LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Employees of KeyBank upon the occa-
sion of their designation as recipients of the 2009 Volunteer of the
Year Award by Abilities First, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 individ-
uals and organizations which 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 the
Employees of KeyBank upon the occasion of their designation as recipi-
ents of the 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award by Abilities First, Inc.,
to be celebrated on Friday, April 24, 2009, in Poughkeepsie, New York;
and
WHEREAS, Abilities First is an organization which provides vocational,
educational, residential and clinical services to over 2,000 of its
neighbors with disabilities throughout the Mid-Hudson Area; this year's
theme is "Breaking News"; and
WHEREAS, In 1990, a group of KeyBank employees got together for a
beach clean-up project in Alaska; the impact of that particular effort
led KeyBank to establish Neighbors Make the Difference Day, which is an
annual community service day where more than 6,000 KeyBank employees
across the nation go out of the office to undertake projects which
enhance the quality of life in the communities where they live and work;
and
WHEREAS, On a regional level, more than 200 KeyBank employees take
part in dozens of Neighbors Make the Difference Day projects every year
throughout the Hudson Valley; these distinguished individuals plant
trees, help with fund-raising drives, paint buildings and organize food
shelter pantries; and
WHEREAS, However, the efforts of KeyBank's 325-plus employees to make
a difference throughout the Hudson Valley/Metro New York District extend
well beyond just one day; its employees routinely volunteer their time
and talents to serve on boards of organizations in the communities where
they live and work, including Abilities First, where they provide valu-
able support to the programs and services that aid people with disabili-
ties and their families throughout the region; and
WHEREAS, Volunteering is part of KeyBank's culture; sharing their
leadership skills and knowledge, its employees serve on the boards of
more than 1,100 nonprofit organizations in 14 states; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions and institutions of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Employees of KeyBank upon the occasion of their designation as
recipients of the 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award by Abilities First,
Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to District President Mike Orsino.