Tag Archives: Making Spirits Bright

It’s time to help make spirits bright

21 Nov

The 12th season of Making Spirits Bright is underway, and you can help.

Making Spirits Bright is an awesome organization here in Webster which for the last 12 years has been working quietly under the radar, doing amazing things for families in need during the holidays — and this year, their efforts are needed more than ever.

The organization works with area school counselors and social workers to identify families that need assistance. Then they collect wish lists from each of the family members and begin collecting items. And unlike many other programs, Making Spirits Bright provides far more than just gifts. They also assist with winter gear, household necessities, personal care items, cleaning supplies and various other items to lessen a family’s burden. PLUS, they provide for all members living in each household, no matter their age. This includes kids, parents, guardians, grandparents, and sometimes even pets. This year, Making Spirits Bright expects to surpass 600 families helped.

The call has gone out for donations to support this year’s effort, and there are several ways you can help:

  • Sign up as a group, organization, business or family to help out. (Click here for current community list)
  • Adopt an entire family (choose the family size you’re comfortable with, two-person and up)
  • Adopt one person (any age/gender identity)
  • Purchase personal care items or other needs (here’s a suggested supply list)
  • Organize a collection drive for some of the most needed items, like toiletries, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, gift wrap, gift boxes and gift cards.
  • Make a monetary donation, which are used to purchase items on the list which were not adopted. Any donations, large or small, is appreciated. Click here for more information.
  • Help wrap gifts. Click here to see this year’s wrapping schedule and stop by to lend a hand!

Donations should be new and unwrapped (unless otherwise noted), and all items need to be dropped off at the MSB headquarters — located in Baytowne Plaza — no later than Saturday, December 6. Click here for additional drop-off locations and hours.

Drop-off locations can be found HERE. 

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 11/21/2025)

Tags: , ,

It’s a busy fall at the Rec Center

13 Oct

Lots of fun stuff coming up at the Webster Recreation Center which you’ll want to put on your calendar, so let’s dig in:

BINGO Night to support Making Spirits Bright, Sunday Oct. 19 at 1 p.m.

I’m honored to join Mike Petzing from Shamrock Jack’s as a caller for this event which benefits one of my favorite nonprofit organizations, Making Spirits Bright. Proceeds will help purchase large wish-list items for families to make their holiday season spectacular.

Admission is $25 for adults and $15 for children, capped at $75 per family. Fun, snacks raffle and door prizes! Click here to read my previous blog for more information.

By the way, the Bills have a bye that week, so there’s no conflict!

Pumpkins on Parade, Saturday, Oct. 25 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Take the family along a mile-long path around the Rec Center, lined with illuminated jack-o-lanterns, ending with music, cider & donuts, a giant slide, mini hay maze, photo booth, games and a bonfire. The event is free and open to the public.No registration is necessary.

Everyone is encouraged to carve some pumpkins to be added to the parade. Carved pumpkins can be dropped off at the Recreation Center on Friday, Oct. 24 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and/or Saturday, Oct. 25 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

You can also join other Halloween-loving community members at a Pumpkin Carving Party on Friday, Oct. 24 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The Rec Center will provide the pumpkins and the tools — all you need to bring is your creativity. And all of your creations will make it to the Pumpkins on Parade path. It’s free, but registration is required for this so they can set aside some pumpkins for you. Register for program #301208

Broadway-Themed Halloween Fitness Event, Sunday, Oct. 26 at 9 a.m.

This event is FREE and open to the public, and no registration is required. Costumes are definitely encouraged, so consider dressing as your favorite Broadway character.

Looking ahead

Mark your calendar now for an Afternoon with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. Enjoy music and dancing, cookies and activities. Come anytime during the event — you don’t have to be registered — and Santa will make sure to visit with everyone.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/13/2025)

Tags: , , , ,

Join me for BINGO and help benefit a great organization

4 Oct

“B-14!”
“N-32!”
“G-60!”

You’ll have to excuse me. I’m practicing my bingo-calling skills, because they’re somewhat lacking.

OK, to be totally honest, they’re entirely lacking, because I’ve never before been a bingo caller. So I have to practice up, because just a short while ago, my friend Jamie Buss asked me to be one of two guest bingo callers at a brand-new bingo fundraising event a few weeks from now to benefit Making Spirits Bright.

Jamie Buss and Tracy Nappi are the driving force behind Making Spirits Bright, a nonprofit organization established in 2014 with one simple mission: to provide smiles for families in need during the holiday season. Over the last 11 years, Making Spirits Bright has helped nearly 600 families, mostly through generous donations from community members, who sign up to fill families’ wish lists.

