News

News

July 2021:  A new service dog named in Jon’s honor
 
We were excited to learn that WNY Heroes has named a new Service Dog “Cote” in memory of Jon.  Veteran Kyle Alejandro housed and fostered Cote until he was given to Iraq War Veteran Chad Leaver.  

 

Iraq War Veteran Chad Leaver and his new service dog “Cote”

 

 

Jonathon Cote Memorial Scholarship Winner 2021

We are pleased to announce that Julilanna Gentile is the 2021 winner of the Jonathon Cote Memorial Scholarship.

Julianna was a member of the National Honor Society, a varsity athlete in 2 sports, an All State Oboist and a certified lifeguard along with being a very active volunteer in her community. Julianna will be attending RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) this fall majoring in Computer Engineering. We wish Julianna a successful college career and congratulate her wholeheartedly.

Julianna standing in front of Jon’s tree and memorial in front of Williamsville North High School, Williamsville, NY.  
Meet the new owner of Jon’s truck……
 
On May19th, 2021, Francis and Nancy were able to meet US Army Veteran Joe King who WNY Heroes selected as the new owner of Jon’s truck.  King served in Iraq and is very happy to be using Jon’s vehicle.  King lives in Watertown, NY.  The Cote’s provided King with $500 in gas cards to go along with the vehicle.  

Francis Cote and his service dog Ruby, Nancy Cote and Iraq Veteran Joe King standing in front of Jon’s Ford F150 truck.

 

 

Exercising for Jon

Jon’s sister Samantha Dunford organized workout fundraisers in memory of Jon in 2019 and 2020.  Both workouts were held at Orange Theory Fitness on Transit Rd., in Williamsville, NY.

Jon’s sister Samantha Dunford organized workout fundraisers in memory of Jon in 2019 and 2020.  Both workouts were held at Orange Theory Fitness on Transit Rd., in Williamsville, NY.
 
The 2019 workout raised over $2000 and the 2020 workout raised over $3000.  Part of the proceeds were donated in 60, $50 gift cards to Wegmans to WNY Heroes to give to veterans in need during the 2020 pandemic.  

 

Samantha Dunford, Francis Cote, Chris Krieger, (and their service dogs) and Nancy Cote

 

 

 

Donation to WNY Heroes                                                                                                       

Yesterday (Nov 6, 2018), we donated a check for $8,000, raised from our 10th and final Memorial Motorcycle ride in memory of Jonathon, to WNY Heroes. It is an honor to represent all of you who have supported our benefit throughout the years and to know that in addition to the yearly $1,000 scholarship given in Jon’s name, the money is doing great things for our veterans through this organization. What a blessing to have WNY Heroes available in our community to support veterans and their families.  We know they will put the money to good use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donating Jon’s Truck  

Jonathon’s truck donated to veteran on November 16, 2017, the 11th year anniversary of Jon’s kidnapping.

Channel 2 News click here for WGRZ story:

Channel 4 News click here for WIVB story:

Channel 7 News click here for WKBW story:

Jon’s 1999 Ford F150

 

 

Buffalo News Stories

Under Construction

Happening in Florida

Jon’s fraternity brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Florida Alpha Chapter have also initiated a scholarship in Jon’s memory. Their scholarship program helps veterans returning to the University of Florida and Santa Fe Community College.

Press here for more information on this scholarship.

 

More About Jon

Press here to see a memorial video of Jon.

Crescent Security Group

Jon was working for CSG before he was kidnapped.