Simmons Recognized for 52 Years of Service

 

In “Wonderland,” the Queen of Hearts may be evil, but at United Helpers our Queen of Hearts is anything but. Joyce Simmons of Morristown was honored for 52 years of service at this year’s employee recognition luncheon. In honor of that milestone Mrs. Simmons was presented with a custom deck of cards, a card for each year of service. From left, Mrs. Simmons accepts the cards from United Helpers CEO Todd R. Amo.

Vallance & Cameron Honored With Margaret R. Spies Awards

The Margaret R. Spies Award honors the finest in direct care across the United Helpers Organization with both a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and Direct Support Professional (DSP) being honored each year.

This award was created by the family of Mrs. Spies as way to honor her legacy and say thank you to United Helpers for the care she received while living at the skilled nursing facility in Ogdensburg.

Mrs. Spies’ daughter, Ann also has a daughter with developmental disabilities, making the opportunity to honor both CNAs and DSPs especially meaningful. Mrs. Spies was unable to attend this year’s award presentation.

Earning the award from United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care was Shelby Vallance of Madrid, who received not one but two nominations for the honor.

Ms. Vallance was nominated by Hailee Duvall, an RN at the facility and Amber Curtis, who serves as her nurse manager.

“She regularly goes above and beyond, staying late when necessary, and offering additional support during challenging staffing situations,” Ms. Duvall said. “Her strong work ethic, calm demeanor, and commitment to excellent care make her a valued member of this team.”

Mrs. Curtis agreed.

“Shelby displays professionalism in every interaction she has. She treats residents, families and coworkers with kindness, dignity, and respect. Her communication skills, teamwork, and compassionate approach create a positive atmosphere and set a strong example for others,” she said. “Her dedication and compassion make a meaningful difference every day.”

Earning the honor from the individualized residential alternatives (IRAs), was Mary Cameron of Norfolk. Ms. Cameron is a med-certified direct support professional (MDSP) at the Lisbon IRA.

Nominating Ms. Cameron was Residential Manager Mindy Sharpe, who oversees the IRA.

"Mary demonstrates respectful, compassionate, and patient communication with our program members, their families, and her coworkers. She creates a welcoming and secure environment that supports participant engagement, progress, and well-being.” Ms. Sharpe wrote.

In addition to her standard work as a MDSP, Ms. Sharpe said Ms. Cameron serves as a trusted point of contact, both for the families of program members and outside medical staff. She even voluntarily mentors new staff.

“Mary truly represents United Helpers with integrity through all of her internal and external interactions,” Ms. Sharpe said.

The Spies Award has been honoring excellence in direct care at United Helpers since 2021. Recipients receive a cash prize as well as their names engraved on a plaque displayed at Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton.

This year’s Margaret R. Spies Awards were presented at the annual United Helpers Employee Recognition Luncheon held at the Gran View on the River in Ogdensburg. This year Shelby Vallance, a CNA from Madrid and Mary Cameron, a MDSP from Norfolk were recognized. From left, United Helpers Vice President of Operations Timothy Parsons, Ms. Vallance, United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care Administrator Alysha Troiano, Ms. Cameron, and United Helpers Behavioral Health and Life Skills Director of Residential Programs Kimberly George.

United Helpers Awards 3 Students With Helen S. Randles Scholarships

CANTON –Two students from Harrisville Central School and a student from Lisbon Central School were honored with this year’s Helen S. Randles Scholarships.

This year’s winners were selected from a field of nearly two dozen applicants, who are all seeking to work in the healthcare field.

“To work in the healthcare, you have to be in it for the right reasons,” said United Helpers Vice President of Operations Timothy Parsons. “These are jobs where you will be relied on to make others feel better and that is whether you are having a great day or a terrible day.”

Mr. Parsons said that he could tell by reading each of the winners’ applications that they are up for the task.

“You will be asked to be caring, even when it is hard. It can feel thankless at times, but it is also one of the most fulfilling and rewarding careers you can embark on,” he said. “We are glad that you are taking on this challenge. The future of healthcare is in good hands.”

One of this year’s winners already works for United Helpers, as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at the Lisbon IRA. Esther McKeever, of Lisbon has worked at the IRA since April of 2025. She will be attending SUNY Canton and has been accepted into the school’s nursing program. Esther is the daughter of Jillian Langley and Ben McKeever. She is planning to become a Registered Nurse and earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Joining her at SUNY Canton will be Avery Chartrand, of Pitcairn. Ms. Chartrand will be graduating from Harrisville Central School and will also be enrolled in the nursing program in Canton. She is the daughter of Anthony and Sonja Chartrand and is planning to become a Registered Nurse and earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Violet Atkinson, of Fowler will also be graduating from Harrisville Central School. She will be attending Houghton University and is majoring in exercise science. She is hoping to become a physical therapist and advocate for females in athletics. Ms. Atkinson is the daughter of Parish and Jade Atkinson.

