ASBURY FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1050 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607
CENTERPEACE
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
ROCHESTER, NY
PERMIT NO. 1932
News from the Asbury Dining & Caring Center • Spring 2016
MISSION STATEMENT
We are a welcoming outreach ministry
of the Asbury First United Methodist Church that nourishes the bodies,
minds, and souls of our sisters and
brothers in the Rochester community.
Through our ministries of meals, hospitality and supportive assistance, we reflect God’s love and work to transform
our lives and the lives of our guests.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Asbury Dining & Caring Center
1010 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14607
www.asburydiningandcaringcenter.org
New Floor Boosts Moral
T
he Dining & Caring Center
kitchen has recently been refurbished with a brand shiny new kitchen
floor and freshly painted walls! All
the kitchen appliances, sinks, and
work surfaces had to be moved out
of the kitchen in order to re-do the
floor – huge task in itself. The old,
cracked floor had to then be completely removed prior to laying new
subflooring and then the actual floor
tiles. The walls were painted, and then
everything had to be moved back into
place. We are thrilled with the results,
knowing our meals will continue to
be made in a healthy and safe environment. It is a morale booster for all
who work and volunteer at the Dining
& Caring Center to be able to work in
a bright and beautiful kitchen.
We want to thank Asbury First for
their financial commitment and underwriting of this project and their
continued support of this ministry of
hot meals, hope, and hospitality. Special thanks to Ken Carr, Property Care
Manager, for overseeing the project,
church sextons Lonnie Day & James
Flack, our cook, Charles McManus,
and volunteers Aaron and Chuck. Job
well done!
Save the Date
Tenth Annual
Dinner Among Friends
September 24, 2016.
Mailing Address:
1050 East Ave.,
Rochester, NY 14607
Phone: (585) 461-0285
Michele Cooley, Director
Phone: (585) 271-0692
Email: [email protected]
2016 BOARD MEMBERS
Andy Dutcher, Chairperson
Ed Ristau, Secretary
Gary Brown, Treasurer
Carol Trout
Cathy Bracht
Jeff Edwards
Amy Libenson
Bob Peterson
Philip Gigliotti
Ann Standish
Len Davidow
Kathy Thiel, Pastor Liaison
Rand Warner, Emeritus Board Member
Bill Lisi, Emeritus Board Member
This newsletter was printed at
no charge to the AD&CC by
Donor Option
No. 2202
When you contribute to the United
Way of Greater
Rochester, please consider designating
AD&CC. Thank you!
Remembering Burt Ross
Those of you who have been volunteering at the Dining and Caring Center for
many years will fondly remember Burton “Burt “ Ross, who was a dedicated
volunteer here until he lost his courageous battle with stage 4 colon cancer
this past summer. Burt was an example
of optimism and grace through his
three years of treatments. He remained
cheerful, always concerned and interested in others as he endured years of pain.
He was never critical, and he loved everyone. It didn’t matter who you were, how
you looked, or what your social status or
economic status was, you always had a
friend in Burt. Dining and Caring Center
director Michele Cooley fondly remembers, “I can still hear his laughter, which
was robust and frequent.”
Burt made an impact on all. Before his
death he asked that any memorial contributions be sent to the Dining Center,
thinking of the DCC to the end.
Burt had a brother, Barry, who lives in
a lifetime assistance residence. Michele
was touched to receive the following email – a sweet legacy to Burt’s memory.
“Hello. I am
writing to you
for Barry Ross.
Barry’s brother
Burt thought
very highly of
the Dining and
Caring Center and often talked about
his service there. Since Burt passed
away we have been trying to think of
a way that Barry could honor Burt and
the selfless life that he lived.
Burt (right) with Terry Elkins, who works at
the Dining and Caring Center.
“Recently Barry realized a dream of
his. He made a CD of six original songs
that he had the opportunity to record.
We decided to host a CD release party
for Barry where he collected donations.
Barry chose to donate all proceeds of
his CD release to the Dining and Caring
Center. Barry collected $120.00 from his
party.
“We were all so blessed to know Burt,
and proud that Barry is choosing to do
this in honor of his brother. – Jennifer
Yarrison, Acting Residence Manager,
Lifetime Assistance.”
Giving can be realized in so many ways.
Burt’s legacy continues at the Asbury
Dining and Caring Center. Michele
reflects, “I never really knew Barry, but
his generosity confirms that he has just
as big a heart as Burt did.”
1
2
SPRING 2016
CENTERPEACE
Dinner Among Friends: Another One for the Records
What an evening is was! October 3rd
was the night of the ninth annual Dinner Among Friends fundraiser for the
Dining & Caring Center. Participants
gathered at Asbury First to taste a variety of delicious appetizers prior to settling in for a lovely dinner at the home
of one of our generous hosts. The event
raised almost $22,500 for this ministry
of hope, hospitality, and hot meals. Our
thanks go to Paula Kuempel and the
Appetizer Group for the hard work they
put in to make this event a success. 100
percent of the money raised will go toward this ministry that feeds the hungry
and homeless in our community.
