15 MAXINE AWNER Honored by: Make-A-Wish Western New York Make-A-Wish Western New York recognizes Maxine Awner for her exemplary leadership and extraordinary, continuing contributions as a donor, fundraiser and volunteer in support of its mission. Maxine’s leadership as Chair of the Buffalo Advisory Board for the last three years helped Make-A-Wish successfully navigate the pandemic and continue to serve children and families fighting critical illness in our community despite the ongoing, challenging environment. She also leads by example in every facet including by volunteering as a wish granter, being a ”Wish Hero” in the annual peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, and as a member of the Buffalo Gala’s sponsorship committee, an event she and her husband Steven previously chaired. Whether through her own personal giving, engaging her network, or involving the Sebastien, Awner, Houlding, Spagnolo, and O’Brien Group of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management …Make-A-Wish can always count on Maxine. For all this and more, Make-A-Wish is proud to honor Maxine Awner. CANDACE DARBY Honored by: City Year Buffalo CandaceDarby has been integral to the success of City Year Buffalo, an education nonprofit that employs AmeriCorps Members as student success coaches, since its inception in 2018. She has positively impacted our growth and performance by using her network to introduce City Year to many key community stakeholders from the Buffalo community, proposing and funding new events, supporting our AmeriCorps Members’ physical and mental wellbeing, directly making fundraising asks, and by dedicating her time and insight to our site. Since being named Board Chair in 2020, Candace has helped expand our board to over ten members who are all passionate about educational equity. Candace’s energy and love for City Year Buffalo ensures that we can continue to create positive educational environments, develop students’ social-emotional and academic skills, and prepare the next generation of young leaders.
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