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Writer's pictureAdam Noonan

2024 Annual Dinner Recap

Updated: 7 days ago


The 2024 Compass House Annual Fundraising Dinner was a truly unforgettable evening, filled with celebration, inspiration, and gratitude. We are overwhelmed by the generosity and support shown by everyone who attended, donated, or contributed to this incredible event. Together, we celebrated the vital work Compass House does and the bright futures we help create for homeless and runaway youth in Western New York.


A Huge Thank You to Our Leadership and Volunteers

This event would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our Director of Development, Lexi Addison, who dedicated countless hours to ensuring every detail of the evening was perfect. Lexi’s hard work behind the scenes was instrumental in making the night such a resounding success.


We also want to thank our Executive Director, Lisa Freeman, for her leadership, vision, and dedication to Compass House. Lisa’s passion for helping the youth we serve is inspiring, and her contributions to this event were invaluable.


A special thank you goes to Katie Brick, a longtime Compass House volunteer whose efforts were truly remarkable. Katie worked tirelessly to put together the beautiful baskets and collect items for the silent auction—over half of the items we showcased were thanks to her hard work and dedication. Her contributions were a key part of the event's success, and we are incredibly grateful for her commitment.


A special thank you goes to the Junior League of Buffalo for sending wonderful volunteers to assist during the evening. Their energy and willingness to help made the event run smoothly and added a warm touch to the entire experience.


A heartfelt thank you to the Compass House Board and the Dinner Committee—your dedication and hard work were instrumental in ensuring the success of this event.


An Inspiring Master of Ceremonies

For the second year in a row, we were honored to have Jillian Hanesworth, Buffalo’s first poet laureate, as our Master of Ceremonies. Jillian captivated the audience with her incredible energy, leading the room in lively Buffalo Bills chants that brought the house down. She also shared an inspiring and heartfelt poem that reminded us all of the power of hope, resilience, and community.


Memorable Moments

The evening was filled with heartfelt stories and unforgettable moments. One of the most touching highlights was the presentation of the Community Partnership Award to Ingram Micro, represented by Sydney, a former Compass House emergency shelter intern. Sydney delivered a moving speech about the importance of Compass House’s mission and announced that Ingram Micro would be donating a grant to further support our work.


Another unforgettable moment came from Sarah, a former Compass House client who now works in one of our Transitional Houses. Sarah shared her journey from receiving life-changing support at Compass House—guided by former Executive Director Yvonne Jaros, who was in attendance—to becoming the Director of Sales for a prominent hotel chain, a position she’s held for the past ten years. Her powerful story brought the room to tears and served as a poignant reminder of the impact Compass House has on the lives of those we serve.


Award Winners

We were thrilled to honor several amazing individuals and organizations for their dedication and contributions to Compass House:


  • Corporate Champion Award: Broadview Federal Credit Union

  • Community Partnership Award: Ingram Micro

  • Martha Martin Youth Advocacy Award: Buffalo AIDS Plus Fund – WNY INC (Buffalo Gay Bingo)

  • Friendship & Philanthropy Award: The Zach Liberatore Foundation

  • Excellence in Service Staff Award: Shawntel Cunningham


Each award winner exemplifies the values of Compass House and the incredible work being done to support youth in need.


A Delicious Dinner and Fun Activities

The evening’s delicious meal was prepared by the talented staff at Rich’s Atrium, who delivered a culinary experience that our guests are still raving about.

In addition to the wonderful food, attendees participated in an exciting silent auction and a lively 50/50 raffle, helping to raise funds for the vital programs Compass House provides.


A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

We extend our deepest gratitude to all the sponsors who made this event possible, including our title sponsors, M&T Bank and Hodgson Russ. We would also like to thank our additional sponsors:


  • Broadview Federal Credit Union

  • Delaware North

  • Trinity Episcopal Church

  • West Herr

  • Peyton Barlow

  • Global Quest Solutions

  • NCA Comp

  • Uniland Development

  • Cannon Design


Your support ensures that Compass House can continue providing life-changing services to the youth of Western New York.


Thank You for an Unforgettable Evening


The 2024 Compass House Annual Fundraising Dinner was a night to remember, and it was all thanks to the incredible support of our community. From the inspiring stories shared to the funds raised, this event demonstrated the profound impact we can have when we come together to support those in need.


Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, or sponsored. Together, we are changing lives and building brighter futures for the youth of Western New York. We can’t wait to see you at next year’s event!




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