Join Love Rising
How will you experience it this year?
Monday, July 7th, 7:30 p.m.
Community Conversation at Schulze Vineyards & Winery,
Burt, featuring a presentation by Newfane resident and Executive Director of Friends of Unified Sports, Corrie Murray. Event is free; registration not required. Snacks provided; wine tastings and beverages available for purchase.
Corrie Murray is a founding member and Executive Director of Friends of Unified Sports. The organization exists to create opportunities for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. Her passion for this organization, its mission, and wanting to do more for individuals with disabilities is driven by the “void” of opportunities that she sees while raising a son on the Autism spectrum. She advocates for inclusion and acceptance while supporting and promoting the Unified Sports program in her home district of Newfane and throughout Section Six. After working for more than 20 years in the healthcare industry, she has retired from that career to focus full time on Friends of Unified Sports. Corrie’s husband Michael Murray is Vice President of Friends of Unified Sports. They live in Newfane and have three children, Matthew, Zachary, and Elisabeth.
Wednesday, July 9th, 7:00 p.m.
Free Kids’ Night at Olcott Beach Carousel Park
with a puppet show by Kuumba-Nia Productions of Lockport, as well as crafts, free kiddie rides and
ice cream. This year’s theme: how kids can make a difference to make our community
stronger. The event will be held rain or shine. Sign up required here.
Sunday, July 13th
Love Rising-themed observations at participating local church services.
Tuesday, July 15th, Sunrise to Sunset
6:30 a.m. – Sunrise service at Krull Park
Near the Lions Club shelter (or Olcott Beach Church in the event of rain).
Throughout the day
Personal reflections, meditations and prayers for peace, from participants’ homes or location of choice. Inspiration posted on Facebook throughout the day; additional readings and resources available here.
Community Conversation at Schulze Vineyards & Winery,
Burt, featuring a presentation by Newfane resident and Executive Director of Friends of Unified Sports, Corrie Murray. Event is free; registration not required. Snacks provided; wine tastings and beverages available for purchase.
Corrie Murray is a founding member and Executive Director of Friends of Unified Sports. The organization exists to create opportunities for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. Her passion for this organization, its mission, and wanting to do more for individuals with disabilities is driven by the “void” of opportunities that she sees while raising a son on the Autism spectrum. She advocates for inclusion and acceptance while supporting and promoting the Unified Sports program in her home district of Newfane and throughout Section Six. After working for more than 20 years in the healthcare industry, she has retired from that career to focus full time on Friends of Unified Sports. Corrie’s husband Michael Murray is Vice President of Friends of Unified Sports. They live in Newfane and have three children, Matthew, Zachary, and Elisabeth.
Wednesday, July 9th, 7:00 p.m.
Free Kids’ Night at Olcott Beach Carousel Park
with a puppet show by Kuumba-Nia Productions of Lockport, as well as crafts, free kiddie rides and
ice cream. This year’s theme: how kids can make a difference to make our community
stronger. The event will be held rain or shine. Sign up required here.
Sunday, July 13th
Love Rising-themed observations at participating local church services.
Tuesday, July 15th, Sunrise to Sunset
6:30 a.m. – Sunrise service at Krull Park
Near the Lions Club shelter (or Olcott Beach Church in the event of rain).
Throughout the day
Personal reflections, meditations and prayers for peace, from participants’ homes or location of choice. Inspiration posted on Facebook throughout the day; additional readings and resources available here.
In Buffalo
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church of Buffalo has been celebrating Love Rising since 2022. This year’s efforts focus on expanding cultural awareness through a community sidewalk lending library. A book-sharing box will be built and installed in the church’s neighborhood, offering culturally diverse books that will help neighbors see themselves represented in literature while exposing individuals to experiences other than their own. Books will be exchanged and added periodically. St. Philip’s “Little Free Library” book exchange will support the “Little Library’s Read in Color” program, which was developed in St. Paul, Minnesota, to create meaningful change following the George Floyd murder in 2020. Through this program, individuals can take the “Read in Color Pledge” which recognizes the need to promote perspectives and experiences
that include marginalized voices.
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church of Buffalo has been celebrating Love Rising since 2022. This year’s efforts focus on expanding cultural awareness through a community sidewalk lending library. A book-sharing box will be built and installed in the church’s neighborhood, offering culturally diverse books that will help neighbors see themselves represented in literature while exposing individuals to experiences other than their own. Books will be exchanged and added periodically. St. Philip’s “Little Free Library” book exchange will support the “Little Library’s Read in Color” program, which was developed in St. Paul, Minnesota, to create meaningful change following the George Floyd murder in 2020. Through this program, individuals can take the “Read in Color Pledge” which recognizes the need to promote perspectives and experiences
that include marginalized voices.
