Empower Wellness

10/07/2026

🎉 16 days until the Buffalo Youth Gala! We can’t wait to gather at Highmark Stadium on October 23 for a night celebrating the young people and community we care so much about.
And take a look at what’s coming to the raffle! 🏈💙 Guests will have a chance to win an autographed Josh Allen jersey, Thurman Thomas helmet or jersey, Jim Kelly football, and more. TSE Buffalo will also host our silent auction.
There’s one more special opportunity: the first 12 donors who give more than $500 will receive a Buffalo Youth Gala football autographed by Thurman Thomas. You can scan the QR code in the image to donate.
The countdown is on. We’re excited to celebrate with you! 🦬✨

09/14/2026

🎉 WE’RE OFFICIALLY SOLD OUT! 🎉
The 2026 Buffalo Youth Gala is shaping up to be an incredible night — and we’re excited to announce that individual tickets, full tables, and Bronze Sponsorships are officially SOLD OUT!
The response from our community has been amazing, and we cannot thank everyone enough for showing up in such a big way for our youth. 💙
📅 October 23, 2026
📍 Highmark Stadium
🏈 Featuring special guest Thurman Thomas
While event seating is now sold out, there are still opportunities for organizations to be part of this special evening through our remaining Silver and Platinum Sponsorships.
If your organization has been considering joining us, now is the time! Sponsorship is an opportunity to support programs focused on youth mental health, wellness, athletics, and access to meaningful opportunities while being recognized alongside an incredible group of community partners.
We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Highmark Stadium and celebrate what our community can accomplish when we come together for our kids.
Buffalo Youth Gala 2026 — SOLD OUT and counting down! 🏟️✨

09/14/2026

💙 Thank You, DRN Counseling!
We are incredibly grateful to DRN Counseling for their generous sponsorship and support of the 2026 Buffalo Youth Gala!
It means so much to have organizations that share our commitment to strengthening our community and supporting the mental health, wellness, and success of young people stand alongside us.
Thank you to the entire DRN Counseling team for investing in our mission and helping us create meaningful opportunities for youth and families throughout our community.
We are proud to have DRN Counseling as a partner and look forward to celebrating together at the Buffalo Youth Gala! 💙

09/14/2026

💚 Thank You, M&T Bank!
We are incredibly grateful to M&T Bank for their generous sponsorship and donation in support of the 2026 Buffalo Youth Gala!
Support from community partners like M&T Bank helps make this event possible and, more importantly, helps us continue investing in programs and opportunities that support the mental health, wellness, and success of young people throughout our community.
Thank you to the entire M&T Bank team for believing in this mission and for continuing to invest in the youth of Western New York. We are proud to have you as a partner and look forward to celebrating together at the Buffalo Youth Gala! 💚

07/15/2026

💙 GIVE716 STARTS TODAY! 💙
Today and tomorrow, Western New York comes together for one incredible purpose: supporting local nonprofits that are changing lives.
At Empower Wellness, every dollar helps remove barriers to mental health care and youth athletics by providing counseling, scholarships, equipment, and opportunities that allow children and families to thrive.
This year, your gift can go even further through Give716, with matching donations, Power Hours, and exciting donor giveaways throughout the event!
🎯 Support Empower Wellness here:
Donate to Empower Wellness through Give716
💥 Maximize Your Impact
Throughout Give716, there are Power Hours where donations help unlock matching funds, including:
🟦 Wednesday, July 15
• 7:16 PM – $71,600 Matching Donation
• 9:00 PM – $50,000 Matching Donation
🟦 Thursday, July 16
• 8:00 AM – $25,000 Matching Donation
• 10:00 AM – $25,000 Matching Donation
• 1:00 PM – $25,000 Matching Donation
• 3:00 PM – $20,000 Matching Donation
• 5:00 PM – $25,000 Matching Donation
• 7:00 PM – $25,000 Matching Donation
Every donation during these times helps participating nonprofits compete for additional funding.
🎁 Donate & Win!
Your donation could also earn you exclusive Give716 prizes, including:
🏈 Bills preseason tickets
🏒 Sabres tickets & signed Josh Allen jersey
🥍 Bandits tickets
⚾ Bisons tickets
🧢 Exclusive New Era Give716 cap
👕 Give716 T-shirt
🍺 B**r Sabre
🎟️ Golden Ticket drawings throughout the event
Check the schedule below to see when each giveaway becomes available and the qualifying donation amounts!
Every contribution—whether it's $10, $25, $50, or more—helps Empower Wellness continue expanding access to mental health services and athletics for children and families across Western New York.
Together, we can build stronger, healthier communities.

https://give716.org/give/give716/give716/2026-give-716/charities/empower-wellness-inc

💙 Thank you for believing in our mission.

