By: Benny Fairchild
OGDENSBURG – In 1923 when United Helpers celebrated
its 25th anniversary times were certainly different, but the first
of many new service lines that would be launched by the organization over the
years had already taken place as the company was now providing care for both
children and, as company documents at the time called them “old ladies.”
Care for children was the organization’s mission from
the get-go, and on May 4, 1898, United Helpers welcomed its first resident, a
boy from Potsdam. In 1904 a babies’ ward was opened and in 1910 the
organization began caring for elderly women. The first elderly male would not
be admitted until 1955.
While the original United Helpers Children’s Home sat
at 22 Congress Street in Ogdensburg, it didn’t take long for the organization
to outgrow that space and in 1901, the new United Helpers Children’s Home
opened. That building sat at 1220 State Street in Ogdensburg, the current location
of the Edgar A. Newell II Memorial Golden Dome.
Coincidentally, Mr. Newell’s grandmother, Adeline “Addie”
B. Newell was a founding member of the United Helpers organization and served
as a Vice President for the Society until the time of her death in 1926.
Looking back at the company’s 25th
anniversary through its 1923 Annual Report reveals an organization that while
laying the foundation for the company United Helpers is today, differed greatly.
Committees mentioned in the report include a House
Committee, Provision Committee, Clothing Committee, Incidental Committee, Fuel
Committee, Babies’ Ward Committee, Sewing Committee, Admission of Old Ladies Committee,
Grounds and Garden Committee, Hospital Committee, Committee on Insurance,
Finance Committee, Investment Committee, and an Executive Committee.
At that time United Helpers was also supported by 29
different auxiliaries located in communities across St. Lawrence County. Lisbon
had three different auxiliary clubs, Chipman had two, and the city of Ogdensburg
housed six such clubs, the Golden Glow Club, Neighborhood Guild, Charity Club,
Priscilla Sewing Club, West Side Helpers, and Clover Leaf Club.
In her President’s Report B.B. Hoard wrote about the
occasion that was the Society of United Helpers 25th anniversary.
“On behalf of the Officers and Board of Managers I
give you a most hearty and cordial welcome on this the 25th
anniversary of the formation of the Society of United Helpers.
It certainly is an occasion for rejoicing when we see
the number who have come from their homes throughout the county to manifest
their interest and co-operation in this great work that finds us together as
one family in one home.”
Writing about the children residing at the home, Mrs.
Hoard said, “The holidays and gift days , such as circus, fair, and picnics,
have each been observed and enjoyed to the utmost, and there will linger in the
minds of the children, memories of a happy childhood, free from the shame that
in years gone by was attached to a home-child. They will look back on these
years without a sorrow, but rather as having enjoyed great privileges, that
might otherwise never have come into their lives.”
In regard to elder care she wrote, “During the past
year five new members have been welcomed into the shelter of our home, and
three called hence, each leaving in the hearts of friends the grief that comes
to the aged, as the circle of friendship narrows and becomes a memory of the
past.”
The Secretary’s Report submitted by E. McRostie noted
that the fiscal year concluded with 63 children living at the home, with 122
children total cared for during the year. This included 41 babies in the
nursery, which as she noted was “the only one of its kind in St. Lawrence and
Franklin counties.”
With both children and elderly women residing at the
home, Building Superintendent Martha M. Kezar noted the building really was
like a large family.
“Our department for the aged ones has cared for 15,
who as a whole are happy and contended as a family unto themselves. Many good
times comes to them and all holidays are enjoyed with the children as grandma
would do in her own home.”
Mrs. Kezar also included a statement of thanks to the
donors and supporters of United Helpers.
“As a family from the youngest of a few hours to the
aged one of ninety years, we are most grateful to all kind of generous friends
for the comforts and joys of life which they have possible for us.”
Highlights from the year’s expenditures include a
total organizational payroll of $9,241.19, $46.55 spent on barbers’ fees,
$24.55 spent on school supplies, and $117.98 paid to the Northern New York
Phone Company. The organization’s total expenditures equaled $23,373.28.
The Provisions Committee Report noted that 20,650
quarts of milk were purchased totaling $1,698.05, 552 dozen eggs at a total
cost of $220.80 and 4,736 loaves of bread at a cost of $378.88 were also bought. Bread use was supplemented by donations totaling 656 loaves for the year.
The Society spent $4,181.59 on utilities, including
$3,356.82 cents on coal, $29.50 on “six loads of wood,” and $795.27 for “power
and lights.”
Also of note, the clothing committee reported
purchasing seven suits for $80.42, 61 pairs of “rubbers” for $54.25, 56 pairs
of shoes for $123.46, 78 pieces of underwear for $53.80, and 12 “supporters”
for $13.70.
The medical report for the year noted nine cases of
chicken pox, one case of whooping cough, 13 cases of “La grippe,” two cases of
pneumonia, two cases of “inflammation of ear, one appendicitis operation, and 26
operations for “tonsil and adenoids removal.” Four children died in infancy
while at the home.
In the “Old Ladies’ Department” there were four cases
of “La grippe” and one case of Lumbargo.
It was also noted the “drug bill” for the year totaled
$155.91.
In terms of giving, Corresponding Secretary F. G.G.
Strong reported there were 681 gifts “received at the home.”
“These figures are the names of societies, branches, and
individuals and do not represent the size or value of the gifts. One gift often
has clothing, food and treats under its name. These generous gifts almost fill
the cellar bins, the store room and clothing closet shelves,” Mrs. Strong
wrote.
A further breakdown of the gifts notes that 189 came
on “Donation Day." She wrote that during the Christmas season, “97 friends gave
toys and treats, 41 money.” August was the worst month for giving with “only 19”
gifts coming in during that month.
Even from the beginning of the organization’s history,
it is clear that United Helpers strived to be something different and something
better than the other care organizations in the area. The report concludes with
a note that begins with, “Inquiry is often made “How is the Home of the United
Helpers conducted and how is it supported?” and this is the answer: The home
idea rather than the institutional is carried out as far as possible,” possible
foresight from the organization’s foremothers that 100 years later United
Helpers would be known for “Always Caring.”
