Pirate Toy Fund Celebrates 500,000th Toy with Pirate Hat Night at Innovative Field

BY REBECCA L E CLAIR

Six-year-old Mariana Lippincott-Diaz from Gates received the 500,000th toy handed out by the Pirate Toy Fund since its founding in 1995. is special presentation took place at the pitcher’s mound of Innovative Field before the Red Wings baseball game on Saturday, the 12th. Mariana was selected for this honor because of her generosity and kind-heartedness in memory of a friend who died of childhood cancer.

“We knew the Pirate Toy Fund was just about to hand out its 500,000th toy,” said Otto Harnischfeger, PTF Executive Director. “We invited Mariana and her family to the baseball game so we could recognize her for raising $800 to buy toys for children receiving medical treatment at Golisano Children’s Hospital.”

Last fall, Mariana was hospitalized for salmonella poisoning and spent several days in the hospital. Like every child admitted to Golisano Children’s Hospital, Mariana received a toy from the Pirate Toy Fund. She also was aware of her friend, Ian Mech, who received toys while being treated for childhood cancer. A er Ian died, Mariana dedicated the proceeds from her lemonade stand to buy more toys in his memory. To date, she has raised more than $800.

“How great is that? To have a little girl so focused on giving back to her community and remembering her family friend,” exclaimed Harnischfeger, “So we decided to combine celebrating Mariana’s generosity and the Pirate Toy Fund’s historic benchmark with a community party, all on Pirate Hat Night!”

Gary the Happy Pirate, the children’s entertainer who conceived the idea of the Pirate Toy Fund while performing at Golisano Children’s Hospital in the 1990s, was acknowledged during the pre-game ceremony. His wife Kathryn Smith, who wrote lyrics to most of the songs Gary performed during his career, was honored as well. Kathryn has been Gary’s primary caretaker since he was diagnosed with a fatal neurological disease in 2020. “Because of the pandemic, we were never able to have a community celebration when Gary retired from being our previous Executive Director,” said PJ Tagliente, Vice President of the PTF Board. “I think everyone would agree this is a perfect time to honor Gary as we give out the 500,000th toy.” e mission of the Rochester-based Pirate Toy Fund started with providing toys to children at Golisano Children’s Hospital. As the organization grew, the mission expanded to provide toys to every hospital in the Rochester region plus agencies that help children in need. e Pirate Toy Fund asks community members to donate toys and volunteers help distribute them. Over the past 28 years, the charity has collected half a million toys and delivered them to more than 100 agencies and health care facilities.

To thank the community for its unwavering support, the Pirate Toy Fund hosted a free party in front of the baseball stadium from 5:00-6:45pm. Families came to enjoy bounce houses, pony rides, face painting, and balloon sculpting. e rst 1,000 kids through the gates received a free pirate hat.

“We are so proud to be celebrating this milestone during the summer because it gives us a great opportunity to remind folks that we need toys year-round. We hope folks come to the ballpark for some pre-game fun and then enjoy a great game. Everything we do is for the kids,” said Harnischfeger. For more information about the Pirate Toy Fund and to get involved with its great work around the Rochester community, visit https://www.piratetoyfund.org/

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