09/18/2026
This week well over 100 people celebrated the end of another successful summer camp season at Cradle Beach and raised support to make next summer even better! The Summer Send Off event was held at Hartman’s Distillery in Buffalo.
But what made the event better was watching friends at M&T Bank accept the honor of being named a Cradle Beach Legend - an exclusive group of people and organizations who have gone above and beyond to advance Cradle Beach programs and services.
“It’s no surprise that M&T Bank plays a major role in our community as the leading bank, major corporate citizen and one of the largest local employers,” said Lauren Floss, president of the Cradle Beach Board of Directors. “But even after all that context is taken into account, the impact M&T has made on Cradle Beach in the many years we’ve been working together is even more remarkable.”
In the last six years, 785 M&T Bank employees have volunteered in-person at Cradle Beach or at Cradle Beach events – that’s about one out of every ten M&T employees in Western New York. And nearly half have volunteered more than once. Together they contributed more than 11,000 hours toward maximizing the Cradle Beach experience for every camper and visitor. They’ve come in groups ranging in size from five to more than 100.
This year alone, M&T Bank volunteers made multiple trips to Cradle Beach’s 66-acre campus to build the Randy Fahs Musical & Sensory Trail, construct a bridge, roll-up a 1,000 square foot pool cover, clean and prepare more than 30 cabins and buildings for the summer camp season, garden and landscape, repair, paint & stain porches, fences and railings, and more.
Joining M&T Bank as Legends were bank employees Scott Zwink and David Zolnowski who co-captained M&T’s engagement with Cradle Beach. In addition to their regular bank responsibilities, Scott & Dave sat in planning meetings, recruited volunteers from every level of the M&T team, coordinated schedules, answered hundreds of questions, and rolled up their sleeves right alongside their teammates.
On top of the bank’s volunteerism, the M&T Charitable Foundation contributed $250,000 toward replacing the roof on the Jim Kelly House after almost 30 years of storms and lake winds, protecting the iconic facility for another 30 years of programs and services.
Lauren Floss, Cradle Beach Board President, and Janette Clarke, Coporate Counsel for event sponsor Moog Inc. opened the evening.
“For Cradle Beach, support is measured not only in dollars, but in consistency, compassion, capacity-building and the real work it takes to maintain a thriving campus,” said Ann-Marie Orlowski, Cradle Beach Chief Executive Officer. “M&T has shown up for all our participants and our staff again and again – bringing time, expertise, and teamwork that directly enhances the camper and visitor experience.”
“Cradle Beach has been changing lives for generations, and we're proud to support its important work," said Tracy Woodrow, Chief Administrative Officer and WNY Regional President. “Our employees have seen firsthand the impact its programs have on children, families and seniors across Western New York, making this recognition especially meaningful to M&T and the communities we serve.”
Joiing Moog as Summer Send Off sponsors were Dave & Adam's, Eco Serve Pest Services, Hodgson Russ, New Era Cap, Simoniz, United Business Systems, Wegmans, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, Ingram Micro, Monica Peoples, Personal Touch Food Service, Inc., and West Herr Auto Group.
