Michael Napoleone Memorial Baseball Tournament 2011
We would like to thank all those who came out in support of the teams and the Foundation including our vendors who donated food, beverages and prizes; to those volunteers who worked so hard getting the fields ready for play; to those who volunteered their time working concessions, working the main tent and those who announced the games. A big thank you to the umpires, who once again, donated all their time and energy to the tournament. The money raised will help the Foundation help families caring for a cancer stricken child, assist in pediatric cancer research and help youth organizations in the surrounding communities. Thank you to all...hope to see you next year.
2011 Spirit of Michael Award - Trey Buscaglia & Tyler Hale
Dinner for 10, April 2, 2011
New Year's Eve Fundraiser - "Lucky 7 in 2011"
Foundation Awareness Day at Batavia Youth Football
Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010
The Foundation continued to fulfill its mission by giving out a $1000 donation to a family from Albion whose 16 year-old daughter suffered a relapse from a very rare form of cancer; they donated a $1000 to Carmen DelPlato for use for the Batavia Physical Education Scholarship Fund which helps underprivileged kids participate in various youth activities in the city; and they donated $1000 to Batavia Youth Football to help offset the costs of purchasing new football helmets for all the teams (something they have to do to comply with new safety regulations.)
Aside from the donations, throughout the day, children of all ages enjoyed face painting and pumpkin painting and the assortment of candy apples and popcorn that were on hand. Various vegtables, donated by local farms, were avaliable for the parents to enjoy for a small donation. There were a variety of baskets to take chances on, one being two tickets to the Bills/Browns game.
We would like to thank all those who donated their time and those who came out to support the foundation on this chilly fall day. We would also like to thank Batavia Youth Football for making this day possible.
The Michael Napoleone Memorial Baseball Tournament
May 28-30, 2010
The awareness ceremony on Saturday afternoon was well attended, as the Foundation announced the donation of a pitching machine to Batavia Little League as well as a donation to Batavia Minor League. The foundation also handed out a donation to a family whose daughter just went through a bone marrow transplant. The "Spirit of Michael" award, an engraved baseball bat representing sportsmanship, was given out to Avon's Hunter Stella in the 10 and under bracket and Lou Gehrig's Tanner Juul received the award in the 12 & under bracket. At the conclusion of the ceremony, a Batavia 12 and under team, Michaels Angels, (a team consisting of Michaels former classmates, Michael would have been 12) let go of balloons in memory of those who have passed on because of pediatric cancers.
The Foundation would like to thank all those teams who participated, their fans, and our volunteers, who made it possible to raise funds to help us continue to "lend a hand for hope" to those families struggling with the reality of caring for a child with cancer. Thanks again.
2nd Annual Gourmet Dinner for 10
Kick-Off 2010, December 31, 2009
Foundation Awareness Day at Batavia Youth Football '09
During the day, the Foundation presented a $1000 check to Barbara Lexer in memory of her late husband Richard. Mr. Lexer was the president of Batavia Youth Football for many years. Since his passing, his family has set up the Richard Lexer Memorial Scholarship Fund to help offset expenses associated with playing Batavia Youth Football. The money donated by the foundation will go towards new equipment for next season.
Kids of all ages enjoyed face painting and pumpkin decorating, as well as munching on treats and sipping hot cider. A thank you goes out to all those who volunteered their time to make this event an enjoyable day for the kids. Also, the Foundation would like to thank those who donated pumpkins and fruits and vegetables for the community to enjoy.
New to this years event was the Awareness Tree. Different colored ribbons represented different cancers and people were encouraged to tie a ribbon onto the tree to honor those who have survived cancer and for those who have died from cancer. The tree will be planted at St. Joseph's School in Batavia, the school Michael Napoleone attended.
2nd Annual Michael Napoleone Memorial Baseball Tournament, July 24-26, 2009
Despite the rainfall, every game was played and the tournament was a great success because of the tremendous work of a number of volunteers. The Foundation raised funds to support their mission by raffling off a 32 inch HDTV; having numerous baseball (helmets,bats pitching machines, instructional videos) and entertainment items in its Chinese auction, and by operating a concessions and merchandise stand. Thanks to all who supported our cause.
