Springbrook One Puzzle Piece Away From $20M Expansion

4-2-10

By LAURA COX : COOPERSTOWN

Springbrook’s “Completing the Puzzle” gala grossed $114,000.
While it was not quite enough to complete the $20 million fund drive needed for a top-of-the-line expansion of the home for developmentally disabled children at Milford Center, the effort is 90
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percent done and Springbrook Executive Director Patricia Kennedy believes it will be shortly.
“We’re really confident,” she said following an evening of all smiles as 245 attendees filled the ballroom Saturday evening, March 27, at The Otesaga.
The mission-driven celebration was decorated with puzzle pieces picturing Springbrook students.  Every dinner table had a piece that, together, completed a puzzle.
And key donors and supporters – Vinnie Russo, former board president, state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, Jim Anderson (he introduced benefactor Tom Golisano to Springbrook),  Arnie Drogen of Drogen’s Home Furnishings and Lyle Corey of LaChase Construction – were invited to the dais to help Springbrook students Thomas S and Alyssa G.  add pieces to a giant puzzle.
The final piece of the puzzle was left out to represent the $250,000 Springbrook still has to raise to trigger Golisano’s $2.5 million matching grant.
The puzzle pieces are as follows:
• $15 million in state bonds, awarded last month, the bulk of the needed money.  The bonds will be paid off with money saved  – $890,000 a year – from bringing 24 students home from out-of-state facilities.
• The $2.5 million matching grant from Golisano, the Paychex founder from Rochester who has run twice for governor.
• The $2.5 million in local fundraising required to free up the match, of which $2.25 million has already been raised.
Kennedy said two grants are anticipated to help bridge that gap, although final word is still be awaited.
“There’s still room to give,” she said of donors who may have been waiting.  “There’s nothing bad about going beyond the challenge, certainly.”
The gala’s guests of honor, Randy and Lynne Gaston, were unable to make it due to car troubles.  Instead, a clip of the “Good Morning America” segment featuring the family, which has triplets diagnosed with autism was played.
Doug Gulotty, Campaign Completion Committee chair, then read a letter from the Gastons on his Blackberry, expressing gratitude for Springbrook’s mission. 
In his remarks, Drogen expressed astonishment at a recent tour of the former Upstate Home for Children.
 “It is a place of light, of welcome, of sweetness,” he said, “Go to Springbrook and see for yourself.  The minute you walk in the door… it was extraordinary to see the love, sense of community and family, and the level of respect the staff has for the kids.”
Other highlights to the evening included singing Happy Birthday to board member Chad Smith, of Medical Coach.