We are so excited to announce that the Jerry Barsha Memorial Foundation Virtual Auction is now LIVE!
Click here to browse the artwork by our amazing artists, and plan to put in your bid on October 1st! The bidding will start at 9:00 am on October 1st and continue through October 7th. There is a place to simply donate to our foundation as well if you choose to do that, but we encourage you to support this artist who have agreed to include their pieces through our foundation!
SPREAD THE WORD!
Hello everyone! We have exciting news! The world has been through a lot since the last time we posted. All of us here at the Jerry Barsha Memorial Foundation are so pleased to announced that we will be hosting a silent auction this year. Date to be announced, but artists are already lining up to have their work included!
As you may well know, the mission of our foundation is to help fund a college student who may want a career in broadcast media of any kind. There can never be enough times to mention that dad was a stellar anchorman, unbiased news reporter, and cared about his community. We continue to strive to keep his spirit alive through the next generation who want those same goals. More details to follow, but just wanted to update you on what is coming up. Just a quick reminder that our foundation is a 501c3, so if you want to donate your donation is tax deductible. If you are a collector and would like to purchase any of the artworks listed, you will be able to once the event date is announced. Thank you all in advance for your continuing support of the Jerry Barsha Memorial Foundation!
Today marks the 10th anniversary of Jerry Barsha’s passing, and we still all miss our dad so much. It is a comfort, however, to share news like this with all of you. One of our recipients has responded to us about what our scholarship has meant to him.
As you may know, it has been awhile since we have organized an event for The Jerry Barsha Memorial Foundation and recently we have had to say goodbye to our cherished Onondaga Community College associate Kelly Venturini, who has guided us through the scholarship set-up process, as well championing our annual events. We wish you well, Kelly, in your next endeavor! Before Kelly left, she sent us a letter from our most recent Jerry Barsha Foundation recipient, Ezra Bale. We were so moved by the letter Ezra sent, that we decided to publish it for all of you to read. We are happy to know that our father’s legacy continues to inspire and support future electronic media students. Here is Ezra’s letter:
To the Barsha Family—
My name is Ezra Bale, I am a sophomore in the EMC Department and a recipient of the scholarship your family has so generously provided in honor of the late Professor Jerry Barsha. I will have to admit, I know very little about Professor Barsha; but from what I have read, I can tell that he was more than a talented broadcaster and journalist, he was also a good man who I’m sure made a great impact on the students he taught at OCC. It’s clear to me he cared a great deal for this department, its students, and their futures. From the existence of this scholarship and the foundation that bears his name, it’s evident to me that you all care a great deal for us, the EMC department and its students, as well, and for that I thank you. Before I can carry on any further, I just want to express my gratitude and thanks for your continuation of the care that Professor Barsha showed this department and its students, myself included.
I’m a West Genesee High School graduate, but my roots are not in Syracuse. I was born in Orange County, New York, about a two-hour drive from New York City, and I’ve done a lot of moving around since then. But ever since I was young, I had a love for stories and storytelling, particularly in the world of film. Along with writing, it’s something I grew a passion for, and in time, I found myself wanting to become somebody who tells quality stories through the art of film and television as a director. I know there are better stories that I can write out there, and I want to be a part of telling them. To achieve this goal, I thought it would be smart for me to build savings and take a reasonable career before pursuing my passion, and I had always had an interest in the US Navy. During my senior year of high school, it was my intention to apply to Annapolis, but after an injury at work messed up my shoulder, the Navy was off the table. And though I still suffer the pain from that injury, I’m thankful for it, because it brought me to OCC and, in time, the EMC department.
For the sake of time, I won’t go on in full detail about my eventual entrance into the EMC department, but I would like to take a moment to talk about the financial situation that this scholarship helped me get out of. As you’re probably aware, the state of New York has a program for reduced tuition known as the Excelsior Scholarship. Through a series of unfortunate paperwork mistakes and bureaucratic blunders, I am now a former holder of that scholarship. This was tough news, because I found myself in a position where I’d likely have to drop out because I wouldn’t have been able to afford this semester. I was panicked. But then I reached out to Professor Mike Kaminski and the EMC department, and they moved heaven and earth to ensure that my tuition was covered. Thanks to the Barsha scholarship and the efforts of this department, I’m able to continue classes here at OCC unencumbered and I can finish my degree in the spring.
Now that I’m going to be able to finish on time, I plan to transfer out of OCC and get my bachelor’s in production, specifically for film and or television. Being able to finish this degree and leave Syracuse is a huge deal to me. Although I have a love for this city, and I am thankful for the impact it has had on my life, I feel the need to grow and branch out. I want to go where the opportunity and the work is and I want to get out there and be a part of the storytelling and the production process. I’m looking at colleges in Boston, New York City, Atlanta, and Los Angeles; and I hope to be able to transfer successfully next fall.
All of that story about my life to say this— I’m so thankful for the EMC department, and I know that Professor Jerry Barsha was a part of building this department to what it is today. And from the care that the current faculty gives for its students, I can only imagine how kind and helpful he must have been. So once again, I’d like to thank you for continuing your support of this department, and by extent for supporting me and investing in my future by providing this scholarship and for taking an interest in me and my future and what I want to do. I know it is something I will never forget, and I will always be so thankful for it.
