankoMr. Richard W. BannerMr. and Mrs. Andrew A. BaranyiMrs. Susan R. BarlowMs. Marjorie H. BaroneMs. Leah H. BartloMs. Nicole M. BartonMs. Karen BartoszekMr. Daniel J. Bass, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Walter BeaudetMs. Renae L. BeaverMs. Marley A. BeckerMr. Thomas M. BeilmanMs. Cheryl J. BellMs. Dorothy J. BellMs. Maria BellMrs. Edith M. BelterMs. Cynthia S. BenkelmanMs. Melissa BenkoMs. Cynthia A. BentonMs. Doris M. BerkhoudtMr. and Mrs. Paul E. BesstakMs. Debra G. BighamMr. and Mrs. Anthony J. Billitier IIIMs. JoAnn BirchMr. and Mrs. Stephen H. BirdsallMs. Rachel BlediMs. Debra J. BlendowskiMs. Deena A. BlendowskiMr. Dennis J. BlyntMr. and Mrs. Anthony A. BonafedeMs. Jacqueline A. BonnesMs. Patricia J. BonnesMs. Stacey BookMs. Michelle L. BoothMr. and Mrs. Robert BorchertMs. Jocelyn S. BosMs. Dora L. Bowen

Ms. Brenda L. BowerMs. Linda BowersMs. Gloria BoydMs. Barbara A. BraccoMrs. Deborah M. BranchMr. and Mrs. Michael E. BrankaMs. Judith A. BraunMr. and Mrs. Raymond F. BraunMs. Stephanie BraunMs. Phyllis BremerMrs. Dianne BrentMr. Michael D. BriceMr. Rudolf BriechleMs. Jennifer BriggsMs. Nicole R. BriggsMr. William E. BrighamMs. Erica J. BrodfuehrerMr. and Mrs. Peter R. BroerenMs. Kristen BrownMs. Deborah BrowningMr. and Mrs. Bruce D. BrownlieMr. and Mrs. Donald BruningMs. Mary J. BuckMr. Mark BuckleyMs. Diane BulleighMs. Debra BunnellMs. Devon T. Burg

Mr. and Mrs. David BurghardtMr. and Mrs. Brian J. BurkeMs. Catherine M. BurnsMs. Megan D. BurtMs. Danielle L. BushMrs. Kelly BushenMr. Joseph E. Butka IIIMs. Alison CaggianoMr. and Mrs. Cliff CainMs. Betty Jane CalabrettaMs. Catherine CallagyMs. Barbara J. CallenMr. and Mrs. Charles R. Cammarata, Jr.Dr. Frank CammarataMr. and Mrs. James A. CammarataMr. and Mrs. Jonathan D. CammarataMr. and Mrs. Michael S. CammarataMs. Michelle L. CammarataMs. Mary CapparaMr. Johnathan CardMs. Susan M. CarlisleMs. Patricia A. CarminatiMs. Amanda L. CassentiMr. and Mrs. Gary CephasMs. Nancy ChallgrenMs. Kristina C. ChiltonMs. Kathleen ChmuraMs. Samantha CichuniecDr. Edwin ClausenMr. and Mrs. Robert CliffeMs. Paulette B. CochraneMs. Karen S. ColemanMs. Gloria M. CordaroMs. Victoria M. CorsiMs. Colleen M. CotterMs. Heather Craddock

Dr. Marguerite J. CritelliMs. Susan M. CrockerMr. Kevin C. CronynMr. Robert M. CunninghamMs. Shelley H. CurlMrs. Colleen B. CuthbertMr. and Mrs. Michael C. CuylerMs. Ursula CzechowskiMs. Carol CzerniejewskiMrs. Maryanne D’AmicoMr. and Mrs. Dennis F. DaleyMs. Charlene DarlingMs. Lisa DarrowMr. Derrick M. DaumanMs. Sharon DautMr. and Mrs. Raymond G. DavidMr. and Mrs. Joseph H. DavisMr. and Mrs. Rick DavisMs. Jeanne DecockMr. Michael P. DefeliceMr. Ralph V. DegenhartMr. Charles DegraffenreidMs. Della DeMaioMr. Robert P. DersamMr. and Mrs. Jacques DesjardinsMrs. Donette J. DiaboMr. and Mrs. Thomas P. DiCamillo

