Bardo Celebrates 35 Years As Part Of Filling The Gap
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Victoria Bardo, special events and development manager for Filling the Gap, has been in her position for 35 years.
Filling the Gap is an affiliate corporation of The Resource Center. They oversee and support several different corporations in the community.
In her role, Bardo is in charge of creating and sustaining the different special events and fundraisers that the corporation puts on throughout the year.
"The Resource Center and Filling the Gap host many events," Bardo said. "We create a positive awareness and raise funds and raise friends wherever we can."
Some of the more visible events that Filling the Gap has done include the Gus Macker basketball tournament, which ran for 19 years; the Laurel 5K Run; the Resource Center golf tournament; and the Lip Sync Battle, along with the annual Step Up For Autism event that has been running for 13 years.
Filling the Gap also supports other community events.
Another part of Bardo's work is implementing the many service recognition and honor receptions that Filling the Gap does. She also works part-time with the Buffalo Bills with the guest services as an ambassador.
"I am so proud to be part of that, and I am a huge Bills fan and working there is a big piece of my puzzle," Bardo said.
As far as The Resource Center and Filling the Gap go, Bardo said it is typically thought that the two organizations only support people with disabilities. They also provide care services to the community, such as clinical services, dental, behavioral and mental health services. All services are open to the community.
"People don't realize that we have those," Bardo said. "We also support people with disabilities during the day in a residential setting."
For her job specifically, Bardo said she thought people did not realize how much of a juggling act her job can be.
"There are many organizations in the area that are trying to earn the same funds," Bardo said. "That's why we have so many different events to keep people engaged with us."
Even with this, Bardo said she is very proud to have reached 35 years with the organization and to have been able to create and sustain so many high-profile events that have lasted over 20 years, calling it "quite an accomplishment."
Besides work, Bardo likes to travel and see her big family. She also likes cooking and is involved in several other programs around the community, including being on the board for Meals on Wheels and the Junior Miss Pageant Program. Bardo is also on the board for the Jamestown Chamber of Commerce.
As she gets closer to retirement, Bardo said her main hopes for the future are that everything she has done in her job can continue.
"I hope everything I have helped create can be sustained in a positive way, and that we can continue to bring worthwhile events to the community," Bardo said.
She also encouraged the community to volunteer around the area.
"Jamestown has so much going for it," Bardo said. "Get involved. Get your friends and family involved. It's very rewarding."