Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation and Gilda's Club of Rochester hosted a new fundraiser Sunday evening at Eli Fish called "Hops for Hope."

Proceeds from the event benefited both organizations, both of which assist children with cancer.

Danielle Rotondo, Donna Kabel, members of the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation board of directors, Laurie Napoleone, cofounder, and Mark Parsons, with Gilda's Club of Rochester.

Press release:

BATAVIA -- The Board of Directors of the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation is excited to announce the launch of its Community Youth Grant. This grant will be awarded to charitable organizations whose primary mission is to facilitate youth activities for children up to age 18.

It supports one of three mission priorities established by the foundation -- ”to assist youth organizations and youth athletics.” The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation Community Youth Grant will award funding twice annually based on the schedules below. 

Winter 2018 Funding Cycle:

• Application form available today -- Nov. 16
• Applications are due Jan. 18
• Award notices will be sent to applicants by Feb. 18

Summer 2019 Funding Cycle:

• Application form available on May 1
• Applications are due July 1
• Award notices will be sent to applicants by Aug. 1

The online application is available at:  https://michaelshope.org/new-grants/. There are no geographic limitations for recipients, but preference may be given to the Western New York region. Organizations may receive one grant annually. Requests for program advertising will be directed to the appropriate grant cycle.

About the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation Inc.

It was established in 2007, is in memory of Michael C. Napoleone, the 8-year-old son of Mark and Laurie Napoleone from Batavia, who died from Burkitts Lymphoma/Leukemia, an aggressive form of blood cancer. During Michael's illness, the community rallied around the family to assist with food, gas, medical bills and other necessities. The not-for-profit foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, was created to give back to those who cared, to give forward to those in need, and to support research efforts in finding a cure for childhood cancer.

Press release:

It’s Off to the Races as the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, prepares for its Derby Day Gala 2018, a fundraising event held in conjunction with the running of the 144th Kentucky Derby.

The event raises monies to support the mission of the Foundation, namely to assist families struggling with the diagnosis of pediatric cancers, support research efforts in the area of childhood cancers, and provide assistance to youth activities and programs.

Win, Place and Show your support for the Foundation’s annual fundraising event to be held at Terry Hills Golf Course & Banquet Facility in Batavia from 4 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 5th.

The Foundation, a 501(C) 3, was founded by Mark Napoleone and Laurie (Pero) in 2007 after the loss of their 8-year-old son to Burkitt’s Lymphoma, an aggressive form of blood cancer.

To date, the foundation has assisted 355 families with $332,000 worth of support during their child’s illness, contributed $73,000 to support research, gave $49,000 to assist youth organizations and donated $50,000 to building the new Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester.

The evening features “Kentucky Derby” theme, food, drinks, live music, silent and live auctions, and a professional photo in your best Derby attire. There will be prizes for the best woman’s hat, Dapper Derby Award for the men, and a best dressed couple’s award. Tickets are $75/each and Win, Place and Show Sponsorships are available.

There are many ways for you to support this event -- auction donations (gift certificates, electronics, sports memorabilia, spa packages, and weekend getaways). Monetary donations are also accepted. All donations are tax deductible. Your assistance will make our Derby Day Gala 2018 a winning success.

For those who are interested in attending the gala, tickets can be purchased by contacting Ann Marie at 721-0151.

Through the generosity of individuals and businesses, and the work of our volunteers, we have been able to “Lend a Hand for Hope” to those in need for over 10 years.

For more information, gallop onto our website: www.michaelshope.org or call 861-0550.

Photos: File photos by Howard Owens.

Press release:

Tompkins Insurance Agencies and The Selective Insurance Group Foundation joined forces to support the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation.

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation was established in 2007 in memory of Michael C. Napoleone, the 8-year-old son of Mark and Laurie Napoleone from Batavia, who died from Burkitts Lymphoma/Leukemia, an aggressive form of blood cancer.

