LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring John Flowers upon the occasion of
receiving the 2009 Spirit of Community Award from the Family Partnership
Center on November 19, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
organizations and individuals who devote themselves to the welfare of
the community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor John
Flowers upon the occasion of receiving the 2009 Spirit of Community
Award from the Family Partnership Center at its Awards Dinner to be held
at The Poughkeepsie Grand on Thursday, November 19, 2009; and
WHEREAS, A man of singular distinction, John Flowers has continually
demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence and diligent
leadership in his unwavering service to his community and profession and
consequently has been designated for this most prestigious honor; and
WHEREAS, As a youngster in Alabama, John Flowers was moved hearing the
then unknown Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his fiery gospel
message, however, his life-changing inspiration came from seeing his own
mother's delight in handing out cookies to neighborhood children; and
WHEREAS, John Flowers moved to Poughkeepsie, New York, when he was
ten-years-old; he attended Poughkeepsie High School, where his quick
hands and an accurate jump-shot made him an all-county basketball star;
and
WHEREAS, After graduation, John Flowers proudly served in Vietnam as a
Paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne Division in the United States Army;
and
WHEREAS, Upon completion of his service, John Flowers returned home to
Poughkeepsie and became an extremely talented carpenter who eventually
set up his own general contracting company; as part of his business, he
would often buy dilapidated houses and rehabilitate them, this success-
ful practice, unwittingly foretold John's future as a builder of the
community; and
WHEREAS, John Flowers' community involvement can be traced back to a
Christmas he spent tending to his sister in a hospital; while there, he
found that many of the patients had no family or friends to share the
holiday with, as a result, John resolved to spend every Christmas season
for the rest of his life in hospitals and nursing homes, lifting the
spirits of patients and residents; and
WHEREAS, Today, John Flowers and his 247 volunteers, affectionately
known as Elves, personally hand out 7,000 wrapped stuffed animals to
people in 26 hospitals and nursing homes throughout the Hudson Valley;
the volunteers come from all parts of the community including
Poughkeepsie's Exempt Firemen's Association, the Vassar College Men's
and Women's Soccer and the New York State Police; and
WHEREAS, John Flowers also facilitates the Old-Fashioned Easter Egg
Hunt at Waryas Park, which involves 32,000 candy-filled Easter eggs and
700 over-packed Easter baskets, for crowds that top 5,000 delighted
people; and
WHEREAS, On Mother's Day, John Flowers and his volunteers pass out
2,000 roses in hospitals and nursing homes; on Father's Day, he is busy
organizing the Nation's only Father's Day parade with at least 4,000
people marching down Main Street to a festival at the River; and
WHEREAS, On Labor Day weekend, Poughkeepsie is alive with John Flow-
ers' everyone-is-welcome "Picnic Dedicated to God," where 18 different

congregations get together for an all-day event in Mansion Square Park;
and on Halloween, in collaboration with Family Partnership Center, he
creates a spooky tunnel to be enjoyed by all neighborhood children; and
WHEREAS, John Flowers' combination of an ever-genuine, booming hello,
quick smile and organizational magic have been invaluable gifts to the
Poughkeepsie community; his giving spirit has not only inspired an infi-
nite number of smiles but has enhanced the lives of countless individ-
uals; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blend-
ing of strength, intellect and commitment as that demonstrated by John
Flowers over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor John Flowers upon the occasion of receiving the 2009 Spirit of
Community Award from the Family Partnership Center on November 19, 2009;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John Flowers.