LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Joseph Toles upon the occasion of his
designation as the recipient of a 2012 Educational Advancement Founda-
tion Salute To Excellence in Community Education Award

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that individuals who
distinguish themselves in their profession and in service to their
community and its children merit the highest commendation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Joseph Toles, the Founder of The Joseph Toles Foundation, upon the occa-
sion of his designation as the recipient of a 2012 Educational Advance-
ment Foundation Salute To Excellence in Community Education Award; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Toles will be honored at the North Atlantic Region of
the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Cluster III Educational Advancement
Foundation's Breakfast, to be held at the Double Tree by Hilton in
Tarrytown, New York on Saturday, June 23, 2012; and
WHEREAS, The Educational Advancement Foundation (EAF) is dedicated to
the pursuit of lifelong learning and each year proudly recognizes indi-
viduals who have made a difference in non-traditional educational ways
to create an environment in which children can grow; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Toles truly merits such recognition; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Toles grew up in the foster care system and recalls
how he felt cast aside during the summer; there were no structured
activities for him to participate in or recreational centers to visit
and, his foster parents left him and the other foster children in their
care to fend for themselves; and
WHEREAS, Having had this experience, Joseph Toles felt compelled to
start The Joseph Toles Foundation so that other children in foster care
would not have to endure the same adversities as he did when he was in
the foster care system; and
WHEREAS, The Joseph Toles Foundation was founded in June of 2005 by
Joseph "Tornado" Toles and is recognized as a nonprofit public charity
under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
WHEREAS, The Joseph Toles Foundation provides the opportunity for
children in foster care to have a camping experience where they are
safe, respected, and loved; by participating in innovative programs, the
campers have fun, learn new skills, and leave with a profoundly
strengthened spirit; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Toles personally visits various community groups and
philanthropic organizations to raise money to cover the expenses for the
campers, as a result, the children are able to attend the programs at no
cost; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the foundation is to provide, locate, refer,
and subsidize social skills development seminars, workshops, retreats
and camping experiences for children, parents, guardians and profes-
sionals who work toward the development of individuals and families; and
WHEREAS, Through program development, social and corporate outreach,
grant-writing and fundraising events, The Joseph Toles Foundation
strives to make sure that no willing candidate will miss an opportunity
for individual or community betterment; and
WHEREAS, Driven by the philosophy of its Founder and Chair, the focus
of The Joseph Toles Foundation continues to be community service, lead-
ership and organizational excellence, principles which provide the
structure for the work of the Foundation to make a meaningful difference
in the lives of children, their parents or guardians and those working
with them; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Toles resides in Huntington, New York with his foster
sons and is employed as a High School Guidance Counselor in the Half
Hollow Hills Central School District; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, it is appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend them for the
edification and emulation of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Joseph Toles upon the occasion of his designation as the recipient
of a 2012 Educational Advancement Foundation Salute To Excellence in
Community Education Award on June 23, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Joseph Toles.