community night out

Tuesday's turnout for Community Night Out at City Church's St. Anthony's may have been the biggest since the church first hosted the event in 2019, according to Pastor Ryan Macdonald.

"(We're) very blessed," Macdonald said. "Packed out event. I don't think we've ever seen this many people out at his event before. I'm thankful to have all these agencies here so the community understands what is available."

Community Night Out, formerly National Night Out, was an event Batavia put on at various locations in the city every year, but it seems to have a long-term home at St. Anthony's, and a partner in City Church, that has helped it grow.

Macdonald said he's thankful for all the sponsors who support the event and the event's charity this year, Batavia PD's K-9 program.

The event is an important community outreach program for Batavia PD, said Det. Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

"The purpose of our event is to bring the community out, as you can see, to build positive relationships with the community in a relaxed setting where we're not at a 911 call or an emergency call, a stress-free environment to just build relationships within the community," Wojtaszczyk.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Press Release:

Neighborhoods throughout your city are invited to join over 38 million neighbors across 17 thousand communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and military bases worldwide.

National Night Out is nationally sponsored by NATW, ADT, Starbucks, Associa, L.E.A.D. and co-sponsored locally by the Corfu Farmers Market.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes strong police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live and work. Together, we are making that happen.

From time to time, neighbors throughout your city and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on their front porch lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and law enforcement.

Along with the traditional outside lights and front porch vigils, most communities celebrate National Night Out by hosting block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts, and other various community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits, and more.

National Project Coordinator, Matt Peskin said, “This is a night for our nation to stand together and promote awareness, safety, and neighborhood unity. National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement. When law enforcement and the community work closely together, some amazing things can happen.”

Join the Corfu Farmer Markets, Monday, August 7 from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. for our Community Night Out. For more information please contact Market Manager, Katy Hobbs at corfufarmersmarket@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/corfufarmersmarket for more information. For more information, please visit natw.org.

Press Release:

The City of Batavia Police Department announced that Batavia Downs Gaming, Upstate Niagara/O-AT-KA Milk Products and WNY Heroes have signed on as Diamond Sponsors ($2,500+) for the department’s annual Batavia Police Community Night.  

The event is in partnership with The City Church and will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Anthony's, 114 Liberty St., Batavia.  Batavia Police Community Night is an annual community-building campaign that promotes strong police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make safer neighborhoods. 

Various organizations and groups once again will be participating in the annual event which will include free food, a bounce house, games for kids and more.  

There are various sponsorship opportunities at the Bronze level ($249 or less); Silver level ($250 - $499); Gold level ($500 -$2,499); and, Diamond level ($2,500+). There will be several interactive displays and booths available. The sponsorship deadline is Tuesday, August 1, 2023. 

“This event is aimed to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community,” said Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch. “The support of sponsors is critical to this effort and we are extremely grateful for the generosity of various businesses across the city and region as they recognize the vital importance between law enforcement and the community we serve.” 

Gold sponsors include Chapin, Genesee County Youth Bureau, Ken Barrett Chevrolet Cadillac, Mogavero's Auto and the Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union. 

Silver sponsors include Batavia Teachers' Association, Batavia Original Pizzeria, GCASA, Genesee County Economic Development Center, Habitat for Humanity Genesee County, Horizons Health Services, Northside Deli, Salmon Orthodontics, Southside Deli, V.J. Gautieri Constructors, Inc., and the WNY Association of Chiefs of Police. 

Bronze sponsors include Bob Bialkowski, Batavia Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol, Bohm-Calarco-Smith Funeral Home and Roman’s. 

For more information and for those interested in a sponsorship opportunity, should contact Batavia Police Department Detective Matthew Wojtaszczyk at 585-345-6357 or at mwojtaszczyk@batavianewyork.com.

Pastor Ryan Macdonald from City Church, St. Anthony's site, says it’s been a pleasure to be part of a community social gathering that brings everyone together to share in food, fun and activities. 

"The weather played in our favor tonight with lower humidity and being cloudy and cooler than the heat wave we have endured throughout this summer," Macdonald said during Tuesday's Community Night Out event. "This year I would say brought in 1,000 people over the course of the event.  We had over 50-plus vendors and more additional sponsors. We are so thankful to get behind the police department with the K-9 unit, and they are just a blessing to the community, and we are glad to be a part of it."

Photos by Steve Ognibene

The Batavia Police Department, in conjunction with The City Church, hosts its annual Community Night Out event this evening, a community-building campaign that promotes strong police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make safer neighborhoods.

The event starts at 5:30 p.m. 

