BUFFALO, N.Y. — July 16th has become an unofficial holiday for Western New Yorkers, to celebrate civic pride, in honor of the 716 area code.
For local non-profits and charities, it has also become an important fundraising day, thanks to the Give 716 campaign from the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres Foundations.
At the Buffalo Naval Park, they're using funds raised through the campaign to preserve and maintain all of their vessels, with a special focus on the USS Croaker Submarine.
"The croaker is 80 years old this year," Director of Programs and Community Engagement Courtney Speckmann told 2 On Your Side, "In honor of its 80th birthday, we wanted to highlight its age and how proud we are t o have it here in Buffalo."
With various incentives for donors throughout the day, the Naval Park is hoping to raise several thousand dollars for potential dry dock repairs.
Most of these vessels were not really made to survive eighty years," Speckmann said. "They were made to serve in war, so it's our mission and our responsibility to help make sure that they survive, so that we can tell their stories for future generations."
Across the street at the Explore and More Children's Museum, Give 716 Day is all about rebuilding their beloved tree house.
"In May, we had some water damage that really ruined quite a few of our exhibits here at the museum, and the tree house was one of them," President and CEO Michelle Urbanczyk said. "It's the community tree house, so it belongs to everyone."
While insurance is pay for some of the repairs, the museum is calling on the community to help close the gap for the upgrades.
"We listened to kids and parents tell us what they loved and didn't particularly like about the tree house, and we're able to expand and so some better things with it," Urbanczyk explained.
In addition to the incentives from Give 716, everyone who donates $100 or more will even get their name on the new exhibit.
"If you have children, grandchildren, or you just want your family name, it's just another incentive to give back and be a part of rebuilding the museum," Urbanczyk said.
Give 716 features more than 600 local organizations and runs until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday night.
Related Video: