Peter Pullano, Zachary Ruetz and Jennifer Aronson, attorneys at Tully Rinckey PLLC, recently participated in the Trillium Health AIDS Red Ribbon Ride in honor of Pullano’s brother, who died from the disease.
The firm’s cycling team expects to donate close to $2,500 to Trillium Health’s AIDS medical care, support services and prevention programs in 2016.
Pullano has participated in AIDS bike-a-thons every year over the last 12 years — with exception of 2010 — to raise funds for research initiatives.
At the end of the five-day, 420-mile cycling event through the Finger Lakes region, Pullano has raised over $55,000 and biked nearly 6,000 miles since 2004.
“I began my volunteer work in the fight against AIDS somewhere around the time my brother Patrick was diagnosed with the disease,” said Pullano. “After he died, my work became my living memorial to him. Today, with a cure to AIDS in sight, the work and the money are more important than ever.” Using funds generated through the firm’s Jeans and Sneakers Friday dress-down initiative, Tully Rinckey PLLC pledged funds to support the Rochester office’s participation in the 2016 AIDS Red Ribbon Ride.
Since it began in February 2010, the Jeans and Sneakers initiative has donated about $18,500 to over 55 nonprofit organizations. Under this initiative, employees who wear jeans and sneakers to the office on Fridays make a $1 donation for each casual clothing item worn. At the end of the month, the firm makes a dollar-for-dollar matching contribution.
Recent recipients of Jeans and Sneakers donations include the Veteran’s Outreach Center in Rochester, Syracuse University’s College of Law Veterans Legal Clinic, WNYHeroes, Binghamton Crime Victims Assistance Center, the International Institute of Buffalo and the Albany County Family Court Children’s Center.
