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Dake Foundation For Children

About Us

The Dake Foundation for Children was established in 2009 as a Saratoga Springs-based 501 © 3 not-for-profit focused on helping local communities and families. It was originally founded as an organization that would allow children with disabilities access to opportunities that medical insurance and family budgets were unable to afford through grant requests.

Mission Statement

The Dake Foundation for Children was founded to provide children with disabilities the tools they need to become as independent as possible while maximizing fun.

Our Goal

Our goal is simple: to provide children with disabilities access to equipment and services that will enable them to reach their fullest potential for participation within their families, communities and with their peers. We believe that by providing children with these fundamental opportunities when they are young, they will have the best chance to reach maximum health, mobility and independence in adulthood; as contributing members of their communities.

Board of Directors

Our Board and Medical Advisory Panel (MAP)is comprised of individuals dedicated to our mission. Each brings unique expertise to the Foundation, representing the professions such as developmental pediatrics, special education, finance, physical therapy and public relations.

Gary Dake, Founder

Gary Dake

Founder
Gary Dake, Founder of The Dake Foundation for Children, is President of Stewart’s Shops Corporation where he has been employed since 1985. He holds a BA in Economics from St. Lawrence University. Gary lives in Saratoga Springs, and enjoys golfing and baking in his free time.
Lisa Munter, Vice President

Lisa Munter

President
Lisa Munter has an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and two Master Degrees in Special Education and Reading from SUNY Potsdam and the College of St Rose. She taught at Scotia-Glenville Middle School as a Special Education/Reading Teacher for more than eleven years. Lisa is a proud graduate of Leadership Saratoga Class of 2016. She and her husband, Mike, live in Middle Grove with their two boys. In her free time, you can find her tending to her goats and pigs, and providing voice overs for commercials of Capital Region businesses.
Nicholas DeCelle

Nicholas DeCelle

Vice President
Nicholas DeCelle is a Saratoga County native. He is a graduate of Mechanicville High School, HVCC, and holds a BS and M.Ed from Springfield College. A licensed funeral director, he works at William J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home (Saratoga Springs). Nick also spends time working at the Saratoga Springs YMCA as a certified exercise physiologist and certified strength and conditioning specialist. In his spare time, he plays golf, spends time with his dogs (Emma and Rosie), and enjoys everything the area has to offer. He currently resides in the Town of Milton with his wife Meredith (Pozefsky), daughter Cecilia, and two dogs Rosie and Emma.
Ryan Bouchey, Treasurer

Ryan Bouchey

Treasurer
Ryan Bouchey, CFP, CPA is a Vice President with Bouchey Financial Group where he works with clients on their financial planning and investment management, assisting with the firm’s 401(k) / 403(b) service, managing the firms finances and helping with day to day operations. Ryan enjoys giving back to the community, and outside of his responsibilities with The Dake Foundation, serves on the board of U.P.H., is a member of the SPAC Junior Committee and has volunteered his time with many local non- profits. Away from work, Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife Nikki, sons George and Harry, daughter Josephine, and their dog, Reagan. Ryan and his family reside in Saratoga Springs, NY, after relocating from Boston to join the family business in 2012.
Kathryn Lancaster, Medical Advisory Panel

Kathryn Lancaster

Medical Advisory Panel
Kathryn joined the Dake Foundation for Children in 2014 and is a retired Special Educator. She previously taught special education to preschoolers in Saratoga Co. and then elementary special education for the Schenectady City School District and has been an advocate for children and families. The Dake Foundation offers her the opportunity to continue her advocacy. Kathryn enjoys caring for her grandchildren, traveling, and spending time in Florida and the Adirondacks with her husband Bill.
Alana Gorman, Medical Advisory Panel

Alana Gorman

Medical Advisory Panel
Alana Gorman is a physical therapist in the Malta office of Sports Physical Therapy of New York. She graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelors in Clinical Health Studies and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She joined the Board of Directors of The Dake Foundation in 2015, and has served on the Medical Advisory Panel since then. Alana loves spending time outside with her family and dog. She enjoys living in Saratoga because of its close proximity to the mountains for hiking and skiing.

kim fahey

Medical Advisory Panel
Kim Fahey is a pediatric physical therapist and clinic supervisor at Kids Care Pediatric Rehab in Latham, NY. She graduated from D'Youville College with a Master's in Physical Therapy in 2001, and has been working in pediatrics ever since. She joined the Board of Directors/MAP of the Dake Foundation in 2018. Kim has first hand experience with attempting equipment referrals and letters of justification for patients that have been denied. She is excited about the opportunity to help children receive equipment they may not normally receive through insurance. Kim resides in Clifton Park, NY, with her husband, Josh, and her two children, Braden and Addison.

Becky Kern

Becky Kern is a communications consultant and media trainer and has spent the majority of her career working in the healthcare industry. She has a masters degree from Boston University and a bachelor's degree from SUNY Oneonta. A downstate transplant, she has lived with her husband, three kids and yellow lab in Saratoga Springs since 2005. She can often be found on the sidelines cheering on her kids interests (ski racing, lacrosse) or enjoying Brant Lake. In her free time Becky enjoys cooking, hosting parties, skiing, coaching and officiating girls lacrosse and going to concerts at SPAC.

tina morency

Secretary

 
Tina Morency joined the Dake Foundation in 2018. She resides in Gansevoort, N.Y. with her husband, 2 daughters, and 4 dogs. Tina attended A.C.C. and graduated with an Associates degree in Accounting. After, she joined Stewart’s Shop’s where she has been employed for over 25 years. Tina now manages the Corporate Audit Department. In her spare time she enjoys camping, traveling, and attending concerts with her family.

brittany putnam

Medical Advisory Panel

Brittany Putnam is the Director of the Self-Direction Program at AIM Services Inc in Saratoga Springs, New York. She graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a Bachelors in Psychology and began working in the human services field immediately after college. Brittany resides in Saratoga with her husband, Tyler and their dog, Cruz. In her spare time she can be found out at local eateries, checking out concerts at SPAC, traveling or walking/hiking with Cruz.

kevin holck

Kevin Holck is a Principle Engineer in the Industrial Engineering department at Phillips in Latham, New York. He is a 2012 graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management Engineering. Kevin resides in Saratoga with his dog George. In his free time, he likes to hike in the Adirondacks and explore craft breweries throughout the Northeast. Kevin recently joined the Dake Foundation in the fall of 2018.
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