named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Bags of Hope
Delivering necessities and comfort items to seniors in the community, particularly during holidays, to remind them they are valued.
Bags of Love
Providing newborns and their families at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center with essential items like diapers, clothing, car seats, and blankets.
Cares Packages
Personalized bundles delivered to children and families during difficult times, containing comfort items, gifts, and emotional support materials.
Cupboards of Care
Stocking parent and patient lounges at Oishei Children’s Hospital with snacks, coffee, and treats to support families of pediatric patients.
Make a Case for Kids
Filling pillowcases with toys, books, and winter gear for children in need during Christmas, especially those battling illness or in foster care.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 2 activities
- Operation of holiday gift and toy distribution campaigns for children in needConducts annual toy drives and holiday campaigns such as “Make a Case for Kids” and Christmas events to distribute new, unwrapped toys, snacks, hats, and gloves to children in need. Delivered gifts to over 2,000 children in Niagara Falls in one year and provided 2,236 gifts to elementary students and 500 toys to the Response to Love Center in another initiative.
- Provision of personalized care packages for children and adults facing illness or hardshipDistributes personalized care packages containing comfort items such as blankets, toys, pajamas, treats, and festive pillowcases filled with toys, books, games, puzzles, hats, and gloves to children and adults experiencing illness or hardship, particularly during the holiday season.
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Diaper and Baby Supply Distribution 1 activity
- Distribution of care packages and essential items to newborns and familiesProvides newborns and families in need with essential items through the "Bags of Love" program and operates Phil’s Room for Babies and Phil’s Room for Friends, which stock diapers, wipes, clothing, blankets, bottles, playpens, car seats, and household necessities. Delivered over 500 bags of essentials to new mothers at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.
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Recreational and Emotional Support Programs for Children with Serious Illnesses 1 activity
- Hosting of the “Be Our Guest” flagship event for children with serious illnessesHosts an annual “Be Our Guest” event that provides a full-day magical experience for children battling pediatric cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and their families, including professional hair and makeup, costumes, meals, entertainment, dance performances, crafts, photo opportunities, and gift bags. Served 141 children in one recent event.
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Community Event Fundraising 1 activity
- Operation of monthly sponsorship and community engagement programsRuns a monthly sponsorship program called Cares Crew at $100 per month to support children, seniors, and families in need, and organizes community events such as bingo and photo booths to engage and support its community.
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Disaster Relief and Recovery Services 1 activity
- Provision of disaster relief assistanceProvides humanitarian aid to communities affected by natural disasters, including delivering supplies and support following Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.
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Therapeutic Comfort Kits and Room Makeovers 1 activity
- Provision of snacks and comfort items to hospital loungesRegularly stocks parent and patient lounges on every floor of Oishei Children’s Hospital with snacks, coffee, and treats. Delivered over 400 cases of snacks and coffee to support families during hospital stays.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$62K
Contributions & grants$62K100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$58K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$5K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$5K
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -3.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 3
- MARY FRIONA-CELANI — PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR
- PAULA FRIONA — SECRETARY/DIRECTOR
- SCOTT CELANI — TREASURER/DIRECTOR
relationships · 42
Who they work with
- 716 Garage Door Repair Partner — Financially supports the "Be Our Guest" event, enabling it to be free for attendees.
- 716 Garage Door Repair Service INC Partner — Community partner supporting the organization's mission to help sick children in Western New York.
- ANDREA COSTRINO PHOTOGRAPHY Partner — Community partner providing photography services for the 'Be Our Guest' event.
- Amazon Partner — Partner platform for toy donations through a dedicated wish list.
- Baked by Burns Partner — Bakery partner contributing to the 'Be Our Guest' event.
- Be Our Guest Partner — Flagship event providing a magical day for children battling serious illnesses and their families.
- Berardi Immigration Law Partner — Longstanding community partner that has supported the organization since its early days and sponsors events like Be Our Guest.
- Brass Ring Web Solutions Partner — Community partner supporting the organization's mission in Western New York.
- COSTUMES FOR COURAGE Partner — Community partner providing costumes for children at the 'Be Our Guest' event.
- Cataract Elementary School Partner — One of four Niagara Falls schools receiving a sponsored Christmas event with toys and winter items; also received clothing and shoe closet stocking
- Costumes for Courage! Partner — Donates costumes for participants in the "Be Our Guest" event.
- Crown Cookie Partner — Bakery partner contributing to the 'Be Our Guest' event.
- Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum Partner — Community partner supporting the organization's mission in Western New York.
- Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo Partner — Receives snacks, coffee, and gift cards for families at the hospital
- Harry F Abate Elementary School Partner — One of four Niagara Falls schools receiving a sponsored Christmas event with toys and winter items
- Hyde Park Elementary School Partner — One of four Niagara Falls schools receiving a sponsored Christmas event with toys and winter items
- Kalfas Elementary School Partner — One of four Niagara Falls schools receiving a sponsored Christmas event with toys and winter items
- Luxury Purse Bingo of Western New York Partner — Partner through which Berardi Immigration Law made a donation to sponsor the Be Our Guest celebration.
- NFMMC Scholkopf Nursing Home Partner — Receives Bags of Love and holiday cheer for senior residents
- Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Partner — Partner hospital where the Bags of Love program distributes newborn essentials.
- Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Partner — Partnered to open Phil’s Labor of Love room and provide bags of necessities, diapers, and car seats to new mothers and babies
- Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Partner — Recipient facility for Bags of Hope care package deliveries
- Niagara Metals Partner — Community partner supporting the organization's mission in Western New York.
- Nothing Bundt Cakes Partner — Community partner supporting the organization's mission in Western New York.
- OLIVIAS BEARS Partner — Community partner contributing to the 'Be Our Guest' event.
- Oishei Children’s Hospital Partner — Partner organization where Totally Buffalo Cares stocks comfort cupboards in parent and patient lounges.
- PayPal Partner — Payment processing partner for online donations.
- Philip Friona Government — Dedicates the organization's mission and work to the legacy of Philip Friona, a veteran and community leader.
- Philip Friona Partner — Dedicates the organization's mission to the legacy of Philip Friona, a community leader and veteran.
- Philip Friona Partner — Organization is dedicated to honoring the life and legacy of Philip Friona, whose values guide its mission.
+ 12 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Celebration as Dignity-Affirming Caremethodology: celebration-based_supportBy creating celebratory events and experiences during holidays or critical moments, the organization fosters joy, belonging, and emotional resilience in children and families impacted by illness, because ritual celebration restores dignity and counters isolation caused by medical or social hardship.
- Emotional Support Through Personalized Giftingmethodology: personalized-emotional-supportBy providing personalized care packages and gifts, the organization delivers emotional comfort and affirming experiences to children, seniors, and families facing illness or hardship, because personalization reinforces individual worth and deepens emotional impact.
- Sustainable Community Support via Business Sponsorshipmethodology: monthly_sponsorship_modelBy engaging businesses in recurring sponsorship models, the organization ensures sustained funding and community investment in its programs, because ongoing financial support enables reliable delivery of emotionally meaningful services to vulnerable populations.