BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) – Inspired by their father, three sisters founded Be a Blessing Buffalo to help people in need feel loved over the holiday season.
“My sisters and I were heartbroken. My father died almost six months before Christmas. We really didn’t know what to do next. But my father was firmly convinced that he didn’t have much, but what he had gave with a grateful heart.” said Kate Tolley Gerlach, co-founder of Be a Blessing Buffalo: “I remember my mother saying that as soon as you don’t care about yourself, you will understand that this is so much bigger, whether you are sad or not, your dad wants you to do this. My sisters and I just picked it up and what we thought was a family was 100 people in the end. “
Be a blessing buffalo
About two years before their father died, the family began donating to a needy family for Christmas. When their father passed away unexpectedly in June 2019, they decided to keep doing it. The three sisters collected gifts for children of all ages, gifts for the elderly without families, and backpacks for the homeless.
“You are so incredibly humble about this backpack. When you see a grown man cry over socks, you understand where this kind of love comes from,” said Tolley Gerlach.
Be a blessing buffalo
This year the sisters hope to be able to help 500 people through Be a Blessing Buffalo. In May, the organization became a 501 (c) (3) so that it can serve even more people in need in Buffalo.
“I just hope that every mother who asks for help gets it. I hope that every sad elderly person alone knows that they are loved. I hope that everyone who is mentally ill is outside and doesn’t know the difference from sleeping inside knows that they are loved. I hope that just one lesson my father taught us will last forever, “said Tolley Gerlack.
Be a blessing buffalo
You can donate to Be a Blessing Buffalo through GoFundMe or by dropping off unwrapped toys at one of these locations:
- Bellreng’s Towing & Automotive 2131 Eggert Road, Amherst, NY 14226
- Sweet Pea Bakery Staub Square, 1 S. Buffalo St., Hamburg, NY 14075
- Welding Company 1585 Hertel Ave., Buffalo, NY 14216
- Gramma Moras 1465 Hertel Ave., Buffalo, NY 14216
- Just Pizza & Wing Co. Amherst, NY Location 2319 Niagara Falls Blvd., Buffalo, NY 14228
- Bliss Salon & Day Spa 1246 Payne Ave., North Tonawanda, NY 14120
- Excellence Chiropractic & Wellness 989 Kenmore Ave., Kenmore, NY 14217
- EMME Medical Spa 4211 N. Buffalo St., Suite 17, Orchard Park, NY 14127
- Shatkin FIRST 2495 Kensington Ave., Amherst, NY 14226
- Own NY Real Estate 8623 Main St., Williamsville, NY 14221
- North West Bank 2981 Delaware Ave., Kenmore, NY 14217
- Chevrolet paddock 3232 Delaware Ave., Kenmore, NY 14217
- Gianni Mazias On Main 10325 Main St., Clarence, NY 14031
- Rebel Ride at Clarence 1427, 6449 Transit Road, Suite 3, East Amherst, NY 14051
- The Lash Loft & Beauty Lounge 19 Main St., Suite 201, Tonawanda, NY 14150
- Polo Ralph Lauren at outlets 1774 Military Road, Space 84-86, # 88, Niagara Falls, NY 14304
- Marco’s Italian Deli 960 Maple Road, Williamsville, NY 14221
- Cellino plumbing, heating and cooling in McKinley Mall 3701 McKinley Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14219
- Bada Bing 42 West Chippewa St., Buffalo, NY 14202
- Sunsets and Sous Boutique 129 Sheridan Drive Buffalo, NY 14217
- Vogue Salon and Day Spa 30 Los Robles St., Williamsville, NY 14221
- Synergy Fitness 6045 Transit Road, East Amherst, NY 14051
- Golden Hour Salon 818 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222
If you need help this holiday season, you can contact Be a Blessing Buffalo in confidence at [email protected].
Comments are closed.