As the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation enters its 17th year, it is extremely proud of the accomplishments of this grassroots organization. 

After the passing of Michael Napoleone at the age of 8 due to a pediatric cancer diagnosis, the Foundation was created in his memory to pay forward to all those who assisted, to give back to those in need, and to Lend a Hand for Hope.

As its main purpose and mission, the Foundation assists families with the challenges of cancer. The Foundation has close ties to both Oshei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo and Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester. In addition to helping families, it assists the Social Work and Childlife teams with needed items for the continuing care of the families and the children during their hospital stays. 

The Grant Committee recently met and selected the grant winners for the 2024 year. Letters and checks will be distributed by the end of the month and the information will be shared in the media. 

Though the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation will not be hosting the Derby Day Gala, it is hopeful and excited as it moves to a new strategic fundraising plan to provide long-term sustainability for our mission and organization. 

The first step in moving in a new direction is the Heroes for Hope Campaign (https://michaelshope.org/hero-for-hope-campaign). Your donation will continue to provide needed funds to support the mission.

To date, the Foundation, with only a volunteer board, has raised over a million dollars and has continued its mission with less than 3% of funding going to administrative costs. Our giving is as follows:

• Over $725,000 in assistance to families with the challenges of a pediatric diagnosis
• Over $95,000 to support research in pediatric blood cancers
• Over $75,000 to assist youth activities/sports through grant funding
• $50,000 to Golisano Children’s Hospital, Rochester
• $25,000 to United Memorial Medical Center, Batavia
• Annual giving to Oshei and Golisano Childlife Therapy Teams

Again, the numbers speak volumes of the assistance the Foundation has been able to offer due to the generosity of our donors. We are committed to continuing this mission. Whether through donations, volunteering, sponsorships, or attending our events, it is all because of you that we can and will continue to Lend a Hand for Hope.

Press release:

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation is celebrating our Diamond Derby Day Gala. This is the Foundation’s 10th year hosting this amazing event, which has provided the resources to make great strides in our mission to “Lend a Hand for Hope”. We continue to assist families with the diagnosis of pediatric cancer, where we provide necessary financial assistance in the many challenges they face. We provide grants to youth organizations to help provide opportunities for youth in our communities. We support research in hopes to find a cure, but we are yet to reach the finish line.

With the support and generosity of our donors and event sponsors, we continue to stay strong in carrying out the mission of the Foundation. To date we have distributed these funds:

• Family Assistance $632,675
• Research Support $91,000
• Youth Activities and Grants $68,000
• Golisano Children’s Hospital $50,000
• United Memorial Pediatric Unit $25,000

So, grab your best hat, your best outfit, and your best friends and come Win prizes, Place bids and Show your support in celebration of our Diamond Derby Day Gala. Please consider helping us with the event through sponsorship, donations, and/or prizes. Your generosity helps us to “Lend a Hand for Hope” to those in need.

Please join us for a fantastic evening, fabulous prizes, and heartfelt stories of our pediatric warriors. The event is being held at Terry Hills Golf Course & Banquet Facility in Batavia, NY on Saturday, May 6th, 2023, with post-time at 4PM.

For registration, tickets and sponsorships or for more information about the Gala, please go to our website: www.michaelshope.org , find us on Facebook or call 585-861-0550.

Come and enjoy a great night for a great cause!

Photo: File photo from 2018 Derby Day. By Howard Owens.

Shock maybe.  Certainly dismay.  Those were the reactions of race fans at Batavia Downs when 80-1 long shot Rich Strike won the Kentucky Derby today.

While not all the data on today's wagers are in, Marketing Director Ryan Hasenauer said at least one patron wwnt home happy. She turned her $15 bet on Rich Strike into more than a $1,000 windfall.

In August 2019, life in the Morgante family went from happy-go-lucky to something far more stressful.

Doctors found that Donato, at 13 months old, had cancer.  His little kidney had swollen, and it was essentially a single mass of diseased tissue.

