NYS Funeral Directors Association Staffers Give Back to the Community in 2010

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ALBANY, NY (12/17/2010)(readMedia)-- Employees of the New York State Funeral Directors Association (NYSFDA) voluntarily chose to participate in many worthy causes throughout 2010. These include holding a charity garage sale to support the American Cancer Society's cancer education and outreach initiatives in the Capital Region; donating more than 125 pounds of non-perishable food items to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York; and collecting toys for a local Rotary Club's Holiday Toy Auction for needy children. Staffers also participated in a variety of fundraising activities, and with a generous match by the Association, raised a total of $5,600 in 2010. After careful consideration, they voted to donate the funds to two additional worthy causes:

1. Tyler DeMarco Foundation, Inc. – The Foundation works to honor and preserve the memory of 12 year-old Tyler DeMarco by advancing targeted research of Medulloblastoma, a devastating childhood brain cancer. One hundred percent of the funds will benefit The Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center, and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Tyler DeMarco, son of Donald and Pamela DeMarco of DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, Inc., in Schenectady lost his courageous battle with the disease on February 23, 2010.

2. The Trevor Project – A non-profit organization that operates an around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. The Project also provides counseling, guidance and vital resources to parents and educators in order to foster safe, accepting and inclusive environments for all youth, at home and at school.

According to Bonnie L. McCullough, Executive Director of NYSFDA, "Christmas is a time of giving, and our staff is pleased to donate to valuable and worthwhile charities. It's heartening to see that even in this tough economy, charitable giving remains important to them. Notably, this attitude reflects the spirit of giving back that so characterizes our member funeral directors throughout New York State."

She added that NYSFDA staffers have indicated their commitment to continuing their philanthropic tradition in 2011.

Founded in 1889, NYSFDA's mission is to promote the highest standards of funeral service to the public and to enhance the environment in which its members operate. Over 900 member firms and 3500 licensed funeral directors who operate across the state belong to the New York State Funeral Directors Association. In addition to maintaining a Web site at www.nysfda.org, NYSFDA also publishes a quarterly newspaper column "Transitions," as well as brochures, which educate and inform consumers about end-of-life issues.

Editor's Note: For more information, or to schedule an interview with NYSFDA Executive Director Bonnie McCullough, please call Randy McCullough at 518-452-8230 or Vera Nuspliger at 518-882-9816; cell 518-424-8719.

PHOTO CUTLINE

(Pictured left to right.)

NYSFDA Deputy Executive Director Randy L. McCullough presents a donation on behalf of NYSFDA staff to Michael DeMarco of DeMarco?Stone Funeral Home, Inc., and Tyler's parents Pamela and Donald DeMarco to benefit the Foundation.