During Michael's illness, the community rallied around the family to assist with food, gas, medical bills and other necessities. The not-for-profit foundation was created to give back to those who cared, to give forward to those in need, and to support research efforts in finding a cure for childhood cancer.

“The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation is a special organization, and its commitment to supporting those in need in our community is inspiring,” said David S. Boyce, president and CEO, Tompkins Insurance Agencies. “We are privileged to show our support through this donation.” 

The $300 donation from Tompkins Insurance Agencies was matched by a $300 grant from The Selective Insurance Group Foundation. The Selective Insurance Group Foundation is a philanthropic affiliate of Selective Insurance Group, Inc.

“At Selective, Response is everything^®… and this includes responding to the communities where we live and work to give back and help those in need. Together with Tompkins Insurance Agencies, we are proud to support the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation and its efforts to make a difference in the community,” said Chuck Musilli, senior vice president, Distribution Strategies, Selective.

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation celebrated the running of the Kentucky Derby again today with its Sixth Annual Derby Day at Terry Hills. The even also marked the 10th anniversary of the creation of the foundation, which honors the son of Mark and Laurie Napoleone, who died of Burkitts Lymphoma/Leukemia at age 8. The foundation raises money to fund pediatric cancer research, treatment and to help families with children in cancer treatment.

To purchase prints, click here.

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation Derby Day Gala is at the starting gate and preparing for this year's gala.

The event will be held on Saturday, May 6th, 2017 from 4-9 p.m. at Terry Hills Golf Course and Banquet Center, Clinton Street Road, Batavia.

Tickets are $75/per person and Win, Place, and Show Sponsorships are available.

The ticket includes entry into event, hors d'ouevres, grazing stations, beer, wine, soda, a professional photograph and a gaming ticket. Prizes will be awarded for the best Derby Hat for a woman, the best Dapper Derby Apparel Award for a man, and the Dapper Duo Derby Award for the best "Derby-dressed" couple.

This year in celebration of the foundation's 10-year anniversary, we will be having a fireworks display (weather permitting). We have a live and silent auction, basket and reverse raffles, the gold ball drop, and a new purse raffle this year, along with some MobileSchlagen. It is a great evening for a great cause.

All proceeds support the mission of the foundation: assisting families with a pediatric cancer diagnosis, supporting research, and assistance to youth activities. For a sneak peak at some of the amazing prizes or to see sponsorship opportunites, go to www.michaelshope.org. For more information on a sponsorship, a donation or getting tickets, call 585-861-0550 or 585-409-3275.

Above from left: Nick Martin, Alex Ellison, Vinny DiRisio, Zach Howard, C.J. Gottler (seated), Bryn Wormley, Luke Rogers, Zach Marsceill (seated), Matt Fellinger, and Connor Willitt.  Coach Vern Howard and Coach Durin Rogers pictured to the rear.

Opening ceremonies.

Fellinger coming home for the winning run.

Fellinger under the tag for the win.

Rogers being congratulated for the walk-off triple.​

Submitted photos and story by Coach Durin Rogers.

Tri-Town 12U beat the Le Roy Knights 12U in what would prove to be a legendary game during the eighth Annual Michael Napoleone Tournament over Mermorial Day Weekend.

The Tournament is hosted by The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Inc., which was established in 2007 and is in memory of Michael C. Napoleone, the 8-year-old son of Mark and Laurie Napoleone from Batavia who died from Burkitts Lymphoma/Leukemia, an aggressive form of blood cancer. During Michael’s illness, the community rallied around the family to assist with food, gas, medical bills and other necessities. The not-for-profit foundation was created to give back to those who cared, to give forward to those in need and to support research efforts in finding a cure for childhood cancer.

The 2016 victory was bittersweet for Tri-Town, who had lost to the Le Roy Knights in extra innings during the 2015 Tourney. Tri-Town and Le Roy had each won their three games in the tournament that began Friday and ended with the Championship on Sunday May, 29^th. Tri-Town defeated the WNY Spartans 10-0 and 13-5; Fairport Red Rage 12-2; Greece Gladiators 21-1.

