Pictured from left are Lisa Schmid Miller, Billy Torres, Caden B., Dan Groh, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Cindra, B., Allen H., and Pastor Jason Whitaker. Submitted photo

A local collaboration between the Human Rights Commission of Jamestown, G.A. Family Services, and Community Day event coordinator Pastor J, occurred in order to bring supplies to Buffalo’s east side Community Day Celebration.

The event was a big success.

Billy Torres and Dan Groh for the two organizations collected donations from area Tops Markets, including Tops in Mayville, Tops on Foote and G.A Family Services staff. Once all donations were loaded into the G.A. Family Services A&R Program van, and the youth volunteers from the program where all picked up, all donations were delivered on July 7 to the corner of Riley and Jefferson streets in Buffalo.

The volunteers helped bag up and distribute the donations for community residents still reeling from the Tops closure after the horrific shooting on May 14. An assembly line was formed to unload all vehicles including a U-Haul truck full of fresh produce.

There were free raffles for bicycles and appliances. The idea was sparked by the son of one of the victims from the Tops tragedy. The victim’s son (Mark) wanted to see that there was a Community Day where everyone there could be served with anything they may need.

Torres and Groh along with Lisa Schmid-Miller and Breanne Emery had the opportunity to talk to community members and help those who attended. The event was free to the community and all who came received a bag of groceries and a free hot meal as well as the chance to participate in the raffles.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown spoke to residents and thanked volunteers in-person for all of their efforts to make Community Day a success. The Human Rights Commission of Jamestown’s goals include fostering mutual respect and understanding among all racial, religious and nationality groups in the community in Jamestown and they felt it was important to help support the Buffalo community in this time of healing.