Franklin and Dolores Downing, Benefactors of the Downing Family Respite House, with Dr. James M. Boles,

People Inc. President and CEO

17

People to People

Mr. and Mrs. Richard DiCarloMs. Ann M. Didio-HarbinMs. Nancy M. DilsMs. Jo Lynn DispenzaMs. Dianne L. DohertyMr. Michael E. DohertyMs. Alexandra L. DonelsonMs. Stacie DopkoMr. Robert A. DorenMs. Camille DragMs. Sandra L. DrescherMr. and Mrs. John DresserMs. Tracie DrewniakMs. Mary M. DrillingMs. Angela L. DubelMr. and Mrs. Marvin T. DubinMs. Diana M. DugganMs. Elizabeth DuncanMs. Jill A. EchtenkampMs. Beth G. EgloffMr. and Mrs. Milton EhrenbergMs. Karleene M. EpolitoMs. Kim EricksonMs. Jennifer K. EsauMr. James EstepMs. Janet L. EversonMrs. Dolores FaheyMr. Carl F. FantiMs. Regina F. FedeleMs. Karen FeursteinMs. Katie L. FickerMs. Patricia A. FidenMs. Corrine M. FisherMs. MaryJane L. FixMs. Mary Lou A. FlaminioMr. and Mrs. Robert N. FlossMs. Amy M. FosterMs. Regina M. FrankMs. Tiffaney G. FranklinMs. Debra M. FreudenheimMr. Dustin FriesenMs. Maureen A. FronckowiakMrs. Jennifer A. FuerMs. Nicole GalleyMr. and Mrs. David J. Garner, Sr.Ms. Lisa R. GarrettMr. Shawn F. GaskeMrs. Joy M. GaskinMs. Mary C. GellerMr. and Mrs. Calvin E. GerberMs. Marlena GernettMs. Jacqueline R. GerringerMs. Beth A. GeyerMs. Marcella M. GiambellucaMr. and Mrs. Gary A. GiovinoMs. Ashley E. GlennMr. and Mrs. Karl GodertMs. Joan GoldmanMr. and Mrs. Bruce A. Goldstein, Esq.Dr. and Mrs. Joseph K. GongMs. Carolyn GorczycaMr. and Mrs. Milton W. GordonMs. Jill A. GrabskiMs. Dawn GrafMr. Paul R. GrafMr. Edward P. GramseMs. Julie A. GranaMr. Daniel C. GravesMs. Bonnie E. GrayMs. Angelica R. GreenMs. Michelle C. GreenMs. Lucille GrimmMs. Annette M. GrossMs. Jillian L. GroundwaterMr. Mark GruberMs. Sue A. GuarinoMr. Dwayne GuerinMs. Kathleen F. GuyerMs. Irenee GwanMs. Jessica K. GyemibiMs. Joanne F. HabererMrs. Mary F. HabererMr. and Mrs. Wayne R. HadleyMs. Katherine M. HalsteadMs. H.Serenity HamlinMr. and Mrs. Allen HammannMs. Karen M. HanlonMs. Stella L. HarmonMr. and Mrs. Jerry HassettMs. Kelly L. HawkinsMr. Frederick J. Henn III

