June 2, 2022
Categories: community, In the Community
With average attendance of over 250,000 people, Taste of Syracuse is the biggest two-day event in Central New York and The Summit has been the title sponsor since 2017. Each year, two local charities are named to be the beneficiaries of the event.
This year’s event will raise funds for two Central New York organizations, each working to make a difference in the lives of area children: Make-A-Wish Central NY and McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center.
The Summit, along with presenting sponsor Tops Friendly Markets, will be working with other sponsors and vendors to raise our goal of $10,000 for these great charities all weekend long.
Make-A-Wish Central New York
At Make-A-Wish Central New York, they create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses across the 15-county, Central New York region that they serve. It’s what they do: “transforming lives, one wish at a time.” Be it a puppy, a Disney trip, a room makeover, or a new pool, they strive to exceed a child’s expectations, and deliver the transformational hope and healing that is unique to each wish.
COVID impacted the wish landscape, and the travel wishes that were so popular. As a result, pools and she-sheds, tree houses and room makeovers, hot tubs and accessible playsets have all become exceedingly popular wishes for the 2 – 18-year-old kids that they serve. Currently they have nearly 190 kids awaiting their own unique wish… and some simply don’t have time to wait.
In addition to coming down to Taste of Syracuse and spinning the wheel at The Summit’s tent for $1, there are so many ways that YOU can help make a child’s life-changing wish come true. Visit www.cny.wish.org or call 315-475-9474 to learn of all the ways you help.
McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center
Abuse. The word alone is hard to hear. The statistics are astounding and frightening: about 1 in 10 children is sexually abused; every 8 minutes a child is sexually abused; and nearly 5 children die every day from neglect and abuse. And when a child has been abused, it is even harder to know where to turn for help, guidance, and understanding. At the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center, they are serving all children affected by child abuse to include youth human trafficking survivors and child victims of gun violence. They currently serve over 1,000 victims each year.
McMahon Ryan’s streamlined approach partners with law enforcement, children and family services, social workers, medical professionals, victim advocates, prosecutors, therapists and volunteers under one roof – and preserves the best evidence for investigators in cases of child abuse or human trafficking. Whenever possible, children tell their story only once to a highly trained forensic interviewer who knows the right questions to ask in a way that does not re-traumatize the child. The child connects to a victim advocate, gets one medical exam, and meets with a therapist. Team members work together to provide the child and family the support services they need – all the way through trial and beyond.
The McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center’s commitment to the safety and well-being of children extends beyond those served at our center. They are proud to offer a wide variety of school-based prevention education programs for children and youth enrolled in grades Pre-K through 12. Their programs aim to equip students with the knowledge and tools necessary to stay safe in unsafe and potentially harmful situations. They provide prevention education to more than 70 schools in Onondaga County reaching close to 20,000 students each year. For more information, please visit www.mcmahonryan.org .
“As a local credit union who is committed to supporting Syracuse, The Summit is so excited to be back as the title sponsor of this fantastic event,” said Twanda Christensen, Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement. “Please stop by our tent for fun activities and contests. All money raised goes directly to McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center and Make-A-Wish Central New York, two charities that strengthen our communities and make a difference in the lives of area children.”
Can’t make it to Taste of Syracuse, but want to donate to these two great charities? Click here today:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/bveuk-tos-makeawish-mcmahon-child-advocacy-center.