Tburg Takes On Pediatric Cancer hosts benefit

Tburg Takes on Pediatric Cancer is hosting its second annual Lyrics & Laughter event to raise funds for its mission of helping families in New York impacted by pediatric cancer. 

The event will be held at LakeWatch Inn in Ithaca on Nov. 5 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. and will feature entertainment by local musicians Kitestring, Frank Raponi, members of Showtime and the comedic acts of Keith Hannon.

Lindsay Hart, who has volunteered on the board for roughly five years, explained that the nonprofit was formed in 2010 by Fred and Tracy Vanderzee.

“They had a family friend with a child battling pediatric cancer, and they wanted to help,” said Hart. “They organized a fundraiser at the American Legion in Trumansburg for this family, and from there, the idea was born to help other families who were going through the same struggles.”

Despite its locally themed name, the group serves to help families all over New York, working closely with the liaisons at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse and Rochester to connect with families who need assistance.

“We fill in the gaps for those families that have received a pediatric cancer diagnosis,” said Hart, adding that many families typically have to miss work or quit altogether to ensure that their child receives care.

“Because of the huge financial strain that comes with this, we step in and help with those expenses that fall by the wayside or families get overwhelmed with because of the cost of treatment and insurance,” said Hart. 

The nonprofit covers electric bills, car insurance, hotel stays, gift cards for gasoline or groceries, rent and more.

“All things that are easy to dismiss when the only thing you are thinking about is getting your child well,” Hart pointed out. “We get to know the families and like to deliver any funds personally to them and stay in touch with them.”

As the nonprofit looks forward to making a meaningful impact on families in 2024 and beyond, it’s rolling out an endowment in the new year. It’s a goal that the group has been working on for the last two years. 

“We want to make sure that this organization can continue to help families in perpetuity, and there are donors who want to leave a legacy behind — our endowment is the vehicle for that,” said Hart, adding that more information will be available at the upcoming Lyrics & Laughter benefit.

An annual gala is also planned, now in its 13th year. It’s the group’s biggest fundraiser every year, said Hart. 

“It grows and gets better every year,” she said. “It’s definitely a community coming together to celebrate but also for an incredible cause.”

The gala is held every March at the Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen, with food, live bands and silent and live auctions. A family that the nonprofit has helped is invited to speak at the event. 

“The families are so gracious to share their inspirations and heartbreaks with us and how we’ve helped them along the way,” said Hart. “In 2022, we raised about $90,000 and, in 2023, $80,000 through that event alone.”

Unlike national organizations, the local nonprofit consists of volunteers with few or no administrative costs, with board members donating their own money, time and expertise. Hart noted that the group is also fortunate to have the assistance of countless local businesses.

“We are a handful of community members that have the support of other community members, which is what makes us most successful,” said Hart. “It’s community members supporting community members — doing something noble and having a direct impact on families in need.”

Seeing the life-changing results of many local helping hands is worth it. 

“The direct impact to these families is evident when we get the thank you cards and the emails with the updates about the kids, letting us know that they are in remission and how, through our financial help, we took the pressure off of them so they could focus on their children getting better,” said Hart.

For those interested in volunteering or to purchase tickets to Lyrics & Laughter, please visit tburgtakeson.com. The website has a contact form and grant application for families battling pediatric cancer.

Trumansburg Connection appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@VizellaMedia.com or courtney.rehfeldt@gmail.com.

In brief:

Community Day at the library

Ulysses Philomathic Library will host Community Day on Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. 

Attendees will be able to meet members of several local community organizations and find out how they can become involved. The event will include kids’ activities, coffee, snacks and animals.

Latin American fiesta 

The Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts (TCFA) will present a Dia de los Muertos art workshop from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the TCFA Art Lab downstairs on Oct. 21. 

The event is free to attend and welcomes all ages. 

Upstairs from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., the Trumansburg PTO will sell food and beverages and provide free music and dancing. Authentic Latino-Caribbean dishes will be available. 

Pre-orders are appreciated and can be ordered through Oct. 18 by visiting tburgpto.com/latin-american-fiesta.

Draw-a-thon Goes Wild! 

To celebrate the universal language of drawing, Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts is hosting Draw-a-thon Goes Wild! on Sunday, Oct. 22, from 2 – 5 p.m. 

In addition to fun-filled drawing stations, two Drawing with Paint workshops will be available in conjunction with TCFA’s art exhibit “Into the Wild(e).” All materials are provided, and all skill levels are welcome.

The schedule for the workshops is as follows:

2:15-3:15 p.m. – Warren Bunn, instructor

3:30-4:30 p.m. – Charlotte Ghiorse/The House of Choclet, instructor

A $5 donation is suggested for individuals, and a $10 donation is suggested for families. All proceeds will go toward TCFA’s capital campaign to restore its historic building. 

For more information, visit Tburgconservatory.org.

The event is registered with The Big Draw, an international festival that takes place all over the world throughout the month of October to celebrate the universal language of drawing. The program is sponsored in part by a grant from Community Arts Partnership. 

The Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Costume Party

Wear your spookiest attire at the Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Costume Party on Oct. 28, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts at 5 McLallen St.

Tickets are $15 in advance online at eventbrite.com or $20 at the door.

Expect a night filled with music, laughter and plenty of surprises. The event will feature a costume contest, “Rocky Packs” filled with audience participation goodies, ice cream, popcorn and refreshments.

An Evening of Laughter

Comedian Kevin Farley is coming to Cedarwood Event Venue on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. Local comedians Don Jerkins and Mike Brindisi will open the show.

Before the show, dinner will be available from 5 to 6:30 p.m., prepared by Billy Bobber’s Reef N’ Beef. Prime rib dinners will also be available as pick-up to-go orders from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Please note that dinner will be served only from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Cedarwood Event Venue will provide a full bar with various drink specials available for purchase.

Tickets are sold as tables, with limited individual tickets, giving groups an option to sit together. Audience members must be 16+ to attend.

For tickets, please visit kevinblackpresents.com.