What’s inside?

Drive Safe Tree

Healthy Choices Art & Poetry Contest Winners

First Night Buffalo Press Conference

Leaders In Training Updates

The Drive Safe Forest at the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights was home to the Drive Safe Tree once again. From the generosity of Dave Gordon, owner of Dave’s Christmas the display gets better each year.

With help from Preventionfocus, the Mental Health Advocates of WNY (formerly Mental Health Association of Erie County), the contract managers from the Erie County Department of Mental Health and Px21, more than 15 trees were set up and decorated to help make the New York State Police Building come to life. Festival goers were able to stroll through the forest while taking in the winning entries of the 2018 Healthy Choices Art & Poetry Contest.

Nestled within the forest was the Annual Drive Safe Tree. This 10 foot tree was decorated with hundreds of hand-colored ornaments by local children and festival goers. Each ornament represented the child’s wish that the adults in their lives refrain from driving while impaired by alcohol, prescription medications, or any other drugs during the holiday season.

Festival of Lights Hosts Drive Safe Tree

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WNY UNITED Digest

Research Supported Prevention Education Winter 2019

Click here for more photos of the Drive Safe Tree!

Healthy Choices Art & Poetry Contest Since 2009, WNY United has held an annual art and poetry contest because we know that making healthy choices goes hand-in-hand with being drug free. This contest is open to all students in Western New York and offers them the opportunity to showcase their healthy activities and responsible choices in art or poetry.

This year we broke down the contest into four grade categories: K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 for both the Art and Poetry submissions.

The Fairgrounds has graciously displayed the winning pieces during the Festival of Lights, as well as the Drive Safe Tree and Forest.

On Wednesday, December 6, 2018 an awards ceremony with the press invited was held at the Hamburg Fairgrounds to recognize the winners of the contest. Deputy Aaron Naegely from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Jessica Underberg from the Fairgrounds, Mary Jo Conrad from Evans Bank, Matt Smith from Px21, Kate Chudoba and Beth Anzalone from WNY United provided remarks.

This contest would not be possible without the generous donation from Evans Bank. Thank you to everyone that participated!

For more pictures click here.

WNY United Digest 2

WNY UNITED AGAINST DRUG & ALCOHOL ABUSE, INC.

AGENCY Board of Directors

Gerry Pullano, ChairmanAndrew Neyman, TreasurerTy Holt, SecretarySteve BarberBrian Chella Patrick FitzgeraldDenise FulkersonOtis GloverSheriff Timothy Howard Carrie MeyerMary Ellen MulveyDaniel Sarzynski Melinda Rich, Chairperson EmeritusRobert E. Rich, Jr., Chairperson EmeritusRobert E. Rich, III, Emeritus

FOUNDATION Board of Directors

Steve Barber, President Howard Martin, TreasurerAlvino BattistoniJoe BorgeseMichael Buczkowski Joseph CiffaOtis GloverMari IrwinJohn Lunn Kim Rich Lupkin Urmas Lupkin Jim MizeGerry PullanoMelinda Rich, Chairperson EmeritusRobert E. Rich, Jr., Chairperson Emeritus

STAFF

Beth Anzalone, CPP, Executive Director Tammy Bennett, CPP, Program DirectorSue Boyle, Community Mobilization SpecialistLori Brown, CPPDonald Burch, Chief Financial OfficerLisa BurgessJenna CavallaroKate Chudoba, Marketing Communications ManagerRyan HartAmanda HeftkaSarah Holsopple, CPPJulie KilmerKyla KrathausTiffany McCormickJoe Olgin Saira RamirezHannah RichAllie RosenJulie SchaeferTimothy Smykowski, CPP, Systems DirectorSamantha Zappala, CPP

Beth Anzalone (left), Executive Director of WNY United graciously accepts a sponsorship check from Mary Jo Wood, Customer Experience Manager from Evans Bank to support the Healthy Choices Art & Poetry

Contest.

WNY United Digest 3

Art Contest WinnersKindergarten - 2nd Grade

Collin Lute - KindergartenGeorge Southard Elementary

Jassar Mussa - 2nd GradeMaryvale Primary

Aliyah Arns - 1st GradeHighland Elementary

Marnie Kemble - KindergartenWest Buffalo Charter School

3rd - 5th Grade

Braidyn Alves - 4th GradeAJ Schmidt Elementary

AJ Porterfield - 5th GradeSt. Benedict School

Gwenyth Evans - 5th GradeCharlotte Ave School

Aaliyah Moore - 3rd GradeMaryvale Intermediate

WNY United Digest 4

Art Contest Winners continued6th - 8th Grade

Lily Garlow - 6th GradeSt. Benedict School

Ella Underberg - 8th GradeSpringville Middle School

Ava Gillingham - 7th GradeMaryvale Middle School

Isaac Stewart - 7th GradeSpringville Middle School

Landon Titus - 9th GradeDansville Central Schools

Lauren Blake - 12th GradeSpringville High School

9th - 12th Grade

For more photos click here.