Ms. Leanne S. HenryMs. Catherine HerrickMs. Kim T. HilburgerMr. and Mrs. William J. HillMs. Destiny A. HinderliterMr. and Mrs. Richard L. HirschMr. and Mrs. Gene M. HollerMr. and Mrs. Bruce HollerMs. Tracie L. HowardMr. Timothy R. HunterMr. Nicholas J. HurdMs. Amanda E. IakMs. Deborah A. IrelandMs. Carolyn JacksonMs. Tracy JacobowitzMr. and Mrs. Neville JacobsMr. and Mrs. Eugene F. JahreisMs. Priscilla A. JamesMs. Kathleen JanigaMs. Barbara A. JaskowskiMs. Tashana L. JohnsonMs. Pauline P. JosiakMs. Jammie L. KadziolkaMs. Paula A. KaminskiMr. Philip N. KaneMs. Jennifer L. KapsiakMrs. Grace M. KasprzakMrs. Norine E. KawczynskiMr. and Mrs. Patrick KeemMs. Britta KelleyMs. Eve R. KelsoMs. Merja I. KenolaMs. Andrea I. KeoghMs. Katie J. KettererMs. Mary A. KirisitsMs. Brie E. KishelMs. Lauren KittingerMr. Gregory A. KlaffkaMs. Loretta KlingMr. and Mrs. Sigmund A. KlosMs. Janice KnightMs. Denise KomasaraMr. and Mrs. Walter J. Konstanty, Jr.Mr. Bruce M. KorotkinMs. Vanessa M. KosisMs. Tracy A. KosmoskiMr. Kenneth E. KoterasMs. Sue Ann KowalskeMs. Heather J. KraemerMs. Elizabeth M. KratochvilMs. Linda D. KrencikDr. and Mrs. Kevin B. KulickMr. Donald KuszMs. Pamela D. KuzemskyMs. Sunshine LahrsMs. Suzanne LamprechtMs. Patricia LarkMs. Carla J. LaRussaMr. Jeffrey R. LatonaMrs. Grace G. LearyMs. Lisa M. LeidenfrostMr. and Mrs. Gerald S. LeiferMr. and Mrs. Daniel LenihanMr. and Mrs. David K. LernerMs. Gena M. LicataMr. and Mrs. Le Grand LichtMs. Roxanne LintonMs. Lauretta L. LittleMs. Megan LoganMr. Matthew J. LogueMr. David J. LoTempioMs. Kristine A. LottMr. Brian LoughlinMs. Julie S. LoVulloMs. Joanne B. LucasMs. Joanne M. LundbergMr. and Mrs. Robert J. LutzMs. Donna LynchMs. Joyce LynchMr. and Mrs. John J. LyonsMs. Renee MackMr. David S. Mack-HardimanMr. Joseph A. MahaneyMr. and Mrs. Thomas MahlMr. David L. MahoneyMiss Grace MaimoneMr. John MalarkMr. and Mrs. George S. MalikenMs. Marlene S. MallewickMrs. Callie B. MaloneyMr. and Mrs. Jack T. ManganelloMs. Rhonda J. Mangus

