2017-2018 Annual Report

The Colors of Courage

SABAH’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

Sheila O'Brien

Executive Director

Mary Clare Koessler-Smith

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

Michael Checko April Athlete of the Month

Michael Checko April Athlete of the Month

Phillip Byars – 2018 March Athlete of the Month

Phillip Byars – 2018 March Athlete of the Month

Phillip Byars serves in many roles at the Riverside Rink on Tuesday evenings.  In addition to being a dedicated and hardworking SABAH athlete, Phillip also serves as a tour guide, […]

Brittany Toellner – February Athlete of the Month

Brittany Toellner – February Athlete of the Month

SABAH’s Februrary Athlete of the Month is a dedicated and determined athlete who has been skating with SABAH since 1993!  The ever smiling Brittany Toellner attends the Niagara University Wednesday […]

Lylian Webster – December Athlete of the Month

Lylian Webster – December Athlete of the Month

For the past five years, SABAH has had the wonderful privilege of watching Lylian Webster grow from a shy and timid girl into an outgoing and independent young lady.  Beautiful […]

November Athlete of the Month – Dan Yager

November Athlete of the Month – Dan Yager

Dan Yager November Athlete of the Month Since 1995, SABAH has enjoyed the joyful spirit and enthusiastic attitude of Dan Yager.  As a 33 year old SABAH, veteran, Dan is […]

October Athlete of the Month – Gabe Venditti

October Athlete of the Month – Gabe Venditti

SABAH’s Athlete of the Month for October is the strong and ruggedly handsome, Gabe Venditti from the Niagara University program.  Although Gabe has a tough exterior, the 15 year old […]

Katie Mruk – September Athlete of the Month

Katie Mruk – September Athlete of the Month

Katie Mruk September Athlete of the Month SABAH’s Athlete of the Month for September is a true role model for individuals challenged by disability.  Katie Mruk began skating with SABAH […]

Ryan Koteras – August Athlete of the Month

Ryan Koteras – August Athlete of the Month

Each week during the SABAH season, Ryan Koteras enthusiastically leads the warm up exercises for SABAH athletes and volunteers in Group 3.  A born leader, Ryan demonstrates the stretching routine […]

Sam Perison – July Athlete of the Month

Sam Perison – July Athlete of the Month

SABAH’s July Athlete of the Month, Sam Perison, has been named one of the featured coaches of the 2017 Kickstock Kickball Festival.  During the past season, Sam skated in SABAH’s […]

Abby Yates – June Athlete of the Month

Abby Yates – June Athlete of the Month

When Abby Yates arrives at SABAH, the rink instantly brightens.  Abby has an angelic face and a warm, wide smile that captures the hearts of both SABAH volunteers and her […]

Jenny Ruisi – May Athlete of the Month

Jenny Ruisi – May Athlete of the Month

SABAH’s Athlete of the Month for May is the sweet and delightful Jenny Ruisi from the Northtown Center at Amherst Sunday morning program.  Although Jenny began with SABAH over eleven […]

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%
Foundations33.79%
Auction 28.13%
Ice Show14.67%
Skater Contributions8.18%
Individual Member5.90%
Corporate Donations4.25%
Miscellaneous Fundraising3.44%
Memorials.93%
Service Associations .70%
Interest Income.01%
Total Revenue$513,724.87
Expenses in Percents%
Payroll Expenses49.37%
Rink Expenses11.91%
Auction Expenses6.92%
Ice Show Expenses5.25%
Employee Benefit5.22%
Insurance4.32%
Office Expense4.32%
Payroll Taxes3.88%
Publications2.15%
Professional Services1.76%
Other4.90%
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