Sincerely,
Ezra J. Bale
Thank YOU, Ezra Bale, for this amazing letter.
Debra, Cynthia, Amy and Janice Barsha
The Jerry Barsha Memorial foundation is excited to announce our 5k walk/run for 2018! The event will be held at Ryder Park in DeWitt, NY on October 6th, 2018. Race start time: 9:30 a.m. The event is a charity event which funds The Jerry Barsha Memorial Scholarship at Onondaga Community College for a student pursuing a career in Electronic Media. We have been awarding the scholarship for 8 years now, and are so excited to be back again with our 5k walk/run! Dogs are allowed as well! Sign up to walk or run with us along our beautiful Erie Canal route by clicking on this link for details and registration:
REGISTER FOR THEY CAN’T STOP ME 5k WALK/RUN 2018
If you just want to support the foundation and donate, follow this link and hit the DONATE button:
DONATE to THE JERRY BARSHA MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
We are a 501c3 organization so, all donations are tax deductible.
We will be having a raffle at the end of the 5k walk/run as well. One of the prizes will be two tickets and a backstage tour of the Broadway musical SUMMER: THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL, as well as gift certificates to local stores in Syracuse.
Once again, thank you all for your support!!! We will be back to update you with more details! Keep checking back!
We look forward to seeing you!!!
The Barsha sisters: Debra, Cynthia, Amy and Janice
THE B SIDE
STAR OF BROADWAY’S JERSEY BOYS HONORS SYRACUSE LEGEND JERRY BARSHA!!
On Sunday, November 1st, 2015 3:00pm at The Storer Auditorium, Joseph Leo Bwarie and Debra Barsha are teaming up to delight you with THE B SIDE!!!!
THE B SIDE celebrates the era of 45rpm records that brought us the hits of the 60’s and the 70’s. JOSEPH LEO BWARIE, currently starring as Frankie Valli on Broadway in the Tony award winning musical JERSEY BOYS, joins forces with JERSEY BOYS’ Associate Conductor and native Syracusan DEBRA BARSHA for a special concert to benefit THE JERRY BARSHA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT with special guest comedienne Kelly Kinsella (who also hails from Syracuse) and her acclaimed brand of comedy! 
The concert will be held at Onondaga Community College at THE STORER AUDITORIUM – ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE 4685 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215
General Admission: $35.00 and $25.00 for Seniors (age 62) and Students w/ valid high school or college ID. Annual raffle includes house seats to Broadway’s JERSEY BOYS.
CLICK LINK: TICKETS FOR THE B SIDE
If you would like to send a check for tickets, please make checks payable to: The Jerry Barsha Memorial Foundation and send to: Janice Barsha@ PO BOX 1836, Provincetown, MA 02657. All checks must be received by October 26th, 2015
This is a charitable event and all proceeds are tax-deductible (501c-3) and go towards The Jerry Barsha Memorial Scholarship Endowment.
If you cannot attend, please consider a donation to The Jerry Barsha Memorial Foundation.
BACK TO THE GARDEN was a huge hit at The Storer Auditorium! People were dancing in their seats and it was an honor to share this moment with one of the recipients of the Jerry Barsha Memorial Scholarship, Alena Rose. It looks like next year we will be coming back to The Storer Auditorium for another fabulous benefit concert. Stay tuned for dates and details.
GREAT NEWS!!!!
Over the past 4 years, we have held our “THEY CAN’T STOP ME!” 5k walk/run to fund our scholarship given annually to a student wishing to pursue a career in electronic media at Onondaga Community College.
Now, this year, The Jerry Barsha Memorial Foundation is proud to announce a fantastic concert event BACK TO THE GARDEN – the songs of Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Laura Nyro!!!
And the special thing about this concert is Debra Barsha is coming home to perform!!! She is playing the piano and is the Musical Director for this concert which has been touring all over the country gaining fans everywhere!
From Debra: “My father, Jerry Barsha, used to take off from work, just to drive me down to New York City and knock on publishers’ doors to try to sell my songs. He was such a fan of these three singer-songwriters, and he knew I was carrying on their tradition. I am so happy to honor my father in this way and come home to Syracuse to help raise money for our scholarship.”
The concert will be held on Saturday, November 1st at the Onondaga Community College campus from 7-9 pm in the Storer Auditorium. PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!! If you would like to attend, click here to buy a ticket online: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/back-to-the-garden-charitable-concert-tickets-12502975737 (Seats are not assigned. They will be on a first-come-first-serve basis.) You still can buy raffle tickets and there will be great prizes such as Broadway tickets and gift certificates to local restaurants and stores.
MORE GREAT NEWS!!! The Jerry Barsha Memorial Foundation has finally received it’s 501c-3 status, so all donations made this year are tax deductible! If you cannot make this great concert but would like to donate to our dad’s scholarship fund, please click below and thank you!
We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday, November 1st at 7pm on the OCC campus at Storer Auditorium for a night of great music and fun!
