FINAL Dining in the Dark 2022 Program

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A message from Tammy Owen,

President & CEO

On behalf of the staff and Board of Directors of VIA: Visually Impaired Advancement, we welcome you to our 9th Annual Dining in the Dark. It is a great pleasure to share this evening with you.

For over 100 years, VIA: Visually Impaired Advancement has been a helping hand for individuals experiencing vision loss. We provide tools, education, rehabilitation, job training, job placement, and support for both children and adults of all ages.

You cannot underestimate the impact that a diagnosis of visual impairment or blindness has on a person and their loved ones. From education and equipment to services and support, VIA is a partner that provides hope, empowerment, and solutions for the visually impaired community.

Your attendance, participation, and generosity enable us to continue our work, reach more people, educate a wider public, and transform even more lives. As the past few years have shown us, when we work together, there is nothing we can’t accomplish and overcome.

On behalf of the individuals we serve, thank you for your support.

Enjoy your evening,

Dining in the Dark Co-Chairs

Scott & Kathy Bieler West Herr Automotive

A native of Orchard Park, Scott Bieler, President & CEO of the West Herr Automotive Group, began his career at West Herr in 1975 as a salesman, was promoted to Sales management in 1979, General Manager in 1981, became President in 1997, and has been majority owner since 2000, along with his partners; Brad Hafner, John Wabick and Bill Loecher. Employing over 2,500 people, he has helped grow the company to become the largest automotive group in New York State and the 17th-largest auto group in the country.

Scott’s community involvement has been extensive through the years. He is the Vice Chair of the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation Board and co-chaired their capital campaign to build the new Bieler Clinical Sciences Center, Board of Director for Visit Buffalo Niagara, Invest Buffalo Niagara and Daemen College, and a member of the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable. Scott served on the Upstate New York Federal Reserve Regional Advisory Board for 5 years and has served on the Boards of the Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, and Hilbert College. Kathy has been active for three terms in the environmental arena serving in leadership positions with the Western New York Land Conservancy, and currently is the Board President. A CPA, Kathy served as Finance and Operations Director for more than 20 years with a prominent local financial group.

Through the Scott Bieler Family Foundation, Scott and Kathy have made leadership gifts to Mercy Hospital in South Buffalo for the renovation of the Emergency Room, the Rural Outreach Center in East Aurora for the construction of the new Scott Bieler Foundation building, and the Jericho Road Community Health Center/Vive for the purchase of the Scott Bieler Family Foundation building at their new location at 1500 Main Street in Buffalo.

West Herr, which was founded in 1950, started as a single point Ford Dealership in Hamburg, New York, and is the largest automotive group in New York State. Since 1950, West Herr has sold over 1,200,000 vehicles. With 35 locations in Erie, Niagara, Monroe and Ontario counties representing 23 franchises and over 2,500 employees. In 2021, West Herr sold nearly 60,000 vehicles and serviced more than 470,000 vehicles. West Herr has received Business First of Buffalo’s “Best Places to Work in WNY” award for 18 consecutive years and the Better Business Bureau “Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics” 8 times. The West Herr Automotive Group is dedicated to absolute excellence in customer service provided by honest, responsible, and respectful people. West Herr supports individual pride, company spirit, and community involvement.

Acknowledgements

VIA Visually Impaired Advancement Board of Directors

Mai Agro

Stephen Cardarella

Phillip Catanese

Kevin Cross

Stephen Cross

Jason Daniels

Melissa Keith

Lisa Kirisits

John Kremer

Paul Lee, MD

Martha Lamparelli

Althea Luehrsen

Dennis McCoy

Eric Recoon

Raymond Reichert

Sandra Sieminski, MD

Ken Sullivan

Lamont Williams

This Evening’s Emcee, John Di Sciullo

John Di Sciullo is the Promotion and Production Manager for WBBZ-TV, Your Hometown MeTV Station, seen widely on Cable 5 (Ch67.1 on-air) in all of WNY where he hosts many programs on the station including the popular game show “Bragging Rights,” “Innovations In Health,” and many special presentations.

A longtime veteran of Buffalo television, John worked for 29 years at WKBW Channel 7 starting in 1983 as producer for “AM/Buffalo,” later becoming Promotion, Program, and News Director over the years.

John, and business partner James Gillan, created the nationally syndicated Saturday night program “Off Beat Cinema” in 1993, and will soon begin production on their 30th season.

In 2008, John was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame. John believes in Buffalo, hosting and producing events, notably the annual Variety Kids Telethon to benefit Oishei Children’s Hospital.

Keynote Speaker, Alex Prine

Alex Prine is the Assistant Supervisor for VIA’s switchboard operations at the Buffalo VA Hospital. He was born with Leber’s Optic Neuropathy, which affects the optic nerves connecting the eyes to the brain. Alex discovered VIA in 2019, when he began looking for employment. Before being accepted for a switchboard position, he began his career with VIA as a Quality Assurance Tester.

This year, in recognition of his work, he was nominated for the Employee of the Year Award from National Industries for the Blind which honors employees who excel at NIB-associated agencies. Alex’s interests include reading, walking, playing with his kids, and participating in church activities. He graduated from Houghton College in 2015 with a BA in Religious Studies. He is married with two children.

