Successful Capital Campaign Leads to United Helpers' First Expansion

 By Benny Fairchild

In 1925 a three-story addition was built onto the United Helpers Home on State Street. This addition was built using funds raised through what was most likely the organization's first capital campaign.

1922 Capital Campaign Brochure

The campaign kicked off in 1922 and was led by an "Enlargement Campaign Committee" chaired by Felix Hulser. That committee put together a mailing, which included a four-page document with the faces of more than 75 children and women who were under United Helpers Care at the time on the cover. The heading under the collage read, "ARE THEY WORTH WHILE?"

Apparently, the campaign worked as three years later, after raising more than $76,000 the new addition was opened.

At the time the campaign was launched the facility was already "50 per cent overcrowded."

"The present overcrowding can no longer continue. The one small kitchen, the dining rooms, play rooms and the dormitories are woefully inadequate. Every nook and corner of the buildings are utilized for spare beds for the children, and the general facilities are crowded together more than the State Board of Charities allows," the document states. "Temporary permission for the continuance of this condition has been granted the Home by the State Board of Charities only because of the Board's knowledge of the plans for enlargement."

Due to the overcrowding the brochure indicates that United Helpers had turned away "80 helpless orphans" over the two years leading up to the campaign. On the bright side, over that same period of time, 43 children had been placed in private homes. As of the brochures printing, 1,424 "needy children, regardless of creed and nationality" had been cared for at the home.

Care for elderly women did not begin until 1910, 12 years after the home originally opened, however in the home's first 12 years of elder care, 59 women had been cared for.

Under a section in the brochure titled, "Our plans," details for the work ahead are outlined. "A new building, a central heating plant and extensive alterations of the two present buildings are necessary. This will make possible a complete separation of the sensitive old ladies from the romping noise-loving children, and will considerably increase the accommodations all around."

While the document makes it clear, $75,000 is the campaign's goal, it also calls its goal "the minimum need." Adjusted for inflation, $75,000 back then is more than $1.3 million in today's dollars.

Back Cover

The brochure's closing statement really drives home the need.

"Won't you help in the present campaign for enlargement so that this Home can adequately care for more of the needy - especially orphaned children? SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND IS THE MININUM NEED. Much more can be used to excellent advantage. Some "homes" which do not care for a much larger population have "plants" and endowments running into the millions - in one case nearly $20,000,000. But $75,000 can only be raised by the wholehearted co-operation of every public-spirited and charitable man and woman in this north country. Please do your part."

The brochure was signed by "Officers of the Enlargement Campaign Committee." In addition to Mr. Husler, the committee included: Honorary Chairman John C. Howard, Vice Chairmen Webb Griffith, Thomas Spratt, and Julius Frank, as well as Treasurer Samuel W. Leonard, of the Care Ogdensburg Bank, and Secretary Edward Dillingham.

Over the years United Helpers has hosted several other capital campaigns and unique fundraising opportunities. This year is no different and in celebration of our 125th anniversary United Helpers will be holding a 125th Anniversary Gala. 

The gala will take place on Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Stables at Windy Point in Potsdam. Supporters of United Helpers will come together for an evening of entertainment, live and silent auctions, cocktails, and a catered gourmet meal. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. and YOU'RE INVITED!

To purchase tickets or sponsor the event, please visit, www.unitedhelpers.org/125gala.

Inside Pages

United Helpers Leadership Through the Years

By Benny Fairchild

While United Helpers has only had four CEOs in its 125 year history, that number is misleading as the organization did not officially have a Chief Executive Officer until 1982.

Our first two CEOs Robert W. Russell and John Turongian

According to an issue of The Journal dated Jan. 27, 1982, it was on Jan. 26, 1982, when Robert W. Russell was named the company’s first CEO. Prior to earning that title, he had served as “Superintendent” since 1965. 

Mr. Russell served as CEO from 1982 through 1990 when he would retire, and John Turongian would assume the role of CEO.

Mr. Turongian served in the role for 19 years until Stephen E. Knight became CEO in 2009.

Mr. Knight was followed by the company’s current CEO Todd R. Amo, who became the Chief Executive following Mr. Knight’s retirement in 2021.

Stephen E. Knight

According to a historical document created to celebrate the organization’s 100^th anniversary, the home’s original leaders were initially referred to as “Matrons.” It is unclear when the title of Matron was changed to superintendent, however that may have happened in 1942 when Rev. C.E. Kennedy became the company’s first male leader, 17 years before a man was elected to the Society’s board of directors.

The organization’s first leader famously was Alzina M. Milligan. Mrs. Milligan held the role from the company’s creation in 1898 through 1913. She was followed by L.E. Osborne, who held the role through 1917 and Susan B. Lott, who served from 1917-1919.

Following Ms. Lott was Martha M. Kezar, who served from 1919 through 1928, Margaraet M. Starratt, who served until 1933 and Loy J. Savage, who served until 1941.

Rev. Kennedy served for four years until 1946. He was followed by another man, Lawrence Savercool, who served until 1952 and Charles Jones, who served from 1952 through 1963.

Two more women would lead the organization with Shirley Boeheim handling those duties for a portion of 1963 and Elizabeth W. Buck leading the way from 1963 through 1965.