WNY United Digest 5

Poetry Contest WinnersKindergarten - 2nd Grade

John Przepasniak - 1st GradeBuffalo Public School #72

Edward Lustman - 1st GradeBuffalo Public School #72

Shania Williams - 2nd GradeBuffalo Public School #72

Cameron Brown - 1st GradeBuffalo Public School #72

Eating Fruit

Eating bananas is goodAnd eating apples, too

I like lemons, strawberries and water-melon

I like them in my mouthNot squished under my shoe

CHOICESThere are lots of choices

Peas or cupcakesGrapes or pie

Apples or candyLemon or fries

Watermelon or chipsExercise or smokingEight hours of sleepOr drugs for choking

I can pick healthy or unhealthy choicesIt's up to me.

CIGARETTES ARE NO JOKE

I don't want my mom to smokeBecause it'll get her sick and that's no joke

I love my mom every dayCigarettes don't pay. That's what I have to

say.

WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO

You have to exercise and play sportsYou have to drink water and eat fruit

You have to sleep all nightThat's what you have to do

Gage Cleri - 5th GradeBig Tree Elementary

Jade Showalter - 4th GradeAlden Intermediate School

Gavin Bulera - 3rd GradeBuffalo Public School #72

James Mecca - 5th GradeAJ Schmidt Elementary

Healthy Choicesby: Jade s. ShowalterHealthy choices are so funHealthy choices for everyoneRemember before you go out to playAn apple or two will help each dayFrom chips to green beansFrom ice cream to grapesI love healthy choices so easy, soGREAT!!!!

3rd - 5th Gradeeating fruit is goodwatermelon is healthyJust don't eat the seeds

Strawberries are goodlemons are sweet and sour

cherries are amazing

Make healthy choicesled to strong and healthy kids

choose to do what's right

MORE THAN THE WAY I TALKTalking is hard for me because I stutter

I don't focus on talking because it makes me feel frustratedInstead I focus on hockey-skating, shooting, scoring

Instead I focus on baseball - hitting, running, coming homeInstead I focus on math - dividing, multiplying, solving problems

Instead I focus on going fun places like Darien Lake and Sky Zone

Talking is hard for me because I stutterBut there are more things to do than focus on the way I talk

Sober at last I didn't care about anything butting my next high,

because when you are addicted it demands you must comply.I couldn't escape the grasp so I went to the past,my old friends were there fore me and helped me

become sober at last.

WNY United Digest 6

Poetry Contest Winners continued6th - 8th Grade

Debbie Ciura - 6th GradeMaryvale Middle School

HOCKEYDefense don't let it near,All the fans that I do hear

Say heck em' against the wood,Score, score I knew you could.

Go Penguins, the signs say,Penalty Penalty, Okay, okay.

Hear the buzzer, look we won!Yay, the score is two to one.

Savannah Borkowski - 6th GradeLake Shore

Middle School

The AddictI wake up each morningAnd I fall asleep every nightThinking, craving, wanting,Needing with all my might

I long to have my feet leave the earthI need to feel that highMy hands are shaking, and I start to sweatDo you want to know why?

It's because I am an addictMy habit pulls me inBut I'm not addicted to drugsI'm addicted to dancin'

I run, and I leap and I gran je teI soar through the airPut poison in this body? I wouldn't dare!

I love to feel it course through my veinsBut I am not talking about crackI mean the beat of the musicWith that there is nothing I lack

Ballet, jazz, lyrical, acro, and pointeBallet, solo, duet, and hip hopMy days are full, there is no timeFor drinking, drugs or pills to popI need to be graceful, smooth and on pointI need to be sassy, happy, and funkyI don't need drugs, booze, or pillsThis dancer will never be a junkie!

Ava Locicero - 7th Grade

St. Benedict School

Healthy Choices

I can runI can lift weightsI can have fun

I can skate

You can eat veggiesYou can eat fruit

You can drink lots of waterAnd give candy a boot

Talk to your friendsTo keep your head clear

Talk to your parentsTo help with your fears

We can say no to drugsWe definitely won't smoke

We can make healthy choices togetherBecause this is no joke!

Kaylee Higgins - 6th GradeAlden Middle School

Can you guess who I am?

I tear apart families i ruin livesTry me once you might just die

Some get away, others don't. I drag people inI call to them. Sometimes they come to me

You spend all your money just trying to get me.You gave in so now I own your soul

I could even take your lifeYou could have said no

since you gave in and gave me a try i ruined your life

I took your family, friends and moneyYou should have said no and lived your life

I bet you regret that nightso, here's some advice

Don't try me that one timeSincerely,

Drugs

Madison Boggs - 10th Grade

Gowanda High School

WHYWhy take drugs or drink alcohol?Why do cocaine, LSD or acid?Why drown yourself in alcohol?Why smoke marijuana or cigarettes?Why even vape?Why give up and give into drugs and alcohol?Why let drugs and alcohol control your life?Why let them have that kind of power over you?Why would you chose to always chase after something that isn't permanent?

Shouldn't you choose to do something better?Shouldn't you want the power to control yourself?Shouldn't you be able to control your own life?Shouldn't you try to do something greater in life, that will make people remember you?Shouldn't you try to do something better other than quit before you even gave it your all?

