Leonard Honored with Ladouceur Award

 OGDENSBURG – During the course of his more than three decades of volunteer service to United Helpers, Wayne N. Ladouceur acquired many knick-knacks that came as gifts from residents who wanted to say, “thank you,” for all that he had done for them.

 One of those gifts was a small plaque with the words, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, for all the people you can, for as long as you ever can.” on it. 

That quote from British theologian John Wesley will now hang on the wall in Robin Leonard’s office at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton for the remainder of her career. Ms. Leonard currently works as a staff development assistant, after beginning her career at United Helpers as a CNA 27 years ago. She has worked in staff development for the past 17 years.

That plaque, along with another announcing her as the winner of the 2022 Wayne N. Ladouceur Award, were recently presented to Ms. Leonard at a ceremony held on what would have been Mr. Ladouceur’s 79^th birthday.

Mr. Ladouceur’s wife of 53 years, Cheryl, made the presentation before an audience that included the couple’s three adult children, friends of the Ladouceurs, and friends and co-workers of Ms. Leonard.

Criteria for the award include giving generously of one’s self, the ability to see beyond one’s own needs, a strong personal drive to provide the utmost in care, the ability to feel and express empathy, and exuding a love for life.

These are all areas where those who know Ms. Leonard say she excels.

“It never seems like Robin is concerned about her own needs. It is always about what is best for the residents and other staff,” wrote United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton Vice President of Operations Timothy Parsons in his nomination. “She is the role model that everyone strives to emulate or look to for guidance. She is unwavering in her support of United Helpers and the residents we care for. She has taught me far more than I could ever teach her.”

The Ladouceur family chose the criteria for the award, picking traits exhibited by Mr. Ladouceur and things he was known for, not just in the United Helpers family, but also across the entire city of Ogdensburg.

Each nomination must also include an additional letter of support from someone other than the nominator. Ms. Leonard’s nomination was so supported amongst her coworkers, that her nomination packet included three such letters.

“The definition of teamwork is Robin Leonard,” wrote Brenda Jones, who once worked under Ms. Leonard as a task aide, but retired in 2021 as the secretary to the administrator. “I have seen her helping in every department from the extra hours she put in working in laundry, housekeeping, dietary, shoveling the snow, salting the sidewalks, and of course helping the nursing staff. Words cannot describe her dedication and commitment. She would just say, ‘It’s all in a day’s work.’”

Other letters of support also came from Medical Records Office Technician Patricia David and Activities Director Dawn Kimble.

The Wayne N. Ladouceur Award was created in memory of and in honor of Mr. Ladouceur, a longtime United Helpers volunteer, board member and former board president. The award is funded through an endowment with the Northern New York Community Foundation created by Mrs. Ladouceur and more than 80 of the Ladouceurs’ friends and family.