On Saturday, July 25 during a ceremony at Dwyer Stadium, the Foundation awarded $8000 to Golisano Children's Hospital's (Rochester, NY) Bio-Medical Lab for the 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. During the same ceremony: the foundation also donated a baseball pitching machine to the Batavia, NY Little League; gave away autographed baseballs of pitchers Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees and Joe Blanton of the Philadelphia Phillies to players who were picked at random: presented William Kelly of the Southtown Knights, with the coveted "Spirit of Michael" award, an engraved baseball bat from Cooperstown, NY. The award is named after Michael Napoleone's endearing spirt, courage and positive attitude.
The baseball tournament committee and the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation Board of Directors would like to thank all the teams, coaches, umpires, parents, spectators and our volunteers for allowing us to continue to support our efforts in helping families effected with pediatric cancers, assisting in research and supporting local youth groups Michael so well loved. Thank you again and see you next year!
Dinner for 10 - February 28, 2009
On February 28th, the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation Board of Directors hosted a ‘Dinner for 10’ at the home of Jim and Joanne Pero of Batavia, NY. Raffle tickets were sold locally for the grand prize dinner and two other prizes, with the proceeds benefiting the Foundation’s mission in our community to “Lend a Hand for Hope”.
Within a week after Andrea King of Rochester, NY was notified that she had the winning ticket, she also was surprised by a marriage proposal from Michael Klips. So, the "Dinner for 10" became an impromptu engagement party. She selected the menu for the 5 course gourmet meal with "chef" Mark Napoleone. Each course was accompanied by a complementing wine and skillfully presented in a candlelit atmosphere. All in attendance enthusiastically celebrated the engagement and declared the evening a success. Guests attended from Albion, Nunda, Warsaw and Rochester, with some chauffeured by limousine.
The runner-up winners received T.F. Brown's/Bowling Alley gift certificates (tickets were drawn on February 6th at T.F. Brown’s restaurant in downtown Batavia, NY). Pete and Judy McQuillen of LeRoy, NY won the second place $100 gift certificate and Batavian Roseanne Quinn received the third place $50 gift certificate. The Foundation’s Board thanks everyone who purchased tickets making this a very successful fundraiser.
New Year Eve Celebration - December 31, 2008
The second annual New Year's Eve fundraising event was held in the Sacred Heart Social Hall in Batavia, NY. Because Michael loved pirates, this year's theme was "Unlock the Treasures 09" with various treasure chests holding the keys to a lucky winner. Once again, patrons enjoyed find food and refreshments, as well as many great prizes in the chinese and silent auctions. A memorial baloon launch was held also. A New Year's Eve snow storm didn't effect attendance. Despite the weak economy, the big crowd showed their support of the foundation by making this one of the most successful fundraisers to date.
Hometown hoops II - November 29, 2008
Once again, alumni from both Batavia and Notre Dame high schools came together for a charity game with the proceeds benefiting the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation. This year's game was played at Notre Dame High School in Batavia, NY. Those in attendance enjoyed some friendly competition as well as the chance of winning one of the many raffles and 50/50 drawings. The Foundation thanks those who participated and attended, making it a fundraising success and enabling the Foundation to continue its work in help those less fortunate.
Youth Football Day - October 4, 2008
The Foundation held its second "awareness" day at Batavia Youth Football on Saturday, October 4th, 2008. Kids of all ages enjoyed pumpkin and face painting, treats and giveaways. This year, the league was forced to look for a new site at which to play their games. With the relocation, the league needed a new scoreboard. The Foundation stepped in to help off-set some of their relocation costs by purchasing their scoreboard. The Napoleone family, relatives, friends and foundation members were on hand as Batavia Youth Football made a formal dedication of the new scoreboard.
Suttell golf tournament - July 26, 2008
Thanks to all that made this tournament a great success. The money donated to the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Inc. enables the foundation to continue its good works. Hope to see you all at next years tournament.
!st Annual 13 and under baseball tournament -2008
The 2008 Michael Napoleone Memorial Baseball Tournament for children 13 years-old and under took place in Batavia, NY from Friday, July 25 through Sunday, July 27. The ten team tournament included teams from Buffalo, Batavia, Rochester and as far away as Vaughan, Canada (north of Toronto). The games were played at various diamonds around Batavia and included Genesee Community College and Dwyer Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals’ Class A affiliate Batavia Muckdogs.
As well as baseball, there were activities for kids of all ages. They were able to enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, a bounce house, kid raffles and more. Spectators were able try their luck with a Chinese auction which included; baseball helmets, bats, balls, catcher’s masks (goalie style), pitching machines (inside and outside units) radar gloves, radar bats, autograph book by Hall-of-Famer Mike Schmidt, pitching CDs, coaching CDs and much more.
