by John BINDER
There’s a whirlwind of activity in the Buffalo State College Sports Arena. A
controlled chaos that consists of hundreds of families, moms and dads with their children,
executives in their shorts, kids on bikes, babies in strollers...all getting ready to do
one thing...WalkAmerica! The scene breeds commotion and excitement, but there is still
something calm and comforting within the face of each person...it just feels like home.
Each year, these same people gather to show their support, bring some new faces and help
raise awareness to saving babies in our communities.
This annual April event is quite a production and co-producing the communications and
media aspects of this year’s show is Dennis Schrader. Dennis is the State Director of
Communications for the Upstate New York Chapter of the March of Dimes...say that three
times fast. He travels throughout Upstate New York helping each of four divisions connect
with their local media and build relationships, in an effort to boost mission awareness
and generate volunteer and monetary support for the March of Dimes. Through their
innovative and targeted community programs, as well as funding grass roots research, since
1938, the March of Dimes has helped save millions of babies from death or disability.
Much of Dennis’s life, both personal and professional, can be equated to the
uncertainty of a typical Buffalo winter. Growing up within the small town confines of
Batavia, New York fueled his hunger for a bigger city feeling. But that desire would not
be satiated until years later. As a life-long Buffalo Sabres fan, Dennis decided to attend
Erie Community College in Western New York...inching ever closer to the Queen City.
A transfer to Oswego State College was the next step toward the Baccalaureate. The
Communications Program was rated as the best in the state and the allure of the new
challenge was too great to be denied. Plus, the Guinness Book sunsets were an awesome way
to meet women...a huge priority back then.
Two years later puts a degreed Dennis in New York City, looking for a job in public
relations. It was like being in every song or every movie that has ever been made...never
had Dennis felt more ALIVE...but never more alone. He met frequently with former Oswego
Alumni and ESPN Broadcaster Steve Levy who set-up many interviews in New York. What this
great training ground lacked was that hometown connection that was only available back in
Western New York. After taking a quick bite out of the “Big Apple,” the stage
was now set to come back home and take Buffalo by storm.
Okay, so the storm was more like scattered flurries at first. Finding a position in
Buffalo took a little longer than Dennis anticipated. However, while working as a
substitute teacher at Attica High School during his job search, Dennis met his future
wife, Nikki. Now, the feeling of being ALIVE, came from being with a person...not a city.
Dennis began his career at an advertising agency in Buffalo that year and 18 months later,
Dennis and Nikki were married. The ad agency didn’t work out...but the marriage did.
As the result of a blind ad, which turned into an incredible opportunity, Dennis found
himself in Rochester. Working for the local food bank, Dennis was able to carve a niche
and create a position that was much needed at the time. As the Community Relations and
Special Events Coordinator, Dennis was afforded many opportunities to work with hundreds
of local businesses, the local media and local sports teams. Three plus years helped
cultivate FOODLINK’s future and heightened hunger awareness to unprecedented levels
in Rochester. Now, it was time for a new challenge and besides, the Sabres were in the
playoffs again.
Bring in the March of Dimes, where Dennis is preparing for WalkAmerica amidst hundreds of
families, all getting ready to do one thing... WalkAmerica! This year, the calm and
comfort will not be reflected in the face of each person, but in the eyes of his wife
Nikki and the knowledge that they’ll be bringing their first baby home in May, to a
community that cares so much about its children. “It’s good to be back
home!”
John Binder is a freelance writer.