Gifts of Love and Hope Halloween benefit Saturday
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DUNKIRK -- Who says holiday giving starts in the winter? Halloween can be for more than just giving out candy, and a local fundraiser is aimed at proving exactly that.
Gifts of Love and Hope is hosting a Halloween benefit to help the children with cancer in western New York through the Courage of Carly Fund. The event will be held on Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club in Dunkirk.
Several local bands will be performing at the event, including Furious George from noon until 3 p.m., Living Room Jam Band from 3:30-5:30 p.m., and Jess and the Mess from 6-9 p.m.
There will be over 200 raffle prizes and giveaways at the event, with all the money raised going to support children battling cancer. Children with participating adults get three small toys and six chances at six toys. Children dressed in Halloween costumes have a chance to win Walmart gift cards valued at $50 to $100.
Rick Kozlowski, event organizer, was inspired to help in the fight against cancer after his father, Richard Kozlowski Sr., passed away from cancer. Kozlowski said, "Although my father lived long past his childhood, I am determined to do what I can to help children battling this terrible disease."
Kozlowski does his part through Courage of Carly, a program at Roswell Park Cancer Center that offers support to children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, along with their families throughout their child's treatment. Kozlowski has helped support children with Gifts of Love and Hope in the past by donating Christmas presents and proceeds from events to benefit Roswell Park. The Halloween event is Kozlowski's latest effort to "put a smile on each patient's face".
Kozlowski thanks the Conservation Club for hosting the event, as well as all the generous donors that helped with raffle prizes, and all the people who will be attending the event and offering support.