The good news, if there was any, was that the cancer was stage one.  It hadn't spread to any other organs.  After six months of chemo, Donato was in remission and doctors estimate that he has a 91 percent chance of remaining in remission.

That news brought a round of applause from the more than 200 in attendance at the annual Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation Derby Day Gala Saturday at Terry Hills.

Along with the doctors, this was the foundation that gave the Donato family -- Joe and Jackie along with their other four children, Nina, Ryan, Vincent, and Coleman -- the most hope and the most support.

"They really got us through the most trying time of our lives," Joe said.

After Joe shared his family's experience, Laurie Napoleone presented Joe with a giant $2,000 check as a gift from the Foundation. Joe immediately said "We're donating it back."  Laurie wouldn't have it. "No," she said. "Go do something fun with your family.  Go on a vacation."  

Press release:

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation is getting Back to the Races as they prepare for the 2022 Derby Day Gala. Due to the pandemic, this major fundraiser has been on hold for the past 2 years, but it is back and better than ever!!! 

The Kentucky- Derby-themed event includes an evening filled with big hats, colorful outfits, food, beverages, raffles and auctions all to support the mission of the foundation. In preparation for the event, the Foundation is reaching out for sponsorships, donations, and prizes.   

Tickets and table sponsorships can be obtained by calling 585-861-0550. More information can be found at www.michaelshope.org. Tickets include admission, food, wine, beer, a professional photo and a random ticket for the actual race. There will be a contest for the best hat, prizes for the most Dapper Derby male and Dapper Derby couple!  

The event will be held May 7 at Terry Hills Golf Course & Banquet Facility in Batavia from 4-9 p.m. 

The Michael Napoleone Foundation assists families facing the challenges of a childhood cancer diagnosis, provides grants for youth activities and programs and supports research efforts in the study of pediatric blood cancers. The Foundation was created in memory of Michael Napoleone, who passed away in 2006 after a battle with Burkitt’s Lymphoma. It was created to give back to those who assisted and pay it forward to those in need.  

Lend a Hand of Hope and come and support a great event for a greater cause! 

Photos: File photo by Howard Owens

Representatives from Western Regional Off-Track Betting (WROTB) reported today (May 6) that a record $2,039,088.30 was wagered on the Kentucky Derby through their outlets including BataviaBets.com, OTB Branches and EZ Bet Locations.

In particular the Empire branch in Rochester, saw significant growth, up 27 percent from the previous year. And wagering was also very strong at Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel, up 7 percent there.

Batavia Downs hosted three separate parties with a full house of happy, gambling revelers enjoying the Run for the Roses. The Park Place Party served an all-time high 751 dinners; well eclipsing the 605 meals sold last year. Thurman Thomas’ Sports Bar “34 Rush” had their highest single day total for sales.

Down on the gaming floor, $4 million credits were played which was the second highest in their history. The week ending Saturday saw the highest credits played total of all time, with $18.3 million in Credits Played, beating the previous best seven-day period of $17.4 million.

The results of the 145th Kentucky Derby may have been controversial with the subsequent disqualification of Maximum Security, who was first under the wire, but according to Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO of WROTB, Derby Day 2019 was unbelievable all the way around.

“The wagering, party and gaming numbers are a continuation and reflection of the solid year Batavia Downs has been experiencing,” Wojtaszek said. “We could not have pulled this off if it wasn’t for our dedicated OTB branch and Batavia Downs staff, who worked tirelessly on Derby Day. We appreciate the solid support from our loyal customer base.”

WROTB is already gearing up for the second jewel of thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown to be held on May 18 at Pimlico racetrack.

Among the events scheduled for Preakness is the $15 Trifecta special that will take place in the Park Place Event Center at Batavia Downs from 4 to 7 p.m.

Live harness racing return to Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 24) for the meet that will run through Saturday (Dec. 14).

File photos from 2018 and press release:

It’s Off to the Races as the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, prepares for its Derby Day Gala 2019, a fundraising event held in conjunction with the running of the 145th Kentucky Derby.