Mr. Kenneth J. ManistaMs. Louise ManistaMs. Elizabeth ManleyMs. Karen J. MargolisMs. Karen MarksMs. Carol J. MartinMr. and Mrs. Daniel D. MartinMr. David R. MartinMs. Susan A. MartinMr. and Mrs. Jason M. MartinezMs. Lorraine D. MartinezMrs. Michelle D. MartinezMs. Amy MasoccoMs. Suzanne M. MassaraMs. Amanada M. MateckiMs. Latisha Y. MatthewsMrs. Helen M. MayMs. Stacy F. MaybeeMs. Sophia L. McClintonMr. and Mrs. Rodney McCrayerMs. Janice M. McGheeMr. and Mrs. Francis J. McLaughlinMs. Janet McNevinMr. James E. Meade, Jr.Mr. Robert Merkel and Ms. Donna MerkelMs. Julie MerlinoMr. and Mrs. Robert MerrittMs. Gayle MertzlufftMr. and Mrs. Donald E. MetteeMrs. Nancy L. MeyersMs. Rebecca L. MichaelMs. Ann M. MillerMr. and Mrs. James L. MillerMs. Alice MillevilleMs. Jane A. MillsMs. Eileen T. ModaffariMs. Margaretmary MoffatMr. Samuel L. MoleMr. and Mrs. Alan MollotMr. and Mrs. Joseph J. MonacoMs. Patricia MoralesMs. Sharon M. MorrisseyMr. and Mrs. Philip H. MungerMs. Ann M. MunichMr. and Mrs. Thomas F. MuracaMs. Vanessa L. NailorMr. and Mrs. Raymond NapieralaMrs. Erica A. NewsomMs. Joan M. NoahMs. Patricia H. NodineMr. and Mrs. Thomas J. NolanMrs. Lorraine M. NormanMrs. Gertrude A. NowackiMrs. Paulette NowakMr. and Mrs. Leonard J. NoworytaMs. Marissa J. NuhferMr. and Mrs. James P. O’BrienMrs. Theresa V. O’BrienMr. Robert J. O’ConnorMs. Mary Ann O’DeaMs. Shannon C. O’NealMs. Vicki A. OlczakMr. and Mrs. Anthony OliverMs. Tina M. OrtolanoMrs. Rebecca J. OrtonMs. Krista J. OstertagMr. and Mrs. Daniel E. PaciorekMs. Jaclynn N. PageMr. and Mrs. Charles M. PalmeriMs. Dina M. PandofiMr. Michael PanzarellaMs. Mary PasternackMs. Anne PaulkMs. Deborah A. PawlakMrs. Margaret PawloskiMs. Suzanne R. PembletonMs. Annie PenderMs. Melissa R. PeperoMr. and Mrs. Richard PerkinsMs. Brenda L. PerryMs. Jane C. PhillipsMr. Vincent and Miss Lena PiazzaMr. and Mrs. Henry PieczynskiMs. Kristine A. PieperMs. Elizabeth P. PierceMs. Deborah A. PirriMs. JoAnn PitzellaMr. Douglas A. PlattMr. Christopher J. PlecMs. Kathleen PlucinskiMs. Judith A. Poitras

Ms. Tina F. PolitoMr. and Mrs. Howard A. PopkinDr. Brian T. PorebskiMs. Kristen R. PorterMrs. Billie J. PowellMr. William J. Pratt and Ms. Joanne B. SchwanekampMs. Lori E. PrelewiczMs. Dianne M. PumaMr. and Mrs. Thomas W. PurcellMr. Michael P. RalbovskyMs. Melagros RayMs. Sandra N. ReaganMs. Marnise R. ReavesMs. Sara RebiszMr. and Mrs. Craig RegerMs. Vanessa L. ReichMs. Amy R. ReillyMr. and Mrs. Sheldon B. ReingoldMs. Alison RemsonMs. Marilyn A. RenaudMs. Carol Ann RettigMr. Jeffrey T. RiceMrs. Patricia RichardsonMr. Robert D. Rigerman, Jr.Mr. Paul J. RobelMs. Erlene RobinsonMr. and Mrs. Eugene RogalskiMr. and Mrs. Kenneth A. RogersMs. Rebecca L. RollMs. Annie M. RorrisonMr. and Mrs. Joel A. RossMs. Melissa J. RoyerMs. Danielle RuckdaschelMs. Janine A. RuddMs. Meilyn RuizMr. Jason D. RunionMs. Rosemary RussoMs. Shellie B. RutsteinMs. Barbara SalterMs. Karen SandyMs. Marie SantianoMr. John J. SantonocitoMs. Rochelle SautterMs. Mary E. SavashMrs. Penelope L. SchlifkeMs. Noel K. SchmittMs. Judy SchnobrichMs. Kristen L. SchuhMrs. Bette M. SchweizerMs. Tracey ScottMs. Lisa M. ScritchfieldMr. James R. Scutt, Jr.Ms. Ellen J. SegoolMrs. Sandra J. SendorMr. and Mrs. Thomas A. SeneseMs. Kathleen ShannonMr. and Mrs. Brett A. SilverbergMr. and Mrs. Eric SilvermanMs. Camille SinatraMr. Norman SinclairMs. Maham K. SindhuMs. Jamie L. SittniewskiMrs. Pat SittniewskiMs. Jamie B. SlaterMs. Irene E. SmithMs. Laurie A. SmithMs. Tiffany M. SmithMs. Debbie SmolinskiMs. Terri A. SniderMs. Susan SondelMr. and Mrs. Robert J. SonnerMs. Roxanne SorensenMs. Dana A. SosinskiMs. Valerie SowinskiMs. Judith Sparks-ArlingtonMs. Linda G. SpearsMs. Kristi L. SpontaneoMr. and Mrs. David C. SquiresMs. Karen M. StachowskiMr. Dale A. StampferMs. Nicole M. StaszakMr. Nathan J. StegnerMs. Deana M. StengelMr. and Mrs. Ronald B. StepnickMs. Joanna S. StergionMs. Karen A. StetterMs. Cheryl R. StevensMs. Nicole StevensMrs. Eleanor B. StillerMs. Michelle StollMs. Sandra D. Stroud

