2017-2018 Annual Report
The Colors of CourageSABAH’s 2020 Celebration on Ice was one of the last major spectator events in Buffalo prior to the Coronavirus pandemic. Since that time, we’ve witnessed many acts of heroism and courage throughout our community. While we are deeply saddened by the events that have transpired since the show, we remain grateful that SABAH athletes had the opportunity to showcase their own courage and bravery as they overcame the challenges of disability to perform at the KeyBank Center on March 8, 2020. The fortitude of more than 830 SABAH athletes was highlighted in an emotional solo performance by Jason Phillips (on cover), who defied great odds to recover from a senseless act of violence to perform show’s featured act. His courage resonated with thousands of spectators as they cheered during a standing ovation that lasted much of his performance. We hope you will take the time to watch the story of his courageous journey from near death to his triumphant performance on the digital version of our annual report at www.sabahinc.org/annualreport.
Sheila O'Brien
Executive Director
Mary Clare Koessler-Smith
President, Board of Directors
OUR MISSION
SABAH, a 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to the mission of enriching the quality of life for individuals challenged by physical, cognitive, and/or emotional disability by providing education and therapeutic recreation, promoting fitness, and developing social and communication skills.
Adults Fit and Fun/Bryan Wagner Video
Rifton Walker Video
IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR SABAH REACHED…
The Children’s Guild Foundation’s Summer Athletes Bold at Heart
Individuals Served
Adaptive Ice Hockey Program
Individuals Served
Evening and Weekend Program
Individuals Served
Summer Skate
Program
Individuals Served
School Day Adaptive Ice Skating
Athletes Served
Adult Fit and Fun Program
Individuals Served
Total Participants
Athletes Served
VOLUNTEER NUMBERS:
Volunteers
Volunteer Hours
Meet our 2017-2018 Athletes of the Month
Hall of Fame Inductee – Mike Brown
In a surprise anno uncement during SABAH’s 2024 Starlight Night Auction and Gala, Mike Brown was honored as the organization’s 2025 Hall of Fame Inductee. In a video tribute, over 400 guests were moved to tears as they learned about Mike’s deepened commitment to...
SABAH Spring 2024 Newsletter
SABAH Spring 2024 NesletterDownload
2023 Hall of Fame Inductee – Kristen Mruk
During the 2023 Starlight Night Auction and Gala on November 17th, SABAH was pleased to announce that Kristen Mruk is the organization's newest Hall of Fame inductee. Kristen began volunteering in 1998 at a very young age in support of her older sister, Katie. She has...
2023 Celebration on Ice
Sabah Fall 2023 Newsletter
Fall 2023 NewsletterDownload
Spring 2023 Newsletter
sabahspring2023 newsletterDownload
2022 Hall of Fame Inductee, Dan Wagner
SABAH’s Hall of Fame recognizes those exceptional individuals who have provided unparalleled support and commitment to SABAH for more than a decade. SABAH is pleased to announce that Mr. Dan Wagner, will be the organization’s 2022 inductee into its Hall...
Fall 2022 Newsletter
SABAH’s 2022 Spring Newsletter
SABAH’s 2021 Fall Newsletter
Dr. Matt and Toula Phillips – 2021 Hall of Fame Inductees
Dr. Matt and Toula Phillips also began their journey with SABAH in 2009 when their son, James, started volunteering with the organization. Not only has the couple been major contributors on the Starlight Night Auction Committee for many years, but they also served as...
Mark and Donna McDonnell – 2020 Hall of Fame Inductees
Mark and Donna McDonnell were drawn into SABAH in 2009, when their son Brennan began volunteering, followed in succession by his siblings PJ and Molly. Mark and Donna quickly assumed leadership roles by chairing the Starlight Night Auction and Gala in both 2013...
SABAH’s 2021 Spring Newsletter
Spring 2020 Newsletter
The Grigg Lewis Foundation – 2019 Hall of Fame Inductee
For the 10th consecutive year, the Grigg Lewis Foundation has provided vital support for SABAH’s Niagara University Wednesday Evening Program. Designated by the foundation as a “Core Group” grant recipient […]
2019 Celebration on Ice Photos
Spring 2019 Newsletter
Chris Biondo – 2018 Hall of Fame Inductee
Fall 2018 Newsletter
2018 Summer Skate Photo Album
SABAH PROGRAMS
School Day Adaptive Ice Skating
From October through March, SABAH’s School Day Adaptive Ice Skating program provides children challenged by disability and economic disadvantage with a curriculum based, educational program that integrates movement with New York State Common Core Standards and life skill development.