A very special thanks for the first ever
“Dinner Among Kids,” featuring Paula
Dugan and Meredith Pixley helping the
kids to make and eat pocket pizzas while
viewing Veggie Tale movies in Fellowship Hall while the youngster’s parents
were attending the appetizer portion of
the evening at the Gathering Center of
Asbury First.
The Dining & Caring Center is grateful
for the generosity of so many to help
keep this ministry a vibrant presence in
the lives of those who have so little and
need so much. We look forward to seeing you at this wonderful event in 2016!
Participating Sponsors ($250-$499)
Crawford Funeral Home
Loria Electric
Hammer Packaging
Nolands Party Supply
Leo J. Roth
Clover Nursery
Caldwell Construction
Participating Sponsors ($100-$249)
WP Tallie Services, Inc.
John & Angie Burch
Sandra & David Holloway
Drs. Timothy Johnson & Robert Miller
Christie & Tony Karpovich
Laurie & David Kennedy
Rick & Paula Krempin & Mary Lynn
Vickers
Jeffrey Lamica & Katie O’Hern
Rev. Stuart & Martha Mitchell
Laura & Al Swett
Hats off and a huge thank you to our corporate and in-kind sponsors:
Supporting Sponsors ($1,000-$1,499)
Doyle Security
Dutcher & Zatkowsky
Mytee Auto
Federated Clover Investments
Recognitions Experts
Quality Vision International, Inc.
In-Kind Donations & Other Support
Contributing Sponsors ($500-$999)
Howe & Rusling
Canandaigua National Bank
O’Connell Electric
M&T Bank
Heartfelt gratitude to
this year’s hosts:
Wegmans
Home Depot
Elegant Gent
Gel Salon
The Distillery
Pellegrino’s Deli Café
Also thanks to those who made the appetizer
reception possible:
Kittleberger Florist & Gifts
Jines Restaurant
Saha Med Grill
Voula’s Greek Sweets
Sticky Lips BBQ
Tasteful Connections
Carol Trout & Dawn Riedy
Mary & Mike Walker
Elizabeth & Rick Church & Bruce &
Cheryl Thompson
Teddi Urriola
Adelaide & Jerry Svoboda
Jeanne & Ed Ristau
Bonnie & Dan Matthiades
John & Henrietta Foster
Lani & PR Anderson
Amy Libenson & Brett Shulman
Edith & Doug Newcomb
Joanne & Brian White
3
“I Need to Get Back to Asbury”
Many of you know Ron Wilson, a former
member of the Asbury First property/
maintenance team. He enjoyed keeping
the Dining and Caring Center clean and
tidy for staff, volunteers, and guests. He
also offered a cheerful word of welcome
and a smile that said: “I’m so happy to be
here, and I’m happy to see you here.”
In 2013 Ron suffered a stroke and, later,
a heart attack. The double-whammy
put him in the Rochester General ICU
in critical condition. He pulled through
and spent considerably more time at the
hospital. Some of us believe that Ron had
a strong will to live, primarily because
he was thinking: “I need to get back to
Asbury.” Staff and volunteers would visit
him and see him wearing an Asbury cap
and tee shirt. He would always ask about
church and Dining Center people - often
by his well-chosen nicknames.
to walk. He was given the okay to proceed to independent living and in September he moved to Southview Towers.
Many people helped Ron with the move,
providing furniture, cooking needs, and a
supply of food. He visited the Storehouse
and got clothes. A nurse and a social
worker visit him regularly. A supply of
food is delivered each week. People are
working with him to get legal assistance
and making sure all is as it should be
regarding Social Security, rent, child support, etc. For all that he has been provided Ron is very grateful and he is finding
inspiration by reading the Psalms.
Ron moved to Blossom Nursing Home
where he resided for over a year, getting
physical therapy daily. Even though he
sustained paralysis on his left side that
affected his mobility, he gained the ability
Steps are being taken to help Ron ultimately move to University Towers, closer
to church. Ron would like to work at
the Dining Center, perhaps as a greeter,
when he can again say: “I’m so happy to
see you here.” What a blessing!!
Michele Cooley Wins Award
ADCC Director, Michele Cooley was
recently presented the Lena M. Gantt
Distinguished Community Service
Award from Action for a Better Community, Inc. at their 12th annual signature
luncheon. The award is presented to
“honor the one volunteer whose record
of community service best reflects the
life and work of Lena M. Gantt,” who
worked tirelessly for more than 30 years
to improve the lives of those in need.
