FOURTH ANNUAL
Holiday Headstart

To Benefit WNY United Against
Drug & Alcohol Abuse Foundation

Sunday, November 18, 2007
6:00-9:00p.m.
McKinley Mall, Hamburg, NY

THANK YOU 2007 SPONSORS
click here to see sponsors

Approximately 400 shoppers got an early start on their holiday shopping and helped out the WNY United Foundation at the same time by participating in the fourth annual “Holiday Headstart,” an exciting, one-night-only shopping experience held at the McKinley Mall from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on November 18th, the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Shoppers that purchased $5.00 tickets to the event enjoyed an exclusive shopping experience at participating retailers including Macy’s, J.C. Penney, Sears, Best Buy, and specialty stores throughout the mall at a time when it normally would have been closed.

There were special deals, finger foods, discounts, and free gift-wrapping. There were also numerous opportunities to win valuable prizes like $100 McKinley Mall gift cards, a $100 gift certificate to the Glen Iris Inn, an Ultimate Detail Package from Delta Sonic, and a Holland Speedway Driver’s Experience. All ticket proceeds and sponsorship dollars went to the WNY United Foundation generating a sum of around $6,000 after expenses. Shoppers that attended enjoyed the savings and the idea of holiday shopping without fighting large crowds or waiting in long lines. Several volunteers helped out including Beth Deet and a large group from the Buffalo Bisons that included Tom Sciarrino and Mike Buczkowski, among others.

WNY United’s Matt Smith (right) poses with David Nasca (center) and Howard Martin of Evans National Bank, sponsors of Holiday Headstart and the Drug Free Tree.

This year, there was a significant upgrade in the entertainment offered at “Holiday Headstart.” Acclaimed Jazz Vocalist Sharon Bailey performed holiday tunes on stage. Kandy Kane, the world’s largest elf, did some of the routines from his hilarious holiday magic show that appears at the Holiday Lights Festival at the Erie County Fairgrounds. There was also an additional strolling magician and a four-piece Dixieland band.

THANK YOU 2007 SPONSORS

This event has now raised over $22,000 over the past four years and WNY United is very grateful to the McKinley Mall, the participating stores, and the shoppers for their support. Our thanks go to the planning committee members including Howard Martin (co-chair), Mike Buczkowski (co-chair), Tina Battistoni, Jeff Ohle, Linda Rogers, Mike Barczys, Marcy Peterson, and Barbara Hicks. Special thanks also go to Empire State Regional Council Carpenters Local #289, Contract Specialists, Inc., and Rich Products for their advance ticket purchases and for the support of our sponsors.