Mary Cariola Center

08/29/2025

We're three weeks away! Grab your crew and hit your stride! It’s time to rally your people, lace up those sneakers, and form a team for Walking on Sunshine—Mary Cariola’s biggest, brightest fundraiser of the year! ☀

Every step helps us reach our $200,000 goal.

Ready to walk with purpose? 👉 Register today at https://www.marycariola.org

08/29/2025

Our East Avenue students wanted to relish the 100th anniversary of the iconic Zweigle's White Hot—so they cooked up a one-of-a-kind card featuring 100 uniquely crafted hot dogs to honor Rochester’s Top Dog .

The result? A sizzling tribute that was so well done, our friends at Zweigle’s shared it with their entire office!

We’re grilled with pride over this creative celebration. Happy 100th, Zweigle’s—thanks for keeping one of Rochester’s favorite staples on a roll! 🌭💯

08/29/2025

After 20 incredible years, we celebrate Doris McClary’s retirement from Mary Cariola Center

Beloved by staff, students, and families alike, Doris was more than a receptionist—she was the heart of our reception desk, greeting each day with wisdom, warmth, and a smile that made everyone feel at home.

She received a send off worthy of her legacy: flowers, candy, and a sweet serenade from the East Henrietta staff who adored her. Doris, your presence will be deeply missed—but your impact will echo through every hallway. We were so lucky to have you on the Mary Cariola team. Best wishes on a well deserved retirement! 💙💛

08/28/2025

This is HUGE! The Ultimate Walking on Sunshine Raffle is ON—and the prizes are next-level! 💥

💛 Every $10 donation = 1 raffle entry 💛 Or boost your odds: 3 entries for just $25

🎁 What’s up for grabs?
✈️ 2 Roundtrip Southwest Airlines tickets (continental US)

🏈 2 Club Seats to see the Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals – Dec 7

🛒 $500 Wegmans Gift Card

You don’t need to be present to win—just be ready to celebrate when you do! Purchase tickets now at https://marycariolacenter.salsalabs.org/raffle2025/index.html and help us reach our Walking on Sunshine $200,000 goal. ☀

08/28/2025

Shining bright like a Diamond Sponsor! 💎A huge thank you to our incredible friends at the QCI Team of Wealth Enhancement Group for their unwavering support of Walking on Sunshine.☀

Their generosity helps fuel the joy, purpose, and impact of our largest community fundraiser—and their commitment to Mary Cariola Center truly shines.

WE are on the way to our $200,000 fundraising goal. Will you help? Donate at https://www.marycariola.org

08/28/2025

(New York, New York) Summer Marketing intern Alex Hegewald lit up Times Square repping Walk Shirt Wednesday. The lights were bright and the message is clear. Be there at Walking on Sunshine ☀️ - Sunday September 21. Register/Donate ➡️ marycariola.org

08/27/2025

First impressions matter—and Sumeet nailed it: Walking on Sunshine felt more like a celebration than a fundraiser. Read his reflections as a first-time attendee and see why this event leaves a lasting glow.

The best part for me was the joy. You could see it on everyone’s faces. Kids running around, staff walking side by side with families, and volunteers making sure people had what they needed. It’s the kind of joy that reminds you why events like this matter.

08/27/2025

Congratulations to Classroom Aide Camille Wilson...our newest Mary Cariola Center Employee of the Month!
Camille truly embodies our core values of trust, integrity, respect, and quality-focused care. Her compassion radiates throughout our East Avenue Campus, where she goes out of her way to connect with students and support their growth—both academically and behaviorally.
Camille is a creative force in the classroom, regularly sharing fresh ideas, engaging lessons, and movement-based breaks to keep students energized. She has transformed her classroom into a nurturing space, complete with inspirational banners reminding students: “I am brave.” “I am smart.” “I am always learning.” “I am loved.”
Camille lives those affirmations herself. She is a steady, empathetic presence for her co-workers, training new staff, lifting others up, and creating a sense of family through her positivity, humor, and expertise.
Recently, Camille completed the Teacher Assistant Cohort and passed her certification exam, further demonstrating her commitment to growth and excellence. The East Avenue Campus wouldn’t be the same without Camille’s heart, creativity, and dedication. We are lucky to have her—and proud to celebrate her as our Employee of the Month!

08/22/2025

Food, fun, friends—and a dunk tank! Our residents had an absolute blast at the recent inter-residential picnic at our State Road home. The weather didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits—just the brave management team who took plunges in the dunk tank!

44 residents and staff came together for a day of laughter, connection, and community. Rain or shine, our Community Services Team knows how to celebrate! 💙💛

08/21/2025

Lace up your shoes! This entire Mary Cariola Radio Show is about our largest community fundraiser, Walking on Sunshine. ☀ Learn how our corporate friends at Nichols Construction Team and News 8 WROC Rochester support the walk and hear exciting details about this year's event. Tune in. 7:00 PM on WYSL or online at https://www.wysl1040.com/
MISSED IT? No Worries! Listen to it ➡️ https://www.marycariola.org/media-room-press-releases

08/21/2025

A huge shoutout to our incredible friends at News 8 WROC Rochester for stepping up once again as the official Media Sponsor of Walking on Sunshine! For the 11th consecutive year, they’ve helped us shine brighter, spread the word wider, and rally our community around the students and residents of Mary Cariola Center.

We’re beyond grateful for their partnership, passion, and commitment to making this event a celebration of care, connection, and community. ☀

Join us on September 21 at Veterans Memorial Park. Info ➡ https://www.marycariola.org/

08/20/2025

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) From New York State to the Golden Gate... Our Summer/Fall Marketing Intern Molly Broccolo is soaking up the California sun with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge as her backdrop!

She’s sending sunny vibes from the West Coast and reminding YOU to register for our biggest community fundraiser of the year: Walking on Sunshine – Sept 21 Veterans Memorial Park, Penfield. Register + donate at https://www.marycariola.org

Every step helps us reach our bold $200,000 goal to support our incredible students and residents at Mary Cariola Center. ☀😎🌉🌴