Honor Masonic Care Community

Senate Resolution No. 4563 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMEMORATING the 125th Anniversary of the Masonic Care Community, to be celebrated on May 19, 2018 WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to recognize and acknowledge those organizations within our midst who have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Masonic Care Community, to be celebrated on Saturday, May 19, 2018, in Utica, New York; and WHEREAS, On May 1, 1893, the Masonic Care Community, first known as the Masonic Home and School, opened its doors in Utica, New York; and WHEREAS, The facility was funded by the Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York and was built to care for the elderly Mason, his wife, widow and orphan; and WHEREAS, The first residents of the Masonic Care Community were James and Margaret Borden, and the first building on campus housed everything from administrative offices, seniors, children, dining and medical facilities; and WHEREAS, This vital organization grew rapidly, and by the 1920s there were multiple dormitories for children, seniors, a full service hospital and working farm on campus; and WHEREAS, In 1928, the Masonic Care Community began offering individual rooms for seniors at a time when others were housed in large wards in nursing homes; from the very beginning this campus has truly been a home with amenities that other area facilities could not match; and WHEREAS, The first independent living apartments were opened in the early 1980s on an upper floor of one of the existing buildings; with a growing need for this type of housing, construction began on Acacia Village which was opened in 1994; and WHEREAS, In 2003, the Masonic Care Community changed the way seniors were cared for, adopting the neighborhood concept to resident care; and WHEREAS, A true asset to its community, the Masonic Care Community employs close to 900 people from throughout central New York, and over the years has cared for countless seniors and children; and WHEREAS, Today, the Masonic Care Community offers a continuum of care to its more than 500 residents, as well as an award winning child care center; and WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 125-year history, the Masonic Care Community has demonstrated continuous service to the residents and communities which it serves; and WHEREAS, The success of the Masonic Care Community is in direct correlation to the efforts of its staff, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents an opportunity for this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to the Masonic Care Community; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Masonic Care Community to be celebrated on May 19, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Masonic Care Community, Utica, New York.