Thanks – Debra, Cynthia, Amy and Janice Barsha
Sponsored by :
This year, we are proud to announce that The Jerry Barsha Memorial Foundation’s “THEY CAN’T STOP ME!” 5k walk/run will be on the Onondaga Community College grounds! We know our father would be so pleased that this walk/run has grown so much that we need a bigger venue to put it on!
We hope you will join us this year on September 28th at:
The Quad on Onondaga Community College, 4585 West Seneca Turnpike. There will be parking available.
Start time is 10:00 a.m. and 9:30 for the children’s walk/run. As usual we will be raffling off great gifts at the end of the walk/run, including two house seats and a backstage tour to Jersey Boys on Broadway! Other raffle items are gift certificates to local restaurants and stores as well as authentic Boston Marathon running clothes!
You can register online at : https://www.runreg.com/Net/3316
Runner/walker registration is $20 and $15 for OCC students. On race day, registration fees increase to $25, (not for OCC students) so please register early!
REMEMBER…this is a DOG FRIENDLY event! Bring your pooches!
And most importantly, we’d like to congratulate last year’s recipient of the Jerry Barsha Memorial Scholarship, Todd Gardner.
And congratulations to this year’s recipient, Emily Beck, who will join us at the race so we can introduce you all to her!!!
See you on the 28th!
Debra, Cynthia, Janice and Amy Barsha
Soggy Jones Runs with Janice Barsha - President Jerry Barsha Memorial Foundation
The 2012 Jerry Barsha Memorial Foundation 5k walk/run is growing!!!
We have added two new features this year:
1) DOGS! DOGS! DOGS!!! THIS YEAR WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT DOGS CAN REGISTER WITH YOU TO WALK OR RUN!!!
Bring your pooches and an extra $5.00, and your dog will make your walk/run that much more fun! Also, you will be eligible for our raffle of gifts from pet stores around Syracuse!!! There are not many walk/runs or races which allow dogs, but we felt that a 6-legged walk/run can be a great way for your dog as well as you, to exercise…and what more beautiful place in Syracuse to walk or run with your dog than by the historic Erie Canal! Also, there will be a prize for 1st runner with a dog, and for 1st walker with a dog!!!
2) WE WILL HAVE FREE MASSAGES THIS YEAR AT THE END OF THE WALK/RUN!!!!
Anthony’s Body Works Studio has graciously agreed to set up massage chairs at the finish of the race and will be giving free massages!! We hope you will take advantage of this great donation supplied to us by the folks at Anthony’s Body Works Studio!!!
Sign up now!!
Click to register – “They Can’t Stop Me!” 5k walk/run Online Registration.
See you on September 29th, 2012, with our without your pets!
The walk/run begins at Ryder Park behind the DeWitt Town Clerk’s Office all at 5400 Butternut Road. There is available parking. Start time is 9:00 am
Janice, Debra, Amy and Cynthia Barsha
We are so excited to share our race results here with you. They Cant Stop Me Results 2011
Take a look at our slide show and get inspired to sign up today for next year’s Jerry Barsha “They Can’t Stop Me!’ 5k walk/run. TheyCantStopMeWalkRun2011.mov
If you sign up today, the rate is at its lowest registration fee and will go up incrementally as the year goes on. We love walking/running with you, and having you all participate in our fantastic raffle at the end of the event. The date for next year is set for September 29th, 2012, so mark your calendars and register now!
Registration for 2012:
Register on-line for 2012 –http://www.RunReg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=2901
or print registration here – They Can’t Stop Me 2012 Registration Form
Highlights of this year’s events: 
Bob Kilmer received a plaque for being the highest individual donor, Anita Murphy, Patrick Rao and Lisa Cooper, our wonderful JB Scholarship associates we met through OCC, participated in the walk/run and our raffle had people leaving happy! 
Above (L to R- Anita Murphy, Cynthia Barsha, Janice Barsha, Bob Kilmer, Debra Barsha, Amy Barsha, Martha Barsha and Patrick Rao.)
Right (L to R – Anita Murphy and Patrick Rao – OCC affiliates)
Some items that were raffled were: Boston Marathon Jackets from John Hancock, Gift Certificates from Fleet Feet, Carrabba’s, Carvel, Wegman’s, Tim Horton’s, and 2 tickets to the Broadway show JERSEY BOYS, complete with a backstage tour! We would like to thank all our in-kind donors and for the second year in a row our corporate sponsor, Raymour & Flanigan, for helping us make this event such a big success! This year all 4 of the Barsha sisters were able to attend the event, with sister Cynthia flying in from Miami! Debra started the race off singing the National Anthem, and Amy announced all the participants as they crossed the finish line. Janice was on the mic to announce the raffle winners at the end of the race. Martha Barsha, our mother, crossed the finish line for the 2nd year in a row!
So, remember, mark your calendars for September 29th, 2012! Early registration is available now for just $15.00 per person. Don’t miss out on the opportunity!
(L to R – Amy Barsha and 2 year consecutive first place Woman’s finisher, Barb Wells)
