09/21/2025
How do we even begin to thank so many wonderful, generous, caring, supportive people in words. Honestly, I would have to write a book to even come close to thanking everyone. When we started out in 2022 like any new charitable endeavor we had no idea what to expect. We just wanted to raise a little extra funding to supplement the Town’s Baseball and Summer Rec programs. The support that you have provided for the children and families of Theresa has been overwhelming and exceeded any of the expectations we placed on our original goals. I am reluctant to start trying to thank every individual business and contributors only because there are so many I would hate to leave anyone out. Like I said I would have to write a book.
In the every day operation of any organization there are always some details that you realize may or may not work. You have to evolve and develop better strategies to achieve your mission. As a committee we have been honest with ourselves about those details and strategies always considering what works and what doesn’t work. The committee is in constant contact with many of our supporters and continuously having productive conversations about how to improve. We will improve and we will continue to work together with you to ensure our children and families have the best opportunities to enjoy life.
Every last cent we raise because of your kindness goes to the children of Theresa. The kids in our programs don’t pay anything to go on awesome trips to Water Safari, Syracuse Mets games and the Syracuse Zoo. You provide free baseball jerseys and hats, new equipment every year for our baseball teams, new equipment for Summer Rec, lots of snacks and meals to keep their bellies full from all that playing. I would be leaving a very important detail out if I didn’t mention the playground which was paid for entirely by you, all through donations from businesses and private citizens.
With all that said I can not go without thanking a few people who have worked tirelessly to make this organization successful. The Theresa Fire Department, Mark, Shelia, Matt, Julie, Jim, Theresa, Vin, Linda, John, Vickie, Tim, Janet, Matt and any I missed, THANK YOU! You have provided us with support and a place to carry out our mission from day one! We could never have gotten this far without you all. You are a true blessing to the community and we appreciate everything you’ve done for the kids.
I would also like to thank Tara Amato for having the vision to build a playground for the community. Tara along with Lynn and Scott Brown and the TYC Board worked tirelessly to scour every available resource to accomplish this lofty goal. Their leadership and dedication should be commended.
So from us to you, THANK YOU! From every kid and parent we talk to, THANK YOU! We have a lot of work to do. You have spoken and we are listening. The future will be bright and we will continue to grow.
Kris Ryder, President
Amber Murphy, Vice President
Lori Tuttle, Treasurer
Vickie Colvard, Recording Secretary
Regina Ryder, Trustee
Bri Berry, Trustee
Alex Horton, Trustee
