Current Community Programs & Recent Event Accomplishments
Chapter’s Coffee Cafe & Snack Bar
Located in the main lobby of The Lewiston Public Library (305 South 8th Street, Lewiston, NY 14092), open Tue, Wed, Thu & Sat from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Operated by young adults ages 18–40 with Down syndrome and their Direct Support Professionals, partially funded by The United Way of Greater Niagara.
Down River Run 5K & 1.5M Walk
Our flagship summer 5K Run and 1.5 Mile Walk & Roll at Fort Niagara State Park, Youngstown, NY 14174 raises vital funds for the Miles of Care initiative. June 8, 2024 winners: Luke Wolfling & Colleen Carroll; June 3, 2023 winners: Zach McPherson & Colleen Carroll.
Buddy Walk of Buffalo Niagara
Celebrating over 25 years of marching down Center Street in the historic Village of Lewiston. Walkers assemble at the Red Brick School (N. 4th & Ridge / Onondaga St.) in lime green Buddy Walk shirts, with Discover Niagara Shuttle accessibility, free ride tickets for youth under 18, and a post-parade pizza party.
Our Mission, Vision & The “Miles of Care” Medical Travel Fund
Advocate, Celebrate, Inspire Across Buffalo-Niagara
Our mission is to help benefit people with Down syndrome and their families through advocacy efforts and raising positive community awareness. We are committed to a collaborative, community-wide effort to enhance quality-of-life outcomes so that each person is afforded opportunities to maximize their potential, realize their life aspirations, and lead a life of purpose and meaning.
What started in 1996–1997 with the love and passion of three Niagara County mothers advocating for school inclusion has grown into a support network representing over 400 families in the Western New York region.
We actively help parents, families, and caregivers with the transportation and lodging costs incurred when traveling outside New York State for life-saving medical treatments or cardiac surgery not available in Western New York:
- Addressing Regional Shortages: Due to a shortage of WNY facilities offering pediatric angiography and complex congenital heart surgery, families must travel to specialized children’s hospitals in Boston or Philadelphia.
- Multiple Follow-Ups: Many children born with Down syndrome require multiple corrective heart surgeries and frequent follow-up evaluations.
- Kings & Queens of Hearts: We believe that families who stay together, heal together, and 100% of Down River Run net proceeds support this mission.
Beyond our flagship walk and 5K race, DSAN coordinates accessible educational, recreational, and vocational programs across Niagara County:
- Chapter’s Coffee Cafe & Snack Bar: Real-world hospitality and customer service training at the Lewiston Public Library (305 S. 8th St.).
- “Sunshine Team” Youth Bowling: Saturday mornings at 9:30 AM at Lewiston Frontier Bowling Lanes (Tel: 716-754-8248), $5.50 for 2 games including shoe rental for ages 10–21, with April awards.
- Turn It Up for Down Syndrome: Family celebration concerts in the park, plus Keys to Making Music and 90-minute research web seminars.
2020–2025 IRS Form 990-EZ Financial Ledger & Volunteer Leadership
Deborah L. Fleck
Serving as President & Treasurer on the 2025 IRS Form 990-EZ filing (formerly Vice President 2016–2022). Coordinates Chapter’s Coffee Cafe, Down River Run, and the Buffalo Niagara Buddy Walk. Tel: (716) 246-2144 · info@dsaniagara.org.
Christine Sirianni (Christine Vescio-Sirianni)
IRS Business Master File In-Care-Of Contact (c/o Christine Sirianni), Co-Founder, Vice President & Co-Treasurer (former President 2011–2022). Coordinates hospital outreach, new parent packages, and library collections. Tel: (716) 246-2144 · christine.sirianni@dsaniagara.org · info@dsaniagara.org.
Bobbie Trunzo-Meredith
Long-serving Board Secretary alongside Honorary Vice President / Books in Care Of Anne Farley-Kaphingst, Social Events Chair Rich Meredith III, and Members At Large Dr. Sindoor Desai, Wendy Graczyk, and Mary Lou Trunzo.
Six-Year Verified IRS Form 990-EZ Financial Summary (EIN 80-0265472)
| Tax Year | Filing Form & Address on Return | Total Revenue | Total Expenses | Net Assets (EOY) | Signing Officer & Independent CPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Form 990-EZ · P.O. Box 159, Lewiston, NY 14092-0159 | $8,783 | $3,995 | $21,698 | Deborah Fleck (Pres.) · DLN 202601279349202575 |
| 2024 | Form 990-EZ · P.O. Box 159, Lewiston, NY 14092-0159 | $5,645 | $5,962 | $16,910 | Anne Kaphingst / Deborah Fleck · Tel (716) 246-2144 |
| 2023 | Form 990-EZ · 250 S 7th Street, Lewiston, NY 14092 | $7,459 | $5,331 | $17,227 | Anne Kaphingst · CPA: Steven H Brown CPA, Brown & Co. LLP |
| 2022 | Form 990-EZ · 250 S 7th Street, Lewiston, NY 14092 | $6,098 | $4,768 | $15,099 | Anne Kaphingst · CPA: Brown & Company LLP, Niagara Falls |
| 2021 | Form 990-EZ · 250 S 7th Street, Lewiston, NY 14092 | $5 | $589 | $13,769 | Anne Kaphingst · COVID-19 Event Pause Year |
| 2020 | Form 990-EZ · 250 S 7th Street, Lewiston, NY 14092 | $1,734 | $1,645 | $14,353 | Christine Sirianni / Anne Kaphingst · $0 Officer Pay |
Community Milestones & Annual Event History (2006–2024)
Core Family & Library Programs
Through our dedicated community pages (AboutUs.html, BuddyWalkStore.html, LewistonLibrary.html), DSAN coordinates the NIOGA Lending Library collection, new-parent hospital outreach packets, and the Lewiston Peach Festival Buddy Walk.
24th Annual Buddy Walk Safety Notice
In September 2021, our volunteer board issued a community health notice pausing the in-person 24th Annual Buddy Walk of Buffalo Niagara due to regional COVID-19 transmission, prioritizing the health and safety of children and families.
Return of the Down River Run 5K
As outdoor gatherings resumed in 2022, DSAN welcomed runners and walkers back to the Second Annual Down River Run 5K & 1.5 Mile Walk at Fort Niagara State Park, paving the way for our record 2023 and 2024 races.
Proud Member Since 2023: Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce (NRRCC) in Lewiston, NY.
United Way Partner: Chapter’s Cafe is partially funded by The United Way of Greater Niagara as a 2025 funded agency.