crossroads house

On Thursday, Nov. 19, money raised locally from selling homemade face masks along with donations and some matching funds were presented to Jeff Allen, executive director of Crossroads House.

Donations totaling $716 from patients at Licata Chiropractic and Wellness Center and their families and friends, plus some matching funds from chiropractor Sandra A. Licata were given to the nonprofit hospice house in Batavia -- $1,000 all together.

The fundraising effort began after Licata purchased the property at 542 E. Main St. in Batavia and she and business partner Michael Grasso LMT moved there in February.

The chiropractor and licensed massage therapist have both been in practice for 22 years, working together since 2001.

The new location's private parking and a bright new cheery office helped seal the deal.

They made the move in March, then COVID-19 struck.

The Wellness Center staff fixed up the “542” and worked seeing patients on an emergency basis through the end of spring. Unfortunately, massage therapy was closed for three months.

At the same time, Benay Chamberlain was trying to find a way to help others. She was among the vulnerable population and feeling helpless. Her daughter sent a pattern of masks and a video to Anna Fenton, who printed it and showed Chamberlain, who took it from there.  

Material, thread and elastic were hard to come by at first. Through connections and donations the two women came up with enough to make some masks. Initially, Chamberlain made 37 masks and said “that’s enough.” But now they're at 245 and counting!

They decided to ask Licata if she would make them available in her office to help raise money for Crossroads House and Licata happily agreed.  

The team at the wellness center has been able to see patients normally and safely with some new COVID-19 protocols in place and they've been steadily busy since.

Allen of Crossroads House said the donation will go to operational needs. He is thankful to all who donated and says he's truly amazed how people can come up with wonderful fundraising ways to help Crossroads House.  

Chamberlain says she will continue to make masks until they are no longer needed. Masks are on display at the “542.”

Anyone wishing to make donations to Crossroad House can do so at : P.O. Box 403, Batavia, NY 14020.

Licata and staff thank all who helped make that donation last week possible and hope to raise more money to donate by spring.

To inquire about a mask call Licata Chiropractic and Wellness Center at 343-5311 or email:  licatachiropractic@gmail.com

Top photo: Crossroads House Executive Director of Crossroads House, left, receives $1,000 check from chiropractor Sandra Licata. Her business partner Michael Grasso LMT is in the middle.

The “Comfort Foods” Cookbook will be available at the sale or you can purchase online at www.crossroadshouse.com.

We will be observing standard safety precautions including masks, social distancing, and sanitizing. Enjoy great gift and collectible shopping while supporting comfort care in your neighborhood. We'll see you this weekend!

Press release:

Mark your calendars and be sure to stop by Crossroads House on Black Friday and Saturday! We will be having a “Pop-Up” sale on Friday, Nov 27th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov 28th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Our garage at 11 Liberty St. in Batavia is bursting at the seams with beautiful Christmas decorations, vintage glassware, collectibles and many other treasures.

Our “Comfort Foods” cookbook will also be available for purchase ($14). This is a hardbound collection of more than 200 recipes including one for a spaghetti sandwich! (Did you ever have one of those when you were growing up?)

We would like to thank the community for coming out to support our mission of comfort care by attending our fundraisers, dropping off items from our “Wish List,” and by remembering Crossroads House with memorial giving and monthly donations. We could not do what we do, without you!

Hoping to see you at our sale! Masks will be required.

Crossroads House is honored to present “Comfort Foods,” a cookbook created in honor and memory of Connie Ficarella and featuring recipes from the Ficarella family and the volunteers and staff at Crossroads House. This beautiful keepsake contains more than 200 recipes as well as pictures and tributes to a life well lived and loved.

Get one for your home and more as wonderful Christmas gift -- 100 percent of the proceeds go to comfort care in our community serving your family, friends and neighbors.

The cookbook is only $14 and can be purchased at Ficarella’s Pizzeria, 21 Liberty St., or at Crossroads House, 11 Liberty St., in Batavia. Please call ahead for pick up at Crossroads House.

