ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Last season, the Rochester Knighthawks and Aratari Auto Color and Detail, an affiliate of Rochester Lead Works Inc., teamed up to support the Rochester Rotary Sunshine Campus and Shirley’s Playland. Through the Dollars for Goals program, money was raised for every Knighthawks’ goal scored during the 2017-18 National Lacrosse League season.
On Tuesday, at the Rochester Rotary lunch, President of Rochester Lead Works Pete Sarratori presented a check, on behalf of Aratari Auto Color and Detail, to Shirley’s Playland for $5,200. Knighthawks defenseman Brad Gillies, and team representatives Avery Light and Charlie Ragusa, were on hand to support sponsors Ed Aratari, and Pete and Lynn Sarratori.
“I want to thank the Rochester Knighthawks organization for a fantastic season,” said Sarratori. “(There were) lots of goals and lots of excitement. They also helped us build awareness for the Sunshine Campus all year by announcing the Dollars for Goals initiative at every home game and during every radio and TV broadcast.”
After creating the partnership, the Knighthawks scored 130 goals to raise $2,180 during their run to the NLL Finals. Sarratori, however, announced Tuesday that he would increase his donation to $20 per goal “in honor of a great season, a great team, and a fantastic cause.” That brought the fundraising total to $2,600. He then took his generosity one step further, matching the amount and personally presenting a check for $5,200.
“The Knighthawks are proud to work alongside a great organization like Sunshine Campus, which provides thousands of kids with disabilities an opportunity ‘to have fun, without barriers,’” said Knighthawks Vice President of Sales John Catalano. “Through a collaboration with Aratari Auto Color and Detail and Rochester Lead Works Inc., we were able to contribute vital resources to Shirley’s Playland.”
About Shirley’s Playland
Shirley’s Playland is named for Shirley Isaac, wife of past Rochester Rotary President Jim Isaac, who loved children and the Sunshine Camp. There is no better tribute to her memory than a fun, accessible playground at the camp. Campers will be able to enjoy such amenities as a slide and glider, a spinner, gravity cube, climbers, chin-up bars, ball toss, towers, a sign language panel, a sight and sound panel, and more. The project is expected to be completed in spring 2019.