Media Advisory
March 4, 2020

Media Contact
Golisano Foundation
(o) 585-586-6650
(m) 585-729-7533
#HOWtoInclude
Today is Spread the Word Inclusion Day
Rochester, NY—March 4, 2020—For the tenth year, thousands of people in our region will pledge to Spread the Word Inclusion. The annual movement, which kicked off in Rochester this past Sunday with the first ever Festival of Inclusion, continues this week as people will pledge to stop all types of discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities.

The campaign was created and reimagined by youth, and is intended to engage schools, organizations and communities to rally and pledge their support of inclusion and to promote respect and acceptance of people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In Rochester the Golisano Foundation, Best Buddies and Special Olympics are encouraging everyone to get involved and take the pledge.


EVENT HIGHLIGHTS - March 4

  • Best Buddies Hobart and William Smith Colleges
  • Pledge table in the Scandling Campus Center
  • Best Buddies University at Buffalo Medical School
  • Pledge banner signing in the atrium of our school – second floor atrium of Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
  • Best Buddies Nazareth College – Shults Center, 4245 East Avenue
  • Best Buddies Cornell University – Mann Library, Ithaca
  • Pledge poster table
  • Gates Chili High School –1 Spartan Way, Rochester
  • Pledge poster table
  • Hilton High School – Cafeteria, 400 East Ave, Hilton
  • Pledge poster table
  • Honeoye Falls-Lima Middle School – 619 Quaker Meeting House Rd, Honeoye Falls
  • Pledge poster table
  • Jewish Senior Life – 2021 Winton Road South
  • Pledge event with raffles; Performance by Dance Troupe; Bake sale; Work groups with Arc of Monroe Day Habitat program
  • Mary Cariola Center
  • Penfield Central School District – High School, 25 High School Dr
  • University of Rochester – American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD)
  • Eastman Dental Center
  • School 17 clinic
  • UR School of Medicine
  • Gregory Street Band from ARC playing over lunch hour at Cafe 601 at Strong Memorial Hospital

FUTURE EVENTS:
  • Best Buddies – University at Buffalo Dental April 15, 2020 at 10 a.m.
  • "Smile Day" at the Museum of Disability History; A dental carnival where resident homes with residents who have disabilities and public schools are invited; Pledge poster signing
  • Cobblestone Arts Center – May 31, 2020 at 8 a.m.
  • Community fundraiser walk/run and roll at 1622 RT 332 Farmington, NY 14425
About the Golisano Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the U.S. dedicated to making the world a better place for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Foundation is devoted to opening doors to opportunity, changing negative perceptions and stereotypes, and forging unprecedented partnerships to ensure individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have pathways to personal dignity, independence and the best possible expression of their abilities and talents throughout their lifetimes. Founded in 1985 by Tom Golisano—entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader, and founder and chairman of Paychex, Inc. —the Foundation “imagines the possibilities,” advocating for families, fighting for their dignity and giving people with IDD the opportunity to thrive in their communities. With more than $55 million in gross assets and awards about $3 million annually to non-profit organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida.

About Special Olympics New York - Celebrating its 50 th  anniversary, Special Olympics New York is the largest state chapter in the country, serving more than 67,000 athletes across New York with year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health screenings. The organization also partners with more than 170 schools statewide to offer Unified Sports. All Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families or caregivers. For additional information about Special Olympics New York, to learn more about getting involved, or to make a donation, visit  www.specialolympicsNY.org .

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
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