January 14, 2009

Mr. Sam Lamantia, Jr.

Ed Block Courage Award Foundation

8600 LaSalle Road

Suite 504

Towson, MD  21286

Dear Mr. Lamantia,

Gateway-Longview is proud of its affiliation with the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation.  We are a not-for-profit child and family service agency based in Buffalo, New York that has been providing essential care, counseling and support to at-risk and in-need children, youth and families for 119 years.  Our partnership with Ed Block has enabled us to care for children in need of temporary respite through our Courage House Respite Home.

Gateway-Longview’s Courage House Respite Home provides short-term care for up to eight boys and girls ages eight through 18.  Similar to a foster family, our Courage House Respite Home promotes a home-like environment in which children feel safe, comfortable and accepted.  

During 2008, Gateway-Longview was honored to partner with the Buffalo Bills Community Relations Vice President Gretchen Geitter and the team’s Ed Block Courage representative Athletic Trainer Shone Gipson to connect the agency’s young clients with their NFL idols.  In July, several children from Gateway-Longview attended opening day of the Buffalo Bills Training Camp and were honored as VIPs.  In September, Buffalo Bills Defensive Lineman Marcus Stroud attended Gateway-Longview’s fall fundraising event called “A Family Portrait Celebration.”  Mr. Stroud signed autographs and spent quality time with dozens of children placed in our Residential Treatment program, including the Courage House.  In addition, Gateway-Longview participated in the Buffalo Bills Annual Holiday Party in December.  During the event hosted by the Buffalo Bills, select Gateway-Longview children and families met numerous players and cheerleaders and even received special gifts compliments of the team.     

Gateway-Longview is grateful for its partnership with the Buffalo Bills and the Ed Block Foundation.  In 2009, we look forward to continued strong support from these excellent organizations to help us enrich the lives of the deserving at-risk and in-need youth in Buffalo, Western and Central New York.  On behalf of all of us at Gateway-Longview, thank you for your partnership and support.

Gratefully,

James M. Sampson

President

Gateway-Longview, Inc.