Michele too, has spent her life helping
others. After graduating from Ithaca
College and receiving her degree at the
SUNY Albany Graduate School of Social Welfare & Criminal Justice, Michele
has focused on those living in deprivation and distress. Whether it is serving
as an adult employment coordinator,
implementing a court appointed advo-
cacy program for abused children, leading a crisis center (where she received a
commendation from then S.C Governor
Carroll Campbell for her work assisting those impacted by Hurricane Hugo),
or working for the Salvation Army as
a social worker and member of their
Emergency Family Services Team, Michele’s life had been dedicated to helping
the least and the lost. We are fortunate
that she shares her compassionate spirit
and knowledge of those experiencing
poverty with all who our guests at the
Dining & Caring Center.
Upon receiving this award, Michele
stated, “I thank you and I thank God for
the experiences shared and the countless
friendships I have made over the years. I
look forward to the privilege of continu-
ing to serve
the homeless,
hungry, fragile,
challenged,
and sometimes
forgotten
members of
our community. Let’s not
cast out or
throw away or
disregard people in pain. Let’s love them
instead.”
The Board, staff, volunteers, and guests
of the Asbury Dining and Caring
Center offer our congratulations and
gratitude to Michele. Michele is the
personification of what the Dining &
Caring Center is all about: acceptance,
hospitality, a hot meal, and hope.
 Thank You to Our Wonderful Donors 
Peter Abdella
Tom Alaimo
David Albright
David & Amy Allen
Alstom Signalling
P.R. & Lani Anderson
Timothy Ashely & Elizabeth DoddsAshley
Eileen Atwell
Kenny & Jennifer Bailey
Matt Bain
Rachael Baldanza
Jeffrey & Karen Barner
David Bassinger &
Linda Quinlan
Devin Beach
Daniel Beerse
Jane Bemish
David Berg & Dawn Riedy
Mary Berk
Sam & Louise Bishop
Nancy Boerner
Brian & Melissa Bohrer
Molly Bohanan
Peter Bourne
Catherine Bracht
Ralph Brenner
Tom & Judy Bristow
Gary & Laura Brown
Kathleen Bryant
Frances Bryniarski
Jessica Burdick-Giordano
Deborah Bullock-Smith
Janice Burch
John & Angie Burch
Julianne Burch
Reuben Burch
William Burtis Jr.
Craig Burton
Lila Bush
Stephen Cady II & Emily Cady
Sarah Callahan
Charles Campbell Jr.
Canandaigua National Bank
Jeanette Cannioto
Robert Comstock
Cardwell Construction Co.
Christ Carter & Jennifer
Jensen-Carter
Harold & Elise Carter
James & Diana Carter
Robert & Barb Castle
Richard Caven
Charles & Nancy Christiansen
Richard & Elizabeth Church
Irene Churukian
Richard & Joyce Clements
Thomas & Linda Clemow
Clover Lawn & Landscape
Judy Cohen
James & Patricia Coleman
James & Cynthia Connell
Larry & Karen Conrad
Francine Conwell
Michele Cooley
Kay Cotton
Crawford Funeral Home
Carolyn Curran
Rob Curry & Donna Carson
Nancy & Len Davidow
Dennis & Marion DeLeo
John & Janice DeMocker
Richard & Diane Dennison
Miriam Derivan
Bruce Didsbury
The Distillery
Judy & Hank Dixon
Peter & Stephanie Doerner
Julie Doescher
Julie M Doughtery
Doyle Security
David & Dorothy DuBois
J. Ernest DuBois
Diane Dudley
Larry & Paula Dugan
Jeanetta Dunlap
Andy Dutcher
Dutcher-Zatkowski
Edward Jones
Jeff & Barb Edwards
Elegant Gent
Carol Elliott
Barbara Eltinge
John & Bonnie Erwin
Federated Clover Investment Advisors
Roberta Feldman
Scott & Donna Fields
Mason & Ginn Fitch
Lee Fleckenstein
Foodlink
Jim & Cathy Ford
John & Henrietta Foster
John & Iva Francis
John Frank
Jefferson Fraser
James & Karen Freebern
Bill & Linda Freed
Sharon Freeman
Daniel & Helen Fultz
Lorraine Fusare
Larry & Robyn Gage
Marty Garland
Darrell & Mary Anna Geib
Gel Salon
Monica Gilligan
Claire Gladwell
Anne Glizter
Glover-Crask Foundation
Thomas Gomph
Gail Gould
Greater Rochester Health Foundation
Karl Greenhagle
Edward Grissing
Judith Halley
Hammer Packaging
Chuck & Cara Hanrahan
Carol Hardy
Lawrence Hargrave &
Brenda Lee
Carol Harrington
Kenneth & Laurel Harrington
Charlotte Herrera
Ida Hickman
Norma Jean Hildreth
Daniel & Joanne Hines
Howard & Maureen Holcomb
David & Sandra Holloway
Home Depot
John Hoover
Howe & Rusling, Inc.
