BY NICKI MAYO
Tough economic times put the brakes on Buffalo’s annual New Year’s ball drop celebration. But thanks to some generous donors, the show will go on as planned. Nicki Mayo reports how Upstate New York Transplant Services and The Buffalo Sabres Charitable Foundation’s stepped in to save the New Year’s ball drop.
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“The ball drop is back and this is exactly what Buffalo is all about!” said 97 Rock’s Larry Norton. He has hosted the New Year’s ball drop in downtown Buffalo for the past two decades and says he can’t imagine ringing in the New Year any other way.
“For the first time in 22 years I was afraid I wouldn’t be here. I was going ‘What am I going to do New Year Eve?’” Norton added.
The annual Buffalo ball drop started back in 1988 with more than 15,000 people standing in Roosevelt Plaza. Twenty years later, 40,000 people are expected head to the Electric Tower to welcome in 2010.
This year’s annual celebration almost didn’t happen.
2009 was a tough year for ball drop organizers the Buffalo’s Police Athletic League. They struggled to raise funds for the $45,000 to $55,000 party in the streets.
“Situations change. People are getting laid off everywhere. This could be paying someone’s severance somewhere. So companies had to choose and couldn’t give to this particular event this year,” said PAL organizer Sue Gonzalez. She says some of the ball drop corporate sponsors opted out, leaving the PAL program about $20,000 short and looking for emergency donors.
Upstate New York Transplant Services (UNYTS) and Buffalo Sabres Charitable Foundation stepped into cover the difference.
“We can ring in the new year with a victory on the afternoon or evening of the first,” said Buffalo Sabres Charitable Foundation’s Michael Gilbert
“We’re hopeful that as people enjoy this year’s celebration that they will make a resolution to give the gift of life. Talk about organ, tissue and eye donations with their families,” said UNYTS President Mark Simon.
It’s not just the ball drop that attracts thousands to Roosevelt Plaza New Year’s Eve. There’s the alcohol-free “First Night” party at the Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center, holiday sing-a-longs and jumbotron with highlights from 2009.
“When you combine ‘First Night’ with the ball drop it creates a great atmosphere her in downtown Buffalo,” said Independent Health’s Frank Sava.
“It has long been a source of pride and excitement as we anticipate the New Year in downtown Buffalo,” said Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.
Buffalo Ball drop Master of Ceremonies Larry Norton says the donations will help preserve a Western New York tradition.
“This is Buffalo coming together. We welcome everyone to come together once again and celebrate Buffalo in true Buffalo fashion,” Larry Norton said.
“Hopefully the weather will be good with huge fireworks. It’s a great start for another year,” Norton added.
