August 7, 2022
WEST EDITION
Westside News Established 1953
Serving Suburban News West and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald edition areas
Serving the communities of Hamlin, Clarkson, Kendall, Bergen, Clarendon, Holley-Murray, Brockport-Sweden
August 7, 2022
Issue No. 32
westsidenewsny.com
Homesteads for Hope Community Farm wins grand prize totaling $200,000 in Kubota’s Hometown Proud Contest As part of its 50th anniversary celebration in the U.S. Kubota Tractor Corporation hosted a Hometown Proud Contest that awarded grants to organizations across the country that are on a mission to revitalize underserved communities with new and promising solutions. There were two parts to this contest and back in July, local nonprofit Homesteads for Hope learned that out of nearly 900 applications, they were selected as one of the five winners for the first phase of the Kubota Hometown Proud contest. They were thrilled to receive the $100,000 grant and determined to double the amount by securing the most votes in Kubota’s Community Choice online contest. Homesteads for Hope’s mission won over the hearts of people across the nation and reaffirmed to the local community why this inclusive farm is so special. With over 101,000 votes cast, Homesteads for Hope came out on top, which doubled their grant amount to $200,000. “We couldn’t be happier,” shared CEO and Founder Jennyrae Brongo. “As a grass roots organization, we have made tremendous progress since purchasing our 55-acre farm in 2016, but we needed this boost. Honestly, the entire special needs community needed this win, now more than ever before. We are always applying for different kinds of funding and the process is usually exhausting. Working with Kubota has been different from the start. They care. They know we care and together, we will button up Phase 2 here at the farm, which gives people of all abilities a place to learn, work, and grow. This win also gives us the momentum to move onto Phase 3, which includes our eagerly anticipated inclusive housing village, which will give 250+ people a place to call home.” Grants and Media Coordinator Heather Burroughs was so appreciative of the national exposure and explained, “We currently serve over 600 families and have 3,000+ visitors each year, but our community has fully embraced what we offer and its heartbreaking to turn away families who are desperate for programming and housing options for their loved ones with special needs. This funding is a very big deal for Homesteads for Hope and we will make the most out of every penny! We are very thankful that our supporters voted for us and helped us win. With this kind of exposure, our intentional community is gaining serious traction and we would love for people to see our mission in-action. No words could adequately describe this place and the hope it stirs inside people. We encourage everyone to come out and see it for themselves.”
Homesteads for Hope is a 55-acre community farm located along the Historic Erie Canal in Ogden. While many nonprofits in the special needs community did not survive the pandemic, Homesteads grew over the last few years, and was able to take in some of the people who had nowhere else to go. Homesteads for Hope uses “nature’s classroom” to teach people with disabilities important life skills, how to work real jobs, and is a beautiful model of true inclusion. Anyone interested in learning more about Homesteads for Hope is encouraged to visit their website or Facebook page or, better yet, stop by in person. Shop at their farm market or café or enjoy one of their open to the public events, including the live music nights every Thursday. The 2022 Kubota Hometown Proud grant for Homesteads for Hope will be used to: expand their Social Garden Program for those with more challenging needs and mobilitybased disabilities; double their 80-plot community garden and the program’s impact; and renovate the estate home with new doors and windows to weatherproof the main program spaces for year-round use. With the Community
Choice Grant, Homesteads for Hope will also be able to finish the renovation on their 18th century historic barns to include new siding and electrical upgrades and pour new concrete pathways to increase accessibility. These projects will allow Homesteads to triple the amount of people they serve and provide the momentum needed to start their eagerly anticipated inclusive housing village, which will give more than 250 people of all abilities much needed housing options. Provided information and photo
Fundraiser planned to help bury local Vietnam Veteran by Tami Raco Paul D. Burley, of Hamlin, passed away on October 26, 2021, at the age of 72. Burley, who grew up in Albion, served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1971 and he was deployed during the Vietnam War. Paul was pre-deceased by his parents, John and Marion Burley, and his brother, John Jr. He is survived by a sister, Marcia Burley, who is in a nursing home and not able to afford to give her brother a proper burial.
According to Doug Sholette of Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Paul’s remains are being held at Lakeside Cemetery until the funds are raised for his burial. Burger Funeral Home hopes to provide a full military honors burial for him as soon as possible. Doug Sholette and David Klafehn of Lakeside Cemetery were able to find a family plot where Paul will be laid to rest. Paul’s former neighbor, Hamlin resident Phil Hurlbut, and Hamlin Town Council member Angel Male are organizing a fundraiser to help raise what is necessary to provide
this Vietnam Veteran a proper burial. The fundraiser event will be held at the Hamlin VFW, 1739 Lake Road North, on Saturday, August 21, from 1 to 5 p.m. There will be a cheeseburger and hot dog cook out with salad and locally grown corn. Tickets are $10 and take-outs are available. Those who are not able to attend but would like to contribute to the burial fund for Paul Burley may send donations to Hamlin AVA AUX, Attn: Paul Burley Funeral, 1739 Lake Road North, Hamlin NY 14464.