Though unable to host an in-person event this year due to the pandemic, Child & Family Services is excited to announce the five recipients of this year’s Celebration of Friends.

  • Child & Family Services Distinguished Employee Award: Kyle Maurer
  • Susan T. Siwiec Distinguished Donor Award: Buffalo Sabres
  • William B. Hoyt Advocacy Award: Karl Shallowhorn
  • Stanley G. Falk Memorial Award for Distinguished Educators: Denice Perillo, Speech and Language Pathologist
  • John N. Walsh, Jr. Board Appreciation Award: Betsy Constantine

On Kyle Maurer, Child & Family Services Distinguished Employee Award Recipient

Kyle is a tremendous asset to the IT service team providing unwavering technology support. He is a knowledgeable technician who goes the extra mile to troubleshoot and solve a problem. 

One of Kyle’s many strengths is his ability to support employees efficiently and comfortably.  Among Kyle’s many attributes is his helpful demeanor, specifically his ability to explain technology challenges and respond to questions using plain, informative language to those that do not “speak tech.” His colleagues describe him as an out-of-the-box thinker, creative, a professional who has the ability to set aside the anxiety and frustration when technology is working correctly. He does not just fix technical issues; he also knows how to bring a bit of sunshine into everyone’s world.

With appreciation for all he has done for C&FS, we are thrilled to honor Kyle with the Child & Family Services Distinguished Employee Award.

On the Buffalo Sabres, Susan T. Siwiec Distinguished Donor Award Recipient

The Buffalo Sabres are known for their passion for our community, and Child & Family Services sees how that makes a difference at the holiday season and beyond.

The Buffalo Sabres Holiday Angels program has helped hundreds of families by encouraging employees and fans to purchase gifts from holiday wish lists. When the Sabres learned a grandmother needed a bed, they made sure she was comfortable. Another family not only received beds needed for the children, but the donor checked in to see if bunk beds or two twin beds would make the most of the space in the family’s home.

The Sabres organization is also the single largest contributor of volunteers to our holiday program. Their employees, players’ family members and media partners from Spectrum came in quietly to help.

“We are very grateful to partner with Child & Family Services on our Sabres Holiday Angels program, as they provide critical support every day to the many families and individuals in need in our community,” said Rich Jureller, Sabres vice president of community relations.  “Through the great work being done by Child & Family Services, our organization and fans are able to help make the holidays a little warmer for our neighbors in need.  We are honored to receive Child & Family Services Distinguished Donor Award and look forward to supporting their tremendous efforts in the future.”

With sincere thanks for your generous spirit, we honor the Buffalo Sabres with the Susan T. Siwiec Donor Appreciation Award.

On Karl Shallowhorn, William B. Hoyt Advocacy Award Recipient

As Chairperson for the Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition, Karl Shallowhorn presented at Child & Family Services’ 11th Annual Community Dialogue, “Stop the Stigma. Join the Conversation. Changing the Way People View Mental Health, Illness, & Wellness.”

Karl has managed his own personal challenges with mental health and funneled them to inspire and help others. A New York State Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), Karl has worked in the field of addiction and mental health for over 18 years. He has a Master’s Degree in Student Personnel Administration from SUNY Buffalo State.

Author of Working on Wellness: A Practical Guide to Mental Health (2010), Karl is also a contributing writer and blogger for BP magazine. He is the Chair of Affiliate Relations for the Mental Health Association in New York State Board of Directors, as well as serving on the boards of the Mental Health Advocates of WNY, the Erie County Mental Hygiene Community Services Board, Housing Options Made Easy and Just Buffalo Literary Center. Karl is a sought after speaker and has been a resource for local media on mental health and currently serves on the WBFO Mental Health Advisory Board.

C&FS is honored to award Karl with this year’s William B. Hoyt Advocacy Award.

On Betsy Constantine, John N. Walsh, Jr. Board Appreciation Award Recipient

Betsy Constantine has been building bridges for Child & Family Services for over a decade.

Elected to the Board of Directors in 2010, Betsy served as the Treasurer in 2015-16, Vice Chair in 2016-17, and Chair from 2017-2019. She also has been on the C&FS Foundation Board of Directors since 2013 and participated in various other board committees including Strategic Performance, Finance and Nominating and Governance.

As the Executive Vice President of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, she leads a team that works side-by-side with clients to understand what inspires their unique charitable giving and helps chart a course to ensure those wishes are fulfilled. This skillset has made her an invaluable asset on the C&FS Board and as an advisor on fundraising endeavors. Always a presence at C&FS events such as Heartlight and the Community Dialogue, Betsy has even walked the runway with her twin daughters as models at Fashion Show with a Twist.

Betsy’s direct involvement includes developing and refining the C&FS Investment Policy Statement, leadership during an Investment Manager selection process, and contributions to our ongoing monitoring and compliance requirements. She has also offered cultural diversity guidance.

We are delighted to award Betsy this year’s John N. Walsh, Jr. Board Appreciation Award.

On Denice Perillo, Stanley G. Falk Memorial Award for Distinguished Educators Recipient

Ms. Perillo has been instrumental in providing students opportunities to showcase their talents and to apply the skills that they are working on in Speech and Language Therapy by performing skits and plays. Her students have worked hard to produce quality and engaging performances for guardians, students, and other school staff. These highly anticipated shows are always a highlight of the school year.

One of Ms. Perillo’s strengths is an ability to apply the skills students learn in her speech and language therapy sessions to a classroom setting. She makes it a priority to collaborate with teachers so students are best utilizing the school day in ways to practice these new skills. Ms. Perillo was also one of the first educators at Falk to fully implement Google Classroom. Her students and families have been utilizing this platform to incorporate Speech service with technology and as an outlet to further engage students long before remote learning went into effect.

Through her hard work in parent outreach, mentorship, virtual therapy, and volunteerism, Ms. Perillo exhibits each quality of the Stanley G. Falk School motto – “Scholarship, Integrity, Perseverance.”

We are proud to honor her with this year’s Stanley G. Falk Memorial Award for Distinguished Educators.