LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring The Benedictine Hospital Auxiliary upon
the occasion of its designation as recipient of the 2009 St. Benedict
Award to be celebrated December 11, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
illustrious organizations within the State of New York whose focus and
intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life in their
communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor The
Benedictine Hospital Auxiliary upon the occasion of its designation as
recipient of the 2009 St. Benedict Award by the Benedictine Health Foun-
dation to be celebrated at Benedictine Hospital's 40th Annual Winter's
Eve Gala on Friday, December 11, 2009, at Mohonk Mountain House, New
Paltz, New York; and
WHEREAS, Sister Aloysia Molloy, O.S.B., Benedictine Hospital's first
President and one of the four Founding Sisters, recognized the need for
financial assistance from the community at large; and
WHEREAS, In February of 1902, Sister Aloysia selected four women to
form the Ladies Auxiliary at Benedictine Hospital: Mrs. George Chandler,
Mrs. J.H. Schreider, Mrs. John Howley, and Miss Celia Hussey; and
WHEREAS, In 1902, their mission was, as it remains still to this day,
to promote and advance the welfare of the Hospital through ways approved
by the Board of Directors and through service to its patients and other
fundraising satisfactory to the Board; and
WHEREAS, Over time, the Benedictine Hospital Auxiliary has left an
indelible mark on the history of Benedictine Hospital; from their early
years, its fundraising efforts enabled the Hospital to purchase 12 beds
for its Charity Ward, furnish a nurses' residence and the children's
ward, and equip two delivery rooms; and
WHEREAS, In the 1950s, the Benedictine Hospital Auxiliary pledged a
significant amount for the School of Nursing and Residence; while in the
1960s and 1970s, it raised funds for needed equipment such as X-ray
machines, heart monitors, orthopedic instruments, and operating tables;
and
WHEREAS, In 1988, the Benedictine Hospital Auxiliary pledged funds for
The Birth Place (maternity unit), and in the 1990s, The Fern Feldman
Anolick Breast Center received funds to purchase a large amount of
equipment from the Auxiliary's efforts; and
WHEREAS, In 1996, they pledged funds to benefit the Century Campaign,
and starting off the 21st Century, the Auxiliary pledged funds for the
Thomas A. Dee Cancer Center; and
WHEREAS, Currently, the Benedictine Hospital Auxiliary is in the midst
of completing their pledge to help with renovations to the Mental Health
Unit; and
WHEREAS, The Benedictine Hospital Auxiliary's major fundraising
efforts include the annual Luncheon and Fashion Show, which they have
now hosted for 40 years, and the Hospital Gift Shop, which has been
maintained by the Auxiliary since 1961; in addition, they hold numerous
card parties, cake sales, penny socials, raffles, teas, sales of
balloons for Valentine's Day, green carnations for St. Patrick's Day,
and their latest effort, the Christmas Tree of Lights; and
WHEREAS, In the beginning, there was a sewing committee that made
towels for patients and baby clothes for the newborns; during World Wars
I and II, the Benedictine Hospital Auxiliary found ways to assist staff
when nurses and physicians joined the armed forces; and during the
"Great Depression," the Auxiliary joined the Sisters and Hospital staff

taking turns distributing food to anyone who came to the Hospital's
kitchen door; and
WHEREAS, That "whatever it takes" spirit has defined the members of
the Benedictine Hospital Auxiliary throughout the past 107 years, and
the story of this mighty right arm of Benedictine Hospital is ongoing;
its success is in direct correlation to the efforts of its members,
whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impres-
sive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard
of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the Auxiliary and the popu-
lation it serves; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor The Benedictine Hospital Auxiliary upon the occasion of its desig-
nation as recipient of the 2009 St. Benedict Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Benedictine Hospital Auxiliary.