For years, B Team Buffalo has been bringing holiday joy to neighborhoods in need of a little season’s sparkle. How have they done this? During the holidays, about 150 volunteers descend upon a neighborhood in need. The tactic is to help decorate houses, create a winter carnival for the kids, and provide a free community dinner for all to enjoy.
The aim is to decorate more than 50 houses with lights and garland.
“The idea is to provide holiday cheer to an underserved neighborhood and come together as a true ‘City of Good Neighbors,’” said Joanna Panasiewicz, chair, B Team Buffalo. “Just as Buffalo was nicknamed ‘City of Light’ for its dazzling light displays at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition, we want to help the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood shine this holiday season.”
A group of young volunteers plan to “brighten” the neighborhood out of the kindness of their hearts.
This past year, the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood has been in the public eye for many positive grassroots initiatives underway. The means that there couldn’t be a better time to add some additional positive strides to the movement that is capturing the collective imagination of those who live there.
In a neighborhood that could use a friendly boost of holiday lighting, Buffalo B Team is stepping up to the plate to help out this holiday season.
City of Light is B Team Buffalo’s annual signature event.
This is the eighth year that the Buffalo B Team is heading out to tackle a ‘neighborhood in need’ during the holidays. The organization is comprised of young professionals who dedicate their time to ensure that all neighborhoods in Buffalo are being lifted up. Since 2008 the team has been able to contribute incredible holiday spirit to eight distinct neighborhoods, sharing goodwill in the best way that it knows how. This is an initiative that costs the residents ‘zero’ money, and is made possible thanks to donations.
B Team Buffalo’s annual “City of Light” event
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Additional activities slated throughout the day in and around the Matt Urban Hope Center (385 Paderewski Drive) include:
- 12:30 p.m.: Neighborhood tree lighting, holiday carols and visit from Santa
- 1 to 4 p.m.: Carnival with games and toys for children
- 3 to 5 p.m.: Free community dinner
B Team Buffalo seeks additional sponsors and volunteers for 2016 City of Light. To get involved, please visit bteambuffalo.com/city-of-light. Current major sponsors for this year’s event include Buffalo Niagara 360 Happy Hour for a Cause, Ingram Micro, M&T Bank and the National Buffalo Wing Festival. In addition, the public is encouraged to donate through an Indiegogo campaign at tinyurl.com/COL2016-BTeam.