Gordons Pay Tribute to Past CEOs Knight & Turongian

CANTON - Through their many years of dedication and service to United Helpers, CEOs Stephen Knight and John Turongian have made a lasting impact on the organization. Now, that impact will forever be recognized through the naming of the therapy suite at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton.

Dr. Edward and Barbara “Bobby” Gordon established the tribute with the creation of a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) through the Northern New York Community Foundation (NNYCF), their second major gift benefitting United Helpers, following their first major gift in 2019 to create the Fannie Frank Distinguished CNA Award.

While the naming of the United Helpers therapy suite in Canton was announced at Mr. Knight’s retirement party, Dr. Gordon said this was something in the works before he had heard of Mr. Knight’s retirement plans.

“Both Steve and John are tremendous leaders,” he said. “Bobby and I wanted to do something meaningful to thank them for all they’ve done for United Helpers and the North Country as a whole. We felt like this lasting tribute was a good way to remember them and benefit an organization that I know means just as much to them as it does to us.”

United Helpers collaborates with the Northern New York Community Foundation as nonprofit partners. The Community Foundation assists United Helpers as a responsible steward of a number of donor-restricted and organizational funds. Both organizations worked with the Gordons to identify a charitable giving vehicle that would be meaningful, honor Mr. Knight and Mr. Turongian, and support United Helpers in perpetuity. The charitable gift annuity established by the Gordons allowed them to accomplish all three goals.

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Both the Community Foundation and United Helpers said they were touched by the Gordon’s gift. 

“The Gordons' devotion to the mission of United Helpers has been inspiring and a guiding hand to the organization. This gift and their generosity over many years is a reflection of that commitment. It is a wonderful example of bringing dedicated donors, an essential area nonprofit, and the Foundation together to create a gift that will endure,” said Community Foundation Assistant Director Max DelSignore.

United Helpers Vice President of Development Christa Carroll agreed, “United Helpers will forever be grateful to the Gordons for this thoughtful gift, as well as to Steve and John for their many years of leadership. This naming will serve as a lasting tribute for four very special people who have left an indelible mark on United Helpers.”

Dr. Gordon, who currently serves on the Management Company Board of Directors, has been a volunteer with United Helpers for 30-plus years. Mrs. Gordon is currently on the Society Board, and has been a volunteer for more than five years.

Rehabilitation services offered at the John M. Turongian & Stephen E. Knight Therapy Suite include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy for both long-term and short-term therapy patients residing at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton. For additional information on these services, please visit www.unitedhelpers.org.

If you would like to make a gift to United Helpers, please visit www.unitedhelpers.org/giving, call 315-714-3123, or email giving@unitedhelpers.org.

Photo caption: 

Outgoing United Helpers CEO Stephen E. Knight was recently celebrated at a surprise retirement party, where it was announced that the therapy suite at Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton was being named in honor of him and his predecessor, John Turongian. Mr. Turongian, who now lives outside the area, was unable to attend, but Mr. Knight was joined at the event by several family members. From left, United Helpers Society Board member Barbara Gordon, Phyllis Wood, Brad Knight, Dr. Edward Gordon, Ed Knight, Hannah Knight, Lianne Knight, Stephen Knight, Dani Kahn, Daniel Knight, Penny LeBeau, and Brent Knight. The naming of the therapy suite was made possible by a planned gift from Dr. and Mrs. Gordon.