You can also order the cookbook online from Ficarella's here or Crossroads House here.

Local delivery of the cookbook is available from Ficarella’s, and anywhere in the United States from Crossroads House.

Press release:

Crossroads House will be having an "impromptu sale" in their garage at 11 Liberty St. Although much smaller than our annual garage sale due to restrictions on public gatherings, “the show must go on”!

Volunteers have been busy pricing a wide variety of treasures including glassware, collectibles, household items, and a few pieces of furniture. Garage access will be limited to a few people at a time, social distancing measures will be in place, and masks will be required.

The sale will be held on Friday, Oct. 9^th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 10^th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (No early birds, please.)

This sale is to not only help fill the funding gap left by cancelled fundraisers but also move out merchandise that would have sold at our summer sale.

We want to thank our generous community for donating items so we could have this sale. We hope to see you, at the House!

Submitted photo and press release:

A check for $12,125 was presented Wednesday to Crossroads House, the nonprofit hospice care home in the City of Batavia, proceeds from the 20^th Annual Van Hulburt Memorial Golf Tournament.

“2020 has been a particularly challenging year in terms of fundraising as most of our events have been cancelled," said Crossroads House Executive Director Jeff Allen. "The record-setting proceeds from this year’s tournament are so timely and go a long way to fill some of our funding gaps."

Allen, golf tournament volunteers and the Crossroads House Board of Directors were on hand to accept the check from members of the Brethren of Hesperus Masonic Lodge #837 in Bergen.

After the check presentation, lodge members, along with Helen Hulburt and other tournament volunteers, took a tour of Crossroads House to see the impact of their longstanding relationship with the mission of comfort care.

Excerpts from a history of Hesperus Lodge & the Van Hulburt Memorial Golf Tournament

“Twenty years ago, at a meeting of the Brethren of Hesperus Masonic Lodge #837, in Bergen, New York members were discussing a way they could honor the memory of their beloved Brother, Mr. Van Hulburt. A suggestion was made by Brother David Liles that they make a donation to Crossroads House in Batavia, in Van's name.

"Further discussion led to the idea of holding a golf tournament to raise the money and also provide a fun way to honor Van, who loved the game of golf. Brother Marty Krause volunteered to organize the tournament, as he has all 20 years. Helen Hulburt, Van’s wife, enthusiastically endorsed the idea along with her family.

"Brother Ralph Marsocci, the owner of Ralph and Rosie's Restaurants, volunteered to supply the lunches for the golfers which he continues to do each year. The Batavia Country Club has hosted the two-decade event and always provides a great course along with superb food and drink.” 

"...Despite the pandemic this is the largest (single) amount given to date ($12,125) thanks to the many dedicated Brethren, volunteers, sponsors and golfers who keep stepping up to the plate for this wonderful organization."

Over the course of 20 years, the Hesperus Lodge has donated more than $130,000 to Crossroads House through the Van Hulburt Memorial Golf Tournament.

Sixty-seven Sponsors Step Up

This year 67 sponsors, both private and corporate, stepped up including: Gold Sponsors Triple-O Mechanical, Ashley Capital (Paul Rubacha Family) and the Jerry Hulburt family. Silver Sponsors were Bergen C-Store, Ralph and Rosie’s and the Schoonmaker Family.

The other 61 donors come from Bergen, Byron, Stafford, Batavia, Rochester and elsewhere.

"We have been and are proud to help support this wonderful group of volunteers and staff who deliver loving and compassionate care for those who are in the end stages of life,” said Donald Keys, Master of Hesperus Lodge #837.

Photo by row, from left:

• Bottom row -- Hesperus Lodge members Ralph Marsocci, Ted Catlin, Donald Keys and Dave Liles, Crossroads House Member Dr. Mary Obear, golf tournament volunteer Marilyn Liles, Crossroads House Director Jeff Allen, Van Hulbert's widow Helen Hulburt;
• First row stairs -- Hesperus Lodge Member Marty Krause, golf tournament volunteer Donna Krause;
• Second row stairs -- Hesperus Lodge Member Bob Seils, golf tournament volunteer Elaine Keys;
• Top row -- Crossroads House Board members Charlotte Crawford, Kari Wilford, Kathy Panepento, Steve Johnson, Joanne Patri, Wendy Morse, Tom Finn and Jamie Charters.