I choose to do better.I choose to have the power to control myself.I choose to control my own life.I choose to do greater, even if people won't remember me long after I have passed.I choose to give it my all, even if I get knocked down.I can always get up and try again.

Violet Haring - 9th Grade

Gowanda High School

It's funny the way we live, always making choices.Life changing decisions that sometimes have loose ends the best choices to make in life are-healthy ones-Instead of going out to drive thrus, spend relentless house making dinnerLearn to love it even if you don't at firstIt's not just the food that our generation needs to work onit's our atmosphere.The way we see life and everything in ithow we absorb things, how we communicate.There's lots of things to learn

Even small things like time management and planning for our future.The biggest thing is to overall learn to care about others.Show integrity and take time to understand other people's situations.Physical health is connected to mental healthmost children play sports or do some kind of activity.I think your physical sate affects your mental state, and vice versaI would imagine it could impact the way people think of them-selves and others.It's hard to know what the right decisions to make arebut it all starts and ends with you.

9th - 12th Grade

WNY United Digest 7

LIT Students Speak at First Night Buffalo Press ConferenceLIT Students from Buffalo Public Schools 74 and 95 were asked to speak at the First Night Buffalo Press Conference on December 14th at the Buffalo Convention Center. As part of a bigger LIT proj-ect students shared through art and poetry, their hope for change throughout Buffalo.

This was the 30th Anniversary for First Night Buffalo which is now run by the Independent Health Foundation, but was originally started by WNY United in 1989. Buffalo's First Night is the longest running First Night in the country.

Big things are happening for the WNY United Leaders in Training program! In collaboration with the Independent Health Foundation and Senator Chris Jacobs we will be expanding the Leaders In Training program into the 9th grade year. The new program will have a new name to reflect the growth of the program. Our hope is to provide more leadership opportunities and community engagement for our students as they navigate the transition from 8th to 9th grade.

In preparation for the launch of the new program, WNY United and the Independent Health Foundation have hired Saira Ramirez as the Student Support Leadership Coordinator. Her role will be to explore and develop curriculum and opportunities for the students to participate in. The goal is to kick the program off in the summer of 2019 and hopefully extending the program into the fall. The chosen students will attend a 5 week leadership program this summer to be held at Medaille College.

Leaders in Training Program To Expand

Our 8th Grade Leaders in Training had their annual retreat on November 7th. This retreat is at Camp Pioneer, and gives the students a chance to reconnect with the LIT students who they haven't seen since the 7th grade Showcase event.

The Leaders in Training received training from Carrie Meyer from the Independent Health Foundation so that they will take over the roles of Health Ambassadors in their schools teaching the 9-2-5-1-0 goals to younger students. They also made cards for Larussa's Legacy of Love project. This project makes and delivers cards to sick or homebound senior citizens to help lift their spirits.

The students ended the day with lunch and lots of catching up! Click here for pictures.

8th Grade LIT RetreatSchool 80, Highgate Heights, completed a can drive community service project before holiday break led by Prevention Specialist Joe Olgin.

Students collected and sorted canned goods and non perishable food items into groups. They worked with other students from Westminster Community Charter School.

Due to the efforts of our students and community a grand total of 2,293 canned items & side dishes were collected.

This year they were able to provide a meals to 170 families that received a Holiday Gift Bag that included a Turkey or Ham, canned items, side items and fresh fruit or vegetables. Each bag also received a holiday card.Click here for pictures.

Holiday Food Drive at BPS 80

Who are we? WNY United Against Drug & Alcohol Abuse, Inc. is a grass roots initiative designed to increase awareness, educate & mobilize area residents to participate in proven strategies to prevent substance abuse. We actively promote healthy choices. Funded by the New York State Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services through the Erie County Department of Mental Health and Erie County Division for Youth. Additional funds provided by the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, the Rich Family Foundation, the John R. Oishei Foundation, the WNY United Foundation & private contributions.

Proud Member of Px21, the Erie County Prevention Alliance, WNY Chemical Dependency Consortium and Erie County Opiate Task Force.

WNY United Digest is published electronically three times a year.We encourage community members to submit important dates and story ideas!

Send to: Kate Chudoba, Editor, by email at kchudoba@wnyunited.org.

WNY United Digest 8

Sheriff’s Corner

2019 is here! As we try to eat better and exercise more to become healthier, let’s think of other things we can do to start the year off right.

Remember tobacco products, illegal drugs, and excessive alcohol use is also very unhealthy for our bodies. As we focus on ourselves, let’s not forget to remind our children and family members that making healthy choices are important.

Children that start using tobacco or alcohol at an early age are more likely to develop health problems and struggle with addiction throughout their life. Our children still watch and learn from us, so let’s be good examples for them. It will ensure a healthier you, and a better, healthier life for them.

The Leaders in Training at Maryvale Middle School have a mission. They want all students to know that they don't tolerate bullying.

The students wrote postive mesages on Post-It notes and placed them on other students lockers throughout the school. More photos here.