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Rochester, NY

2026 Special Events

Rochester-area events that benefit local charities.

For information and agency contacts, click on the agency's name in the listings.
Agencies: Submit your 2026 events to Wishbook.roc@gmail.com.

MAY 2026 EVENTS back to top


Open Door Mission Needs Volunteers - Open Door Mission, Inc.

April 28 to May 3, 2026

Dear Mission Friends,

 

Open Door Mission is looking for dedicated volunteer groups to help us clean our shelter! 

 

We have slots available from 4/28 to 5/3 from 8:00am to 12:00pm or 1:00 to 4:00pm. 

 

If interested, please email Info@opendoormission.com or sign-up at www.OpenDoorMission.com

 

Thank you for considering to serve at the Mission!

 

With Gratitude,

 

Mia Marbury

Volunteer Services

Open Door Mission

(585) 654-0646

MMarbury@OpenDoorMIssion.com
Open Door Mission, Inc.
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Hope in Bloom Gala - Goodwill of the Finger Lakes

On Friday, May 8, 2026, from 6:00–10:00 PM at the Woodcliff Hotel and Spa Event Center, celebrate community, connection, and hope with Goodwill of the Finger Lakes.
Get Tickets

Proceeds from the Hope in Bloom Gala directly support Goodwill’s mission programs, including Goodwill Learning Academy, 211/LIFE LINE, Goodwill Vision Services, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and Good Neighbor—each dedicated to providing critical resources and opportunities for individuals and families throughout our region. 

 

With the support of our generous community, Goodwill was able to help more than 171,000 people and their families last year alone, creating pathways to stability, independence, and hope.

Pink and Teal Challenge - Breast Cancer Coalition
Saturday, May 9, 2026. at Monroe Community College.
You and your family & friends are invited to the 2026 Pink and Teal challenge.

Walk or Run and Have Fun. Check off this off on your "to-do" list and sign up today.
For more information:
https://bccr.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PTC-flyer-1-16-25.pdf?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=8abc5b42-ff8c-4764-a926-fa9c6e5bfdfd

Soar Together - AutismUp Spring Gala - AutismUp
Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

The AutismUp Spring Gala

Saturday May 9th 2026 • 5:00 pm
Rochester Riverside Convention Center
Get Tickets


Join us for an evening celebrating community, connection, and the power of collective movement.
Our 18th annual Gala  honors shared moments created by families, educators, employers, and supporters who believe in a future filled with opportunity and belonging for individuals with autism.
Dining • Auctions • Entertainment  • Impact


AutismUp

26th Annual Open Door Mission Golf Classic - Open Door Mission, Inc.
Monday, May 18, 2026, at Midvale Country Club, 2387 Baird Road, Penfield, NY 
9:00 am: Registration, putting contest, raffles, driving range practice
10:00 am: Breakfast sandwiches, donuts, coffee, juice
11:20 am: Open Door Mission presentation
12:00 pm: Shotgun Start (Scramble Format). Grilled lunch during play.
Your registration fee includes 18 holes of golf, golf cart, light breakfast, grilled lunch during play, plus a tee bag with golf shirt, golf balls, golf towel and other goodies.
Player and sponsorship registration fees are due by May 11, 2026.

JULY 2026 EVENTS back to top


High Hopes Golf Tournament - Hope Hall
Monday, July 20, 2026, at Sycamore Golf Club, 1148 Wayneport Rd., Macedon, NY 14502.
Registration and breakfast start at 7:25 am.
Shotgun start at 8:30 am.
Lunch begins at 2 pm.
$800 per foursome or $225 per golfer.

Daybright Fincancial's 6th Annual Golf Tournament - Benefiting NAMI Rochester

Thursday, July 23, 2026.
Location: Shadow Lake Golf & Racquet Club, 1850 Five Mile Line Rd, Penfield, NY 14526
Schedule: Registration 8:30 AM | Shotgun Start 10:00 AM | Dinner & Raffle 3:00 PM
 
Daybright Financial's 6th Annual Charity Golf Tournament brings the Greater Rochester business community together to raise critical funds for NAMI Rochester - Rochester's local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. All proceeds directly support free mental health programs, peer support groups, and crisis services for residents across Monroe, Genesee, Ontario, and Wayne Counties. Join us for a morning on the course followed by dinner and raffle prizes. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses of all sizes, from Hole Sponsorships at $200 to the Platinum Dinner Sponsorship at $3,500, with foursomes available at $750. Can't make it to the course? Online donations are always welcome.
 
 
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OTHER 2026 EVENTS back to top


2026 Golfing for Good Tournament - Notre Dame Learning Center, Inc.
Sunday, September 20, 2026 at Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Road, Webster, NY 14580

8:30 am Shotgun Start. Four-Person Scramble.
Special! $125 per golfer through July 31.
$135 After July 31. Dinner only $35.
REGISTRATION, SPONSORSHIP INFO, and ONLINE FORM available at  www.ndlcenter.org/golf2026

NAMIWalks 2026
Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Location: Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1050 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607 — with a walk route through historic downtown Rochester!

Time: Registration Opens at 9am; Walk at 10am
 
NAMIWalks Rochester is our community's signature mental health awareness and fundraising event, uniting individuals, families, businesses, and organizations across Greater Rochester in a shared commitment to breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness. Every dollar raised supports free mental health education programs, peer support groups, and community outreach services offered by NAMI Rochester at no cost to participants. Last year, more than 500 walkers came together and helped NAMI Rochester earn recognition as NAMI NYS Affiliate of the Year.
There are many ways to get involved! Rally your family, friends, or colleagues and register as a walk team, or sign up as an individual walker and make new friends along the way. Volunteer opportunities are also available — visit our website to learn more. Businesses and organizations interested in sponsorship opportunities are encouraged to reach out to NAMIWalks Manager Tara at tara@namiroc.org. Join us this October for Mental Health Awareness Month and be part of something that truly changes lives.
Register or donate at: https://www.namiwalks.org/rochesterny

Brain Game Fundraiser - Literacy Rochester
Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 5 to 8 pm. at the Hyatt Regency Rochester.

Brain Game brings together the Rochester community for an evening of trivia and friendly competition, raising critical funds to expand access to adult literacy programs. Team knowledge is tested with questions in various categories, but only one team takes home the coveted Brain Trophy and title of Brain Game Champion, an honor claimed by NFP Telecom last year. In addition to the trivia competition, the event features an online auction, cash raffle, cocktail hour, and dinner.

Potential sponsors and teams are encouraged to register online at LiteracyRochester.org/BrainGame. Registration forms can be completed online or by returning a filled out copy through mail or e-mail. The registration deadline is Thursday, October 1, 2026. Questions and other inquires can be directed via e-mail to BrainGame@LiteracyRochester.org or by calling the Literacy Rochester office at (585) 473-3030.

Literacy Rochester

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