Various organizations and groups once again will be participating, which will include free food, a bounce house, games for kids, and more.

Photo: File photo from 2021 by Howard Owens

Press release:

The City of Batavia Police Department is once again hosting their annual Batavia Police Community Night in partnership with The City Church on Tuesday, Aug. 9 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at City Church St. Anthony’s, 114 Liberty Street, Batavia.

Community Night Out is part of a community-building campaign that promotes strong police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make safer neighborhoods. Various organizations and groups will be participating in the annual event which will include free food, a bounce house, games for kids and much more.

The Batavia Police Department is seeking donations and sponsorships for the annual event. Bronze level sponsorships range from $250 or less, Silver level from $250 - $499, Gold level from $500 to $2,499, and Diamond level from $2,500 or more.

There are also interactive booths and display options available.

“We’re very excited to once again be partnering with City Church for our annual Community Night to demonstrate our commitment and support to the residents of the City of Batavia,” said Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch. “This event allows us to interact and show our appreciation to the community and it brings together many of our business and government leaders in a safe and friendly setting.”

For more information and for those interested in a sponsorship opportunity, please contact Batavia Police Department Detective Matthew Wojtaszczyk at 585-345-6357 or at mwojtaszczyk@batavianewyork.com.

Photo: File Photo by Howard Owens from 2021.

Video by Pixel Pro Video

If the number of sponsors is any indication, next Tuesday’s Batavia Police Community Night Out should be quite an event.

Thirty-seven business, organizations and individuals have signed on to support the outreach, which is scheduled for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 10 at the City Church St. Anthony’s campus at 114 Liberty St.

“We’re excited over the response to this initiative, which is aimed to bring the community and police together to build positive relationships, and to highlight the various services available,” said Detective Matthew Wojtaszczyk, event coordinator.

Wojtaszczyk mentioned that a “secondary goal” is to raise money for the City of Batavia Police K-9 program, specifically K-9 Officer Stephen Quider and his dog, Batu. The duo and Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Mullen and K-9 Frankie are expected to demonstrate their abilities at the gathering next week.

Batavia Downs Gaming and Western New York Heroes, Inc. (which provides services to veterans) are diamond sponsors of the event that offers entertainment in the forms of a bounce house, balloon artist, games at vendor booths, and pony rides through A Horse’s Friend Trail Riding & Youth Programs based in Rush.

Additionally, Police Chief Shawn Heubusch and Assistant Chief Chris Camp have offered their services at the dunk tank, which will raise money for the K-9 fund.

The Batavia Fire Department will conduct car seat safety checks in the public parking lot next to Wortzman Furniture.

Vendor agencies include Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Genesee County Youth Bureau, Genesee County STOP-DWI, Genesee County Probation, Tobacco Free WNY and Batavia Community Schools.

Wojtaszczyk said a designated bus drop area will be set up at Central and Pringle avenues that night, with handicap parking available in the lot located at 236 Ellicott St. (just south of Borrell’s Gym).

Other sponsors are as follows:

Gold -- City of Batavia, Western New York Association of Chiefs of Police, New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, City of Batavia Fire, Graham Corporation, Chapin International, Extended Sound, Genesee County Sign Shop, Batavia City Church, Target, The Daily News. Eli Fish Brewing Company, Ken Barrett Chevrolet, WBTA, McGinnis Family, Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union, Genesee Family YMCA.

Silver -- Batavia Police Benevolent Association, A Horse’s Friend, Tompkins Bank of Castile/ Insurance, Batavia Family Dental, Northside Deli, Ficarella’s Pizzeria, Southside Deli, V.J. Gautieri Constructors, Inc., Genesee County Economic Development Center, Pathstone Corporation, Canisteo Police Club, Cedar Street Sales & Rental.

Bronze -- Tom Benedict and family, Bob Bialkowski, Habitat for Humanity of Genesee County, Notre Dame High School, O’Lacy’s Irish Pub, The Radley Family.

Photos from 2019 Community Night Out -- dunk tank and officers on horseback.

From BPD:

The City of Batavia Police Department will host the annual Community Night Out from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 10, at City Church's St. Anthony's campus, located at 114 Liberty St. in Batavia.

Expect free food, a bounce house, games, horses (horses, of course), vendors, "& more!"

If you want more information about how to become a sponsor or have a booth at the event, contact Detective Wojtaszczyk at:  mwojtaszczyk@batavianewyork.com

John Kennedy Intermediate School's annual Community Night is a tradition older than the school's current name (the "Intermediate" part was added after the recent school district consolidation), and the JK parent group has spearheaded it successfully for the past eight years.

