Pageant of Hiawatha Helps Raise Funds to Support United Helpers

 By Benny Fairchild

In 1855 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a book of poems titled "The Song of Hiawatha." Aside from an introduction the book contained 22 poems, each telling a different tale related to the life of a fictional Ojibwe warrior named Hiawatha.

According to the Maine Historical Society's website, included in the epic series of poems is the tragic love story of Hiawatha and a Dakota woman named Minnehaha. The entire series of events takes place along the south shore of Lake Superior in Michigan.

Longfellow's work would eventually become the foundation for one of United Helpers' first major fundraisers, a pageant with a cast of more than 100 people, including many children from the United Helpers Home held June 30 - July 2, 1915, at the Fairgrounds in Ogdensburg. 

According to an advertisement in the June 21 edition of The Ogdensburg Journal promoting the pageant, four shows were held over the course of three days with general admission tickets costing only 25 cents. The ad noted, "Reserved seats and motor car parking space extra."

An article detailing the show in the June 17 edition of The Ogdensburg Advance and St. Lawrence Weekly Democrat.

"Of all the poems written by Longfellow, perhaps none lends itself better to dramatic presentation than "Hiawatha. And it is certain that none is more interesting to the lovers of American Romance," the article reads. "Indian dances and music will be introduced and real Indian teepees and a campfire will make the setting most realistic."

While we were unable to find how much money was raised by the production, we did find a thank you note published in the July 9 edition of The Ogdensburg Journal.

"The President of the United Helpers Home and the Committee in charge of the presentation of the pageant of Hiawatha wish to thank all those who so generously assisted in making the pageant a success."

To read "The Song of Hiawatha" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's work in its entirety, please visit https://www.hwlongfellow.org/poems_poem.php?pid=62. 

Cedars Residents Celebrate 90th Anniversary of Corn Flakes

 

By Benny Fairchild

Back in 1996 when United Helpers was only 97 years old, residents at the Cedars Nursing Home celebrated the 90th anniversary of Kellogg's Corn Flakes, the iconic breakfast cereal, which to this day remains a favorite amongst those cared for by United Helpers.

90th Anniversary box

In a room decorated with red and green balloons, the same colors as Cornelius the Rooster, residents gathered for cake and ice cream. A group consisting of people 90 and older even posed for a photo behind a banner that read, "We were here before Kellogg's." 

While the banner was making reference to the residents, it's no secret that the United Helpers organization was here before Kellogg's too.

Did you know that in addition to giving us Cornelius the Rooster, the marketing folks at Kellogg's are also responsible for Snap, Crackle, and Pop, Toucan Sam, Tony the Tiger, and Dig Em' the Frog.

Do you recognize anyone in this photo? We're pretty sure Helen Welsh is pictured in the back wearing blue, but she's the only our current staff can identify. If you recognize anyone in this picture, please be sure to let us know. :-) 

90th Anniversary Box

Society of United Helpers Purchases Pythian Home for $62,500

By Benny Fairchild

When the Society of United Helpers purchased the former Pythian Home in Ogdensburg in order to construct what would eventually become United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Ogdensburg the price paid for the property was only $62,500. 

Pythian Home in Ogdensburg

While that figure may not sound like a lot, especially given today’s real estate market, when adjusted for inflation, using an online inflation calculator, that figure translates to $518,681.53.

After purchasing the property, which would also play host to the United Helpers adult home for more than 40 years, the Society launched a capital campaign aimed at collecting $100,000 to help build the United Helpers Nursing Home.

Funds were successfully raised and in 1972, a 120-bed skilled nursing facility was opened. Just seven years later the 40-bed adult home opened, providing area seniors who could still live somewhat independently with apartment-style living where meals were provided, as well as other assistance if needed.

Today the Rehabilitation and Senior Care facility is undergoing renovations and being converted to office space for both United Helpers Behavioral Health and Life Skills, as well as the United Helpers Management Company.

The former adult home is being renovated into “market-rate” apartments, which will provide quality living accommodations along the St. Lawrence River just outside the city of Ogdensburg.

United Helpers Building Fund Pledge Card

Looking Back at Some Old TV Spots

 

Just this week a piece chronicling the unique 125-year history of United Helpers aired on PBS as part of their weekly news show WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories. 

However, United Helpers has had a television presence that dates back before the days of social media.

Check out some of these old tv spots:

10 years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZcQRO0qPKQ

Seven years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2CWruEHNFI 

Three years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgq1S1WPcgA

United Helpers Not Alone in Turning 125 This Year

 By BENNY FAIRCHILD

It’s no secret that United Helpers is turning 125 years old this year, but did you know two other iconic companies, including another with a rich history in Ogdensburg, are also celebrating their 125^th anniversary this year?

