Author: Mark Lazzara

I have a passion for helping my fellow Western New Yorkers and advance the great things that are going on in this region. Buffalo Rising is a great booster and it’s a blast writing and contributing to BR about positive happenings in our neck of the woods. I appreciate the help I’ve received over the years from organizations and people who share my passion and supported me in efforts that put thousands of people to work and resulted in a community give back of more than $115M to Buffalo’s neediest during my days at the helm of AmeriCorps. I’m especially grateful for the opportunities that enabled me to help cities devastated by Hurricane Katrina and rebuild more than 700 family homes that were destroyed. Back at home, I was able to enjoy a once in a lifetime experience as a coordinator for ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition where we were able to repair, beautify and upgrade homes for an entire neighborhood on Buffalo’s Westside. Other projects close to my heart include a collaboration with Sail Buffalo to build the Cazenovia Boating Center at Buffalo’s Outer Harbor, and my annual Christmas season time is spent at Buffalo’s treasure, the Broadway Market, playing Santa Clause. In my other life, I am a workforce development, business, marketing, public relations and fundraising professional. Earned a M.S. Human Service Management from Buffalo State, and enjoy my family life that includes four amazing grandchildren!

This year in America, more than 2.5 million people will experience homelessness. Last year in Erie County 6000 people were homelessness, and 1500 of those without homes were young children. Landies Candies, an award-winning small business in Buffalo, takes civic responsibility seriously and strives to find the silver lining in every dark cloud. Most recently, the company brought that silver lining to the dark cloud hanging over the family of 9-year old Amar, who is living in the Family Promises emergency homeless shelter with his mother and sisters where he was destined to spend his 9th birthday. While Family Promise is…

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The opioid epidemic in Western New York is causing a family crisis and a foster care emergency. Today we live in a time when opiate addiction and opiate deaths have left hundreds of children living in homes without parents, and families shattered by the consequences of drug usage. KidsPeace, a nonprofit organization focused on making life better for children is working hard to help youngsters who are facing such emotional upheaval find comfort and safety with a foster family that will care for them. Every child deserves a loving family. KidsPeace provides shelter for children who are victims of parents…

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A century ago, an enthusiastic group of Queen City residents founded the first Optimist Club. It was that establishment that led to thousands of other chapters opening across the globe, all of which stemmed from the original Buffalo, New York chapter. Incredibly, Buffalo is also a city that does not currently have an Optimist Club, which comes as no real surprise since the city took a hard economic turn, resulting in a number of clubs and organizations to close. Thankfully, in this new era of Buffalo’s Renaissance, the Optimist Club is coming back home – Buffalo has not had an…

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“Social Work”, some may say, is often a thankless profession. Last week, the National Association of Social Workers NY (NASW),Western Division Regional Council recognized some of their shining stars, with the theme “Small Change Adds Up: How Social Workers Can Contribute to a Just Western NY” at the Amber Dixon Galley in Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology. Buffalo’s own Judge Craig Hannah, addressed the group of a few hundred. Judge Hannah presides over the nation’s first Opioid Intervention Court, which is devoted to treating the needs of people first. The New York Times said of him, “The Judge Has a…

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In 1997 community volunteers took a leap of faith and founded Computers For Children, (CFC) a nonprofit organization grounded in the principle to make technology more accessible to children who were most likely experiencing the downside of the digital divide for a variety of reasons. At that time CFC was more sophisticated than any other technology program focused on access and began its fight to get computers in the hands of all needy kids in Buffalo by creating highly successful partnerships with Buffalo Public Schools. Twenty years later CFC not only continues with that commitment, but has grown and expanded…

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Max Anthony Muscato is a young man with a mission. While many millennials are still searching for their purpose in life, Max is already on his own road. Born into a family of music lovers, Max plays guitar and writes songs, his brother Sonny is a drummer, and dad, Marc Muscato, has been a musician for more than 45 years. Marc is a percussionist who, as an emerging artist, held an apprenticeship with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and went on to enjoy years as a leader in a popular society band that performed in upscale events around the country, including…

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“A Home for the Holidays,” was the unquestionable theme of the Buffalo Dream Center this past week as Pastor Eric Johns and his family, along with good friend, Nicholas Colandra from Hearts for the Homeless, offered hundreds of homeless people respite from the frigid Code Blue conditions in Buffalo by providing them with a hot and freshly prepared full course dinner! A sumptuous Christmas Eve Lasagna Dinner, complete with all the trimmings, including homemade cookies, was held at The Buffalo Dream Center on Lafayette Avenue in Buffalo. In partnership with Hearts for the Homeless, The Buffalo Dream Center gave hundreds…

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Inspiration is its own force of nature, an energy source that can push almost anyone beyond their perceived capabilities, such as a blind man climbing Mount Everest, or a high school dropout becoming the CEO of a major corporation. Inspiration can come from a child battling cancer, a wounded warrior learning to walk again after being told that he or she never would, a writer submitting a manuscript hundreds of times before finally being picked up by a publisher. Inspiration can also come from the faith of an ordinary man committed to helping the homeless, and those less fortunate than…

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At 6 feet, 3 inches tall, no one would call Oliver Kurzyp of the Buffalo Bills Stampede, Drum Line a “little drummer boy,” even as this celebratory time of year gets underway. Although, “if all you want for Christmas is your two front teeth,” as Evolution Dental Science’s manager for the production of dental prosthetics (implants, crowns, bridges, etc.), Oliver can grant that wish for you! For those who enjoy a good full-blown old style football game with all the trimmings, each Bills home game has a unique and upbeat pre-game experience watching the Buffalo Bills Stampede, Drum Line perform!…

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On October 15, 2017 at the La Salle Yacht Club in Niagara Falls, NY was reeling and rocking with sounds performed by some of the region’s most acclaimed and talented musicians including super guitar player, Frank Grizanti, dubbed the “Dream Team Guitarist” by his fans, as the Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame celebrated their inaugural class of inductees. Thirty-one musicians will be honored, but Frank Grizanti is one only six musicians being inducted who are still actively performing and touring. Music is truly Grazanti’s life and gift to the world; his peers have described him as legendary. “Frank is…

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