FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Keaton T. DePriest | Public Relations Coordinator | 716-512-8384 | ktdpublicrelations@gmail Fundraiser honors community leader, benefits high school students CHEEKTOWAGA, NY (Sept. 6, 2013) – A fundraiser in October will benefit student scholarships that were recently established to honor the life of Jackie Schmid, an influential community leader who died in 2012. Schmid was a chairperson and coordinator of many local events, including the General Pulaski Parade, the annual Polish-American Arts Festival and the Crabapple Festival, which she sought to initiate in 2009 to celebrate the heritage of the Town of Cheektowaga. She also assisted in managing the Cheektowaga Patriotic Commission and the Cheektowaga Community Symphony Orchestra. The Jackie Schmid Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser, which will feature musical entertainment by several Polka bands, in addition to food and raffles, will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at The Valley of Buffalo Banquet Hall, 2379 Union Road, Cheektowaga. The venue was formerly Lily of the Valley. Tickets for the event cost $20 presale and $25 at the door. Presale tickets can be purchased until Tuesday, Oct. 1. Admission includes beer, soft drinks and buffet food. A cash bar will be available. Bands scheduled to perform include The Knewz, The Touch, Phocus, New Direction, Special Delivery, Concertina All Stars and other special guests. The event will also include prize raffles and a basket auction. Planning for the fundraiser began in the spring and in August, the Jackie Schmid Memorial Scholarship Fund was established as a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization. The JSMCF organization is comprised of more than a dozen of Schmid’s friends and family who seek to celebrate her dedication to community service through the awarding of an annual scholarship. Ed Kutas, owner of Polish Villa and Polish Villa II, is chairperson of the organization. He said his 30-year friendship with Schmid was full of many great memories. “We helped each other out so much,” Kutas said. “She definitely did her part in helping people. She was a great friend for more than 30 years. We met while babysistting my younger cousin. She was one person who would never say ‘no’ if you needed help.” Other members of the organization, including Joe Farris, said Schmid “had a heart of gold” and she was a part of so many lives. “[Jackie] made you feel loved and asking nothing in return,” Farris said. “She meant the world to me – she was like a big sister to me.” Schmid also worked as an aide to U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins. Bonnie Lockwood, a friend and co-worker, said Schmid was the office’s “sunshine lady,” remembering every staff member’s birthday and organizing holiday events. “Jackie Schmid’s word was her bond,” Lockwood said. “If she told you she was going to do something, she got it done. If she didn’t know the person who could help you, she knew a person who knew a person who could help you. Jackie was fiercely loyal. She knew how to be a friend – not just when times were good, but especially when times were tough.” In May 2014, the organization will award five Cheektowaga students with scholarships to assist in the costs of attending a two-or four-year college or a trade school. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors from one of the five main Cheektowaga-based districts: Cheektowaga Central, Cheektowaga-Sloan, Cleveland Hill, Depew or Maryvale. Applications will be available in the winter and must be received by Tuesday, April 1, 2014. The JSMCF committee is still accepting donations to assist with the fundraiser. Contributions in the form of checks or money orders may be mailed to: Jackie Schmid Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1152, Cheektowaga, N.Y. 14225-8152. Further information is available online by visiting jackieschmidmemorialscholarship.org or on Facebook by searching the phrase “Jackie Schmid Memorial Scholarship Fund.” For more details or to arrange an interview with a member of the organization, contact Public Relations Coordinator Keaton T. DePriest by calling 716-512-8384 or emailing ktdpublicrelations@gmail.
Posted on: Sun, 15 Sep 2013 20:58:59 +0000
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