Fun Events and Networking Opportunities!
Save the Date: December 16th, 2025- WNYIA Annual Christmas Party
Save the Date December 16th, 2025 for our Christmas Party to be held at Bobby J’s Restaurant – 204 Como Park Blvd Buffalo, NY 14227.
November 21st, 2025 - Wine Tasting Luncheon
This is our Wine Tasting Luncheon – our theme is” “Barely Sweet ~ Low on Sugar ~ High on Vibe”. Our guest Sommelier will be Dennis Kozuch. Always a fun afternoon!
Join us Friday Nov. 21st at the:
The Italian Village
6354 Transit Road
Depew NY 14043
Refreshments served at 12 noon and lunch will be served at 12:30
Sit Down Luncheon!
Please note your choice of food when making your reservation and please note if you have any dietary restrictions.
- Chicken Marsala
- Eggplant Parmesan
- Spaghetti Meatballs
All meals come with salad.
Rolls & Butter on table.
Coffee & Tea.
Dessert
November 5th, 2025- Membership Drive
WNYIA Membership Drive – Wednesday, November 5th, 2025
Attention Members & Guests to our first Annual Membership Drive!
Where: Buffalo’s Best Grill
3700 Southwestern Blvd
Orchard Park, NY 14127
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Potential New Members/Guests: Free
Any “current member” bringing a guest – Member pays $25.00 – guest is Free
Beverages and Light snacks will be served from 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m.
We will have prizes, 50/50 and other fun things happening. If guest signs up that evening, pick a prize from the bucket!
October 24th, 2025- Luncheon Meeting
Please join us Friday October 24th, 2025 (please note this is one week earlier than usual due to Halloween)
The Columns Banquets – in the Dorian Room
2221 Transit Road
Elma, NY 14059
12:00 pm Refreshments
12:30 pm Lunch
Speaker to follow Lunch
Menu:
Luncheon buffet is served with Seasonal Vegetable blend, Mediterranean Pasta Salad, Relish Platter, Rolls & Butter
Choice of Dessert, Coffee & Tea
Fresh Garden Salad
Bow Tie Parmesan Pasta
Herb Roasted Chicken
Cranberry Apple Pork
Garlic-Herb Mashed Red Potatoes
Our guest speaker will be Jen Kegler, Youth Program and Outreach Manager of Family Promise of WNY.
Family Promise of WNY Mission is: Family Promise of WNY works alongside families facing homelessness to provide housing solutions and tailored support so that they can find their pathway home.
Their Vision: We seek to build a community that invests in the strength of our families so that every child can have a safe and dignified home.
They are open to monetary or in-kind donations.
Their Wish List:
2025 Golf Outing - Friday Sept. 12th
Click here to download a copy of the flyer.
SPONSORSHIP opportunities are available for this event!
Thursday July 17th, 2025- Summer Party
Come enjoy an evening out with live music. Have fun with your fellow insurance industry friends & colleagues on July 17th, 2025 from 5:30pm for our Summer Party!
Where:
River Grill
70 Aqua Lane
Tonawanda NY 14150
Open Bar – 4 hours.
Menu: Clams Casino, Oysters Rockefeller, Pretzel Balls with Beer Cheese, Scampi Bread, Corn on the Cob, Caesar Salad, Wings, Barbecue Ribs, Lemon Pepper Chicken, Mac Salad and Coleslaw.
Cost: $70 per person
June 27th, 2025 - Luncheon Meeting
The Cowboy on the Lake
3800 Hoover Road
Blasdell, NY
Lunch will include:
-Green salad with Ranch and Balsamic dressings
-Vegetable Medley
-Salt potatoes w/parsley and butter
-Classic Mac ‘n Cheese
-Sliced Roast Beef and gravy served with kaiser and kimmelwick rolls
-Grilled Chicken
-Assorted Cookies and Brownies
-Coffee and Tea
Our speaker this month is Amy Burkett. She will give a brief talk and then open up for Epi Pen, Avi Q, and Neffy training. These are all “ trainers “ that do not contain actual medicine but teaches people how to use them. She will bringing along with her Andrea McGrath with The Greater Buffalo Food Allergy Alliance.
Amy Burkett is a former Licensed and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and Special Education Teacher. She currently serves on the Board of The Greater Buffalo Food Allergy Alliance, Inc. This non-profit organization aims to raise and spread awareness through community outreach presentations and events.
Amy’s “moment” in becoming an Allergy Advocate didn’t start when her oldest was diagnosed with severe life-threatening allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, and egg, nor when his classmates tried to smear peanut butter in his face. Her moment came when another mother shared her son’s story. He was severely allergic to milk, and at the age of 7- years old, his classmates threw milk all over him.
The consequences of getting the food that you are severely allergic to smeared or thrown on you could be severe and life-threatening. It was in that moment, she knew more had to be done to raise awareness in schools and the community.
She has since become an Allergy Advocate, both locally and for the nation-wide organization called FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education). Amy has traveled to Albany and Washington, DC to advocate for important bills to become laws in order to continue to serve the 33 million Americans with life-threatening allergies. Amy is the event organizer for the Allergy Awareness Action 5K ,which raises money to continue research and awareness efforts locally and nationwide. She also consults with local schools on how to best support students with severe allergies.
Growing up, she enjoyed running, hiking, and skiing. Now she can be found on the sidelines cheering for her 3 young boys.
