At each home bout, QCRG donates a portion of its proceeds to a local charity. We pick ones that are close to our heart, just like you do, when you are donating your money. Derby is about female empowerment and so it was natural for us to choose organizations with a similar focus. Some organizations specifically benefit women like the Girls Sports Foundation and the Priscilla Project but other ones, like the Food Bank of WNY and the National MS Society, have a lot of women as clients. All of them are vital to our community and we are thrilled to be able to support them.
The mission of the Food Bank of WNY is to “obtain nutritious food from public and private sources and efficiently distribute these resources to the hungry in Western New York through our member agencies.” Not only do they want to get the food to people who need it, but they aim to do it with respect. They take donations all year round at www.foodbankwny.org.
You always know that Planned Parenthood is at QCRG when you get passed a condom by one of our friendly announcers. They are a vital part of the WNY community and have been relied on by men and women. Particularly with current news, QCRG fiercely supports Planned Parenthood. Their website that details the myriad of services they offer as well as ways to volunteer and donate is: www.plannedparenthood.org.
One of the skaters favorite beneficiaries is, of course, the G.I.R.L.S. Sports Foundation. Roller derby is a sport. We’re all girls. What’s not to love? And this year, with the introduction of Junior Derby to QCRG, it is even closer to our hearts. The G.I.R.L.S. Sports Foundation works to promote academic achievement, respect, self confidence, healthy lifestyles, team work and good sportsmanship through sport participation for girls ages 4-18. Their website is: www.gsfwny.org.
Evergreen Health Services (formerly known as AIDS Community Services) endeavors to end the AIDS epidemic and minimize the effects of the disease in the WNY area. They do everything from education to hands on medical care and prevention services and everything in between. For more information on services and donation and volunteer opportunities, their website is: www.aidscommunityservices.com.
Crisis Services of Erie County first opened its doors in 1968 and has been a cornerstone of community support since then. According to its website, it in works to be the best agency to address issues related to emergency mental health by decreasing hospitalizations, suicides, violence, homelessness and other issues that accompany these social ills. They support the community in many different ways including, but not limited to, a 24-hour hotline, outreach services and education and training. Their website is www.crisisservices.com.
The Neighborhood Health Center provides health care to anyone who needs it, even if they can’t afford to pay for it. They are staffed by nurses, doctors, medical assistants, nurse midwives, dentists, dental hygienists and assistants, dieticians among other health care professionals. The Center also provides health education to the community in order to promote prevention through healthy lifestyles. Their website is www.neighborhoodhealthcenter.org.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Upstate NY serves the second highest population living with MS in the country — Western New York. Through their educational programs like the MS WHIP (at which QCRG volunteered), support groups, financial assistance through their Independence Fund, and research grants, over $11 million in New York state alone, the National MS Society provides hope and support for over 4,500 Western New Yorkers. For more information log on to www.msupstateny.org.