From Crossroads House:

This is the 13^th year that Alex’s Place will be hosting their annual Golf Scramble. It will be on Sunday, Aug. 23^rd at the Batavia Country Club, and the deadline to register is Aug. 14^th.

The money raised from this fundraiser will be donated to Crossroads House and for a scholarship in memory of Chef Russell Bugbee.

This scholarship will be awarded to an area high school graduate who is pursuing education in the culinary field and who demonstrates the drive and passion that are a part of Chef Russell’s legacy.

Registration and festivities will begin at noon, and the shotgun start will be at 1 p.m.

The price of $95 per golfer includes 18 holes of golf with cart, grilled lunch, beverages at registration and throughout the day, a buffet dinner, prizes, skins, 50/50, and giveaways.

The grand prize is a three-night stay at Captain Pip’s Marina & Hideaway in Marathon, Fla. The package includes a one-day boat rental and snorkeling for two from Spirit Snorkeling.

Come on out for a day of golfing 18 of the finest holes in Western New York!

Press release:

The 20^th Annual Van Hulburt Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit the comfort care home Crossroads House and Masonic Charities will take place on Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Batavia Country Club.

It will be hosted by Hesperus Masonic Lodge #837, Bergen. The cost is $70 per person and includes: 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch, dinner, and prizes. Guests are welcome for a $25 fee.

The tournament is a four-person scramble. Sign in is at 11 a.m., lunch is at 11:30, and shotgun start is at noon. All teams must be paid by Aug. 14^th to guarantee placement in this event.

For more information, contact: Marty Krause at (585) 730-2809; Ralph Marsocci at (585) 397-9313; or Cortney Gale at (585) 444-6764.

The tournament is sponsored by Triple-O Mechanical of Bergen.

Other sponsors include: Alexander Country Deli, Bergen C-Store, Ashley Capital, Bonduelle USA, Jerry Hulburt & Family, and Ralph & Rosie’s Deli & Pizzeria who have provided lunch all 20 years!

The tournament’s namesake, Van Hulburt, worked for 35 years at Byron-Bergen School as a teacher, counselor, and he coached golf for 25 years. He was a Past Master of Hesperus Lodge and a beloved member of the Masonic community.

Purple Pony Therapeutic Horsemanship in Le Roy hosted a drive-thru parade today to benefit Crossroads House.

Press release:

Purple Pony Therapeutic Horsemanship is holding a drive-thru parade event Saturday at its KD Ranch home in Le Roy to benefit Crossroads House.

Participants will get a gift bag as they enter the property and will stay in their vehicle as they drive thru and get to meet our COVID-19 masked therapy horses and handlers.

Riders, parents, volunteers and the public are invited.

At the end of the parade, each vehicle will drop off raffle tickets they have received and have a chance to donate to Crossroads House. This should be a very fun event.

What: Drive-thru parade meet the Purple Pony therapy horses and their handlers

Why: Benefit for Crossroads House

When: Saturday, May 9th from 10 a.m. to noon

Where: KD Ranch home of Purple Pony -- 8321 Lake Street Road, Le Roy

Interview with Jeff Allen, executive director of Crossroads House. 

In the interview, Allen talks about the decision to pause resident care at Crossroads House while continuing to provide services to the community.

He also fills us in on plans for the "Corona Convoy" organized by Bruce Scofield. Allen, who is trained in disaster response and crisis care, also shares his advice for the community and individuals.

If anyone wants to join the convoy on Sunday, contact Scofield at (585) 704-7482.

Jeff Allen, director of Crossroads House in Batavia, will receive an award tonight from the Chamber of Commerce at the Geneseean of the Year. The awards dinner is at Quality Inn & Suites.