Both Tri-Town and the Le Roy Knights had strong showings in all of their games and depth at pitching. Tri-Town pulled home-field advantage, having held its opponents to fewer runs than Le Roy over the tournament. Zach Howard received the call to open pitching for Tri-Town, while the lefty Collin McCauley got the nod for Le Roy.

Following strong pitching by Howard and McCauley and a scoreless first inning, Le Roy then sparked its offense scoring two runs in the top of the second inning on a well-placed double by Zach Vanderhoof and error by Tri-Town. Le Roy held Tri-Town without score in the bottom of the second and added two more runs to its cause in the top of the third inning. Tri-Town then broke out in the bottom of the third inning on the bats of Luke Rogers (1B), Connor Willitt (1B) and Vinny DiRisio (1B) scoring Zach Marsceill, Matt Fellinger and Rogers.

Nick Martin then took the mound for Tri-Town at the top of the fourth inning following a strong outing by Howard limiting the Le Roy team to four runs over the three innings. Le Roy scored another run in the top of the fourth on a McCauley double and a Brady Fix single before Martin struck out the final two batters to end Le Roy's fourth inning run.

 Le Roy’s power pitcher, Kenny Saunders, brought heat to bear on Tri-Town’s lineup. Yet, Tri-Town's Alex Ellison’s lead-off double in the bottom of the fourth along with his speed on the bases led to a Tri-Town score, keeping the game close in the 5-4 battle at the end of four.

At the top of the fifth inning, Le Roy poured it on scoring three additional runs on a double by McCauley and another single by Fix. Tri-Town would add to its cause scoring two runs on hits by Howard (1B) , Martin (1B), and Rogers (1B), to make the game an 8-6 affair in favor of Le Roy. Le Roy was then stymied by Tri-Town's defense and Martin's pitching in the top of the sixth inning, leaving the score at 8-6 LeRoy and providing Tri-Town one last opportunity at bat.

Tri-Town's Ellison led off with a solid double. Le Roy pitcher Saunders and Le Roy's stellar defense resulted in the next two outs in the field with a runner on second. Tri-Town's Bryn Wormley's quick reaction and legs beat out a throw to first base following a dropped third strike, putting runners on first and second.  Tri-Town's Fellinger had an epic at bat when he proceeded to foul off the next 11 pitches to a startled crowd before earning the walk to load the bases.

This year, Tri-Town would not be denied. With two puts and two strikes, Tri-Town's lead-off batter Luke Rogers, and birthday boy, hit a towering shot to the right field fence, clearing the bases and winning the game with a walk-off triple.

The Tri-Town team stats were nothing short of impressive during the tournament, accumulating 59 hits over five games representing 24 innings. One grand slam (Connor Willitt), 10-HR (Zach Howard 2 HR; Vinny DiRisio 2 HR; Nick Martin; CJ Gottler; Connor Willitt; Matt Fellinger), 2-3B (Luke Rogers 2-3B), 11-2B (Luke Rogers 5-2B; Alex Ellison 2-2B; Bryn Wormley 2-2B);and 39-1B contributed by the entire team for a tournament high, team-batting average of .538.

The Swanson family was honored today by the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation at the foundation's annual Memorial Day Weekend tournament at MacArthur Park in Batavia.

In 2007, Anders Swanson -- in the blue shirt above with mother Amy, father Garth and brothers Beckett and Cooper -- was diagnosed with cancer deep in his brain when he was 18 months old.

"(The doctors were) brutally honest," Amy said. "This kind of cancer is rare, it’s aggressive and it doesn’t have a good outcome. Kids with this kind of cancer don’t survive."

