The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Prayer Brunch brings big names to CNY
WAMPSVILLE, N.Y. » The YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley annually celebrates its Christian heritage andmission with a Prayer Brunch and scholarship fundraiser at New Beginnings Community Church. This year, the event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 227 Genesee St., Wampsville.
The event has drawn nearly 200 attendees annually, raising funds for its Changing Lives scholarship campaign. The Y awarded more than $320,000 in 2017 in financial aid to those who cannot afford memberships or programs, giving them an opportunity to take advantage of swimming lessons, child care programs, senior activities, and family time together.
This year’s lineup of speakers includes:
Sammi Tucker, a Paralympic Archer, communications coach, resilience mindset trainer and consultant, author, and US Air Force veteran.
Loretta Claiborne, an American global speaker who competes in the Special Olympics. She has been honored with the 1996 Arthur Ashe ESPY Courage Award presented to her by Denzel Washington. Claiborne was the first Special Olympics athlete elected to the Special Olympics International Board of Directors.
Claiborne was born partially blind and wore diapers until she was 30 years old. She also was unable to walk or talk until the age of four. She has completed more than 25 marathons and has placed in the top 100 women finishers of the Boston Marathon twice. In 2000, Claiborne’s life was the subject of “The Loretta Claiborne Story,” a television film.
“Grandpa” Elliott Small, a New Orleans street icon for decades. His music and comforting presence have touched countless hearts throughout the years. Several locals and frequent visitors to the French Quarter considerGrandpa the saving grace and passionate force behind the revitalization of the city since Hurricane Katrina. His voice reminds au- diences that music can help the soul persevere through many hardships.
Pastor Charles Garrison, lead pastor of the New Bible Genesis Church in New Orleans, whose church was ravaged during Hurricane Katrina.
“We are so excited this year to have several special guests who have supported the Y over the years, and this time in a missiondriven event such as our Prayer Brunch,” said Hank Leo, CEO of the YMCA and event organizer. “We’ve seen firsthand the impact Sammi, Pastor Charles and Loretta have had on children and their families. We’re looking forward to adding Grandpa Elliott this time around. He’s pretty special. At the Y, we see so many of ourmembers going through hardships, whether physical, emotional or spiritual. An event like this one lifts you up, and we are happy to bring it to the community.”
In 2017, Disney animator Davy Liu and the Boys & Girls Choir of Harlem Alumni served as the special guests. “Thatwas incredible. The Choir always leaves people feeling better, and Davy was just a true inspiration to those around him,” Leo said.
A local committee of 12 has been working on the event for just about six months, planning and organizing the event. The food will be provided by Madison Bistro, as owners Victor Ramirez and Lisa Campanie have offered to donate the food and preparation and also serve on the committee. Tickets are $20 each and all proceeds help benefit the Y’s Changing Lives Campaign and can be purchased at the Oneida or Rome YMCAs, or on their website at www. ymcatrivalley.org. All attendees are asked to bring a canned food item, whichwill be collected and delivered to local, Oneida-area food pantries.