Join me in making a difference in WNY by donating to Give 716 today!

06/16/2026

💙 Supporting One of Our Empower Wellness Families 💙

At Empower Wellness, we are more than a community organization—we are a family. Today, we are asking our community to come together in support of one of the very first families to receive a youth scholarship.

Many of you know Jim as a devoted grandfather, a caring family man, and someone who has always been willing to lend a helping hand to others. His love, encouragement, and unwavering support have made a lasting impact on his family and everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Now, during a difficult time, his family could use our support. Jim a lifelong Buffalo Sabres fan was diagnosed with ALS in February and has recently started hospice care.

We are honored to stand alongside this family and encourage anyone who is able to consider contributing to their GoFundMe campaign or sharing it with others. Every donation, no matter the size, helps ease the burden and reminds this family that they are not facing this journey alone.

Please join us in supporting Jim and his loved ones:

https://gofund.me/fc045f23e

Thank you for helping us continue to build a community where neighbors support neighbors and families never have to face hardship alone.

Hello everyone, my name is Shentel Dietrich. I’m a loving wife and grandmot… Shentel Carnes needs your support for Support Shentel's Family Through ALS Battle

05/28/2026

We are incredibly excited to announce that Empower Wellness NY’s Kids in Motion Campaign has officially reached capacity with 40 applications submitted! 💙⚽🏀🏃‍♀️
This response has been absolutely amazing and is a powerful reminder of how important access to athletics, wellness, and mental health support is for our youth and families.
Over the next 24 hours, our team will carefully review applications and notify selected recipients tomorrow.
For applicants who may not be selected during this funding round: PLEASE know that we are creating a waitlist, and if additional funding becomes available, we would be honored to support even more children throughout our community.
This is only the beginning. Because of supporters, donors, and community partners, we are continuing to build opportunities that help kids stay active, connected, confident, and supported.
Thank you again to everyone who applied, shared the program, donated, and believed in this mission. We cannot wait to continue growing this movement together. 💙

05/18/2026

🌞 Free Summer Camp for 40 Oneida County Kids!
We're so excited to share this with our community. Empower Wellness NY has partnered with Notre Dame Schools to cover the full cost of the Kids in Motion Summer Day Camp — up to two full weeks — for 40 local children.
Completely free, for any Oneida County family with a child ages 6–13.
What kids get to enjoy:

Indoor & outdoor sports
Arts & crafts
STEM activities
Social-building games
Special guest visits all summer long

📅 July 6 – August 21 | 9 AM – 3 PM
📍 Notre Dame Schools, Utica
👧🧒 Ages 6–13, open to all Oneida County families
All we ask is that families complete a quick pre- and post-camp survey and sign a media release so we can share the fun.
Spots are first-come, first-served, so don't wait! Scan the QR code on the flyer or apply directly at 👉 empower-wellnessny.org/about-1
Please tag a parent, share with a neighbor, or send it to anyone who could use a great summer for their kiddo. 💙

04/23/2026

We’re honored to welcome a Buffalo legend to the stage.

This year, the Buffalo Youth Gala is proud to feature Thurman Thomas for an exclusive Meet & Greet and Fireside Chat.
A cornerstone of the Buffalo Bills dynasty, Thurman Thomas is a Pro Football Hall of Famer, NFL MVP (1991), and a 5-time Pro Bowl selection. As one of the most dynamic running backs in NFL history, he helped lead the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances and remains one of the most respected figures in the game.
Beyond football, Thurman continues to make a lasting impact through his commitment to the Western New York community—supporting youth development, health initiatives, and charitable causes that uplift families across the region.
At this year’s gala, guests will have the opportunity to:
• Meet Thurman Thomas in person
• Hear firsthand about his journey—from NFL greatness to community leadership
• Gain insight during an intimate fireside conversation focused on perseverance, purpose, and giving back
Join us as we celebrate leadership, resilience, and community impact—while supporting the mission of Empower Wellness.
📍 Buffalo Youth Gala
📅 October 30, 2026
📌 Highmark Stadium
🎟️ https://www.empower-wellnessny.org/buffalo-youth-gala

04/17/2026

Join us at. this Incredible event as we raise funds to support our youth in our community! Tickets available for purchase at https://www.empower-wellnessny.org/buffalo-youth-gala