Dake Foundation for Children Announces 2025 Board of Directors

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY –  The Dake Foundation for Children has announced their 2025 Board of Directors slate, welcoming three new members to its ranks. Founded in 2009 by Gary Dake, President of Stewart’s Shops, the Foundation provides grants to benefit local children with disabilities with a focus on independence, inclusion, and fun.

The Dake Foundation’s Board, comprised of 16 community volunteers, will welcome Christina Cicardi – Health Benefit Manager for Stewart’s Shops, Rachel Dunn - Regional Director for the Office of the New York State Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and Ian Townsend – Eastern NY Territory Manager for NBT Bank.

“This work is beyond fulfilling, making smiles happen for children across the Capital Region is an amazing feeling,” Board President Nancy Bambara shared of her experience. “We have a great group with diverse skills sets and backgrounds, and we are excited to hit the ground running in 2025.”

Executive Director Sarah Burns had this to say of the new additions to the Board: “As we continue to grow and evolve, I feel so much gratitude for the way we all come together for this mission. We all love the work that we do and the positive impacts for the incredible kids that we serve, and we are excited to welcome these three talented individuals to the team.”

To view the full 2025 Board of Directors line up or to learn more about the Dake Foundation for Children, please visit their website at http://www.dakefoundation.org.

The Dake Foundation for Children was established in 2009 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to help children with disabilities access opportunities unavailable through medical insurance and family budgets. Their goal is to provide children with disabilities access to equipment and services that will give them more opportunities for participation within their families, communities, and with their peers.