But sometimes some of those wish lists go unfilled, and many include big-ticket items. That’s where this family-friendly afternoon of BINGO will come into play (pun intended).

The fun happens on Sunday, Oct. 19 from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. (Don’t worry, it’s a bye week for the Bills.) Participants will each get 10 games with three boards each game, a BINGO dabber, light refreshments and drinks. Winners will receive gift cards and gift baskets donated by local businesses and Making Spirits Bright supporters. You can buy tickets for some fabulous raffle prizes, and if you bring a new toiletry item, unopened cleaning supply, or gift-wrapping item (wrapping paper, ribbon, etc.) you’ll get a free raffle ticket.

Admission is $15 for kids and $25 for adults, capped at $75 per family. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

And business owners, Making Spirits Bright is still looking for event sponsors. For as little as $100 you can get some great visibility for your business, a ticket to the event, have a lot of fun and feel good about supporting a terrific organization. Click here for more details.

By the way, my bingo-calling partner in this fun adventure will be Mike Petzing. You know him as the owner of Shamrock Jack’s Irish Pub where he showcases his BINGO-calling prowess once a month.

(Great … so HE has experience. I’d better get back to practicing.)

“O-63! N-35! I-30! BINGO!” (Wait. I’m not supposed to be yelling that …..)

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/4/2025)

Tags: , , ,

It’s time to help make spirits bright

17 Sep

The 11th season of Making Spirits Bright is underway, and you can help.

Making Spirits Bright is awesome organization here in Webster which for the last 11 years has been working quietly under the radar, doing amazing things for families in need during the holidays.

The organization works with area school counselors and social workers to identify families that need assistance. Then they collect wish lists from each of the family members and begin collecting items. And unlike many other programs, Making Spirits Bright provides far more than just gifts. They also assist with winter gear, household necessities, personal care items, cleaning supplies and various other items to lessen a family’s burden. PLUS, they provide for all members living in each household, no matter their age. This includes kids, parents, guardians, grandparents, and sometimes even pets.

The call has gone out for donations to support this year’s effort, and there are several ways you can help:

  • Sign up as a group, organization, business or family to help out.
  • Adopt an entire family (choose the family size you’re comfortable with, two-person and up)
  • Adopt one person (any age/gender identity)
  • Organize a collection drive for some of the most needed items, like toiletries, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, gift wrap, gift boxes and gift cards.
  • Make a monetary donation, which are used to purchase items on the list which were not adopted. Any donations, large or small, is appreciated. Contributions can be made via credit or debit here.

If you’d like to volunteer your time and kindness to the organization, click here to fill out a form and they’ll be in touch. If you have questions, email thegoodnessinitiative@gmail.com, or check out the Making Spirits Bright FAQ page. Plus, you can follow their Facebook page to keep on top of how things are going.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 9/17/2024)

Tags: , ,

Ten years of Making Spirits Bright

18 Sep

There’s an awesome organization here in Webster which for the last ten years has been working quietly under the radar, doing awesome things for families in need during the holidays.

The aptly-named Making Spirits Bright (MSB) was founded in 2014 with one simple mission: to provide smiles for families in need during the holiday season. For many families in our area, the holidays are not a joyous time, as parents struggle put a decent meal on the table, let alone purchase Christmas gifts for their children.

The organization works with area school counselors and social workers to identify families that need assistance. Then they collect wish lists from each of the family members and begin collecting items.

Over the last ten years, Making Spirits Bright has helped 435 families through holiday-gift giving, dorm room preparations and COVID lock-down. They’ve served countless others by assisting other social services agencies and stocking community food stands.

Since day one, it’s been a labor of love for co-founders Colleen Bedford and Jamie Buss.

“We’re grateful to be here after all these years, spreading sunshine and doing what we love.” Jamie wrote. “Today’s world needs more kindness, compassion and empathy than ever before. We’re proud to be a catalyst for change and thank (the community) for being a part of this journey with us.” 

It’s clear they’re not planning to rest on their laurels or pause very long to celebrate this milestone, however. The call has already gone out for donations to support this year’s effort. The goal this holiday season is to serve 65 families, which would bring the ten-year total to 500 families.