While the beverage itself, originally known as “Brad’s Drink” was first served to patrons of Bradham’s Pharmacy in 1893, the beverage we know today as Pepsi, was first branded as Pepsi-Cola in August of 1898. 

According to a timeline of the drink’s history on Pepsi’s website, Caleb Bradham created the drink using a mix of sugar, water, caramel, lemon oil, kola nuts, nutmeg, and “other additives.”

Pepsi also joins United Helpers as being a company with a rich history right here in the Maple City. First opening its doors in 1943, Pepsi-Cola Ogdensburg Bottlers has been a staple of the Ogdensburg community for more than 75 years, earning the Pepsi Corporation’s prestigious Donald M. Kendall Bottler of the year in 2011.

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica online, Nabisco also has a history which dates back beyond 1898 in the form of two smaller corporations, The American Biscuit Company and the New York Biscuit Company.

It was when those two companies merged in 1898 that Nabisco, an abbreviated derivative of National Biscuit Company formed. The company’s two most famous products, Oreo Cookies and Ritz crackers, were still many years away. The encyclopedia noted Oreos hit the market in 1912, while Ritz Crackers weren’t on store shelves until 1934.

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

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. 

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.

United Helpers Gives the Gift of History to County Historian

 By Benny Fairchild

Newspapers with headlines from World War II, the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, and the Assassination of John F. Kennedy were recently uncovered by staff at United Helpers while researching organizational history. 

After looking through the papers to determine there was no specific reference to United Helpers contained in the papers, it was decided to gift the papers to the St. Lawrence County Historian Nancy LaFaver for preservation and potential display. 

Joe Finnegan, Alyvia Ronning and Nancy LaFaver

One paper printed in the days following the bombing at Pearl Harbor contained a brief article about Mary Lawrence, a woman from Lisbon, who was working at hospital in Hawaii at that time. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, she would join the military and enjoy a decorated career, Mrs. LaFaver, who also serves as the Lisbon Town Historian said.

In addition to the sensational headlines as it relates to World War II, the papers also offered a unique glimpse into the past. For example, their classified ads offered three classifications of job ads. "Jobs for Men," "Jobs for Women," and "Jobs for Either Men or Women."

Prices contained in the grocery ads were obviously significantly cheaper, however the prices for televisions were not. 

One electronics store, Leonard's TV in Waddington was offering $150 in trade-in value for those looking to purchase a "1968 Westinghouse Color TV," if they traded in their old color tv. If you were trading in a black and white TV, you could have received up to $40. As for how much televisions cost? The ad boasts "Color Starting at $399.95" with "Used Sets Starting at $39.95." 

The papers also contained political cartoons, one of which showed Adolf Hitler wrestling with a Russian Bear.

"We felt like these documents were far more relevant to the history of the region than they were the history of United Helpers," said United Helpers Society Board President Joseph Finnegan. "We wanted to give them to an agency where they could be preserved and appreciated for many more years to come."

Read  more in this week's issue of The Journal.

Landmarks Side by Side

By Benny Fairchild

 They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so this week we're going to let our historical photo do the talking and spare you the lengthy history lesson.

Many thanks to Ogdensburg City School District Superintendent Kevin Kendall for letting us know about this photo. A big thank you also goes out to Ogdensburg Public Library Executive Director Penny Kerfien and her staff for digging into their vault to find it for us.

This photo depicts the Edgar A. Newell II Memorial Golden Dome while also showing remnants of the former United Helpers Home. Ironically, the Newell family was instrumental in the building of both Ogdensburg landmarks, as well as the creation of the United Helpers organization.

United Helpers' First Move

 By Benny Fairchild

When the original United Helpers Children's Home opened on Congress Street in 1898, it didn't take long for it to become filled and for the organization to realize a larger home would be needed.

While no one would move into the new home on State Street, where the Edgar A. Newell II Memorial Golden Dome stands today, until 1902, a groundbreaking for the facility was held two years prior to that.

According to an article in the Ogdensburg Daily Journal "between four and five hundred people gathered on the lot at the corner of State and Gilbert Street," for the groundbreaking ceremony while the paper noted even more watched on from horse and buggies.  

Children's Home on State Street

The cost to build the structure was only $12,000, a staggeringly low sum by today's standards, when adjusted for inflation, using an online inflation calculator, that equals roughly $435,870. The Ogdensburg Daily Journal also noted a time capsule was included in the building's cornerstone.

"Deposited in the stone was a list of building subscribers, photographs of the Society's rented home on Congress Street and sketches of the new building," the article stated.

