Assemblyman Mike Norris visited Alden Primary School on Friday, May 26, 2017 to visit with a special student named Alannah Pionessa. Alannah was born premature with a rare birth defect and spend the first 80 days of her life in the neonatal intensive care unit at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. Alannah’s mother, unable to hold her daughter due to the number of life support tubes, began reading to her for comfort and to help her learn her mother’s voice. Today, as a courageous seven year old, Alannah loves reading books and still enjoys being read to, and as her 8th birthday approaches, on June 8th 2017, Alannah is asking the community for some help collecting gifts, specifically brand new blankets and books. However, these gifts are not for her, they will be donated to the NICU so other families can offer their newborns some comfort. “When I read about her story, I knew that Alannah was a special girl. Her experience as a child is something that no parent wants to go through, but the love and support of her family has clearly made an impact and helped her grow into a courageous student with a big heart and great compassion for others. I absolutely wanted to help her accomplish her goal of collecting 70 blankets and 70 books, and I encourage our community to participate as well. We can all stand to learn something about helping others from this seven year old.” said Assemblyman Mike Norris. If you would like to join Alannah and her cause, you can make a donation at one of the following locations, or email Heather Rust at Hmrust26@gmail.com Rolly Pollies of East Amherst
9630 Transit Road
East Amherst, NY 14051 Rolly Pollies of Orchard Park
4058 North Buffalo Road
Orchard Park, NY 14127 Pink Martini, 2455 Grand Island Boulevard, Grand Island, NY