Each year United Helpers awards three $1,000 scholarships, which are funded through an endowment created by the late Helen S. Randles, who established the scholarship more than 40 years ago to provide merit-based aid for students from St. Lawrence County who are looking to enter the health care field.

Mrs. Randles was a long-time United Helpers volunteer and former President of the Management Company Board of Directors. She placed great value on education and particularly helping prepare youth to enter the health care field.

This year’s Helen S. Randles Scholarship recipients included two future nurses and a future physical therapist, with two winners coming from Harrisville Central School and one winner coming from Lisbon Central School. From left, United Helpers Assistant Director of Corporate Services Jordan Downing-Duke, Violet Atkinson, of Fowler, Avery Chartrand, of Pitcairn, Esther McKeever, of Lisbon and Vice President of Operations Timothy Parsons. Each student will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Third Annual Fans' Choice NFL Ticket Drawing Underway

OGDENSBURG – Supporters of United Helpers will have a chance to “Win Big & Witness History,” as the organization hosts its third annual Fans’ Choice NFL Ticket Drawing.

Tickets for this year’s drawing are on sale now.

The winner will receive two tickets to the regular season game of their choice. Given that the drawing takes place on NFL opening day, week one games are not eligible.

“With the Bills opening their new stadium this year, demand for tickets is unlike anything we’ve seen in recent years. Ticket prices on the secondary market have doubled, but we’re keeping our tickets for this drawing the same price they were when we started three years ago,” said United Helpers Marketing Manager Benny Fairchild.

Tickets are only $10 each. Bundles are also available with three tickets for $25 or seven tickets for $50.

Tickets for the drawing may be purchased online through the “Giving tab” at unitedhelpers.org. Tickets can be purchased in person (cash only) at the United Helpers RiverLedge complex, 8101 State Hwy. 68 in Ogdensburg.

Only 500 tickets are available, with sales continuing until all tickets are sold or 11:59 pm on Monday, Sept. 7. The drawing will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 9, the opening day of this year’s NFL season and be broadcast on the United Helpers Facebook page.

United Helpers will purchase tickets to the game, pending availability, of the winner’s choice. Tickets will be forwarded electronically to the winner. Transportation, meals and lodging are not included.

Potsdam Student Uses School Project to Help Area Senior Citizens

CANTON – Each year students in their sophomore and junior years at Potsdam High School are asked to complete a project that takes them outside of the district’s standard curriculum and helps them think about their role in the community.

This year for 20 Time Project, Potsdam Junior Breanna Buffham organized a donation drive for senior citizens at nursing homes across the county. Ms. Buffham collected candy, soaps, puzzles, word search books, small home décor items, blankets, slippers and other items to distribute amongst the seniors.

While Ms. Buffham could have ended her project there, she chose to take the project one step further, putting together a team of friends to visit and spend time with the residents at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton.

“We have some very close family friends who have been in nursing homes, including one who was really close who lived right here,” she said. “Unfortunately, though, she passed away a few years ago.”

Many of the items Ms. Buffham collected were used for prizes during a morning session of bingo. Other items were left behind to be distributed to residents, as needed. One of the people who contributed to her efforts donated a large collection of jewelry, enough so that each woman who played bingo was able to select a necklace or bracelet to keep for themselves.

“I did something like this last year to help children with cancer,” Ms. Buffham said. “I wanted to do something similar, so this year I just switched the age group. It feels really good. It felt good to help kids last year and this year we’re seeing the other side of things.”

Nicole Euto is an 11^th grade English Teacher at Potsdam and she is one of three teachers who help oversee the students’ 20 Time projects. She accompanied Ms. Buffham and her friends on their trip to United Helpers.

“The kids come up with a lot of great ideas for projects,” she said. “A lot of the projects are within the school, so it’s nice to see a project with this level of community service involved.”

Upon arriving Ms. Buffham and her friends split into two groups. One group went to play bingo with residents in the memory care unit, while the second group played with residents in the skilled nursing wing.

Each group played several games of bingo with the residents while swapping stories and exchanging laughter. Students then helped the residents they sat with pick out prizes.

“Today was a great morning for our residents,” said Activities Leader Lauren Martinchek. “They love playing bingo and they love having visitors. Having the chance to win prizes was an added bonus. Many thanks to Breanna for putting this together.”

