Latest news with #BestBuddiesFriendshipWalk
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
OCSO collects 722 lbs. of unused medication for Drug Take Back Day
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (WROC) — The Ontario County Sheriff's Office participated in collecting unused medication alongside the Canandaigua Police Department for National DEA Drug Take Back Day on Saturday. The initiative is recognized annually by the Drug Enforcement Agency and other law enforcement agencies to encourage local communities to take action to avoid possible misuse of medications and combat addiction. In 2024, the OCSO reportedly responded to 64 overdose calls, excluding incidents in surrounding areas. Annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk celebrates disability inclusion Deputies and officers accepted unused or unwanted over-the-counter medications in addition to controlled substances and sharps with no questions asked from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the Canandaigua Wegmans. At the end of the event, officials reported they had collected over 722 pounds of unused medication and 71 pounds of sharps among the 340 cars that arrived. Outside of Drug Take Back Day, unused medications can be disposed of at some local pharmacies and police departments year-round. Additional information on the program and drop-off options can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk celebrates disability inclusion
GATES, N.Y. (WROC) — The annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk was held on Saturday to raise awareness for the organization's efforts to connect individuals with and without disabilities. Best Buddies International facilitates opportunities for leadership development, inclusive living, and integrative employment. The organization also provides support to families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through programming that focuses on creating diverse one-to-one friendships, advocacy, and training, they have served over 1.3 million people worldwide, including Rochester. Sneak Peek: RBTL continues accessibility upgrades to auditorium 'The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is a way for our community to come together and support our neighbors with and without disabilities,' said Lindsay Jewett, the Director of Mission Advancement for Best Buddies International in Western New York. 'This event shows our mission in action, and it is always one of the best days of the year!' The event featured music, local sports mascots, obstacle courses, and prizes for children and adults. Over 400 walkers registered to participate in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Total Sports Experience, hoping to raise $62,500 for local programs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon helps hundreds learn Hands-Only CPR
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Around 200 people used test dummies to practice chest compressions at Memorial Stadium on Friday during the Christie Clinic Race Weekend. For the proper Hands-Only CPR technique, you clench your hands together and press down until you hear a click which signals you've gone down far enough to actually get blood pumping. Now, because of the training, hundreds will be ready to step in during life-threatening scenarios. Champaign Co. Children's Advocacy Center holds open house for Child Abuse Awareness Month 'We saw a need to bring attention to Hands-Only CPR for those that are out on the course,' said Medical Director Lynn Ullestad. If you're at the Illinois Marathon on Saturday, you might see someone wearing a yellow bib. It means they've been trained in Hands-Only CPR. 'We hope no one ever has to use it,' Ullestad said. 'But if there's a need, we want people to know what to do.' It's lead by the American Heart Association. More than 40 volunteers taught the basic technique and made sure they were able to demonstrate the movement effectively. 'Push hard, push fast,' Ullestad said. 'That's the immediate lesson here.' Alida de Flamingh is running the 10K for the first time. She heard about the class from an email the race sent out and was moved by the story of Rafael Ruggeri: A doctor who had a heart attack on the course but was saved by his son through Hands-Only CPR. Best Buddies Friendship Walk making a difference in Champaign '[If] I'm in a situation like that, I want to be able to help save somebody's life,' de Flamingh said. The training was open to anyone, not just racers. The Fighting Illini women's soccer team dropped in through their head coach's unique connection. 'My wife works for Stryker who's a big sponsor of the event,' said Head Women's Soccer Coach Katie Hultin. 'We're pretty passionate about it in our house.' Hultin said Hands-Only CPR is great for their sport because of how much they run. But it's also helpful off the pitch, with hundreds coming to visit for camps and recruiting, not to mention everyday life. 'I'm moving my family here,' Hultin said. 'I've got 30 athletes that live in this community as well, and to know that all of these people are taking time out of their day to learn this skill that hopefully they never have to use, but if they do, they're going to be prepared.' The American Heart Association employee who was running the training said someone who took this training in February has already saved someone's life. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Workers Memorial Day in Champaign honoring two Central IL State Troopers
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Dodds Park will be hosting a remembrance ceremony for Illinois State Troopers Corey Thompsen and Todd Hanneken. The Workers Day Ceremony will take place on Monday at 5 p.m. in Champaign. The event will honor troopers Thompsen and Hanneken, who both lost their lives while they were on duty. Families, friends and co-workers of both troopers will attend the ceremony. 'They're trying to go after us,' Candlewood Estates residents say they won't be charged for electrical issues Both Thompsen and Hanneken were both based at the Pesotum post and died after traffic accidents while on duty in rural Champaign County in 2024 and 2021, respectively. On March 25, 2021, trooper Hanneken was on patrol west of Champaign when his vehicle left the road and struck a pole and tree. 45-year-old Hanneken was from Long Creek and was the son of a retired state trooper. He spent 20 years with the state police and is survived by his wife Shelley and two sons, Ben and Nick. On Oct. 18, 2024, trooper Thompsen was finishing a traffic enforcement detail north of Champaign when another driver pulled into the roadway and struck his motorcycle. 28-year-old Thompsen lived and grew up in St. Joseph and is survived by his wife Chelsea, mother Susan, father Steve and brothers. Best Buddies Friendship Walk making a difference in Champaign 'Both officers made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting our community,' said Matt Kelley, president of the AFL-CIO of Champaign County. 'We appreciate their bravery and selflessness and are eternally grateful for their service.' The local ceremonies are among hundreds of Workers Memorial Day events taking place across the nation. These events started in 1970 with the signing of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The AFL-CIO of Champaign County and East Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council have organized local ceremonies annually to call attention to the need for greater workplace safety for everyone. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Best Buddies Friendship Walk making a difference in Champaign
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Hundreds of students from all over Central Illinois joined in the annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk at Edison Middle School in Champaign Thursday morning. Best Buddies is an international non profit raising money and focusing on protecting students with special needs from isolation. WCIA's 'Remarkable Woman' back from California, inspired to grow Champaign-based non-profit 'Our mission is to connect students with disability or different ability, also, with other students in the general area and the general classroom or in the community,' Mary Nada, a functional life teacher at Edison Middle School, said. Three years ago, Nada had a huge role in getting her school and others involved. 'We wanted to join the Chicago and Normal walk, but we couldn't take our students or the buddies. It's hard for their families and for us, so we decided to do a small thing in here,' Nada said. 22 libraries open in two Illinois prison facilities, IDOC announces That small thing ended up turning into nearly 150 people the first two years. And now, it's gotten even bigger, with more than 500 people this year. 'Inclusion is a big part of our community. And I didn't really realize that until I joined best buddies,' 8th Grader Mallory Borden said. Borden has been part of best buddies for the past three years. She says the program has taught her a lot about herself and life. 'I can learn more about the diverse backgrounds and just like different abilities that people have. And it's just really interesting and it makes me feel really good that I'm able to help someone and just like, connect with them,' Borden said. Project Success back up and running at 6 Vermilion Co. schools Borden said the knowledge she's gained helps her spread the message to her friends and encourage them to join the program. Because for Nada, that's her mission. 'Teach them about Best Buddies and teach them about inclusion and how it's important for our community members and our students and and the area and just be aware of it,' Nada said. The Best Buddies organization was able to meet their fundraising goal of $16,500. The money will go toward creating jobs for people with disabilities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
