Foundation News

Suttell Golf tournament raises over $2100 for Foundation

The 2011 "Sootie" Golf Tournament, held on the last Saturday in July at the Batavia Country Club, raised $2115 for the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation. Tournament founder and director, Richard "Sootie" Suttell (r) recently presented the check to board member Mark Napoleone. The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation's Board of Directors would like to thank "Sootie', all the volunteers, the vendors, the sponsors and especially the participants for making last years event a great success. Don't forget to mark your calendar for this years tournament which will be held again at Batavia Country Club, Batavia, NY. on the third Saturday of the month, July 21, 2012.

"Beers for a Cure" generates over $900 for Foundation

On Saturday, September 10, from 1 to 5 pm, Moms on Maxwell, (M.O.M.'S) in downtown Doylestown, Pa. hosted the first fundraiser for the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation outside of New York State. Patrons were able to sample CRAFT beers from top breweries which were paired with M.O.M.'S CRAFT hors d'oeuvres. Representatives from the Foundation were on hand to talk and answer questions about the missions of the foundation as well as sell raffle tickets, merchandise and 50/50 tickets. A big thank you goes out to our gracious hosts and owners of M.O.M.'S, Nate, Andrea and Brian Hugill as well as the guest breweries and all those who attended and supported the Foundation. If you are ever in the Doylestown area, stop in and have a bite to eat and say hello and thanks to the Hugills. www.momsmaxwellsonmain.com.

Foundaton donates $3500 in goods to Pediatric Treatment Center, Golisano Children's Hospital

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation donated $3500 worth of toys and equipment to the Pediatric Treatment Center at Golisano Childrens Hospital on Tuesday, March 15th. At left, Board Members receive a plaque from the hospital as they display all the items donated to the clinic. Among some of the items donated were playmobil stations, Canon digital camera and an ipad with accessories. A big thank-you to Board Member Kathy Baltz (left) who ordered all the items and coordinated the visit to the hospital.

Board Members Visit Pediatric Biomedical Research Dept.

Some Board Members took time out to visit the Pediatric Biomedical Research Department at Strong Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, March 15th. Here, Dr. Kathleen McGrath (l) talks to Board Members about the work being done with the piece of equipment that was purchased with money donated by the Foundation as Dr. James Palis looks on.
Pictured below is the the new NEON system purchased with funds provided by the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation. See article below.

Foundation donates $6500 to Pediatric Cancer Research

On Thursday, Dec 23, 2010, Co-Founder and Board Member of the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Mark Napoleone (l) and Foundation President Ann Marie Suttell (r) presented a $6500 donation to Dr. James Palis, Professor of Pediatrics, Oncology, and Biomedical Genetics Director, Center for Pediatric Biomedical Research at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
With this donation Dr. Palis and his research team will be able to take their research to a new level by purchasing a state-of-the-art cell electroporation system called The NEON system (Life Technologies). One of the goals of their research is to test the function of specific genes in the production of blood cells. These studies are tricky because they require the team to introduce parts of genes into cells using a very powerful electrical pulse. This piece of equipment will allow them to do this.

Foundaton donates $3000 during Awareness Day

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Inc, held its annual Foundation Awareness Day on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at Lions Park, Batavia, during the Batavia Youth Football games. The Foundation continued to fulfill its mission; here, Mark Napoleone (r) of the Foundation, presents a $1000 check to Carmen DelPlato who oversees the Batavia Physical Education Scholarship Fund. This fund helps underprivileged kids to participate in various youth activities in the community. The Foundation also gave $1000 to a family in Albion whose 16 year- old daughter suffered a relapse from a very rare form of cancer. Lastly, Batavia Youth Football received a check for $1000 to help offset the costs of purchasing new football helmets for all the teams so that they can comply with new safety regulations. The Foundation would like to thank all those who came out in support of the Foundation during the month of September, which is National Pediatric Cancer Awareness month.

Batavia Youth Football Renames Team

Members of the Batavia Youth Football Vikings pose with some of the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation Board Members during a break in the Foundation's Awareness Day on Saturday, September 25th, 2010 at Lions Park, Batavia. (see above). Batavia youth football has renamed the Vikings "The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation Vikings." Michael played for the Vikings and after his passing, then league president, the late Dick Lexer, retired Michaels #55 jersey and presented it to the family in the fall of 2007.

Annual "Sootie" Golf Tournament donates $1559 to MNMF

Richard "Sootie" Suttell, (l) director of the Sootie Golf Tournament, recently presented a check for $1559 to Foundation board member Mark Napoleone. The money was raised during the annual golf tournament on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at the Batavia Country Club. The sold out tournament was, once again, a great success because of "Sootie", the volunteers and all the participants. The Foundation's Board of Directors would like to thank all those involved. The money raised will go to help the Foundation carry out its mission of helping families cope with childhood cancer; assist in pediatric cancer research; and to support local youth organizations. This tournament also assisted the scholarships in the names of Julie Grazioplene and Jason Gioia. Mark your calendar now for the last Saturday in July 2011 for next years tournament.