May 30th, 2025 - Luncheon Meeting
Friday, May 30th, 2025
Curly’s Grille
647 Ridge Road
Lackawanna, NY
12 noon for refreshments – 12:30 lunch
Our lunch will be as follows:
House Salad
Rolls and Butter
Jerk Chicken
Top Round of Beef w/au jus
Pasta Primavera
Seasonal Vegetables
Potatoes Au Gratin
Assorted Desserts
Coffee and Tea
Our Speaker this month is going to be 7 Hearts Maternity Rescue and they will bring in Puppies.
7 Hearts Maternity Rescue
We provide pregnant dogs, moms with litters & orphaned pups a safe place to go, away from the stress and dangers of euthanasia and disease. We are dedicated to helping to control the pet population through public education about animal rescue and spay/neuter. We are 100% volunteer-based organization.
Click here to download their brochure.
Click here to view their wish list.
$45.00 for member / $50.00 for non-members
April 25th, 2025- Luncheon Meeting
Location: Buffalo Airport Hotel
4600 Genesee Street,
Cheektowaga, NY 14225
Menu:
Baby Glazed Carrots
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Pork Loin
Marinated boneless chicken thighs
Salad, rolls, butter, Dessert, coffee and tea
Per our Bylaws, if a reservation isn’t cancelled prior to 48 hours of the said meeting to Connie Smith at: csmith@hoffmanhanafin.com, you will be billed. If you paid and need to cancel 48 hours prior to the meeting, you can request a refund.
6.5 Attendance: Any member with a reservation for a meeting who does not cancel by giving notice to the Secretary prior to 48 hours in advance of the meeting is responsible for the cost of the meeting.
Thank you,
Connie
March 28th, 2025- Luncheon Meeting
Location: Santora’s Pizza Pub & Grille
7800 Transit Road Williamsville, NY
Luncheon Buffet :
Garden Salad
Salmon w/Honey Mustard Glaze
Sausage w/Peppers & Onions
Herb Roasted Potatoes
Mixed Vegetables
Dessert – Something Delicious!
We are having guest speaker(s) from Sleep in Heavenly Peace, they are our Golf Charity this year. They build beds for kids so they don’t have to sleep on the floor. We as an Association are looking into having volunteers sign up and help build Twin Beds.
Per our Bylaws, if a reservation isn’t cancelled prior to 48 hours of the said meeting to Connie Smith at: csmith@hoffmanhanafin.com, you will be billed. If you paid and need to cancel 48 hours prior to the meeting, you can request a refund.
6.5 Attendance: Any member with a reservation for a meeting who does not cancel by giving notice to the Secretary prior to 48 hours in advance of the meeting is responsible for the cost of the meeting.
Thank you,
Connie
February 28th, 2025- Luncheon Meeting
Location: J’s White Elephant Ave.
1404 Abbott Road Lackawanna, NY
Menu:
Warm Rolls with Butter
Garden Salad with House Dressing
Slow Roasted Top Round of Beef
Herb Roasted Spring Chicken
Herb Roasted Potatoes
Rice Pilaf
French Green Beans
Fresh Brewed Coffee and Tea
Dessert
Jennifer McAndrew & Donell Gibson will be presenting from Plymouth Crossroads, our charity for the month.
Plymouth Crossroads is a not-for-profit organization which welcomes disconnected, abused and homeless youth males ages 16-20. We provide caring staff that help youth develop their own plan for an independent path to their future. Our transitional program offers support for education, job training & placement and life skills support at no cost to youth.
The mission of Plymouth Crossroads is to provide supports to empower abused, runaway and homeless youth, ages 16-20. We work in conjunction with our youth to develop independent, healthy paths to their future by offering them the tools they need to be self-supportive and avoid long-term dependency on social services. As a voluntary program, services are aimed at preventing recidivism, while promoting a more stable and productive lifestyle, with the goal for every youth to transform themselves into a contributing and productive member of society.
The Plymouth Crossroads philosophy affirms the right of every child to food, shelter, safety and assistance in growing into a healthy adult. We provide opportunities for education, health services, volunteer or community service and job training, including; high school diploma or GED; career counseling; workforce development skills; computer skills; life skills and health skills. We provide services on and off site that strengthen our resident’s physical and emotional health, economic security, citizenship and civic engagement, as well as links to family and community. Each of the youth has a case manager to ensure the development of their goals and needs, along with 24/7 independence coaches who help guide through the day.
Wish List:
Gift Cards
- Gas Gift Cards
- Walmart, Tops, Wegmans, Target, Fast Food
Clothing Items (Male and Female)
- Underwear – All Sizes
- T-Shirts – All Sizes
- Undershirts – All Sizes
- Footwear – All Sizes
Hygiene Products (Male and Female)
- Travel Hand Sanitizer
- Wash Cloths
- Combs & Picks
Office Supplies
- Printer Paper
- Postage Stamps
- Locking Filing Cabinets
- Amazon Gift Cards
Food Items
- Individual Drink Mixes
- Easy Mac
- Ramen
- Snack Items That Do Not Expire Quickly (Ex. Granola Bars)
- To Go Containers for Food – Aluminum
Miscellaneous
- Drawstring Bags
- Small Reflective Items For Walking in the Dark
- Disposable Table Cloths
- Paper Products – Limited Quantities Only Please
- Plates, Napkins
- Track Phones with Cards
January 31st, 2025 - Business Meeting Luncheon
Please join us Friday January 31st, 2025
Bravo Cafe & Catering
5781 Seneca St.
Elma, NY 14059
Chef Salad
Roasted Red Potatoes
Green Bean Almadine
Sliced Roast Beef with Au Jus
BBQ Chicken
Dessert
Lunch is $45.00 for members and $50.00 for non-members.