It was at that point when Mr. Russell assumed leadership duties and the longest tenure of organizational leadership commenced.

Current CEO Todd R. Amo

Welcome New Hires

 

United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care

Kendra Ashley - CNA

Emalyn Kulp - CNA

Rylynn Martin-McIntyre - CNA

Mikayla Ritchie - Food Service Attendant

Jessica Scott - RN

United Helpers Independent Senior Living

Susan Rose - Hospitality Coordinator

United Helpers Management Company

Senior/Disabled Housing

Madison McCormick - Housing Assistant

United Helpers Behavioral Health and Life Skills

Hayliegh Oshier - Senior Administrative Assistant

Shane Schulte - Information System Administrator

United Helpers Behavioral Health and Life Skills

Kendrew IRA

Dylan Johnston - DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health and Life Skills

High Street IRA

Marissa Santiago - DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health and Life Skills

Irish Settlement Road IRA

Katherine Barkley - DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health and Life Skills

Health Home Care Coordination

Heather Baxter - Care Manager

Happy National NonProfit Day

"I suspect we were put into this world to make it better, and we must be about our business."

Society of United Helpers President Bessie B. Hoard in the 1928 annual report

By Benny Fairchild

Since the very beginning of the United Helpers organization, we have relied on donations and the support of the community to bring the highest level of care we can to the people of the North Country.

In the early days of the organization, those donations often came in the form of food, personal hygiene products, or other items useful to the home.

Those gifts were detailed in the organization's annual report. The earliest annual report we have on copy comes from 1923 and details those donations. Highlights included a total of 130 loaves of bread, 18 packages of crackers, 35 packages of graham crackers, 40 pounds of sugar, 90 pounds of rice, 19 pounds of prunes, one can of kippered herring, one bottle of pickles, seven books, two brooms, 257 cakes of laundry soap, 59 cakes of Ivory soap, and 24 cakes of homemade soap.

That year's annual report also details 16 "individual gifts" totaling $924.11. The largest noted gift was $250.

Back in 1928 when United Helpers was celebrating its 30th anniversary, it was noted that a total of $1,350 was collected through "individual gifts," with an additional $257.20 contributed to the Christmas Committee. 

While the organization's annual reports by that time had stopped listing donations of food, they did report on the harvest from their facilities garden. Twenty bushels of onions, two bushels of beet greens, 12 bushels of lettuce. three bushels of carrots, 124 quarts of string beans, 631 cucumbers, and 76 dozen ears of corn highlight the report.

United Helpers which had been operating as a nonprofit since it was founded in 1898 was certainly among those who benefitted from the Revenue Act of 1917, which declared that donations made to recognized nonprofits could be tax deductible.

When originally passed organizations could simply declare themselves a nonprofit. According to a history of nonprofits and how charitable gifts can affect your taxes on the IRS website, it wasn't until 1969 when President Richard Nixon signed The Tax Reform Act of 1969 into law, that nonprofits were required to be certified by the IRS.

One could likely assume that certification aided in fundraising efforts though, and in 1946 The Society of United Helpers was officially recognized by the IRS as a charitable organization well before the time it became required.

In a letter to United Helpers from the IRS signed by Exempt Organization Branch Chief J. F. Worly this was made official on June 20, 1946.

"Based upon the evidence submitted, it is held that you are exempt from Federal income tax as an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code," he wrote.

Mr. Worly continues, "Contributions made to you are deductible by donors as provided in section 170 of the code."

Today donations to United Helpers continue to be tax deductible, and community support is more important than ever. Learn more about how you can help United Helpers by visiting wwwunitedhelpers.org/giving. 

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

ACT Team

Kylie Taylor - Vocational Specilialist

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

High Street IRA

Keanna Gagnon - DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Rensselaer Falls IRA

Shania Kerr - DSP

Prior to Always Caring there was Life Improved

 By Benny Fairchild

Prior to the official adoption of the United Helper's "Always Caring" tagline in 2019, the organization used a different tagline, "Life. Improved." 

That tagline would actually serve as the basis for an award created by the United Helpers marketing department as a way to recognize staff who were reflective everything Life Improved stood for.

Any employee of the organization could nominate a co-worker for consideration. Each nominee received a small gift with an overall winner receiving a larger prize and the distinction of becoming a Life Improved Award winner.

While the award only lasted for three years, the Life Improved Awards recognized more than 30 different United Helpers employees from across the organization. What also made the Life Improved Awards different is they were presented twice a year... once in the summer and then again in the winter.

At the time she became the company's first winner, Cindi Corbine was an LPN at the then RiverLedge Health Care and Rehabilitation Center. Mrs. Corbine remains with the company and now works as an LPN for the ACT Team. She was presented the award in the summer of 2015.

The awards final recipient was Dawn Brabaw, who ironically worked for the ACT Team as an RN. In between those two presentations, a DSP, a CNA, and Hospitality Coordinator were also recognized.

In 2018 United Helpers embarked on a rebranding project leading to the discontinuation of the Life Improved Awards, however a firm foundation was set. Afterall how were lives improved? Through Always Caring, of course.