Foundation and Crossroads House Join Forces

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Inc and Crossroads House of Batavia, joined forces on Sunday, July 25, 2010 at TF Browns in downtown Batavia for an evening of Irish music. Guests enjoyed food, beverages and a variety of baskets to choose from during the chinese raffle portion of the evening. At left, Laurie Napoleone, of the Foundation, addresses the crowd thanking them for their support of the evening, while Rich Conroy awaits his cue to continue with the evenings entertainment. The two organizations raised over $1000 during this event. The Foundation and Crossroads House would like to thank all those who attended and supported this very special event.

Louis Nanni Memorial Bocce Tournament donates $500
to Foundation

The annual Louis Nanni Memorial Bocce Ball Tournament donated $500 to the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation after their recent bocce tournament held on July 4th, 2010 in Brooklyn Park, Akron, NY. The sold out 64 team tournament was sponsored by the Akron Lions Club. We would like to thank the Akron Lions Club and the Nanni family for choosing the Foundation as the beneficator of this year's proceeds. It will enable the foundation to continue to "Lend a Hand of Hope" to families as they struggle with the day-to-day realities of fighting cancer. Pictured in front row are; Mary Nanni, widow of Louis, Christen Napoleone. Back row; Michelle Nanni, Michael Nanni, Chris Nanni, Mark Napoleone, Sr, Mark Napoleone, Jr and Louis Nanni.

St. Joseph School in Batavia donates $1000 to Foundation

Karen Green, principal of St. Joseph School in Batavia, NY presents a check for $1000 to Mark and Laurie Napoleone of the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation. The students held a "Million Penny Project" fund drive to raise money for school improvements. They reached their goal ($10,000) in June of 2010. In the spirit of "giving back," the students decided to give $2000 to local charities of their choosing before funding school improvements. The Foundation is grateful for the students thoughfulness in selecting us as one of the recipients of their fundraiser efforts. Michael was a third grade student at St. Joseph School when he passed away.

MNMF assists local family's fight against cancer.

On Wednesday, February 10, 2010, the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation held an "Awareness Night" at the boys basketball game between the Honeoye Fall-Lima Cougars and the Batavia Blue Devils. Foundation Vice-President Dave Pero, (r) presented a check for $1000 to Jeanette Filbert (l), mother of Treyvaun Filbert, a Batavia student who is battling a brain tumor. Each team was given Foundation t-shirts to wear during warm-ups with the words "....shoot for a cure" on the the back. A big thank you to Batavia High School for allowing the Foundation to "Lend a Hand of Hope" to the Filberts and spread the awareness of pediatric cancers.

Foundaton donates $1000 to the Dick Lexer Memorial Scholarship Fund for Batavia Youth Football

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Inc. presented a check for $1000 on Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 to Barbara Lexer (fourth from left) in memory of her late husband Richard. Mr. Lexer, who passed away earlier this year, was the president of Batavia Youth Football for many years. In his memory, his family has set up a scholarship to help offset some of the expenses associated with playing Batavia Youth Football. The check was presented during the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation's annual "Foundation/Cancer Awareness Day" at Batavia Youth Football games at Lions Park, Batavia. The money donated by the foundation will go towards buying new football equipment for next year's season.

"Sootie" Golf Tournament donates over $1700

Rick "Sootie" Suttell (r) presents a check to Mark Napoleone, Jr., of the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, worth $1777. The money was raised from the annual "Sootie Golf Tournament" held the last Saturday in July. This years tournament was a great success. The sold out tournament took place on July 25th, 2009 at the Batavia Country Club. A big thank you goes out to Rick Suttell and all the golfers and volunteers who helped raise money for the Foundation and for the scholarships in the names of Jason Gioia and Julie Grazioplene.

Tim Horton's of Albion, NY donates $500 to Foundation

Joe and Shirley Filippelli, owners of Tim Horton's in Albion and Medina, New York, recently added Coldstone Creamery to its menu of items at the Albion location. During the weekend of August 21, 22 & 23, (2009) Tim Horton's held its grand opening of the new product and donated a portion of their proceeds to the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation. This $500 donation, and donations like this, help the Foundation continue its mission in helping families to cope with childhood cancer, its support of youth organizations and to assist in pediactric cancer research. A big thank you to Joe and Shirley Filippelli, and everyone at Tim Horton's in Albion.

