Senate Resolution No. 2650

BY: Senator RANZENHOFER

COMMEMORATING the 22nd Annual Hunter's Day of Hope
and Prayer for Children on February 15, 2020, in
conjunction with their annual day to raise awareness
and support for Leukodystrophies

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality of life for children in the communities across this great
State of New York is enriched by the concerned and dedicated efforts of
those organizations and individuals of distinction whose singular
purpose is the care and welfare of children; and

WHEREAS, On Saturday, February 15, 2020, Hunter's Hope will host a
day of activities and celebration for local families; and

WHEREAS, The Hunter's Hope Foundation was established in 1997, by
professional Football Hall of Fame member and former Buffalo Bills
quarterback, Jim Kelly, and his wife, Jill, in honor of their son Hunter
(February 14, 1997- August 5, 2005) who was diagnosed with Globoid-Cell
Leukodystrophy, more commonly known as Krabbe Disease; and

WHEREAS, The Kellys started Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for
Children on February 14, 1998, to celebrate the shared Valentine's Day
birthday of their son, Hunter James Kelly with his father, Jim Kelly;
and

WHEREAS, Hunter Kelly was born on February 14, 1997, and four months
following his birth, was diagnosed with Krabbe Leukodystrophy, an
inherited, fatal, nerves system disease; and

WHEREAS, Hunter Kelly lived to be eight and a half years old, and
lost his life to Krabbe Disease on August 5, 2005; the Kellys have
continued with Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children as a
celebration of love, prayer and thanksgiving for all children
everywhere; and

WHEREAS, Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children is a special
time for families to come together and spend time having fun while
enjoying music, dancing, games, face painting, and refreshments at the
conclusion of the event, there is a special time of prayer for all
children; and

WHEREAS, Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children is a free
event open to people of all ages, races and walks of life; the
celebration has continued successfully for 22 years and continues to
have dozens of sponsors throughout the Western New York Community; and

WHEREAS, In recent years, the event has welcomed approximately 4,
000 children and parents annually; and

WHEREAS, The Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children fulfills
one of the primary goals of Hunter's Hope, to remind parents how blessed
they are to have the gift of children; and

WHEREAS, Jill and Jim Kelly hope that though sharing Hunter's story,
they inspire in parents an appreciation of all children and thankfulness
for these precious gifts of life; and

WHEREAS, Through the Foundation is the Kellys lifelong commitment to
increase public awareness of Krabbe Disease and other Leukodystrophies
thus increasing the probability of early detection and treatment; to
gather and provide current, functional information and service linkages
to families of children with Leukodystrophies; to fund research efforts
that will identify new treatments, therapies and ultimately, a cure for
Krabbe disease and other Leukodystrophies; and to establish an alliance
of hope that will nourish, affirm and confront the urgent need for
medical, financial and emotional support of family members and those
afflicted with Leukodystrophies; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 22nd Annual Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children
on February 15, 2020, in conjunction with their annual day to raise
awareness and support for Leukodystrophies; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Hunter's Hope Foundation.