When the home opened on Jan. 1, 1902 more than 50 children moved into the home. The first baby wouldn't be admitted to the home until Nov. 24, 1904 when the building's nursery opened. The first baby was a boy brought to the home by his mother. 

Within its first 10 years of operation, the home reached capacity. In 1908 the Society Board of Managers proposed building an addition, which would open two years later.

Postcard of the home, circa 1915

According to The Centennial Chronicle, a book published to highlight United Helpers' 100th Anniversary, the addition contained 25 rooms and cost $23,473.54 to build.

"The dazzling new 25-room wing included a dining room, a special room for infants, and another specifically for the senior women in the Society's care. These quarters were located on the second floor, along with a large bathroom, a linen closet, and a parlor.

The third floor provided even more rooms for the 'old ladies', as well as two quarantine rooms for the children, a large hospital room and a small operating room for minor surgeries. Each floor featured a large sun porch for the residents." the chronicle states.

As the number of elderly residents increased the building, less than 20 years later, again found itself in need of an addition.

According to The Centennial Chronicle, the Board of Manager voted to construct another three-story addition to the building. This time the addition cost $75,571, a figure worth more than $1.3 million in today's dollars.

The influx of senior citizens in the years that followed World War II led to discussion of yet another addition, however a fire in 1968 made led to the decision to construct a new home for seniors just outside the city, paving the way for the sale of the parcel to the Ogdensburg City School District and the construction of the Golden Dome.

Showing Some Love to our Furry Friends

"Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ French Novelist Anatole France

By Benny Fairchild

Since the very beginning of the United Helpers organization when Alzina Milligan stepped into her horse and buggy to travel from Ogdensburg to Potsdam to pick up a young boy who would become our first resident, animals have played an important part in the United Helpers story. 

In some instances, the animals have been workers of sorts, like Ms. Milligan's horse or in more recent years, sheep which have helped to maintain the lawn at our IRAs in Heuvelton. Those same IRAs in Heuvelton also have chickens, which have been known to provide an egg or two for breakfast.

However, in most cases animals are there to provide comfort - comfort to residents, program members, and even staff. There is no feeling the feeling of the furry head of a cat rubbing against your left or running your own hand across the furry back of a dog.

Over the years, going back to the very first children's home on Congress Street, where they had a pet dog, animals have helped to bring smiles to the faces of the people we serve. Today residents at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton, can sit and enjoy the gentle chirping of birds in the aviary. Residents in our IRAs can enjoy the company of cats, birds, fish, and in one instance a turtle. Many of the residents at United Helpers Independent Senior Living have a cat or a dog, and several of the seniors of folks with disabilities residing in our Affordable Community Housing complexes also enjoy the company of pets or service animals.

Depending on the setting, United Helpers even sometimes allows their employees to bring their dog to work. 

While cats and dogs are clearly the most common animals our staff and residents come into contact with, we have also had the pleasure of being visited by goats, mini-horses, snakes, and even a sloth.

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Oh My!

 By BENNY FAIRCHILD

Going back to October of 2009 social media has been a valuable tool in the marketing toolbox at United Helpers. 

United Helpers first Facebook profile photo

It all started with a photo of the management company building at 732 Ford Street in Ogdensburg. Over the years, the United Helpers Facebook page has been filled with pictures of employee recognition events, fun outings for our residents or program members, exciting news, and during the COVID-19 pandemic the page experienced tremendous growth thanks in large part to what we called "The United Helpers Smile of the Day," which went on for way longer than any of ever imagined when we first started sharing a nugget of positivity each day.

Today the United Helpers Facebook page has more than 4,200 followers and continues to be a great source for organizational news and happenings, fun photos, and during the month of December updates on the whereabouts of Sparky the Elf.

United Helpers sent out its first tweet in April of 2014, and while Twitter isn't used as often of Facebook or Instagram, since that time nearly 300 tweets have gone out, including "101 Days of Stressbusters," which were posted on consecutive days during the spring of 2022.

Our first-ever tweet featured a shout-out to current United Helpers Management Company Board of Directors member "Wolfman Ray Knight," better known today to members of the organization as Ray Babowicz. 

Our first tweet

Instagram is also a new member of the United Helpers Social Media family, with a following that has grown to well over 500 people in just over a year. Scrolling back through Instagram postings, the first posting available on the page fittingly congratulates Alysha Troiano following her promotion to Director of Nursing. Ms. Troiano remains in that same position today.

Our oldest Instagram posting

If you're not already following United Helpers on social media, please do. We promise not to flood your feed, but who knows maybe someday you or someone you know will appear.

Follow us on social media

Facebook: www.facebook.com/unitedhelpers

Instagram: @united_helpers

Twitter: @united_helpers

100 Days of Smiles