Pictured are members Jesse Boardman (vice president), Jill Halpin (treasurer) and Jen Houseknecht (president).

Community Night, which was held last evening at the 166 Vine St. school, offers a chance for the students, families and community organizations to connect. There were 20 organizations involved this year, including two new ones:

MARCHESE COMPUTER PRODUCTS Paul Marchese served popcorn while advertising his 220 Ellicott St. business.

PIONEER REPTILES Crystal Poyfair and her sons, Seth (left) and Liam, attracted huge crowds with their scaly critters.

And of course, there were familiar faces as well:

Mike Morris and Jerry Yoder proudly represented the Batavia Fire Department.

More after the jump (click the headline):

Representing area Boy Scouts were, from left, John Riley (cubmaster, Pack 2), Domenic Brown (first class, Troop 69), Bill Brown (assistant cubmaster, Pack 69) and Laurinda Liszewski (treasurer, Pack 112).

On behalf of the Kiwanis Club, Pat Corona, Anita Strollo and Dave Chua.

Patti Arroyo, Zoey Arroyo and Erica Hickey, Center Stage Dance Company.

Kevin Keenan, Smoke Free Now (a GCASA program).

Tasia Boland and Jessica Tomidy, Habitat for Humanity.

Plentiful games and activities for kids abounded, as always.

Ashlyn Best happily bounced around on a green ball, like many other children.

Second-degree black belts Dominic Gabriel and Josh Coburn, of Cain's Taekwondo Academy, held boards in place while eager spectators punched:

Kids ran a short obstacle course, courtesy of United Memorial Medical Center Summit Physical and Occupational Therapy Center.

Nevaeh, a third-grader at JK, had a good time at the face-painting station.

And there was some hula hoop action going on, too.

Like every year, student and staff volunteers helped the event run smoothly. Third-graders Ella Houseknecht and Olivia Halpin manned the student activities station.

Meanwhile, Kennedy Kolb took charge of the "Kissing Booth."

Owen, a third-grader, was one of the spectators who came to the Kissing Booth for a hand painting and a "kiss."

Here, he shows off his kiss:

Staff volunteers included:

Greg Ciszak, one of the school counselors.

Fourth-grade teacher Linda Restivo, pictured with former student Maya Reinhart.

Paula Mosman (reading teacher) and Mrs. Drachenberg (teacher aide).

John Kennedy Intermediate School serves students in grades two through four. It now includes former Jackson and Robert Morris kids and families.

The school had to plan to accommodate more people this year, but according to Principal Paul Kesler, it all went very well.

"We had an awesome group of parents," he said. "We had over 30 parents show up to our parent group meeting, and over half of them were new parents. They all said, 'Whatever we can do to help, let us know.' "

He sees this as a continuation of the JK community's collegial spirit.

"We went from JK the way it was (before the consolidation) to JK the way it is," he said, adding that parents, staff and students, old and new, are coming together to make "JK the way it is" the best it can be.

Supplemental photos: Double rainbow

On my way out, I couldn't help snapping some photos of the rainbow that was capturing everyone's attention:

On Friday, John Kennedy Elementary School hosted its annual Community Night.

Jen Houseknecht and the John Kennedy Parent Group welcome attendees and provide information on upcoming school events

The Kissing Booth offers hand-stamps and chocolate "kisses"!

Students and their families meet local law enforcement and emergency personnel -- and get to try out the sirens!

The event, sponsored by the John Kennedy Parent Group, brings representatives of local businesses and service organizations together with students and their families for a fun-filled evening of activities and information. It also serves as an opportunity for new students and their families to learn more about the school and the Batavia community.  

Ron Cain of Cain's Taekwondo teaches a lesson in the basics of control.

Shaylene Kilner and Karissa Kesler of the John Kennedy Post Office.

Attendees enjoyed free pizza and ice cream, a Scholastic Book Fair, giveaways, face painting, games and other entertainments. More than 20 organizations participated, including Batavia Bulldawgs, Art Ah La Carte, GCASA (Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse), and the Batavia police and fire departments, as well as local youth sports and after-school activities. Sponsors included Pauly's Pizza, Bob Harris Realty, and Summit Physical Therapy & Sportscare Center.  

Attendees get their faces painted, learn to dance, guess pumpkin weights, race and much more in the John Kennedy gymnasium.

The Scholastic Book Fair features story and activity books for all ages and reading levels.

Kim Argenta of Art Ah La Carte describes art classes available to children and adults.

Sheriff's K-9 Unit's Mike Ballow and Rov walk the halls.

More pictures from the event can be found at Francletography.com