Herd About Buffalo

Buffalo Campaign Reemerges To Raise Money For Roswell Park

Remember about 10 years ago when you'd see random decorated Buffalo statues around the city?  Well you're going to be seeing them again and just like last time, it's for a good cause.   

The campaign first ran in 2000 with over 150 buffalo statues scattered across the city and even the suburbs.  After the last campaign, the Herd about Buffalos group donated more than $1.6 million to Roswell Park.  The group told Channel 7 WKBW they hope to make a significant donation again. 

"It was a wonderful art project the city embraced," organizer Sally Russell told Channel 7.  She also said that decorating the city and helping a cause like Roswell is a win-win for all involved. 

Roswell is also auctioning off Buffalo statues to raise money. 

"We have 12 painted wonderfully decorated buffalos you can bid on. All the proceeds from this project will go toward research at Roswell and certainly the patients," Russell said.

To get involved visit Roswell Park online or the Herd About Buffalo site. 

Find West Herr at the Ride For Roswell

The West Herr Crew will be downtown all weekend at the Gus Macker Basketball Tournament.  Take a look at the map to find your way around the event:

We'll be all over the place, so keep an eye out.  More importantly, come down to support a great cause like the Buffalo Police Athletic League and Kids Escaping Drugs. 

The Gus Macker Tournament started with the following objectives in mind:

• A Wholesome, family-oriented event.
• A tournament designed by players for players
• A value to sponsors.
• An outstanding fund-raising event for the local community.
• A major media sporting event.
• Entertaining for the spectators.

West Herr is proud to be involved once again.  The Buffalo version of the Gus Macker is consistently one of the largest in the country and we hope everyone in Western New York is there to make it count.  See you there!

Time to Ride For Roswell

Annual Cycling Fundraiser To Be Held Next Weekend in Buffalo

It's that time of year to ride for a good cause.  The 15th Annual Ride For Roswell will take place Saturday June 26th in an effort to raise money for cancer research. 

The Ride is celebrating it's 15th Anniversary. The Ride has raised more than $10.7 million for Roswell Park Cancer Institute since its inception 15 years ago.

Now drawing pledges and participants from across the country and Canada, The Ride For Roswell uses its collective strength to help ensure cancer research is always funded and that the most advanced treatments and world-class care are always available to patients.

The West Herr Auto Group is proud to be participating again.  All of us at West Herr have been touched by cancer in some manner.  We will be operating a rest stop along the bike route in Ellicott Creek Park (Shelter #15) from 8AM-12:30PM. 

Take a look at our photos from last year's event here.

All along, Roswell has been offering multiple training events and other types of preparation for riders. The final ride preparation training event will take place this Saturday at University of Buffalo's North Campus. Our recent blog post showed how Roswell offered training to riders on emergency weather related situations. 

All routes with the exception of the Peloton start and end at University at Buffalo North Campus (Baird Point area) – Amherst, NY. The Peloton starts at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and ends at UB’s Baird Point.  Maps are avaiable at the ride website. 

There is still time left to donate to a rider or volunteer.  To get involved visit the Ride for Roswell website today. 

Update on Thursday, June 24, 2010 at 2:18PM by Josh Kruk

The 325 Mile Ride For Roswell

Gordon Gross on his trek from Ann Arbor To BuffaloGordon Gross is not your average retired attorney.  Gross is more than just dedicated to raising money for cancer awareness, he's fully devoted.  Gross is currently en route from Ann Arbor, MI to Buffalo on his bicycle.  His 325-mile bike ride will conclude with the Ride For Roswell this Saturday. 

Gross is aiming to raise $50,000 for cancer research.  In 2000 he raised $70,000 with a similar ride. 

For the full article on Gordon Gross read the Buffalo News story on him here.

Buffalo Hospice Memorial Walk

Support A Needed Cause This Weekend in Buffalo

This Sunday May 23rd brings the 14th annual Hospice Memorial Walk to Buffalo.   These walks have raised raised $1.9 million so far for Hospice and thousands are expected to participate. 

As with every walk Hospice Buffalo hopes to "pay special tribute to those loved ones that are no longer with us and honor our current and future Hospice patients."

The walk startes at the  Erie Canal Harbor Central Wharf (near the HSBC Arena and the Naval Park) at 11 AM.   The 5K walk (3.1 miles) will take walkers through Buffalo's scenic waterfront and historic Downtown. 

Hospice is also offering a one-mile fun walk saying, "it's just right for wheelchairs or families with small children."

Follow this map to the starting location. 

Check in/registration starts at 9 AM sharp. There will be refreshments and first aid along the way.

After the walk ends, there are numerous activities for walkers and supporers to enjoy.  Hospice will provice  games, activities, face painting, special guests and prizes.  Keep an eye out for the special "Kids Corner" as well.  In addition Wegmans and Wardynski's will cater a picnic.  

The West Herr Auto Group is proud to be involved with the Hospice Walk again.  Associate Nate Wintringer is organizing the West Herr team and is working hard to break last year's totals.    

"We want to help raise money for an outstanding local organization that has touched so many lives," Wintringer says.  The West Herr Hospice Walk donation page can be seen here.

While registration is officially closed, there's still time to donate.  Click on any of the following links to get started:

Donate

Spread The Word

Sponsorships

Update on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 10:10AM by Josh Kruk

A sincere thank you to all employees who donated time and money to the 2010 Hospice Memorial Walk. It was a record year for Hospice, with the most ever walkers in attendance - over 3,000! This year Hospice raised an additional $20,000 over last year's total.

We are pleased to announce that the West Herr Automotive Group was again the Top Fundraising Team! We raised $9,109 for Hospice.

The Hospice walk is just one of the many examples of how our employees are committed to the communities we work with.  Thank you for ALL that you do, for ALL the charitable and philanthropic activities supported by West Herr.

We look forward to another outstanding show of support for next year's walk.

Hilbert College To Honor West Herr President

Scott Bieler to Receive Honorary Doctorate From Local College

At their upcoming commencement ceremony, Hilbert College will present an honorary doctorate of humane letter to West Herr President Scott Bieler as well as commencment speaker Bishop Edward U. Kmiec of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.

West Herr's relationship with Hilbert is well-established.  Scott Bieler is a former trustee with Hilbert College.  West Herr Chairman Brad Hafner is also heavily involved with the school.  Recently, West Herr's E-business director worked with Hilbert on their web presence and search engine optimization. 

Aside from Hilbert, Scott Bieler and West Herr are involved with hundreds of local charities and causes.  Bieler personally dedicates much time and resources to Roswell Park is also a board member at the Buffalo Zoo and the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.  West Herr will also volunteer at the upcoming Gus Macker tournament. 

"It's amazing how much this company does for charity, it's something Im really proud to be a part of," said Lina Clark, internal coordinator at West Herr GM in East Aurora.

Scott Bieler started out as a sales associate with West Herr in 1975 and eventually became president in 1997 and majority owner in 2000.  West Herr is now the largest automotive group in New York State and 22nd largest in the nation.  West Herr has been ranked by Business First as one of the Best Places to Work in Western New York for six years straight.  

Hilbert College’s 49^th annual commencement ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. May 8 in the Wesleyan Church of Hamburg, 4999 McKinley Parkway in Hamburg.  They will present 240 students with degrees.  For more information visit Hilbert online today.