Gary & Ruthellen Hoyle
Robert & Merilyn Israel
Charles & Mary Kay Jackson
Karen Jamison
Jane Jeszenka
Jines Restaurant
Gregory & Kathie Johnson
Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation
Timothy Johnson
Anne Justus
Dallas Kaiser
Kimberly Kalish
Tony & Christie Karpovich
David & Bonnie Kay
Jeff Kell
David and Laurie Kennedy
Robert Kilpatrick
Thomas King
Kittlelberger Florists
Nancy Klotz
Marybeth Knowles
Paula Koch
Rick & Paula Krempin
Richard & Deborah Krenzer
Rick & Paula Kuempel
Ellen Lamb
Jeffrey Lamica
Craig & Susan Larson
Susan & Mark Leader
Douglas & Christine Lee
Sandra Lee
Leo J Roth Corp.
Amy Libenson & Brett Shulman
Christine Linsner-Cartwright
Loria Electrical Services
Sandra Lloyd
David Long
David & Marian Lubba
Diane Lucas
Carol Lynch
M&T Bank
Robert & Karen McGraw
Roger & Deborah McLean
Carole MacMonagle
Cheryl Magin
Timothy & Johanna Mahan
Emma Maher
Make Waves Salon
Linda Marchant
Richard & Clara Marchese
Wayne Martin
Daniel & Bonnie Matthaidess
Memorials
Messner Flooring
Joann Middleton
Ray & Susan Miller
Robert Miller
Stuart & Martha Mitchell
Phil & Morna Monahan
Richard & Sandy Moncrief
Ann Morris
Maxine Morse
Kurt & Kelly Mueller
Maureen Mulley
Mary S Mulligan Charitable Trust
Sandy Murray
My-Tee Automotive Service
James & Barbara Nelson
Douglas Newcomb & Edith Grannum
Nolan’s Rental
David & Janet Northrup
Susan Nurse
John Nutter
O’Connell Electric Co.
Betsy O’Connor
Katie O’Hern
James Ormsbee & Elisabeth BischoffOrmsbee
Roger Oskvig
Stephen & Carolyn Parker
Michael Parkes
Paychex
Glenn & Lynn Peck
Pelligrino’s Deli Cafe
Ian Pershing
Robert & Penny Peterson
David & Shirley Petherbridge
Vincent Pigula
George & Meredith Pixley
Quality Vision International
Betty Ragin
Recognition Experts
Edith Reinhard
Christopher Rhodes
Ed & Jeanne Ristau
Virdell Robbins
Rochester Female Charitable Society
Rochester Riverside Convention Center
Lawrence and Joyce Root
Dennis & Carol Roote
Leo J. Roth Corp.
Jean Rowe
Jennifer Rouke
Saha Med Grill
Mary Scahill
Helen Schmidt
Robert & Michelle Schrader
Patrick & Kathleen Schwar
Bruce & Donna Schwendy
Lynn & Sharon Selke
Timothy & Audrey Shafer
John & Susan Shafer
John & Susan Shafer
Prabodh & Christine Shah
Richard & Lauri Shevlin
David & Karen Shuttleworth
John Skuse
John & Suzanne Smalt
Nancy Specht
Ronald Stallworth & Carol Kramer
Richard & Ann Standish
Joseph & Vickie Stankaitis
Cynthia Stanton
Devore Steiner
Todd Stevenson
Sticky Lips Pit BBQ
James & Judith Stinehour
Martha Stock
Rosemarie Strassner
David & Jeanne Strong
Jerry & Adelaide Svoboda
Martha Sweitzer
Laura & Al Swett
Tasteful Connections
Matthew Taylor
Ruth Templeton
Katherine Thiel
Bruce & Cheryl Thompson
W.P. Taillie Service, Inc.
Holly Temming
David & Maya Temperley
Bharat Thazhathu
Katherine Thiel
Dan Trout
Robert & Carol Trout
True Insights Consulting
Jeremy & Martha Tuke
Donald Turk
Wayne Turnblom & Kathy Shirer
University of Rochester
John Urban
Teddi Urriola
David & Ruth Vanderlinden
Mary Lynn Vickers
Voula’s Greek Sweets
David & Patricia Wait
Michael & Mary Walker
Janet Walsh
Ray & Marilyn Waring
Rand & Marjorie Warner
Gail Waters
Henry Weber
Wegmans
Barbara Welsh
Charles Wendel
Joanne & Brian White
Elsie Wiberg
Richard & Marcia Wilke
Ellen Williams
Willmott Foundation
Sally Wood
Dean & Beth Woolever
Mark Wright
Edna Yellamaty
Rodney Allen Young
Peter & Judith Zuris