Submitted photo and press release:

The Rotary Club of Batavia recently blessed Crossroads House with a new snowblower and lawn mower to keep the grounds of their home beautiful in the summer, and safe and snow free in the winter.

Crossroads House Executive Director Jeff Allen and Rotary Club of Batavia President Bob Knipe were on hand to see the new equipment at Cedar Street Sales and Rentals.

“For so many years, we have relied on volunteers and staff with shovels in the winter and used lawn mowers in the summer that often times were held together with duct tape.” Allen said.

“With this wonderful gift from the Rotary Club of Batavia, the great folks who keep up our grounds all year long can do so more efficiently.”

Upon delivery of the equipment Guy Clark, along with sons Adam and Connor, presented Crossroads House with a certificate from Cedar Street providing all parts, labor, maintenance and tune-ups for the new equipment for three years.

“With the added bonus, we only need to pay for gas and that is great for our budget.” Allen added.

Rotary Club of Batavia has partnered with Crossroads House for many years. They provided funds in the recent past to install a vital handicap bathroom.

They also funded an upgrade to the security camera system as well as LED lighting in the parking lot providing peace of mind important to a home that operates 24 hours a day.

Pictured, from left Bob Knipe, Rotary Club of Batavia president; Connor Clark and Guy Clark, Cedar Street Sales and Rentals; Jeff Allen, executive director of Crossroads House.

Submitted photos and press release:

A dream of Crossroads House founder Kathy Panepento has been realized through a generous gift from the family of a past resident.

Twenty years ago, Samuel Marchese spent his last days at Crossroads House. Because of a generous gift given by his daughter, Antoinette Clancy, and her husband, Emmett, Crossroads House was able to fund some foundational projects throughout the home, open only two years at the time.

The families of Crossroads House residents are forever families and so many faithfully support the mission long after their loved ones were served in our home. The Clancys remain one of those families. Recently they reached out to Crossroads House with the desire to bless our home again.

Panepento has always envisioned the idea of a comfort care home having it’s own wheelchair van to enhance the end of life experience and embrace every opportunity to live and make memories while at Crossroads House.

The Clancys embraced that idea and funded a brand new 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan wheelchair van. This gift allows Crossroads House to relieve families of often unreimbursed ambulance trips on admission.

The van will also make it possible to take residents and their loved ones out for day trips and outings that will create forever memories. Giving residents and their families the opportunity to live every moment has always been the mission of Crossroads House and this gift will help us continue to fulfill that in new and enduring ways.

"Crossroads House would like to thank Antoinette and Emmett for this wonderful gift!" said Crossroads House Executive Director Jeff Allen.

Top photo, from left: Kathy Panepento (Crossroads House founder and director of Resident Care), Deb Chilano with dog "Boston" (volunteers), John Chilano (volunteer and official wheelchair tester), Emily Crawford (coordinator of Volunteer Services), Vinnie Tjhung (volunteer), Diane Sia (director of Development), Jim Gardner (volunteer).

The 24^th Annual Betty Ellison Memorial “Strike Out” for Crossroads House Bowling event will be held:

• Friday Feb. 21
• Saturday, Feb. 22
• Sunday Feb. 23^rd

It will be held at the Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia. 

Shift times those days will be:

• Friday -- 6 p.m.
• Saturday -- 12 p.m. & 3 p.m.
• Sunday -- 1 p.m.

5-person team registration fees are:

• $110 until Feb. 14^th
• $125 after Feb. 14^th

Registration and payments may be made securely online at www.crossroadshouse.com (Upcoming Events tab).

This is a great way to have some fun and support a great cause in your community at the same time. Crossroads House is a nonprofit comfort care home for the dying.

There will be raffles during each of the four shifts, also mega raffles, food, and 50/50.

New this year is NO TAP! For additional information call Cindy (585) 993-0584 or Tara (585) 409-0136.

Teams are filling up fast, so find four friends and join us at the lanes!