If you’ve driven down Abbott Road recently, you may have noticed that something looks different. And in this case, that’s a very good thing!

Thanks to the generosity of CEO Bill Paladino, Cathy Paladino and Ellicott Development Company, and Kevin Burke of Sherwin-Williams, Dog Ears was the recent recipient of a much-needed paint job and building repairs.

The Paladinos sent a crew to paint and complete necessary building repairs, while Sherwin-Williams donated half of the paint for the job and provided the remainder of the paint at half price.

“Buffalonia,” a celebration of our city, its heritage and the great work that is accomplished when all members of the community come together to fill a need, will take place at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 at 500 Seneca St., Buffalo. As the annual fundraising event for the Matt Urban Human Services Center, Buffalonia helps support programs and initiatives offered to more than 21,000 Buffalo residents each year.

This year, the Matt Urban Center turns 40 – an accomplishment worth celebrating with local talent, food and cheer! The center is named after the most decorated war veteran in American history, a WWII hero born and raised in Buffalo’s Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood. The mission of the Matt Urban Center is to provide programs that revitalize neighborhoods, serve families and change lives. The center serves all members of the community, from infants and seniors to homeowners and the homeless.

Suneel’s Light, a Western New York non-profit foundation with the mission of raising funds for research that will lead to a cure of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and to increase public awareness of the genetic disease, has announced that local philanthropist and nationally renowned restaurateur, Russell Salvatore will serve as the 2016 Honorary Chairman of Suneel’s Celebrity Gala, the Foundation’s annual “Dancing with the Stars” inspired fundraiser. Peter M. Vito, retired commissioner of Erie County Central Police Services and chairman and CEO of Peter M. Vito & Associates, Inc., and his wife Elizabeth R. Donatello, Esq. Niagara County Assistant District Attorney were also named Event Chairs. Funds raised by Suneel’s Celebrity Gala in Buffalo help this local non-profit foundation support critical research for treatments in search of a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a lethal genetic childhood disease.