At 6pm on Saturday at Dwyer Stadium there was an “Awareness Ceremony” held on the field. The ceremony paid tribute to Michael and his continued spirit that lives on. Families who have endured the challenges of childhood cancer took the field as well. A memorial balloon launch into the evening sky was held at this time to pay tribute and send wishes to those who have been touched by illness. The “Spirit of Michael” award given to a player who exemplified Michael’s “never give up” attitude in the face of adversity was awarded to Mike Vogle, of Carnegie- Scranton .He received a bat from Cooperstown engraved with “The Spirit of Michael Award.” Also, just by being in the tournament, every player had a chance to win an autographed baseball by Derek Jeter. The ball was awarded to a player from the Greece Bombers.
In keeping with The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation’s mission statement regarding pediatric cancer research, the Foundation presented checks to Rochester’s Golisano’s Children’s Hospital ($5000) and Buffalo’s Roswell Park Cancer Institute ($5,000). The foundation awarded United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia $1000 to purchase two pediatric wheel chairs.
After the memorial balloon launch and ceremonial first pitches were thrown (Michael’s doctor, Dr. David Korones and Joey Wujek.), Kayla Underwood from Pembroke, NY, a cancer survivor, sang the American National Anthem. Maureen Edwards of Batavia graced the crowd with her rendition of the Canadian National Anthem as a tribute to our friends who traveled from the North.
On Sunday, fans enjoyed the fine weather as well as the continued great food at the concession stands and watched some outstanding baseball. The championship game, played at Dwyer Stadium, was covered by six umpires who did a great job throughout the tournament. The first champion crowned in the Michael Napoleone Memorial Baseball tournament was the A-Turf Titans from Williamsville, NY. Runner-up went to the Southtown Knights from West Seneca, NY. Both teams were awarded team trophies and individual trophies.
The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Inc, and its’ board of directors would like to thank all of those who contributed to the success of this tournament. All the proceeds raised during this tournament benefit the Foundation and enable it to continue to help families experiencing the sickness of a child, assist with youth organizations, and contribute to the ongoing research for pediatric cancers.
Gala Art Auction - March 29, 2008
The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation hosted a “Bid for a Cure” gala art auction on Saturday, March 29th in downtown Batavia’s historical GoArt building. Guests enjoyed sampling the wide arrange of h’ordeuvres, and beverages while bidding on over 50 pieces of art work from artisans from around the country during the silent auction. Also, five “themed” baskets were placed in various rooms for guest to purchase tickets on. At 8:30 pm auctioneers Rick Mancuso and John Sisson directed a lively and humorous live auction that included over 35 works of art. Those attending were awarded the chance to win the door prize, a $200 voucher from First Choice Travel to show/play of their choice. The evening was a great success raising funds to help the foundation continue with its mission of helping families experiencing the sickness of a child, assisting youth organizations, and contributing to the ongoing research of pediatric cancers.
New Years 08 - December 31, 2007
The first annual Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation New Year’s Eve celebration, “Celebration 08,” took place Monday, December 31, 2007 at the Sacred Heart Social Center in Batavia, NY. Over 400 people attended this event and enjoyed fine foods and refreshments while listening to the sounds of DJ Frank Gioia. This family oriented event enabled young and old to enjoy a night out together and support a worthwhile cause. Guests were able to bid on over 100 Chinese auction baskets and over 50 silent auction items. At 11:08 pm there was a memorial balloon launch, where patrons were able to purchase a balloon in memory of a loved one. Proceeds from the event will go towards the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation and its mission. Mark and Laurie Napoleone, the board of directors of the Foundation, and the events’ committee, want to thank the many people who donated their time, energy, gifts and donations to make this event so successful.
Hometown Hoops - November 23, 2007
A lively game of basketball between alumni of Batavia and Notre Dame high schools was held in the Batavia High School gym. The cheering fans were also treated to entertainment by local grade school kids, photos with Santa, a bike raffle and much more.
"Kick-off" Cancer - October 13, 2007
This free event was the official start to the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation. Foundation board members and volunteers were there to support Batavia Youth football and "score one" against cancer by bringing our football friends and family to this fun filled event. Kids enjoyed face painting, pumpkin carving, treats and other refreshments. Batavia Youth Football "retired" Michael's #55 jersey he wore for the Vikings last season, had it enclosed in a frame and presented it to the Napoleone family during a mid-field ceremony. The foundation thanks all of those who attended and made the "kick-off" of the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Inc. a huge success.