Ms. Maryann StryMr. Robert F. Stuart, Jr.Mr. Gregor SukmanowskyMs. Mildred L. SutterMs. Cassandra E. SwanMs. Donna E. SweeneyMs. Terilyn SykesMr. and Mrs. John P. SynorMr. Thomas SzaboMr. and Mrs. Ryan SzpylmanMs. Martyna A. SzramelMs. Jillian SzydlowskiMr. William S. TaborMr. Christian W. TalleyMs. Kristina B. TaylorMr. and Mrs. Patrick Terry, Sr.The Groff Caputy FamilyMrs. Clare M. ThompsonMs. Katlyn P. TobinMr. and Mrs. David TodtenhagenMr. and Mrs. Dominic J. TornabeneMr. Robert R. TowlsonMs. Jamila A. TuckerMs. Jill TurchiarelliMr. and Mrs. Richard TurchiarelliMs. Alejandra C. TuttleMs. Mallary TylerMs. Maria TysonMs. Victoria R. UnderwoodMs. Kasandra L. UpdykeMr. Jose A. Valdes-MartinezMs. Kristi A. Van CleveMs. Mary VanhaneghanMs. Carol VasbinderMs. Rita M. VeltriMs. Ann M. Venticinque-ErtelMr. Robert J. VogelMs. Jennifer VukovicMs. Denise L. WagnerMs. Elizabeth A. WalkerMs. Catherine H. WalterReverend Robert WardenskiMs. Lisa WarningMr. Jonathan WascakMr. and Mrs. WatersonMrs. Robin J. WatrobaMs. Christy L. WeberMr. Ronald K. WechterMs. Michelle L. WhiteMr. and Mrs. John WidgerMr. and Mrs. David D. WienckowskiMr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. WilkesMs. C.A. WilkinsonMs. Cyd WilliamsMr. and Mrs. Daniel J. WilliamsMr. Devon WillisMs. Lonnesha WilsonMrs. Julie C. WittMs. Claire L. WolframDr. Diane WonchMr. John WoodellMs. Jacqueline WoodrowMrs. Donna WortzmanMs. Kimberly A. WyzykowskiMr. Daniel F. YotterMs. Sheila zabawaMrs. Charlene zaccagnini-JohnsonMrs. Lisa R. zambronMr. Traver A. zayatzMs. Patricia zebrowskiMs. Alyssa S. zemlaMs. Molly A. zern-HehirMs. Jessica M. ziukoMs. Jessica L. zornesMr. and Mrs. Peter zukowskiMr. and Mrs. Peter zukowskiMrs. Phyllis I. zuzzeMs. Sharon A. zygmunt

D O N O R S U P T O $ 9 9 ( C O N T I N U E D )

18CONSIDER INCLUDING PEOPLE INC. IN YOUR ESTATE PLANS.