The Children’s Guild Foundation’s Summer Athletes Bold At Heart
From May through June, children challenged by disability participated in The Children’s Guild Foundation’s Summer Athletes Bold At Heart program. Graciously supported by The Children’s Guild Foundation, the program provides a curriculum based educational program on a sport court surface to improve skills such as balance and coordination, communication skills, and skills for independent living.
Evening and Weekend Programs
SABAH’s Evening and Weekend programs continue to thrive in four rinks across the Western New York region. From October through March, participants enjoy weekly adaptive ice skating sessions at Riverside’s Bud Bakewell Ice Rink, the Northtown Center at Amherst, the Hamburg Ice Rink, and Niagara University’s Dwyer Arena.
Adaptive Ice Hockey
The Adaptive Ice Hockey program teaches basic skating and hockey skills in a relaxed and non-threatening environment. During the 2018 season, SABAH hockey participants enjoyed the seven week program in the exhilarating outdoor atmosphere of the Ice at Canalside in Buffalo.
Summer Skate
SABAH’s Summer Skate offers a fun and enjoyable way to beat the summer heat with eight weekly adaptive ice skating sessions from July through August at the Northtown Center at Amherst.
Adults Fit and Fun
SABAH’s Adults Fit and Fun program is one of the few adaptive recreational opportunities specifically dedicated to meet the needs of adults challenged by disability. Adults Fit and Fun offers increased physical activity, nutritional information, skills for independent living, and socialization for adults with special needs. SABAH now offers the Adults Fit and Fun program year round with adaptive ice skating during the winter months and programming on a sport court surface during the spring and summer months.
Our Sponsors
Foundations
- Buffalo Eye Bank Endowment Fund
- Buffalo Sabres Foundation
- The Cameron and Jane Baird Foundation
- Children’s Foundation of Erie County
- The Children’s Guild Foundation
- Ferguson Electric Foundation
- First Niagara Foundation
- Grigg Lewis Foundation
- KeyBank Foundation
- The M&T Charitable Foundation
- McLain Foundation
- The Paul J. Koessler Foundation
- Scripps Howard Foundation
- Variety Club of Buffalo, Tent #7
- The Vincent and Harriet Palisano Foundation
Financial Information
| Revenue in Percents | % |
|---|---|
| Foundations | 33.79% |
| Auction | 28.13% |
| Ice Show | 14.67% |
| Skater Contributions | 8.18% |
| Individual Member | 5.90% |
| Corporate Donations | 4.25% |
| Miscellaneous Fundraising | 3.44% |
| Memorials | .93% |
| Service Associations | .70% |
| Interest Income | .01% |
| Total Revenue | $513,724.87 |
| Expenses in Percents | % |
|---|---|
| Payroll Expenses | 49.37% |
| Rink Expenses | 11.91% |
| Auction Expenses | 6.92% |
| Ice Show Expenses | 5.25% |
| Employee Benefit | 5.22% |
| Insurance | 4.32% |
| Office Expense | 4.32% |
| Payroll Taxes | 3.88% |
| Publications | 2.15% |
| Professional Services | 1.76% |
| Other | 4.90% |
| Total Expenses | $557,735.65 |
FUNDRAISING BY THE NUMBERS:
(TOTAL REVENUE)
Kickstock
13,580
TOTAL REVENUE
2017 STARLIGHT NIGHT AUCTION & GALA
$144,518
TOTAL REVENUE
446
GALA ATTENDEES
2017 HOLIDAY APPEAL
$13,750
TOTAL REVENUE
2018 SABAH CELEBRATION ON ICE
$75,346
TOTAL REVENUE
*Numbers are gross, not net.
Board of Directors
Officers
Mary Clare Koessler-Smith
President
David V.L. Bradley, Esq.
Secretary
Brian F. Costello
Vice President
William P. Keefer, Esq.
Treasurer
Board Members
John S. Dengler
Sean Insalaco
Margaret McCarthy, PhD
Mark McDonnell
Tim McMorrow
Kelly Papa-Fike
Tom Rennie
Alan J. Rosenhoch
Honorable Donna M. Siwek
Doug Smith
Robert M. States
Al Vaughters
