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Junior Achievement of WNY celebrates 100 years - virtually

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Wed, Oct 21st 2020 12:40 pm

WNY donors, educators & volunteers among those being recognized

On Thursday, Oct. 29, Junior Achievement of WNY will celebrate its 100th anniversary at the “Virtual JA Inspiring Tomorrows Centennial Gala,” with the support of presenting sponsor Wells Fargo and pillar sponsors Delta Air Lines and M&T Bank.

Turning 100 on Dec. 19, this virtual celebration at 500 Pearl, in downtown Buffalo, will provide the backdrop to recognize the businesses, foundations, organizations and individuals who were instrumental in JA’s success and growth throughout the eight counties of Western New York.

Being recognized for 15-plus years of continuous support to Junior Achievement of WNY are sustaining supporters: BlueCross BlueShield of WNY, Buffalo Niagara Sales & Marketing Executives, Bank of America, Cannon Design, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Children’s Foundation of Erie County Inc., EY, Freed Maxick, Grigg-Lewis Foundation, Hodgson Russ, HSBC, Independent Health, KeyBank in partnership with the First Niagara Foundation, Lawley, The M&T Charitable Foundation, National Grid, Perry’s Ice Cream, Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, Reid Family Foundation, Rich Family Foundation, The Cameron & Jane Baird Foundation, The Ralph F. Peo Fund, Tops Friendly Markets, UPS, WSF Industries Inc. and West Herr Automotive Group.

Several individuals will be recognized, as well, for their commitment and dedication as “JA Education Champions” or “JA Volunteer Champions.” The former include: Gary Gross, Cardinal O’Hara High School; Cathy Moots (retired), Falconer School District; Colleen Christmann and Gerry Hathaway, both retired from the West Seneca School District; Amy Donn, Benjamin Franklin Middle School; Kathy Heinle (retired), Sue Raichilson and Norm Duttweiler, Buffalo Public Schools; Eileen Cartonia, Depew High School; Krissy Lawrence, Hamburg High School; Heather Hartmann, Clarence High School; Kathy Wild, Maryvale Middle School; and Jill DiTullio, Lockport High School. The latter include: Richard Lash, MassMutual; Lou Wallen, Wallen & Associates; Danielle (Chaffee) Kiernan, Michael Winter and Jennifer Yap, HSBC Bank; Michael Metzger, SUNY Fredonia; Mary Maisano, Independent Health; Mary Maj (retired), M&T Bank; and Sue Ryan, Travelers Insurance.

The Genesee County Business Education Alliance and Wyoming County Business Education Council will be recognized as “JA Education Champions” for their work providing information about JA’s programs to school administration throughout Genesee and Wyoming counties, and recruiting the classroom volunteers needed to deliver JA lessons.

John L. Hettrick Jr., CEO of WSF Industries, will be presented with the JA Area Centennial Leadership Award for his demonstrated outstanding leadership and impact for Junior Achievement of WNY. Hettrick has served on the JAWNY board of directors for more than 30 years, taking a seat previously filled by his father. During his tenure, Hettrick has provided personal support, as well as support from his business. Annually, he presents one JA student with the John Lord Hettrick Sr. Memorial Scholarship in honor of his father’s passion for Junior Achievement.

JAWNY President Laurie Mahoney said, “Through these numerous and long-lasting relationships, Junior Achievement of WNY has delivered financial literacy, entrepreneurship and career and work readiness programs to 443,569 students over our 62-year history serving Western New York. Organizations, like Junior Achievement, and local communities survive and thrive because of donors and individuals who exhibit this level of dedication and commitment. It will be my honor to recognize these individuals, foundations and organizations on Oct. 29, 2020.”

For information about registering attending the virtual celebration, visit the events page at www.jawny.org.

About JA of Western New York

In Western New York, Junior Achievement was founded in 1958 and last year reached 16,089 students in 778 classrooms via a network of 745 classroom volunteers delivering JA program throughout the eight-county footprint.

About Junior Achievement USA

Celebrating its centennial in 2019, Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches more than 4.8 million students per year in 105 markets across the U.S., with an additional 5.2 million students served by operations in 100 other countries worldwide. Junior Achievement USA is a member of JA Worldwide. Visit www.ja.org for more information. 

JA was started in 1919 in Springfield, Massachusetts, by Strathmore Paper Founder Horace Moses, AT&T Chairman Theodore Vail and Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Murray Crane. JA's founding was in response to families moving from farms to the growing industrial cities. The goal was to provide young people with the skills they would need to be successful adults in their new communities.

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