He immediately underwent surgery, and then a long ordeal of treatment that included four rounds of chemo, 31 days of radiation, two high-dosage chemo treatments, two stem-cell transplants, and countless blood transfusions, spinal taps and CAT scans. He underwent a second major brain surgery in which 90 percent of the cancer was removed. Now considered cancer free, Amy said he still undergoes numerous regular tests and the fight isn't over, yet Anders remains positive and a team player.

"He has to work much harder, but he greets everything with a can-do attitude," Amy said.

The tournament, she said, was a great way to honor Micheal's memory, because his love of baseball is evident by every smile on the field.

"We know how important baseball is," Amy said. "It’s about accountability, character, courage, confidence, commitment, determination, ethics, honor, humility and humor, integrity, loyalty, leadership, obedience, self-discipline, sportsmanship and teamwork. These truly are the key components of baseball. Baseball is unique in that it can often mirror life itself. The great length of a baseball season, and the fact that failure is an innate part of the game, offers players, coaches and parents the opportunities to teach many more of life’s truths and skills."

The foundation regularly provides financial support to families with children battling cancer, and Laurie Napoleone presented the Swanson's with a $1,000 check, but the Swanson's asked that the money be donated to other charities.

Since Micheal's death, the foundation has provided more than $230,000 to 300 families in the region, donated more than $56,000 to pediatric cancer research, and assisted youth sports with $38,000 in donations, and provided another $50,000 to the Golisano Children's Hospital in Rochester.

The Spirit of Michael Napoleone Award went to Ryan Carroll and Jacob Smith.

The Michael Napoleone Foundation hosted its annual Derby Day Fundraiser at Terry Hills yesterday.

To purchase prints, click here.

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation is busy planning their two biggest fundraisers. Co-directors Mark and Laurie Napoleone created the foundation in memory of their son, Michael, who passed away from Burkitt’s Lymphoma in 2006.

The Foundation was started in 2007, and its mission is to Lend a Hand for Hope to assist families with the challenges of a pediatric cancer diagnosis throughout the Western New York area, support research efforts in the area of childhood cancers, and provide assistance to youth activities and programs.

To date the Foundation has: Assisted 290 families and given over $220,000 in support, contributed $56,000 to Pediatric Cancer Research, donated $38,000 to youth sports/organizations, and  pledged $50,000 to the new Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester.

First -- it’s "Off to the Races" as the foundation prepares for its Derby Day Gala 2016, a fundraising event held in conjunction with the running of the 142^nd Kentucky Derby. It is held from 3 to 9 p.m. on May 7 at Terry Hills Golf Course and Banquet Facility in Batavia. Admission is $75 per person and there are  $1500, $2500, or $5,000 Sponsorships available.

Ticket includes hors d’oeuvres, grazing stations, an amazing dessert table, beer, wine and soda, a professional photo, live music by Dave Stoll, and a randomly selected gaming ticket for the Kentucky Derby. Live and silent auctions will be held and awards given for best Derby Hat and Best Derby Attire. For more information, go to www.michaelshope.org or call 585-861-0550. 

Next -- we are moving to the baseball diamond as the Foundation hosts an annual Memorial Day Baseball Tournament, May 27, 28 and 29^th. The tournament hosts teams from the Western New York region with the following age brackets: 8 & under ( $100 fee), 10 & under ($350 fee), and 12 & under ($350 fee). For more information, contact lhale04@hotmail.com or call 585-861-0550.

If interested in learning more about the Foundation’s events or if you would like to Lend a Hand for Hope, please go to our Web site www.michaelshope.org, or call 585-861-0551.

From Laurie Napoleone:

On Saturday, Sept. 19^th, the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation is hosting “Run for the Gold” to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer.

The 5K Run/Walk will be held in Le Roy starting at the Summit Street Tennis Courts beginning at 9 a.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m. The cost is $25 pre-race and $35 on the day of the race. T-shirts will be given to the first 100 runners.

New this year – a balloon launch. Buy a balloon in memory and honor of a loved one or just send a special note on one.

