CANTON – In July of 1974 Charles Bronson’s “Death Wish” was playing at drive-ins across the country, gas was only 53 cents per gallon, and Richard Nixon was in the final days of his presidency.
July of 1974 also marked the beginning of
careers with United Helpers for both Joyce Simmons and Cynthia “Cindy” Cota,
the first two employees in the 126-year history of United Helpers to hit the
50-year milestone.
Both women have worked in a variety of roles
for the organization, something that Mrs. Cota said made working 50 years a bit
easier than holding one position for that long.
Mrs. Cota has worked in Canton as a CNA, a
therapy aide and a home health aide, while Mrs. Simmons has worked, mostly in
Ogdensburg, as a cook, as a laundry aide and then as a housekeeper first for
Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Ogdensburg and then for both Sparx and
Northern Lights Home Health Care.
United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care
Vice President of Operations Timothy Parsons has worked with both women,
working with Mrs. Simmons during his time as building administrator at the
skilled nursing facility in Ogdensburg.
Mr. Parsons recalled celebrating Mrs. Simmons’
40th work anniversary. “She brought in cupcakes for everyone,” he
recalled. “I asked her when she was retiring and she mentioned wanting to hit
45 years.”
Now on the occasion of her 50th
anniversary, Mrs. Simmons said she wants to be the first United Helpers
employee to celebrate 51 years with the company. A feat that will made easier
by the fact, Mrs. Cota is retiring at the end of this month.
“I work with a great bunch of girls and I just
really love working,” Mrs. Simmons said. “I think I’m going to keep going as
long as I’m healthy and able,” she said.
As for Mrs. Cota, she said the first few
months of her retirement will be tied up with an ongoing home renovation
project.
Mr. Parsons said he remembers the first time
he met Mrs. Cota, noting it was his very first day on the job. “Whoever
introduced me to Cindy said something like, ‘This is Cindy and she’s been here
forever,’” he recalled with a laugh. “And that was 23 years ago.”
The careers of both Mrs. Cota and Mrs. Simmons
were recently celebrated at the United Helpers Summer Awards ceremony, where
each were presented with an engraved clock. Both women were also given a cash
bonus.
This month Cynthia “Cindy” Cota and Joyce Simmons both celebrated 50 years of service with the United Helpers organization, becoming the first two employees in the company’s 126-year history to hit that impressive milestone. Mrs. Cota will be retiring at the end of the month, while Mrs. Simmons said she wants to become the first person to celebrate their 51st anniversary. From left, United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care Vice President of Operations Timothy Parsons, Mrs. Simmons, Mrs. Cota and Sparx Vice President of Operations Katherine Race.
