A tradition of community support: Celebrating 20 Years

The Street Party has a long tradition here in Buffalo. It started as a way to commemorate a special person. It evolved into the Pink Street Party, then the Street Party for Hope, but it’s always been the Party with a Purpose. 

The early 2000s marked the beginning of organized community support in Buffalo, sparked by the loss of Sara Johnson to breast cancer. In her memory, Sue Olmscheid and her sister, Cindy Deuser, created a meaningful experience for patients in treatment—offering a day of care that included transportation, spa services, meals, and custom wigs.

What began as a single act of compassion soon grew into something larger. That effort evolved into Sara’s Dance, setting the foundation for a community tradition centered on both celebration and purpose.

From Purpose to Community Tradition

In 2009, the Buffalo Hospital Foundation expanded those early efforts with the first Pink Street Party, raising $38,000 for breast cancer awareness.

Karla Heeter, then foundation director, recalls how the event quickly took shape:

“We, the team, created the event from the ground up. Selling strings of pink lights in honor of those who have or are experiencing cancer of any kind, not just breast cancer. Eventually, we changed to the Street Party of Hope and sold strings of lights in a variety of colors coinciding with the cancer ribbon colors. While we enjoyed amazing support from community and business sponsors, the ceremony to read the names of those who were honored for their journey with cancer was incredibly powerful and meaningful.”

Under Heeter’s leadership, the event continued to grow, raising more than $100,000 by 2019.

She states, “The Pink Street Party was a career highlight for me. We brought the community together, raised awareness and significant dollars to bring cancer care to our community. We helped people in their greatest time of need when cancer caused a financial burden to them.”

Adapting Through Change

As leadership transitioned, the event reached a pivotal moment. Heeter partnered with Dr. Tom Kuzma to sustain its momentum—just as the community faced unexpected challenges.

Kuzma reflects on that turning point: “I was approached by Karla Heeter to join the board of the Buffalo Hospital Foundation in 2019, and I was honored to accept… That is why connecting the Pink Street Party with Buffalo Strong felt so natural and meaningful to me. Both represent the very best of our community—people coming together in support, healing, and hope.”

Continuing the Mission

Today, the Street Party of Hope is led by Buffalo Strong, building on the legacy of the past while addressing the evolving needs of the community—most notably mental health.

Many long-standing volunteers continue to play a role in that continuity.

As Lindsay Hourscht shares: “I’ve been involved with the Street Party of Hope in some capacity for the past 16 years...  bringing people together to raise funds that directly support members of our community... connecting community, providing mental health resources, and providing grants to individuals and organizations within Buffalo.”

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Buffalo Strong now directs proceeds from the event toward mental health education, access to care, and direct community support.

Looking Back—and Ahead

For 20 years, the Street Party of Hope has remained grounded in one consistent idea: a community coming together to support its own.

With deep gratitude for the people, partnerships, and purpose that shaped its past, the Street Party of Hope continues to move forward - strengthened by its history and inspired by the opportunity to serve the community for years to come.