Press Release:

On Thursday, Dec. 14, dancers arrived in their holiday garb and Santa hats to join in the celebration at the Christmas Dance for Genesee County’s Adults with Developmental Disabilities at the Byron Fire Hall. 

The hall was decorated and the DJ alternated dance tunes with Christmas music as dancers moved around the floor. Snacks were prepared and pizza was served up by many members of the Byron Ladies Auxiliary as well as some volunteers.

Around 7:30 p.m. dance coordinator, Morgan Leaton grabbed the mic and got the group’s attention by announcing that Santa had arrived. Folks cheered as Santa, waving to everyone, walked across the dance floor, and was seated in his special chair next to the Christmas tree. 

One by one folks came up and sat next to Santa. They each had some time to talk to Santa and pose for a photo. Santa gave everyone a Christmas gift. After everyone had their time with Santa, he waved goodbye and “Merry Christmas” as he walked out of the building and out of sight.

Toward the end of the evening, Morgan Leaton rounded up everyone for a group photo and reminded them that next month’s dance, the New Year’s Dance will be held on Thursday, Jan. 18. She promised the crowd a fun-filled evening to celebrate the new year!

The dances are open to anyone with developmental disabilities aged 13 and up residing in Genesee County. Proper staffing is required. If you want more information or wish to volunteer, please contact Morgan Leaton at 585-815-3157 or morganrleaton@gmail.com.

Press Release:

On Thursday, Nov. 16, members of the Byron Ladies Auxiliary welcomed cowboys and cowgirls into their hall for Genesee County’s Adults with Developmental Disabilities first Country Western Dance of the new season. 

Country music filled the hall as old friends greeted each other and new friends were made. The dance floor was lively as cowboy hats of every color could be seen bouncing around the whole evening.

Around 7 p.m. dance coordinator, Morgan Leaton grabbed the mic and called the group to the center as volunteers helped them form a large circle. The lights were turned up and the crowd quieted. The DJ queued up the “Chicken Dance’ that was followed by the ‘Hokie Pokie’. Then all those celebrating November birthdays were called to the center. Several folks happily came forward and everyone joined in singing them the ‘Happy Birthday’ song.

Pizza, drinks, and snacks were served up by volunteers until the last song of the evening played. Leaton reminded the crowd that next month’s dance, the Christmas Dance will be held on Thursday, Dec. 14. She promised the crowd a fun-filled evening with surprises and Santa!

The dances are open to anyone with developmental disabilities aged 13 and up residing in Genesee County. Proper staffing is required. If you would like more information or wish to volunteer, please contact: Morgan Leaton at 585-815-3157 or morganrleaton@gmail.com.

Submitted photos of Country Western Dance.

Press Release:

Pumpkins and gourds were grouped on the tables; spiders, bats, and witches decorated the room and the lights were dimmed to set the mood. Just about 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, volunteers and many Byron Ladies Auxiliary members dressed in costume prepared to welcome the 50-plus costumed dancers into the hall. 

The dancers were all shapes and sizes and they took pride in their colorful costumes. There were princesses, pirates, firemen, surgeons, prisoners, witches and ghouls. The Halloween dance for Genesee County Adults with Developmental Disabilities in the new season was off to a great start! 

Old friends greeted and hugged while new friends met up on the dance floor. DJ Uncle Joe played assorted country, rock, and pop tunes. He even showed some music videos, while volunteers served up refreshments of pizza, cookies, and cider.

About an hour into the event Pat Iamon, past dance coordinator, turned up the lights, grabbed the mic, and quieted the crowd. She called the dancers into a large circle and led the group in the ‘Chicken Dance.’ Staff and volunteers joined in. The DJ followed that with the ‘Hokie Pokie’.

Iamon then invited all those with October birthdays to come to the center. About nine happy folks came forward and the room joined together singing them the birthday song. The last thing on the agenda was to introduce Morgan Leaton, the new dance coordinator, to the room. The crowd cheered and applauded Leaton as she took the mic. 

Leaton thanked everyone for coming to the Halloween Dance, she welcomed them back to Byron, and announced that the next dance would be on Thursday, Nov. 16. She encouraged everyone to wear their cowboy hat and boots because the November dance theme is Country & Western.

The tunes played on and on while the dancers moved to the music. Some danced as couples, some in groups and some alone. When the crowd heard the intro to the YMCA, two of Byron’s firemen who had donned their firefighter suits earlier entered the dance floor. The dancers happily gathered around them and everyone enthusiastically danced the YMCA!

