History Comes to Life, as United Helpers Teams Up with City School District to Recognize 'Early Residents'

 By Benny Fairchild

OGDENSBURG - United Helpers teamed up with the Ogdensburg City School District this week to pay tribute to the organization's 'early residents.'

Early resident is a term used by United Helpers to describe individuals who lived in the United Helpers Home on State Street in the city.

The late Ron Collins

From 1901 through 1972 the lot next door to Ogdensburg Free Academy served as the site of the United Helpers Home. Today the parcel is connected to the school building and houses the Edgar A. Newell II Memorial Golden Dome.

Prior to the Board of Education meeting on May 17, officials from the city school district and officials from Untied Helpers came together to recognize the hundreds of children who grew up on that site with the dedication of a print in the dome's lobby. 

The print, drawn by the late Ron Collins depicts the home as it stood in the 1950s with a group of children playing on the building's front lawn. Mr. Collins grew up in the home, and each child represented in the drawing is actually someone he remembers from his time there.

Early residents William "Bill" Poole and Doris Ferris unveiled the print. Mr. Poole is represented on the print, while Ms. Ferris, who is in her early 90s, lived at the home prior to Mr. Collins' residency.

Board of Education President Ron Johnson, who grew up nearby the home said he can remember playing with the children who lived there when he was a boy their age.

Mr. Poole and Mrs. Ferris unveil the print.

Ron Collin's print depicting the United Helpers Home

Front row, from left, Diane Baxter, Dorris Ferris, Dottie Poole, and William "Bill" Poole; second row, Beth Wyatt and her sister, Eunice Curry.

VP of Human Resources Michelle Matthews and Marketing Manager Jordan Downing-Duke pose with Early Resident Doris Ferris, for what she said was her "first selfie."