Keynote Speaker, Ray Zylinski

Ray Zylinski began his relationship with VIA at age two. He was born with bilateral retinoblastoma, more commonly known as cancer of the eyes. Ray underwent various surgeries and although the cancer was eradicated, he lost his vision.

Ray was enrolled in VIA’s Preschool, and later went to Public School in Hamburg, where he was taught braille by his Teacher of the Visually Impaired and white cane travel by his Orientation & Mobility Instructor. In 2013, he was hired at the Statler Center, VIA’s nationally recognized hospitality training program as an assistant, and soon after promoted to lead instructor.

Ray is currently VIA’s Vision Education Specialist, where he helps others experiencing vision loss to see what’s possible, and he presents to organizations and businesses throughout the community about the capabilities of people who are blind.

When not working, you’ll find Ray at Bills games, sampling some of Buffalo’s finest craft beers, listening to live music, and preparing for his upcoming wedding in October!

Agenda

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Regency Room

Wine, Beer & Cocktails

Raffles, Auctions

Wine Wall & Booze Barrel

7:00 PM - 7:15 PM

Welcome Emcee

John Di Sciullo

Thank you

Tammy Owen, VIA President

Honorary Chairpersons

Scott & Kathy Bieler | West Herr Automotive Group

7:15 PM - 7:30 PM

Video

Keynote Speakers

Alex Prine & Ray Zylinski

7:30 PM - 7:55 PM

Live Auction

Fund a Need

7:55 PM - 8:30 PM

Dinner & Dessert

Booze Barrel Winner Announced

8:30 PM

Auction Checkout

A very special thank you to our Dining in the Dark Planning Committee

Mai Agro

Stephen Cardarella

Kelsey Cimiano

Stephen Cross

Jason Daniels

Diana Hanson

Melissa Keith

Brooke Kibrick

John Kremer

Martha Lamparelli

Susan Lichtblau

businesses who generously donated the

Live Auction Items

Buffalo Bills Tickets | Value: $1,000

Don’t miss the home opener with a pair of tickets on the 45-yard line! These tickets are section 133 and will give an exciting view of our game against the Tennessee Titans!

Josh Allen #17 Jersey | Value: $700

Calling all Bills Mafia! This item is an official Josh Allen #17 jersey signed by the man himself, our QB1. Hang it in your Bills shrine, or wear it to your next tailgate. You may even get to wear it to Buffalo’s first-ever Super Bowl parade.

Private Cooking Class for 12 | Value: $1200

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook, enhance your skills with Auburn Watson’s award-winning handson class, allowing you and your friends to prepare a delicious dinner. Your group will have a blast learning cooking techniques by putting the menu together while collaborating closely with a renowned local chef and using the finest professional kitchen equipment. After you’ve finished cooking, you’ll head to the dining room to unwind and enjoy the dinner you just prepared.

Cajun Dinner for 8 | Value: $800

Grab some Mardi Gras beads, turn on some jazz and enjoy a genuine Louisiana dining experience in the comfort of your home. Hailing from Louisiana, chef Donna Delahoussaye will prepare and deliver an authentic multi-course dinner including muffulettas, shrimp and grits, gumbo, king cake, and beignets, accompanied by New Orleans-famous Hurricane cocktails.

Clay Shooting for Four | Value: $1,000

The Country Club of Buffalo has one of the area’s best sport shooting facilities and a long history of competitive shotgun shooting. The brush walk, a competitive shotgun shooting course similar to field hunting, is unique to the Country Club of Buffalo and is one of few in the country. After you and three friends experience this highly unique event, you’ll head to the Club House for a delicious lunch and cocktails.

Sponsors

Scott & Kathy Bieler

Sponsors

Brilliance

Visionary

Charles Losi Family

Dennis McCoy

Tammy Owen

Bond is grateful for VIA and its mission to assist the visually impaired achieve their highest level of independence.

SHINES A LIGHT ON THE WORK OF 211 WNY

We’ve had the privilege of observing this cruical resource firsthand.

Program Savvy Consulting applauds the Contact Center Staff for their caring and effective efforts to help thousands of their neighbors in WNY, espeically during the challenges of the last few years. We are proud to support them today!

Proud to Support

VIA & Dining in the Dark 2022

Proudly Supports

VIA & PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES

Thank you to the staff at Visually Impaired Advancement. Your effort, enthusiasm & commitment changes lives.

Tammy Owen - CEO/President VIA: Visually Impaired Advancement

Lippes Mathias, along with Managing Partner and VIA Board Chair, Kevin Cross, are proud to support VIA and its mission to help people who are blind or visually impaired achieve their highest level of independence.

lippes.com

ew York: Albany, Buffalo, Long Island, New York

City, Rochester // Florida: Jacksonville

Illinois: Chicago // Ontario: Greater Toronto Area

Texas: San Antonio // Washington, D.C.

We are here to support Visually Impaired Advancement and the residents of Western New York.

When you’re part of a community, caring is what you do

At Univera Healthcare, we’re committed to caring for our neighbors.