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Sweet Buffalo Rocks, Inc.

My name is Kimberly LaRussa and I am the founder of Sweet Buffalo Rocks, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings smiles to children in need. Sweet Buffalo Rocks started as a Facebook group where we would paint and hide rocks all around Western New York to bring joy to others and turned into an incredible way to give back to children who needed us most. 

In October of 2017, I learned about a little boy named Bentley Hayden who was battling a cancer called Neuroblastoma. I will never forgot the first photo I saw of him holding his little stuffed animal. He defined beautiful.


With permission from his parents, I came up with a fundraising idea to paint “Bentley Rocks” and encouraged those who painted them to leave a donation on a GoFundMe page that was created by Sweet Buffalo Rocks. We raised more than $5,000 with that fundraiser and left Bentley his rocks at a benefit that was held for him. But sadly that wouldn’t be the only time Bentley needed us, so we didn’t stop there. 


When Bentley relapsed and had to spend his birthday in the hospital, we made sure to have everyone send him birthday cards and presents to brighten his day. When he sadly relapsed again, we asked Bentley what wishes we could make come true. He wanted a vacation and a black French bulldog puppy like the dog from his favorite show. With the help of the generous community, we raised money for a vacation for Bentley and he got his dream puppy thanks to a wonderful family. 


Then when Bentley’s insurance for his cancer treatment was denied we rallied WNY to demand change and shortly after, the decision to deny was reversed. We had T-shirts created called Bentley’s Battle, along with a GoFundMe page for him so his parents didn’t have to worry about bills for awhile and could stay by Bentley’s side. 

Bentley celebrated his fifth birthday this year and we were invited to his party. Our superhero friends, The Justice League of WNY, came with us to wish him a happy one and we gave Bentley a special gift that put a huge smile on his face. Bentley wasn’t feeling too well, so I gave him a kiss on the top of his head and told him I loved him very much. I didn’t know when I went home that day that would be the last time I saw my most special friend.


Bentley’s passing broke my heart into a million pieces. Bentley had nothing but goodness in him. He was kind, beautiful, loving and always grateful for the little things in life that we all take for granted. He didn’t deserve this. 


Although losing someone you love isn’t easy, I know we all made a difference in Bentley’s life while he was here and he is the reason why this organization will keep going because his huge heart would want us to. Bentley taught us all the importance of kindness and not to take one single day for granted. Bentley was a gift to us all and without that one photo of his beautiful face, our organization and mission may not have started. 

In the upcoming year we would like to do so much more for children and their families but we need your help. In 2019, we worked with very little funds but still accomplished everything we wanted to for kids because of our determination. We held events like our second annual Rockin’ Egg Hunt to raise funds for four families with children battling life-threatening illnesses; we held a successful fundraiser for a little boy named Mikey who hadn’t left the hospital since he was born and we are happy to say this year he spent his very first Christmas at home; Captain America and I surprised a boy named Desmond who is battling leukemia and we threw him a back-to-school pizza party with superheroes; we held a rock painting pizza party at Oishei Children’s Hospital with superheroes and Ninja Turtles; we raised funds for a sweet boy named Jaziah who is battling leukemia; and we collected hundreds of toys for children in need, so they could have a Christmas they deserve.


These are just a few of the many, many fundraisers, events and kindness iniatives we have held to do whatever we can to help Western New York children. Please help us continue our mission. 






Organizer

Kimberly LaRussa
Organizer
North Tonawanda, NY
Sweet Buffalo Rocks, Inc.
 
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.

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