Once again this year, the DiMarco Group has graciously donated space in BayTowne Plaza for Making Spirits Bright to use as they collect their donations (in the storefront which right now is Spirit Halloween). Hours of operation will be posted on the MSB Facebook page. The organization has been able to grow considerably due to DiMarco’s generosity. 

How you can help

There are several ways you can help:

  • Sign up as a group, organization, business or family to help out.
  • Adopt an entire family (choose the family size you’re comfortable with, two-person and up)
  • Adopt one person (any age/gender identity)
  • Organize a collection drive for some of the most needed items, like toiletries, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, gift wrap, gift boxes and gift cards.
  • Make a monetary donation, which are used to purchase items on the list which were not adopted. Any donations, large or small, is appreciated. Contributions can be made via credit or debit here.

If you’d like to volunteer your time and kindness to the organization, click here to fill out a form and they’ll be in touch.

If you have questions, or want to find out how to adopt a family, email thegoodnessinitiative@gmail.com. You can also get many of your questions answered here on the Making Spirits Bright FAQ page.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 9/18/2023)

Tags: , ,

Webster community mailbag

1 Nov

Making Spirits Bright needs your help.

This wonderful grassroots organization has been bringing holiday joy to local families for nine years now. They started in 2014 helping just 13 families. Last year they brightened the lives of 375 families, providing winter gear, beds, bedding, household necessities, food and gifts.

But Making Spirits Bright needs community support to make all this happen. They’re looking for businesses, groups and individuals to adopt families’ lists (two family members or more). If you’re interested, or know someone else who might be, email thegoodnessinitiative@gmail.com. They’ll be happy to send more information.

If you can’t commit to adopting a family, here are a few other ways you can help:

  • They need beds. A LOT of beds. They’re collecting twin, full and queen-size mattresses, box springs and frames that are in GOOD condition. Email thegoodnessinitiative@gmail.com if you have a donation, and they’ll schedule a time with you to drop them off.
  • Adopt one person. You may be as specific as you’d like regarding age and gender identity. They can’t guarantee you’ll get an exact match, but they’ll try their best to accommodate wherever possible.
  • Organize a Drive. Host a donation drive to collect items like toiletries, cleaning supplies, wrapping paper, boxes, tags, gift cards and feminine hygiene items.
  • Purchase from the Community List. You can purhcase one item for one person or several items for numerous people. The list is typically posted on the Making Spirits Bright Facebook page by mid-November.
  • Make a monetary donation.
    The organization appreciates any monetary donations, large and small, which are used to ensure all the needs of the families are met. Contributions can be made via PayPal with a credit or debit card here (a PayPal account is not needed to make a donation).

Any other questions? Email thegoodnessinitiative@gmail.com.

The Village of Webster’s annual Bourbon Bash takes place this Saturday Nov. 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Harmony House, 58 E. Main St.

Sample bourbons and whiskey from local and national distilleries, complemented by food samples from local restaurants.

This very popular event is brought to you by the Webster Business Improvement District and Webster Wine and Spirits. Tickets are $25 and are limited. They might already be gone, but you can check here to see if there are any left.

Santa’s Garage Sale is happening this weekend as well, at St. Martin Lutheran Church on Thursday and Friday Nov. 3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is all about Christmas and holiday decorations, which you can pick up at some really good prices. (Certainly better prices than you’ll find in the stores.) There will also be other holiday decorations and toys.

St. Martin Lutheran Church is located at 813 Bay Rd., Webster. Click here to read more about this great event.

Don’t forget about the Friends of Webster Trails’ Hot Cocoa Hike this Saturday Nov. 5.

This fun, free, self-guided hike will take place at Four Mile Creek Preserve (corner of Phillips and Lake roads), from 7 to 8:30 p.m. It’s about 1.5 miles long and will include a stop for hot cocoa. The trail will start at the parking lot and be marked by lights along the way.

Please leave your dog at home, bring a flashlight and your own travel mug.

In honor of Veterans Day, Spry Middle School will once again welcome One Webster veterans and active duty service members and their families to a free, in-person dinner in their honor.

On Thursday Nov. 10 from 4 to 6:30 p.m., students and other volunteers will serve up spaghetti, salad, bread, and dessert in the school’s cafetorium. Reservations are requested. Please call Spry Middle School at 216-0093.

The event is sponsored by Spry Middle School Builders Club, Webster-Fairport B.P.O. Elks #2396, Spry Middle School Student Council, Wegmans, Walmart, and Hegedorn’s in appreciation of the service of local veterans and active duty service members. 

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/1/2022)

Tags: , , , , , ,