Napoleone Foundation donates $8,000 to research lab

Dr. Kathleen McGrath, from Golisano Children's Hospital, Rochester, NY speaks to the crowd during the second annual Michael Napoleone Memorial Baseball tournament on Saturday, July 25th, 2009. The foundation presented a check to the Biomedical Research lab, under the direction of Dr. James Palis, for the purchase of a Genomics Analysis and Data Mining Workstation. This new computer, monitor and software will enable them to investigate more than 45,000 genes at one time more completely and efficiently. Seen here with Dr. McGrath is researcher Paul Kingsley (in hat) from the Biomedical Research lab. During the same ceremony, the foundation also donated a baseball pitching machine to the Little League of Batavia, NY.

Foundation Members visit Congress

Foundation Co-Director Laurie Napoleone (Michael's mom) (r), seen here with Board Member Kathy Kelly, recently visited Washington D.C. as part of CureSearch's "Reach the Day" event. CureSearch, (www.CureSearch.org) is a National Childhood Cancer Foundation which organized families from 34 states to decend on Washington, D.C on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 to bring awareness to childhood cancer and to educate and lobby members of Congress for increased federal funding for pediatric cancer research. Cancer is the #1 cause of death by disease in children in the United States. Every school day, 46 children, or two classrooms of children, are diagnosed with cancer. One out of every five children diagnosed with cancer dies and three out of five children suffer from long-term side effects from treatment. There is so much more to be done, contact your local Congress members and urge them to support more funding for pediatric cancer research.

Foundation team walks for American Cancer Society

Ashley and Christen Napoleone, junior board members of the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation Inc, seen here in black Foundation shirts, led a team representing the Foundation in the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" walk at St. John Fisher College on Friday April 3, 2009. Teams members solicited sponsors to raise money on behalf of the American Cancer Society. Thanks to all who participated in the walk and to the sponsors who graciously donated their money to a great organization.

Foundation donates $2500 to Ronald McDonald House

Junior board member Mark Napoleone, Jr., on behalf of the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation Inc., presents a check for $2500 to Cher Niedermaier of the Ronald McDonald House of Rochester on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 during the Greater Rochester Ronald McDonald House High School All-Star game banquet held at the RIT Conference Center in Henrietta, N.Y. The Ronald McDonald house is a home-away-from-home for families whose children are receiving medical treatment or are hospitalized in the Rochester area.

Awareness night at the Pavilion/ND girls basketball game

On February 2nd, 2009 the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation held an "awareness" night at the Pavilion/Notre Dame girls high school basketball game at Notre Dame High School in Batavia, NY. The foundation revealed their new foundation shirts and hats (these can be ordered by going to the "Merchandise" page). Both jayvee and varsity teams from both school each wore unique foundation shirts during their respective warm-ups. The Notre Dame Irish wore on their backs, "I-Rish for a Cure," while the Gophers from Pavilion had the saying "Go-pher a Cure." Thanks to all who made the evening a great success.

Foundation donates to area hospitals for cancer research

This past summer, The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Inc donated $11,000 to area hospitals. Cancer centers in Buffalo (Roswell Park) and Rochester (Golisano Childrens Hospital) each received $5000 while United Memorial Medical Facility in Batavia received $1000 towards the purchase of pediactric wheelchairs. Scott Pesiak, M.D., Ph.D. student at Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester is seen here using the new state-of the-art workstation purchased with donations provided by the Foundation. This new workstation allows reseachers to perform multispectral imaging analysis of cells in flow. Dr. Jim Palis noted that this workstation was able to process in eight hours which would normally have taken them more than a week to do.

Foundation steps in to help Batavia Youth Football

Batavia Youth Football unvieled their new scoreboard courtesy of the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Inc. The dedication took place on Saturday, Oct. 4th, 2008 with a Foundation Awareness Day which included face and pumpkin painting, treats and giveaways. With the relocation of youth football, they were forced to purchase a new scoreboard. The foundation stepped in to help offset some of the cost involved with their relocation efforts by purchasing the new scoreboard.

Foundation receives donation from Kelly for Kids

Laurie and Mark Napoleone (r) from the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Inc.,accept a donation of $5000 from Hall-of-Fame quarterback Jim Kelly and Danielle and Nick Rotundo of Terry Hills Golf Course. The Foundation received the check from the Kelly for Kids Foundation through the wishes of Terry Hills Golf Course and Restaurant in June of 2008

Holy Family School in LeRoy, NY donates to Foundation

On Thursday, April 3, 2008, Holy Family School in LeRoy, NY presented a check worth $1,525.75 to the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation. The efforts, spearheaded by physical education teacher, Amy Drake, enabled the elementary school to became one of the first schools to donate to the Foundation. The Foundation's Board of Directors truely appreciate the efforts of all the children involved.

Foundation invited to Chamber of Commerce gathering.

Michael's mom Laurie Napoleone addresses a group of Chamber of Commerce guests at Terry Hills Restaurant in Dec. 2007. The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Inc., was an invited guest to a gathering of non-profit organizations sponsored by Assemblyman Stephen Hawley and then State Senator Mary Lou Rath.

Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Inc