Sabers Foundation and Northtown Automotive invest in WNY in 50/50 raffle

Maria Marusewski’s first reaction was disbelief when she learned she had won the Buffalo Sabers Foundation 50/50 drawing during the final home game of the season on April 11.

Marusewski – a full-season ticket member for the Bandits and a half-season ticket member for the Sabers – listed her plans for how she might spend her $49,614 prize, including home repairs, reimbursement of her car and planning activities for her. and his family.

Oh, and one more expense.

“We’re going to buy full seasons for the Sabres,” Marusewski said.

Individuals like Marusewski experience life-changing moments throughout the season as the winners of the 50/50 drawing are declared at each Sabers and Bandits home game. With the support of Northtown Automotive, the other half of the money raised was returned to the community, helping Western New York on a larger scale.

The Buffalo Sabers Foundation raised $1,207,876 through the 50/50 draw in 2023-24, meaning $603,000 was returned to Buffalo. More than 75 charities have benefited from the funds raised.

“Northtown Automotive Companies has been a proud sponsor of the Buffalo Sabers for many years,” said Harold Erbacher, Northtown Chief Operating Officer. “We are proud to partner with the Sabers 50/50 fundraising efforts, helping support over 75 different nonprofits right here in our Western New York community.”

Mental Health Advocates of Western New York (MHA) was one of those beneficiaries. The Buffalo Sabers Foundation presented MHA with a $25,000 donation on November 14, made in honor of former captain Kyle Okposo on the occasion of his 1,000th NHL game.

MHA used these funds to help launch its Teen Chat Line, which gives local teens a way to speak with professionally trained youth advocates.

“Mental Health Advocates of Western New York (MHA) would like to thank the Buffalo Sabers Foundation for its generous support of the recently launched Teen Chat Line,” said MHA Executive Director Melinda DuBois. “Our youth are experiencing unprecedented rates of anxiety and depression, and this non-crisis helpline will provide an additional resource and support to our youth during this time of great need.”

“Prevention and early intervention are essential to managing mental illness and establishing a strong foundation of mental well-being throughout life. Thank you to the Buffalo Sabers Foundation for prioritizing youth mental health and recognizing the need for creative solutions to address this youth mental health crisis.

Buffalo City Mission is another organization that benefited from a $10,000 donation to support its efforts to reduce homelessness in Western New York.

“The City Mission is extremely grateful to the Sabers and the community who donated,” said Aubrey Calhoun, executive director of the Buffalo City Mission. “The generosity expressed by everyone who participated in the $10,000 donation will help continue to renew the lives of those struggling with poverty and homelessness in Buffalo.

The Buffalo Sabers Foundation and Northtown Automotive are committed to continuing to create change through the 50/50 raffle, both in the lives of individuals and in the community as a whole.

“With over $1 million raised to date, Northtown looks forward to helping the Sabers raise the next million dollars for our community,” Erbacher said. “See you at a game next year!”