11 OUTSTANDING PHILANTHROPIC SMALL BUSINESS Buffalo Balloon Company This award is presented to a philanthropic small business that demonstrates outstanding commitment through financial support and through encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles in philanthropy and/or community involvement. Through her kindness and generosity, Lydia Dominick and her team have gone above and beyond to help support the Buffalo community. The non-profit Buffalo Gives, created and operated by Lydia, has been a pillar this last year. From collecting donations exceeding $25,000 for families of the Tops shooting victims to overflowing the Buffalo Balloon Co. shop with supplies to Ukraine. Lydia facilitated a donation drive to send over medical supplies to Ukraine when the war first broke out. She involved The Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation and the Kaleida Health Foundation to donate any unused or expired medical supplies that were no longer in use or needed across Kaleida Health sites. Lydia saw a need to help the people of Ukraine and immediately reached out to those who could help fulfill that need. Supplies that could no longer be used in the hospital were beneficial to those in Ukraine. Buffalo Balloon Co. has become the hub for donations and growing a network of people who care. The financial and monetary donations to Buffalo Gives have significantly made an impact to inspire others to find kindness. Lydia’s leadership is an example of how one person can bring people together across a community to help those in need, especially during dire times.
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