Too soon the night came to an end and the dancers followed their staff out of the building promising to return. There were shouts of Happy Halloween as they left. The dances are open to anyone with developmental disabilities aged 13 and up residing in Genesee County. If you would like more information or wish to volunteer, please contact Morgan Leaton at 585-815-3157 or morganrleaton@gmail.com.

Press Release:

Byron Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary is very happy to announce that thanks to Morgan Leaton, our treasurer, and her mom, Debra Leaton along with other members of the Byron Fire Department, the Genesee County Dances for Adults with Developmental Disabilities that ended in 2016 are coming back to the Byron Fire Hall at 6467 Townline Road (Rt. 262), Byron. 

Pat Iamon first organized the dances in 2002 and the dances continued for 14 years until her retirement as she lives in FL half the year. However, she will be helping Morgan and other volunteers get the dances up and running.

The first dance will be a Halloween Dance on Thursday, October 19, almost exactly 7 years from the date of the last dance. The dances are from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Folks are encouraged to wear their costumes and prepare for a fun-filled evening!

Unfortunately, Tom Mazerbo our fun-loving DJ passed away several years ago, but Uncle Joe, who was the photographer for many years, will now be acting as DJ. He will queue up some great dance tunes for the evening.

There will be a $5 cover charge (no charge for staff/parents/chaperones). Snacks and beverages will be available. We are asking each staff/parent/chaperone to sign in with their name and the names of the consumers they are bringing as they enter. Individual and group receipts will be available. Proper staffing is required!

The date for November’s dance has not been finalized yet but will be announced at the Halloween Dance. Iamon said, “I’m so happy that Morgan and her mom decided to head up this much-loved, multi-agency community event and I’m looking forward to seeing many familiar faces!”

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help please email Pat Iamon at: piamon@gmail.com.

Press Release:

When Tammy Wells, Vice President of Byron Ladies Auxiliary heard about a local girl needing some help, she shared Lilly Liles’ story at the May meeting. It was decided at that meeting that Lilly and her family would be the recipient of the Memorial Day’s 50/50 drawing. In addition, a jar was also set out to collect any additional donations to Lilly and her family that day.

Lilly Liles, is the daughter of Nicole Kulzer and Bradley Liles. Lilly has been slowly losing her hearing since she was a young girl. Lilly, age 21, now has profound hearing loss bilaterally (both ears). With such severe hearing loss, Lilly is not able to hear a phone ring, someone calling her name, or a smoke alarm. 

Her parents needed to find a way to keep her safe, especially when she is alone. Luckily the family learned of an organization that provides service dogs to folks like their daughter, Canine Companions. 

Lilly and her family received a lengthy application with many questions that serve to see how and if a service dog and Lilly will be a good fit. The family completed the required documentation and on March 30 Lilly was accepted into their program.

With the initial first steps completed Lilly and her family learned that for Lilly to receive a service dog, she must travel with her family to Orlando, FL, and remain there for two weeks of intense team training.

Once there she will train with multiple hearing dogs. At training, Lilly will learn the skills to handle and control her service dog, correct his/her behavior, and how to provide quality care to her dog.

Although Lilly will not have to pay for her dog, she and her family will be responsible for covering the cost of transportation to and from Orlando, food for the 2-week period, and field trip costs. Fortunately, the organization has complimentary housing for the family.

When Lilly finally receives her service dog she and her family will also have many new expenses such as food, vet care, recertifications, inspections, and follow-up visits with Canine Companions. However, Lilly’s service dog will be able to assist her not only at home but also at school and work and she can finally be safe being alone, which will give her much more
independence.

Photo submitted by Pat Iamon

Dine in or take out.

Cost is $10 for 1/2 chicken dinner; $5 for 1/4 chicken dinner. Meals include: Barbeque chicken, macaroni salad, coleslaw; homemade rolls and dessert. Beverages available on site.

Chinese Auction is $5 per 25-ticket sheet. Drawings begin at 1 p.m. You DO NOT need to be present to win!

Music will be performed by the Hill Brothers.

All proceeds fo toward the auxiliary's mission to help the Byron Fire Department and community members.

Join is at the Byron Fire Hall on Memorial Day! It is located at 6357 E. Main Road (Route 262) in Byron.