Providing Gifts and Support For Families
For the third year in a row, the not-for-profit Be a Blessing Buffalo, formerly known as Christmas Blessing, is pairing up with small and local businesses this holiday season to collect presents for those in need. It was started by Clarence residents Kate Tolley-Gerlach, her sisters Courtney and Abigail Tolley, and their mother, Kimberly Tolley, after the girls’ father, John, passed away unexpectedly in 2019.
Never into commercialized Christmases, John always encouraged his children not to give each other gifts, but rather, find someone in need and help them.
“He didn’t have a lot but with what he did had, he gave selflessly. He was the epitome of a good friend to everyone,” explained Tolley-Gerlach.
Prior to John’s passing, the family of five adopted one family for the holiday season, which unbeknownst to them at the time would turn into something much larger.
Now, what began as that small effort to give has grown into a massive one. After John’s passing the Tolley family adopted a local homeless shelter full of children and their mothers.
Last year, during the pandemic, when many found themselves in situations such as losing their job or unable to pay bills, the Tolley family was able to help 350 people in the community.
In addition, they also adopted 150 men and women who find shelter when Code Blue is declared during exceptionally cold weather.
This holiday season is the first year the Tolley family is operating as a not-for-profit organization. They set a goal of helping 500 families, which would be the most they’ve ever done, along with helping 175 men and women during a Code Blue situation.
How does it work? From now until Wednes-day, Dec. 22, a total of 26 local businesses, along with Clarence High School, will serve as drop-off sites, collecting new and unwrapped gifts for children from newborn to age 18. Hats, gloves, toiletries and new backpacks will also be collected for the men and women impacted during Code Blue situations.
“With the drop-off sites at local businesses throughout Buffalo, we will not only be helping someone in need but also helping small businesses,” Tolley-Gerlach said “Small businesses are the heart of our city. They were continuing to give and help us collect gifts (last year) even when their doors were shut, only open for takeout.”
Once the final drop-off date is reached, the Tolley family works to get the presents wrapped and delivered to the families on Christmas Eve.
“If my dad was here to see how much this has made a difference to so many children and families, he would have tears in his eyes. We are so grateful we are able to give back in his memory,’ she said.
Tolley-Gerlach explained that Be a Blessing Buffalo has grown into a community effort to give back to those less fortunate, adding if it weren’t for the City of Good Neighbors this would have never grown into what it is today.
Originally called Christmas Blessing, the family has since changed the name to Be a Blessing Buffalo, as they want this movement to be larger than just helping others on Christmas.
“I want to help those less fortunate through all their important milestones and holidays in life such as birthdays and graduating, not just Christ-mas, Tolley-Gerlach said, adding this is one of the not-for-profit’s future goals.
Be A Blessing Buffalo