People to People2009 Corporate DonorsP E O P L E I N C . H E R O E S ( $ 1 0 0 0 A N D U P )Aftermath RestorationAllied Fire Protection Systems, Inc.Allied MechanicalB & L Wholesale SupplyBlueCross BlueShield of Western New YorkBonadio & Co., LLCBryans & Gramuglia LLCCalamarCarrier CoachCreative Structures Services, Inc.CSI Contract SpecialistsDavid Burke Construction LLCDeltex Electric, Inc.Dobmeier Janitorial Supply, Inc.Don Powers, Inc.GAR Associates, Inc.Grandview Construction, Inc.The Gustave and Geraldine Werner FoundationHarold C. Brown & Company, LLCHogan & WilligIlio DiPaolo’s RestaurantIngalls Site Development, Inc.KeyBankLawley Service Insurance Group

Ledge Creek Development, Inc.Life Safety Commercial Fire & Security ServicesManchester Cable InstallationMCD Plumbing, Inc.Parkview Health ServicesSchindler Elevator CorporationTowne Automotive GroupTravers Collins & CompanyUnited Business SystemsVanner InsuranceWestern New York FoundationWilliam L. Long & AssociatesWNY Electrical Services, LLC

P E O P L E I N C . F R I E N D S ( $ 5 0 0 - $ 9 9 9 )

CARA MedicalCargo Unlimited, Inc.Dental Pay PlusEnterprise Fleet ServicesGross, Shuman, Brizdle, & Gilfillan, P.C.James ServicesJoseph R. Takats FoundationManaged Health Care Associates, Inc.

P E O P L E I N C . M E M B E R S ( $ 4 9 9 - $ 1 0 0 )

Abbott Glass of WNY, Inc.Access SolutionsAllasen Carpet Co., Inc.ASAP Delivery ServiceAutistic Services, Inc.Baer & Associates, LLCBoulevard Van CityBuffalo Clinical Services, Inc,Buffalo Psychiatric CenterBuffalo Rehab GroupCalvin’s Furniture Inc.Capital Fence Co.Carstar of AmherstColvin DraperiesCommunity Services for the Developmentally DisabledCountry Parkway ElementaryDaemen CollegeDeaf Adult Services Inc.Drake Lawn & Garden, Inc.East Amherst Plumbing, Inc.Eco-logic StudioFancher Sales Co.Finger Lakes Technologies Group, Inc.First Baptist Church of East Aurora

Greenwood Group, LLCGrowing ConcernHispanics United of BuffaloJ & R Specialists, Inc.Joe Cecconi’s Chrysler ComplexJoseph E. Neubert Roofing Inc.Kenton Advertising Co.Lakeview Drywall, Inc.Mental Health Assoc. of Erie CountyMorgan Linen Services Inc.National Fuel Gas Co.Niagara Construction Co., Inc.North Delaware Printing, Inc.Northeast Mechanical. Inc.Our Lady of Victory InstitutionsPersonnel Resource, Inc.PRALIDReeds JewelersRJK Communications, Inc.Saperston Real Estate Corp.Schmidt’s Auto Body & Glass, Inc.Self Funding, Inc.Sharp General Contracting Inc.Sheridan Hill Elementary- School PTOSparks Plumbing & Heating Inc.Stephan Design Associates Inc.Subaru of America Foundation, Inc.

Superclean Carpet CleanersSuperior Pest ControlThomann AsphaltUniversity at Buffalo Neurosurgery, Inc.Upstate Rebar LLCVictor Liberator Time SystemsVIP- Value In PharmaceuticalsWest Herr Automotive Group

D O N O R S U P T O $ 9 9ArbitronBarge Canal Optimist Club- Youth FundBoston Valley ElementaryCreekview RestaurantDonChelle Salon SpaHudson Hospital & ClinicsiGive.com Holdings, LLCLady West Seneca, Inc.Little League of Orchard ParkParkdale SchoolPublic School #11Roofmasters Roofing Co., Inc.St. Phillips Community CenterUnion Pleasant Elementary SchoolVince’s Pizza PlusWisconsin Historical Society

honorarial giftSIN HONOR OF DR. JAMES M. BOLESMs. Rhonda I. FrederickMrs. Anna N. KorusMs. Nancy A. PalumboDr. Francisco M. Vasquez

