We are pleased to announce the date for the Syracuse Crawfish festival to benefit Operation Northern Comfort - Saturday, May 6, 2023 in Clinton Square.  The festival is the major fundraiser for ONC and the source of our operating dollars. We expect attendance of over 6,000 people.

ONC was founded as Operation Southern Comfort in 2005 in response to Hurricane Katrina. In 2023 we will make trip number 63 to provide disaster cleanup and rebuilding services after Hurricane Ian.  It is our intention to make four trips in 2023 to the Fort Meyers area to help people in need rebuild their lives after the devastation that occurred in September of this year.

ONC also serves people in need right here in Central New York.  In October of 2020 we set a goal to build 500 Desks4Kids.  We have far surpassed that goal and currently we have built and delivered over 1,300 Desks4Kids and 300 Bookshelves4Kids, for free to children in need.  We have found the need is ongoing and we are promoting literacy and education.

ONC continues to help individuals with accessibility challenges by constructing ramps, installing lifts, widening doorways and installing grab bars. In addition, we provided labor and materials for a number of special projects, such as building shelves for a food pantry, building dog ramps for the Humane Society and purchasing school supplies for children.

This year’s festival will feature a variety of delectable food, including crawfish and shrimp fresh from the Gulf Coast. The main stage will be alive with music from Syracuse favorites. Festival goers will enjoy over 50 vendor and crafter booths. Our event is family friendly with games for kids and the mascot dance-off.

Please find our sponsor sheet enclosed. We are open to any and all partnering and support suggestions, in-kind services or donated products.  ONC is a 100% volunteer non-profit and we are asking for your assistance. Your donation will ensure that ONC will continue to change lives and rebuild communities.

We are excited to continue our tradition of the Syracuse Crawfish Festival kicking off Syracuse’s downtown outdoor festivals. Thanks again for your past support and kind consideration.