Breanna Buffham, a junior at Potsdam High School used this year’s 20 Time Project to help senior citizens in nursing homes across St. Lawrence County. Helping Ms. Buffham with the project was a team of friends. The group recently visited United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton, spending some time with the residents, leading to laughter and smiles that spanned across the generations. Front row, from left, Sophia Manor, T’aja Burks, Ms. Buffham, Sofie Gagner, Bennette Estes; second row, Oscar Shaw, Emily Quinell, Erika Robinson, Brittney Gibson, Anna Rossner and Jeremiah Welsh.

UH Employee Celebrates 90th Birthday

By Benny Fairchild

CANTON – Every morning when Gail Butler arrives at work, the first thing she does is visit with residents and sing to them while they’re eating breakfast. On the morning of May 11^th though, residents flipped the script and began singing to her when she walked into the dining room.

Mrs. Butler described the scene. “It was quite a surprise. They had on party hats and had blowers. It was great.”

The reason for their singing was May 11^th wasn’t just another day at the office. It was Gail Butler’s 90^th birthday.

Mrs. Butler began working for the nursing home 33 years ago as a CNA when it was known as the Moongate Nursing Home. However, her career with the United Helpers Organization did not begin until she had already raised her 12 children, starting with the company at the age of 57.

After working as a CNA, she transitioned into medical records and then spent time working in the activities department. Today, she works as an administrative assistant/receptionist, where she is the smiling face greeting, visitors, staff and residents alike three days a week.

When asked if she envisioned herself still working at the age of 90, Mrs. Butler laughed. “I had no idea,” she said. Prior to joining United Helpers, she worked in home care for 5 years. Before that time, she was a stay-at-home mom, who also helped care for the children of several teachers who lived in the area.

“I did that while my kids were growing up,” she said.

Her tenure at United Helpers also included a brief stay as a patient following a broken hip. “I think I was here for a couple of weeks,” she said, adding in her mind there was never any doubt she would return to work.

“I wasn’t going to let that stop me,” she said. “As long as I can keep on going, I’m going to keep on working.”

Mrs. Butler’s 90^th birthday also included gifts, a cookout, and visits from several people who had worked with Mrs. Butler over the years, but had already retired.

Amongst the gifts was a photo album put together by staff, with photos of Mrs. Butler from throughout her time at United Helpers. “I couldn’t believe all the pictures,” she said. “That really brought back a lot of memories.”

In addition to her 12 children, she also has 23 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren – a total of 35 grandchildren across two different generations.

On the day before her birthday Mrs. Butler’s family held a surprise party including more than 60 guests. “How they kept that quiet for two months, I’ll never know,” she said, adding, “I was very surprised.”

In addition to her duties as an administrative assistant, Mrs. Butler volunteers her time with the activities department, hosting monthly karaoke sessions with the residents. When other guests are performing Mrs. Butler can often be seen dancing with residents and sometimes joining other entertainers for a song or two.

Mark Darou, of the Canton Goldenaires Barbershop Choir has sung with Mrs. Butler on many occasions. “She’s the best Patsy Cline around,” he said.

Prior to the cookout, the Goldenaires serenaded Mrs. Butler with Happy Birthday and a few other songs personalized to match her name. Mrs. Butler closed out the performance, at their request, with the Patsy Cline hit, “I Fall to Pieces.”

She also prides herself on having two very green thumbs, helping to care for vegetable gardens and flower gardens around the property.

“Gail really is an amazing lady who is a bundle of energy and we’re lucky to have her on our team,” said United Helpers CEO Todd R. Amo. “I know I’m not going to still be working when I’m 90.”

Following a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday from the Canton Goldenaires Barber Shop Choir, Gail Butler offered a wave of thanks to the lobby full of people who came to celebrate her 90^th birthday. Mrs. Butler still works at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care three days a week.

 

Czech Olympian Shares Her Story with Independent Senior Living Members

 By Benny Fairchild

CANTON – With the success of the PWHL and television ratings for women’s hockey in the Olympics reaching never before seen numbers, women’s hockey is currently one of the fastest growing sports in the world with participation in the sport amongst girls and young women growing at a rapid pace.

That wasn’t always the case and many of today’s stars, including Andrea Trnková, grew up playing with and against boys. Ms. Trnková just completed her junior season with the Clarkson University Women’s Hockey Team, while also competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics for Czechia. 

She recently paid a visit to members at United Helpers Independent Senior Living to talk about the Olympics and her journey from a small city in Czechia to Potsdam, New York.

Ms. Trnková said she grew up in a household that loved hockey. She began skating at just three years old and began to play at the age of four. She spent her youth playing on all boys’ teams until she joined the U-16 and U-18 National teams, continuing to play with boys at the junior level until she turned 19 and came to the U.S. to play in college.

Early in her juniors career she dealt with discrimination from a coach who quite simply refused to play her. “It wasn’t because I wasn’t good enough. It was because I am a girl,” she said. After speaking with her family, they agreed switching to another program would be best for her development.

