BTC’ERS – this year for our Banquet, we are donating to the Buffalo Animal Shelter, a place very special to me & Mishka (this picture was Mishka at the Shelter on the day she was going home with me) … For every item/cash donation ($1.00 = 1 ticket) you can get extra tickets for some AWESOME prizes from our AMAZING SPONSORS!!! There will also be a 50/50 raffle …
BTC have always been generous and I am so excited to be giving back to the Shelter.
Below are a list of wish-list items they are asking for and ALWAYS in need for. I will have a bin to fill (one of the items requested) with donations.
If not going to the Banquet and still want to donate – Mishka and I will come out to collect!
Thank You BTC – you are an amazing group
- Pate style canned dog food any brand for filling Kongs
- New or used strong, sturdy dog leashes
- Bleach
- HE laundry soap
- New or gently used Kong dog toys, not the very small size
- Any kind of cat toys
- New or gently used/clean cat beds
- New or gently used/clean large dog crates, x-pens
- New or gently used/clean cat carriers
- Soft dog treats for training
- Canned cat and kitten food, any style or brand
- Dish soap and dishwasher detergent
- New or gently used/ clean strong dog collars
- Large Rubbermaid type bins for storing stuffed Kongs
- Essential oils for making dog enrichment toys
It’s that time of year again when we begin consideration and voting for the open board member slots of the Buffalo Triathlon Club. This year, the deadline for candidate nominations was October 31st. Bios will be published here on the blog as they are received with online voting beginning in late November. Announcements of the winners will come as voting completes and new or reelected board members will be installed at our club banquet in January.
My name is Joe Pautler and I have been a member of the BTC since 2005. I joined the club because I wanted a safe way to practice open water swimming before my first sprint triathlon, but I quickly found that the club had FAR more to offer than just that. I became very active in the club and established great friendships with the other members. I am sometimes asked why I devote so much time and effort to the BTC, and the answer is quite simple. I have benefited greatly from the previous and current members of the club and I want to make sure that the club continues to stay strong and provide those same benefits to the existing and future members for many years to come. The success of the BTC is due entirely to the members and volunteers that contribute to it. It is great that we have so many people that are eager to donate their time and services for the betterment of the club, and I just want to do my part. Here is a quick list of some of the ways that I have contributed to the BTC over the years:
When I’m not swimming, biking, and running, I work for the University at Buffalo as the Technical Program Manager for the data network. I am responsible for the technical oversight (planning, design, budgeting, implementation, etc) for all of the routers, switches, firewalls, etc, that provide Internet access and network connectivity to more than 120 buildings on the 3 UB campuses (Amherst, Main St, and down town). Our network provides services to approximately 30,000 students and 6,000 faculty and staff. I live in Depew NY, with my wife Paula and our guinea pigs Chip and Cadbury. Paula is also quite active in the BTC. She has completed many running races and also really enjoys riding her bike. She did her first (and probably last) triathlon at the Summer Sizzler in 2011, just so she could say that she did one. She is not a big fan of open water swimming. In 2013 she completed the Disney World Goofy Challenge (half marathon and full marathon on consecutive days) as well as the Disney Coast to Coast challenge (requiring a full or half marathon in both Disney World and Disney Land in the same calendar year).
I have been a BTC member for the 15 years I have lived here. I am honored to be nominated and if elected would do my best to continue the great job the BTC does in supporting our local athletes. I realize that the BTC is only so successful because of all of those who volunteer their time. I have been involved in the BTC more closely the last few years. I suggested and helped with the design and ordering of the tech shirts and I have volunteered at our Marathon water stop the last two years. I also volunteer for Amherst Meals on Wheels, am the Treasurer of my daughter’s soccer teams and raise money every year for the American Diabetes Association by riding in their Tour de Cure.
Hello my name is David Federspiel, I am presently seeking election to the Buffalo Triathlon Club Board. I would like to thank the present board members for their hard work, vision and dedication to the club.
As a kid, I fell in love with triathlons after watching Kona for the first time on Television. It was all new to me and I never thought I would ever compete in a triathlon, let alone an Ironman! At first it was a passing desire until later on in life while working as a personal trainer and a client encouraged me to try a triathlon.
Other than my obvious obsession over triathlons, I have gained 11 years of valuable experience being involved with the Western N.Y. Herpetological Society. I served as President for 6 straight years, Vice President 3 years, and board member for 2 years. During this time I have developed excellent organization and management skills. I have also been responsible for promoting the club, organization of demos for the community, and setting volunteer assignments. I managed all aspects of the vendor sales for the yearly reptile show as well as recruiting volunteers, advertising, donations, selling tables to vendors, venue arrangement, and customer service.
I’m a husband and father of two beautiful daughters. I work a demanding full time job and I just completed my first Ironman last summer. I remember years ago when I started, I couldn’t swim one lap across the pool. The first race I ever did was Nickel City. I thought I was ready for this race so I got in front of the pack of swimmers and got my butt kicked. I almost gave up but then I remembered how much I just paid as an entry fee so I kept going and finished.