Gather friends and family and take a walk on a beautiful fall morning while making a difference in the lives of those affected by a pediatric cancer diagnosis. If you can’t walk, just join the foundation for a fun day in the lovely Village of Le Roy.

Register today at http://www.active.com/leroy-ny/running/distance-running-races/run-for-the-gold-2015?int or for more information go to michaelshope.org.

Hope to see you there!

Press release:

The City of Batavia Summer Recreation Program is well under way and is entering the third week of the six-week program. Each year the program sponsors a Community Service Day for all of the children to volunteer and give something back to their community.

This year’s Community Service Day project is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, with all of the parks participating. There will be a community-wide can/bottle drive to raise money for the Michael Napoleone Foundation.

If anyone would like to contribute to this worthy cause, please feel free to deliver your cans or bottles to any of the parks (Farrall, John Kennedy, Lambert, Williams, Lions) on or before July 21 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, or at the Batavia Youth Bureau located at 12 MacArthur Drive. Program sponsors will make sure the donations are delivered to the parks.

The kids and the Rec Leaders from each park will also visit homes in their park’s neighborhoods on July 21 to solicit donations of cans and bottles.

If you have any questions or would like to help in any way, please call the Youth Bureau at 345-6420. Thank you for your anticipated assistance and support!

Laurie Napoleone speaks during the Awareness Ceremony on the second day of the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation Baseball Tournment.  The tournament has grown to a three-day event spread out over every available baseball field in Batavia.

The foundation has provided more than $170,000 in assistance to families with children dealing with medical issues. The foundation has also purchased a new scoreboard for the ball field at Williams Park, has donated more than $48,000 to pediatric cancer research and has pledged $50,000 to the Golisano Children's Hospital.

Michael Napoleone succumbed to Burkitts Lymphoma/Leukemia, an aggressive form of blood cancer, in 2006. Mark and Laurie Napoleone formed the foundation in response to the outpouring of support their family received from the community after Michael was diagnosed.

Genesee Pride AAU boys and girls basketball donated $350 players raised for the foundation.

The family of Kenny Hazlett. Hazlett was a longtime umpire and dedicated volunteer for the tournment who passed away. A sign on the backstop of the Little League field honoring his memory was unveiled during the ceremony.

David Pero speaking about Hazlett.

Unveiling the sign.

Chase Bordonaro received a Spirit of Michael Napoleone Award, along with Tony Piazza and Griffin Dellapenna (pictured below).

Veterans in attendance were invited to stand along the first base line during the playing of the National Anthem

At 2:30 this afternoon the three-day Michael Napoleone Memorial Baseball Tournament begins at the ball park on State Street in Batavia. It promises to be a fine time for families to enjoy the Great American Pastime and help a worthy cause. There will be lots of baseball games, food, kids' activities and on Saturday, the Lions Club will offer free cancer eye screenings at the Main Tent on State Street.

Also, don't miss The Awareness Ceremony which will be at 1 o'clock at the Little League Field on Saturday.

Game starts today are at 2:30, 4:30 and 6:30 for Little League and Minor League.

On Saturday, games are at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. for Minor League and Little League.

Sunday Little League and Minor League:

10:15 a.m. -- Playoff
12:15 p.m. -- Playoff
3:15 p.m. -- Championship

Williams Park
----------------

Friday -- 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m. (under lights)

Saturday -- 10, 2:30

Sunday -- 10, 12:30, 3:30 playoffs and Championship

 

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Inc., was founded in 2007 in memory of Michael C. Napoleone, the eight year old son of Mark and Laurie Napoleone from Batavia, who passed away from Burkitts Lymphoma/Leukemia, an aggressive form of blood cancer. During Michael's illness, the community rallied around the family to assist with food, gas, medical bills, and other necessities. The not-for-profit Foundation, a 501(c)3, organization, was created to give back to those who cared, to give forward to those in need, and to support research efforts to find a cure for childhood cancer.