IN HONOR OF RYAN CLIFFEMr. and Mrs. Robert Cliffe

IN HONOR OF AMANDA DICARLOMr. and Mrs. Richard DiCarlo

IN HONOR OF JOHN DLUGOSzMs. Joan M. Twarog

IN HONOR OF EISS PLACE SITEMrs. Elsa Peters

IN HONOR OF CHRISTY L. FERRITERMrs. Doris W. Givens

IN HONOR OF RHONDA I. FREDERICKMr. John HammMrs. Mary Beth Iwanski

IN HONOR OF JAMES & MARCIA GERACEMrs. Elsa Peters

IN HONOR OF GREGORY GIVENSMrs. Doris W. Givens

IN HONOR OF MARCIA GROSSMANMr. and Mrs. Lawrence W. Berman

IN HONOR OF MITCHELL HABERERMrs. Mary F. Haberer

IN HONOR OF ANTOINETTE P. HALLMs. Carolyn Jackson

IN HONOR OF ELLEN JONESMs. Linda E. Jones

IN HONOR OF RICHARD KAWAMr. Russell Gulino and Mrs. Carol Tumiel

IN HONOR OF KYLE KNARRMr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Knarr

IN HONOR OF MATTHEW LAHRSMr. and Mrs. Donald Lahrs

IN HONOR OF ANDREW LERNERMr. and Mrs. David K. Lerner

IN HONOR OF MARY MORANMr. and Mrs. Richard J. Moran

IN HONOR OF SHAI NOTARIUSDr. and Mrs. Kevin B. Kulick

IN HONOR OF ELIzABETH O’BRIENMr. and Mrs. James P. O’Brien

IN HONOR OF RITA O’CONNORMr. and Mrs. Francis M. O’Connor

IN HONOR OF PEOPLE INC. STAFF AND DEPARTMENTSMs. Concetta FergusonMs. Rhonda FrederickMr. Tracy S. HarriengerMrs. Mary Beth IwanskiMr. and Mrs. Robert B. SommersteinMr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Wilkes

IN HONOR OF FRANCISCO M. VASqUEzMs. Rhonda Frederick

IN HONOR OF TRACY zEPLOWITzMr. & Mrs. Barry & Penny zeplowitz

memorial giftSIN MEMORY OF MICHAEL BARANYIMr. and Mrs. Andrew A. Baranyi

IN MEMORY OF ALLEN BOSWELLMs. Dorothy Bamberger

IN MEMORY OF MARION DESMARESTMr. Edward J. Desmarest

IN MEMORY OF MARILYN EBERTMrs. and Mr. Ruth M. Camann

IN MEMORY OF BRENDAN P. GALLAGHERMr. Mark Gruber

IN MEMORY OF MARIE GODERTMr. and Mrs. Karl Godert

IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH GORCzYCAMs. Sharon Daut

IN MEMORY OF MR. CHARLES B. FRANKSDr. Diane Wonch

IN MEMORY OF THOMAS GUENTHERMr. and Mrs. Bruce D. Brownlie

IN MEMORY OF EDWARD HAUNGSMrs. and Mr. Ruth M. Camann

IN MEMORY OF PATRICIA KANEMr. Philip N. Kane

IN MEMORY OF KAREN J. KELLEYMr. Ron Kelley

IN MEMORY OF RONALD KORNMr. and Mrs. Walter J. Konstanty, Jr.

IN MEMORY OF EILEEN KUSzMr. Donald Kusz

IN MEMORY OF PAMELA MANGANELLOMs. Rhonda I. Frederick

IN MEMORY OF ANNE MARIE NEUNERMs. Judith A. Braun

IN MEMORY OF DONALD E. NICHTERMrs. Joan N. Frieh

IN MEMORY OF MOLLIE C. NOAHMs. Paulette B. CochraneMs. Della DeMaioMr. and Mrs. Jerry HassettMr. and Mrs. Tom JudaszMr. and Mrs. William A. KnessMs. Joan M. NoahMs. Veronica A. NoahMs. Patricia H. NodineMs. JoAnn PitzellaMs. Melagros RaySchmidt’s Auto Body & Glass, Inc.The Groff Caputy FamilyMs. Sheila zabawa

IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH J. NOLANMr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Nolan

IN MEMORY OF ROBERT PACERMrs. Grace M. Kasprzak

IN MEMORY OF MICHEL PAqUETMs. Micheline B. DurocherMs. Jacqueline FrenetteMr. and Mrs. Gene M. HollerMs. Pauline P. Josiak

IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM PFALzERMrs. Donna Wortzman

IN MEMORY OF IRENE RzEPKOWSKIMr. Neal R. Rzepkowski

IN MEMORY OF ROLF SCHUBERTHudson Hospital & Clinics

IN MEMORY OF GEORGE SCHUYLERMiss Faith A. McDaniel

IN MEMORY OF FLORENCE STETTERMr. and Mrs. Brian J. BurkeMr. and Mrs. Gary A. GiovinoLady West Seneca, Inc.Ms. Joanne B. LucasMr. John H. StetterMs. Karen A. StetterMr. and Mrs. David Todtenhagen

IN MEMORY OF SUSAN TAYLORMr. and Mrs. Joseph F. BasilMs. Cheryl J. BellMs. Doris M. BerkhoudtMs. Phyllis BremerMr. and Mrs. Peter R. BroerenMs. Victoria M. CorsiDonChelle Salon SpaMr. and Mrs. John R. GalvinMs. Lucille GrimmBuffalo Rehab GroupMr. and Mrs. Antoun KhouryMr. and Mrs. Sigmund A. KlosMr. and Mrs. Eugene F. JahreisMr. and Mrs. Michael G. KrausLittle League of Orchard ParkMs. Carol J. MartinMr. and Mrs. Francis J. McLaughlinMr. and Mrs. Jeremiah J. McquillenMs. Patricia MoralesMs. Carol Ann RettigMr. and Mrs. Thomas A. SeneseMr. and Mrs. Ronald B. StepnickMr. Robert J. Vogel

IN MEMORY OF BONNIE TUCKERMrs. and Mr. Ruth M. Camann

IN MEMORY OF SYLVIA VANNERMr. and Mrs. Bernard W. Cryan, Jr.

IN MEMORY OF VIRGINIA A. WIDGERMr. and Mrs. John Widger

IN MEMORY OF RUTH WILLIAMSMr. Paul R. Graf

IN MEMORY OF MARGARET WOODMr. and Mrs. Stephen H. BirdsallMr. and Mrs. Donald E. Mettee

IN MEMORY OF FLORENCE WRAYMr. and Mrs. Robert Borchert

IN MEMORY OF ALFRED B. WRIGHTMr. and Mrs. James P. Balcerzak

IN MEMORY OF HELEN WRIGHTMr. and Mrs. Thomas P. DiCamilloMs. Julie A. GranaMs. Marlene S. MallewickMr. and Mrs. Thomas F. MuracaMs. Carol L. PlecMr. Christopher J. PlecMr. Norman SinclairSubaru of America Foundation, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Dante A. Vespertino

IN MEMORY OF MARY E. WRIGHTMr. and Mrs. James P. Balcerzak

IN MEMORY OF FRANK E. zEMLAMr. and Mrs. Joseph Fidanza

IN MEMORY OF MEYER zEPLOWITzMs. Rachel BlediMs. Mary J. BuckMr. Robert A. DorenMr. and Mrs. Marvin T. DubinMs. Karen FeursteinMs. Rhonda I. FrederickMr. and Mrs. Bruce A. Goldstein, Esq.Mr. and Mrs. Allen HammannMr. and Mrs. Gerald S. LeiferMs. Karen J. MargolisMs. Jane A. MillsMr. and Mrs. Alan MollotMr. and Mrs. Kenneth A. RogersMr. and Mrs. Joel A. RossMs. Shellie B. RutsteinSaperston Real Estate Corp.Mr. and Mrs. Brett A. SilverbergMs. Victoria R. UnderwoodMr. & Mrs. Barry & Penny zeplowitz

2009 Honor/Memorial Tribute Gifts

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