Dear McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center Family,

December offers us a moment to pause and reflect. At McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center, this season reminds us not only of the warmth and generosity that surrounds us, as so beautifully demonstrated through the outpouring of support for our Holiday Angel Project, but also of the strength, resilience, and hope we see every day in the children and families we serve.

During the holiday season, we are especially mindful that for many families, this time of year can be challenging. Your support ensures that children are met with compassion, safety, and advocacy when they need it most at any time of year.

As you consider your holiday giving, we invite you to support McMahon Ryan through our Holiday Appeal or our annual Dine Out for Kids raffle. Raffle tickets make a thoughtful and unique holiday gift for friends, family, coworkers, or hosts, while proceeds directly support the children and families served by our Center.



With gratitude for your support and partnership, we wish you peace, warmth, and hope this holiday season.

Warm regards,

Mrs. Erin Bates

We are thrilled to recognize Catherine Cramer as our Employee of the Month! Catherine joined our team just four months ago, and in that short time, she has made a remarkable impact.

Catherine brings an incredible work ethic and passion to everything she does. She approaches every task with attention to detail, creativity, and professionalism, ensuring that our development efforts run smoothly and effectively. Beyond her skills and talent, Catherine’s positive attitude and team spirit make her an absolute joy to work with—she uplifts those around her and fosters a collaborative, supportive environment.

A shining example of her dedication is her major role in organizing our Holiday Angels Project this year. Catherine’s organization and commitment has helped make this beloved initiative a success, which will bring joy to so many children and families in our community.

Since joining our team, Catherine has already contributed fresh ideas, taken initiative on projects, and shown dedication to helping us achieve our mission of supporting children and families affected by abuse. Her commitment and enthusiasm exemplify the values of our organization, and we are so grateful to have her on our team.

This holiday season, you can give the most meaningful gift of all—safety. Our Holiday Appeal went out this month, and we invite you to join us in supporting McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center’s critical work.

Your generous support helps us expand vital education and prevention efforts, reaching children and families before abuse occurs. It also sustains our critical response services for those already affected, providing counseling, advocacy, and hope during the most challenging times.

To continue this important work, we need your help today. Donate online or mail in a donation to make a difference for children and families in our community. With your support, we can continue building a world where every child grows up safe, supported, and free from harm.

Or Mail in a Donation to:

McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center

601 E Genesee Street

Syracuse, NY 13202

Check out the graphic below to see the impact of your contributions in 2024 and how many lives were touched through our programs and services.

Our beloved Eat Local Raffle has a new name, Dine Out 4 Kids, and an even bigger impact. Every ticket gives you a chance to win gift cards to some of CNY’s favorite restaurants while directly supporting the life-changing work of the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center.

For just $25, you can treat yourself—or someone you love—to incredible local dining, all while helping provide hope, healing, and support to children and families in our community.

Looking for a meaningful holiday gift or stocking stuffer? A Dine Out 4 Kids raffle ticket is the perfect choice. It’s a simple way to give a gift that gives back, offering the chance to win great prizes while making a real difference in the lives of local children.

Why Your Ticket Matters

When you purchase a raffle ticket, you help us:

• Provide critical services to children and families affected by abuse
• Offer compassionate support to victims of human trafficking
• Deliver prevention education to more than 25,000 local children each year
• Ensure safety, comfort, and care during some of the most difficult moments of a child’s life

Your support funds forensic interviews, medical exams, advocacy services, therapy, community outreach, and more—creating a safe space where children can be heard, supported, and begin to heal.



Your $25 Goes Further Than You Think

Even if your ticket isn’t drawn, your generosity has a lasting impact. It helps a child walk through our doors feeling safe, supports families in crisis, and empowers our team to continue protecting and advocating for the most vulnerable members of our community.

The holidays are a time for joy and celebration—but safety always comes first. Our Outreach & Education team is sharing simple tips to help keep children safe while enjoying the season. A few thoughtful precautions can make all the difference in ensuring a happy, worry-free holiday for everyone!

Holiday Decor Safety

Safe decorations are flame-resistant, stable, shatter-resistant, battery-operated (instead of plug-in), and placed out of reach of small children and pets.

Unsafe decorations include items with loose cords, glass or breakable pieces, small detachable parts, lit candles or open flames, and overloaded outlets or frayed wires.

Tips before decorating: Think about what’s safest for kids and pets in your home. Avoid breakable ornaments, long cords, and anything that can be easily swallowed or pulled down. With a little planning, you can make your home festive and safe for everyone!

December is also Safe Toys & Gifts Awareness Month!

Our Holiday Angels Project is well underway, and this week families are picking up their gifts—bringing joy, comfort, and hope to children and caregivers across our community.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our Holiday Angels, donors, and volunteers, we are providing a brighter holiday season for over 200 children across 80 families this year. Along with essential items such as boots, coats, bedding, and other necessities, our Angels truly went above and beyond—fulfilling children’s wishes with bikes, video games, toys, and more.

In addition, each family will receive a turkey for a special holiday meal, made possible by the kindness of Mark Bartlett and his family.



From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who helped make this program possible. Your compassion and generosity are making the holidays warmer, happier, and more meaningful for so many families. ❤️

Ticket sales are now open! Don’t miss The Pinwheel Ball, our largest fundraiser of the year, taking place Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Oncenter. We are thrilled to announce Jim McElhannon as this year’s Honorary Chair.

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the heroes in our community who fight against child abuse. Enjoy live music by Atlas, cocktails, dinner, and both silent and live auctions—all while supporting the mission of the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center.

Looking to sponsor or advertise? We’re always seeking sponsors to make this event . Click here to view sponsorship opportunities.

The 10th Annual Step Up 4 Kids 5K & Kids Fun Run will close our April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Middle Ages Brewing Company. This family-fun event will be followed by a post-race party hosted by Middle Ages with live music and food trucks! Registration will open on January 1st!

Special thanks our sponsors: OneGroup – Presenting Sponsor

Maguire Foundation – Kids Fun Run Sponsor

Looking to sponsor Step Up 4 Kids? We’re always looking for sponsors! Click here to view our sponsorship opportunities.

Last month, we hosted a diaper drive to support the CNY Diaper Bank, and thanks to our generous community, it was a huge success!

Together, we collected:

• 1,642 diapers
• 11 packages of baby wipes
• 2 cans of formula
• 30 packages of adult diapers
• 10 packages of bed pads
• 1 box of tampons

These donations will make a real difference for local families in need, helping provide essential items for infants, children, and adults who rely on the CNY Diaper Bank.



A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and helped spread the word—your support shows the power of community in action!