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VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York - VISN 2
Spotlight on Western New York
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Coaches and athletes were center stage during the
pep rally. Pictured (left to right) Pamela Kaznowski,
Recreation Supervisor;
Tom Lutz, veteran athlete;
George Zawicki, veteran athlete;
Mike Wilson, veteran athlete;
Jake Hipps, veteran athlete.
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Mascot, Buster Bison tries his luck at the course at the
pep rally.
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Event emcee, sports anchor, Dennis Williams, from CBS
affiliate, WIVB Channel 4 finishes the obstacle course as
veteran athlete, Jack Hipps follows and Michael Kruse,
PVA National Service Officer looks on.
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Road to Milwaukee
In preparation of the 2007
National
Veterans Wheelchair
Games, VA Western New York
Healthcare System (VAWNYHCS)
hosted a pep rally to recognize the
first ever VAWNYHCS team to
participate in this event.
The “Road to Milwaukee”
campaign began in the fall of 2005,
when Nancy Benjamin, Outpatient
Spinal Cord Injury Clinic Manager,
expressed interest in sending a
VAWNYHCS team. Her enthusiasm
caught fire and the National
Veterans Wheelchair Committee
was created and chaired by Pamela
Kaznowski, Recreation Supervisor.
Over the next year and a half,
approximately $15,000 was raised
through donations and various
fundraisers. The pep rally was the
send-off to a really great project. A
special thank you to:
• Vietnam Veterans of America
Chapter #77
• VALOR and Paul Rudnicki
• United Auto Workers Region 9
Veterans Committee
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post
#898, Lackawanna
• American Legion Niagara
Frontier Post #1041, Buffalo
• Paralyzed Veterans of America
and Michael Kruse
• Sons of the American Legion
Squadron #880, Eden
• VA Voluntary Service Committee
and over 30 veteran service organizations
and individual donors
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Calendar Corner |
August 18
Annual Picnic - REST (Re-Entry Support Team) for Operation Enduring Freedom/
Operation Iraqi Freedom - 12:00 p.m.
Medical Center Grounds, Buffalo
September 1-3
Labor Day Holiday Weekend
September 12
VAVS Meeting - 1:30 p.m.
Building #4 Auditorium, Batavia
September 19
American Red Cross Blood Drive - 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Building #4 Auditorium, Batavia
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September 21
POW/MIA Recognition Ceremony - 9:00 a.m.
Hearthstone Manor, Depew
September 28
Annual Commanders Day Reception - 9:00 a.m.
Room 301, Buffalo
September 29
American Diabetes Association’s Annual Walk - 9:00 a.m.
Patio/Recreation Hall for Registration
Building #4 Auditorium, Batavia
October 6-8
Columbus Day Holiday Weekend
October 17
Veteran’s Service Organization Awards Ceremony - 6:30 p.m.
Hearthstone Manor, Depew
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Check Presentations
The United Auto Workers Local #338 of Jamestown
presented the Medical Center Director a check for
$500.00 from their annual fundraiser proceeds. Pictured
from (left to right): Randy Pike, UAW Local #338;
Michael Finegan, Medical Center Director; and Sam
Papaserge, UAW Local 3338.
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The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of New
York, on behalf of Department President, Martha
Ferens presented a check for $175. Pictured (left to
right): Alice Ciszkowski, President, Erie County Council;
Kelly Clark, Volunteer Program Specialist; Patricia
Marciniak, VAVS Representative; Theresa Lampka, VAVS
Deputy Representative.
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Western New York Wish List |
Funding for:
• Patient activities
– Batavia and Buffalo
• Patient daily newspaper
and magazine subscriptions
– Batavia
• Travel for patients in need
– Buffalo
• DAV Volunteer
Transportation Program
– Batavia and Buffalo*
• Art Therapy supplies
– Buffalo
• Treadmill(s)
– Buffalo
• Coffee Cart Program
– Batavia and Buffalo
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• 9” color televisions
– Batavia and Buffalo
• Comping coupons
– Batavia and Buffalo
• Welcome kits for new
admissions, comfort items,
newspapers
– Buffalo
* Note: All donations must
go directly to DAV Department
of New York Before purchasing
any item, please contact the
Volunteer Program Office to
determine if the item has
been purchased.
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The Disabled American Veterans made an official
department visit on Monday, May 21st. Medical Center
Director, Michael Finegan took time to present a
“Buffalo pen set” gift to the DAV Commanders. Pictured
(left to right): Diane Wisnewsky, Disabled American
Veterans Auxiliary Department Commander; Michael
Finegan, Medical Center Director; Keith Robinson,
Disabled American Veterans Department Commander.
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Sorrento Cheese made their 2nd Annual Memorial Day
Presentation - $400 worth of personal care items and
cheese. Pictured (left to right): Richard Fronkoviak, VA
volunteer; Dona Putzbach, VA volunteer; Marie Edwards,
HR Specialist, Sorrento Lactalis, Inc.; Keith Anderson, VA
volunteer (background).
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Volunteer Opportunities
• Adult Day Health Care Program:
assist veterans and work with
program staff
– Buffalo
• Clerical: filing, photocopying,
running errands, mailings, paper
shredding, etc.
– Buffalo
• Computer Assistant: assist residents
with computer skills
– Batavia
• Computer Assistant: create electronic
documents
– Buffalo
• DAV Volunteer Transportation
Program: transport veterans to
and from clinical appointments
– Batavia and Buffalo
• Greeters: welcome veterans and
visitors; help them get to appointments
and other related areas
– Buffalo
• Guest Parking Lot Shuttle: transport
veterans and guests from cars
to and from outpatient entrance
– Buffalo
• Patient/Ward Visitation(s):
assist staff with patient care activities,
as well as visit, converse, and
interact as needed
– Batavia and Buffalo
• Patient Escort/Transport Service:
assist veterans to and from
scheduled appointments and other
needs as they occur – Batavia and
Buffalo
• Physical Therapy Service: assist
staff with veteran’s outpatient clinic
visits
– Buffalo
• Reminder Phone Calls
(Nutrition & Food Service)
– Buffalo
• Recreational Aide:
assist with/
organize activities with residents/
patients
– Batavia and Buffalo
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Thank You
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Due to the overwhelming success of a
recent wheelchair project, there are no
requests for wheelchairs at this time.
We thank you for your generosity.
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Fall 2007
Voluntary News
Director's Message |
Activity Reminders
Albany |
Bath |
Canandaigua |
Syracuse |
Western New York
Voluntary Staff
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| Reviewed/Updated Date: March 24, 2008 |
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