The event raises monies to support the mission of the Foundation, namely to assist families struggling with the diagnosis of pediatric cancers, support research efforts in the area of childhood cancers, and provide assistance to youth activities and programs.

Win, Place and Show your support for the Foundation’s annual fundraising event to be held at Terry Hills Golf Course & Banquet Facility in Batavia from 4 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 4th.

The Foundation, a 501(C) 3, was founded by Mark Napoleone and Laurie (Pero) in 2007 after the loss of their 8-year-old son to Burkitt’s Lymphoma, an aggressive form of blood cancer.

To date, the foundation has assisted 382 families with $378,000 worth of support during their child’s illness, contributed $75,000 to support research, gave $52,000 to assist youth organizations, donated $50,000 to building the new Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester, and most recently pledged $25,000 to UMMC for a pediatric room.

 The evening features Kentucky Derby theme, food, drinks, live music, silent and live auctions, and a professional photo in your best Derby attire. There will be prizes for the best woman’s hat, Dapper Derby Award for the men and a best dressed couple’s award. Tickets are $75/each and Win, Place and Show sponsorships are available.

There are sponsorship opportunities and many ways for you to support this event -- auction donations (gift certificates, electronics, sports memorabilia, spa packages, and weekend getaways). Monetary donations are also accepted. All donations are tax deductible. Your assistance will make our Derby Day Gala 2019 a winning success and help us Lend a Hand for Hope.

For those who are interested in attending the gala, tickets can be purchased by calling 585-861-0550, or Venmo us @MNMF8. For more information, gallop onto our website: www.michaelshope.org.

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel announced today their plans for a second Kentucky Derby party to be held on Saturday, May 4^th. A total of three parties will take place on site.

The party announced today will run from 11:30 a.m. until 7 p.m., will take place in the Batavia Downs Gaming Park Place event center, formerly known as the Paddock Room. This party has seen more than 600 attendees for several years in a row.

New this year is the Superfecta Deal. Patrons will receive their choice of a variety of meals, $15 in Free Play once one point is earned on the gaming floor, a $5 wager on the Derby and program, and a commemorative Kentucky Derby glass, all for just $20.

There will be $5 mint juleps specials, which includes Derby glass and samplings from Black Button Distilling as well as Angry Orchard Rose. Many big screen televisions will show the races and there will be mutuel clerks available to take wagers.

The second annual Derby Gala will take place in the Batavia Downs Gaming Grandstands Banquet Room on the second floor. Tickets went on sale in February at Bataviaconcerts.com and at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop. Half of the tickets have already been sold.

Admission for the Derby Gala at the Downs is $75 per person and proper attire is required. Patrons will receive an open bar from 4:30 to 7 p.m., grazing stations, a $10 wager on the Derby, $25 in Free Play and a Free Derby program.  

The Gala also includes a Best Dressed Contest and Best Hat Contest, which will take place with prizes from the Hotel at Batavia Downs and Four Roses Bourbon. 

The third party, taking place inside 34 Rush, will have Woodford Reserve Bourbon sampling along with sampling from Blue Moon. Patrons may place Derby wagers using self-service terminals. The $5 mint julep special will also be available, which includes a Derby commemorative glass. 

Wagering will also be available at the second floor Downs Simulcast center. Prize drawings for Derby T-shirts and glasses will take place there beginning at 10 a.m.

The hotel at Batavia Downs is already sold out, but other local hotels do have availability and a shuttle will be running that day to take patrons from those hotels over to Batavia Downs beginning at 3 p.m. instead of the usual 5 p.m.

“We’re looking forward to another great day of parties surrounding our Kentucky Derby events,“ said Todd Haight, general manager of Racing at Batavia Downs Gaming. “The success of the Derby Gala last year adds to the already tremendous day of wagering and entertainment that our guests have come to expect from Batavia Downs.

"Based on the recent Kentucky Derby prep races, this year’s Run for the Roses seems more wide open than ever.”