LaBella in the Community (LINC) – Summer 2026 Roundup
LaBella in the Community (LINC) is our employee-led, grassroots service program dedicated to building and advancing community partnerships through volunteerism.
From flag football and golf tournaments to beach and roadway cleanups, employees across the firm found many ways to get involved in their communities and support causes that matter to them throughout the summer.
Scroll down for highlights from the season.
ESB 4 Mile Scholarship Race
Organization: The Engineering Society of Buffalo, Inc. (ESB)
Event Date: June 5, 2026
Event Location: Grand Island, NY
Event Description: For more than four decades, the ESB 4 Mile Scholarship Race has helped fund scholarships for future engineers. LaBellan Brian Bartron laced up for this year’s event at Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island, joining runners in support of engineering education. With 100% of proceeds benefiting scholarships at the University at Buffalo and Buffalo State University, the annual race’s impact continues to be felt across the region.
Photo Credit: The Engineering Society of Buffalo, Inc.
ROC 65 Roses Golf Tournament
Organization: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Event Date: June 18, 2026
Event Location: Victer, NY
Event Description: Hosted by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the ROC 65 Roses Golf Tournament raises funds to support the organization’s mission to cure cystic fibrosis and help people with the disease lead long, fulfilling lives.
Anthony Sanganetti, Brian Travis, Jonathan Lucey, and Cole Senecal represented LaBella at the event. Despite challenging winds, the group enjoyed a beautiful day on the course while supporting efforts to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by cystic fibrosis.
The 11 Day Power Play
Organization: The 11 Day Power Play
Event Date: June 20, 2026
Event Location: Buffalo, NY
Event Description: In early summer, Team LaBella hit the ice at Buffalo’s Harborcenter for a three-hour shift in The 11 Day Power Play, marking our fifth year participating in the event. The annual fundraiser features an 11-day, around-the-clock hockey game that raises money for cancer research and wellness programs across Western New York.
Chris Bayer, Andrew Benkleman, Jacob Bower, Jerry DeRomanis, Jason Ebbs, Dave Engert, Joseph Hall, Timothy Howland, Jeffrey Kloetzer, Marykate McHale, Jay Monnin, Jared Pristach, Josh Sova, Owen Wong, and David Wong contributed to the effort by playing, volunteering, and raising funds in support of the cause. Team LaBella raised $8,000 this year, while the event surpassed its $1.7 million fundraising goal.
Over the past decade, The 11 Day Power Play has raised more than $14 million, benefiting organizations such as Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Make-A-Wish Western New York, Camp Good Days, Golisano Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Program, and The Petey Fund.
2026 Buffalo Bowl
Organization: Special Olympics New York
Event Date: June 27, 2026
Event Location: Orchard Park, NY
Event Description: LaBella employees took to the field for the 10th annual Buffalo Bowl, a 6-on-6 flag football tournament benefiting Special Olympics New York. Held at the Kaleida Health Performance Center (Buffalo Bills Field House), the event brought together teams from across New York State to compete, raise funds, and celebrate inclusion through sport.
Competing as Past Our Primetime in the Amateur Division, LaBellans Anthony Sanganetti, Anthony DiLorenzo, Deshawn Henry, Ryan Yuhas, and Michael Pietrantoni, alongside several non-LaBellan teammates, joined the tournament in support of the organization’s mission. The event raised $92,800, enough to sponsor 185 Special Olympics athletes for an entire year.
Edgewater Beach Cleanup
Organization: Drink Local Drink Tap
Event Date: June 30, 2026
Event Location: Cleveland, OH
Event Description: Since 2018, LaBella has partnered with Drink Local Drink Tap for an annual beach cleanup along the shores of Lake Erie. This year’s cleanup brought volunteers to Edgewater Beach, where they collected and removed litter to help protect the health of the lake and surrounding watershed.
Despite temperatures climbing into the upper 90s with full sun, Deana Sritalapat, Matt Metyk, Todd Slaboden, Tuvia Millstein, Ron Garsteck, Ben Barry, and Ed Odziemski spent several hours picking up microplastics, food wrappers, bottle caps, cigarette butts, cigar tips, and other debris. Together, the team removed several pounds of trash from the beach.
2026 Annual Golf Scramble Fundraiser
Organization: Freeman Recovery Project
Event Date: June 30, 2026
Event Location: Dickson, TN
Event Description: The Annual Golf Scramble Fundraiser benefits the Freeman Recovery Project, which provides housing, food, clothing, and other basic necessities for individuals in early recovery from substance use challenges throughout Middle Tennessee.
On a sunny summer day at the Greystone Golf Course, LaBellans Michael Lamont, Gary O’Brien, and Quaid Akins joined dozens of participants in support of the cause. The event featured golf, networking opportunities, and fundraising activities, including a silent auction. Proceeds from the fundraiser help the Freeman Recovery Project meet immediate needs and support individuals as they work toward recovery.
2nd Annual Dale “AH” Russell Memorial Golf Tournament
Organization: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Ronald McDonald House
Event Date: July 25, 2026
Event Location: Rochester, NY
Event Description: Established by LaBella’s Christopher Russell and his brother to honor their father, who passed away in January 2024, the Dale “AH” Russell Memorial Golf Tournament brings friends, family, and supporters together to celebrate Dale’s life through one of his greatest passions: golf. The annual event raises donations for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Ronald McDonald House Charities, two organizations that were close to his heart.
Adopt-A-Highway
Organization: New York Department of Transportation
Event Date: August 1, 2026
Event Location: Rochester, NY
Event Description: As part of the New York State Department of Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway program, LaBella employees helped collect roadside litter along a newly adopted stretch of roadway in Rochester, NY. These efforts help maintain cleaner roadways while supporting drainage and lawn mowing operations.
Volunteers Walter Kaniecki, Aika Aussicker, Jennifer Wildrick, Katy Heneghan, Nolan Goldthwaite, Steve Metzger, and Brian Ringenwald participated in the cleanup. The adopted roadway passes through both a business district and a residential area, making the team’s work visible to the many people who travel the corridor each day.
16th Annual Doug Phelps Breast Cancer Golf Scramble
Organization: Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester
Event Date: August 24, 2026
Event Location: Spencerport, NY
Event Description: LaBellans Lisa Beadle, Stephen Elliott, Kelly Scott, Lance DeFay, and Beth Murphy-Cunningham joined more than 100 survivors, families, and supporters at Salmon Creek Country Club for the annual Doug Phelps Breast Cancer Golf Scramble.
Now in its 16th year, the event benefits the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, helping fund free programs, services, and support for individuals affected by breast or gynecologic cancers throughout Central and Western New York.
Organized by Doug Phelps as a tribute to his mother, the fundraiser has become a longstanding community tradition that helps ensure local individuals and families have access to resources throughout their cancer journey.