It was there that she found a home. “On that team, I wasn’t just a girl, I was a hockey player like all of the guys,” she said.

Unfortunately, the 2021 U-18 World Championship Tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “That was really frustrating, because that’s our opportunity to play in front of coaches and scouts from around the world. They were talking about canceling the tournament in 2022 too, but they ended up having it and moving it to the US.”

Following the Olympics in 2022, she earned a spot on the Czechian National Team for the World Championship tournament later that year. That team became the first in its nation’s history to win a medal. The team’s success also led to a tremendous increase in both fan support and financial support for the team.

“We showed people that we were worth investing in,” Ms. Trnková said. The following year the team again won a bronze medal at the World Championships.

Ms. Trnková explained that while she wouldn’t have received a lot of ice time at the Olympics, she was slated to travel with the team as an alternate, or someone who would be added to the roster if a player on the team got COVID.

Unfortunately, her own COVID diagnosis prevented her from playing or even making the trip to the Olympics.

“It was frustrating, but that motivated me even more. I told myself, ‘I’m only 17, there will be more opportunities,’” she said. It didn’t take long for opportunity to come, as in September of that year she would play in her first World Championships. That was the first time Czechia had ever won a medal on the world stage.

Prior to that though, Ms. Trnková  traveled to the U.S. for the first time as a member of the U-18 national team for the 2022 U-18 World Championship tournament, which was held that June in Wisconsin. With the opportunity to play in front of scouts, she impressed several schools, ultimately deciding to attend and play NCAA Division I hockey at RPI starting in the 2023-2024 season.

One reason she initially chose RPI before transferring was they had another player from Czechia on the team, which helped with the transition to life in a new country. Clarkson currently has two players on their team from Czechia, Ms. Trnková and first-year goalie Aneta Senkova.

She said her other teammates at RPI were also a big help when it came to living in a place where she barely spoke the language. “My English was even more broken then than it is now,” she said, drawing laughs from the room.

She earned a spot on the ECAC All-Rookie Team, but the year was not without challenges. “I almost went home,” she said. “Learning English was hard. Everything was hard, but that year really helped me learn how to be independent. I’m glad I got over those struggles.”

Heading into this year’s Olympics, Czechia was among the favorites to bring home a medal.

Although, Ms. Trnková tallied an assist during the Olympics, the team ultimately finished in 5^th place, which she notes was an improvement over the team’s 7^th place finish four years earlier.

“I never thought I would get a point in the Olympics,” she said. “I was just glad to be there and help the team anyway I could.”

Earlier in the season though, there was significant doubt about whether she would be able to play in the Olympics or during much of her junior season. In an early season game against her former team, Ms. Trnková fell victim to injury.

“I had to have an MRI to measure the damage. The doctors had determined if the damage was limited, I could continue to play and have surgery at the end of the year. If it was severe, I would have had to have surgery right away, which would mean missing the Olympics for the second time.”

The 2025 World Championship Tournament was held in Czechia and Ms. Trnková said that was the first time her parents were able to see her play at the international level. “That was a really hard tournament for us, because we really wanted to win a medal on our home ice, but my parents did get to see me play.” The team finished in fourth place.

Heading into her senior year at Clarkson, Ms. Trnková said she now has her eye on the PWHL. To help get ready for her senior year, she’ll be working alongside PWHL number one draft pick and fellow member of the Czechian national team Kristýna Kaltounková at girl’s hockey camps throughout the off-season.

“It’s amazing how far the game has come. Girls actually have a professional league they can look forward to playing in. For a long time girls and women in hockey didn’t have that,” she said.

Among the ISL members in attendance at her presentation was Brian Wilkinson. Mr. Wilkinson played on the Clarkson Men’s Hockey Team from 1961 to 1964 and is a member of the school’s 100-point club. He asked if she had ever played against Haley Winn, a two-time All-American who graduated from Clarkson last year, and who like Ms. Trnková, played in her first Olympic games this past winter.

“I remember playing against Haley with RPI and I even scored against her,” she joked, adding that Clarkson ended up winning the game. “Maybe that’s when Clarkson first saw something in me.”

When asked why she decided to transfer, Ms. Trnková said she felt like that was the best move for her development as a player with her eye on playing at the next level. Prior to transferring she talked about the move with Michaela Pejzlová, who graduated from Clarkson and is one of her teammates on the national team.

“Clarkson is a great program and I also like that both the school and community are pretty small,” she said. “It kind of feels like home even though I’m so far away from home.”

Andrea Trnková, who just completed her junior season as a defender on the Clarkson University Women’s Hockey Team while also competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics, recently spoke to members at United Helpers Independent Senior Living in Canton. Following her presentation, members in attendance posed for a group photo.