Assembly Resolution No. 356

BY: M. of A. Jensen

HONORING eight-year-old Santii Patel for her
ceaseless dedication to children with disabilities
after building an adaptable community playground in
the Town of Greece, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those young people within the great Empire State who have
made strong contributions to their communities and who serve as role
models for their peers; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
eight-year-old Santii Patel for her ceaseless dedication to children
with disabilities after building an adaptable community playground in
the Town of Greece, New York; and

WHEREAS, Santii Patel is an eight-year-old little girl with a big
heart and a steadfast and unwavering commitment to helping others; and

WHEREAS, After visiting a community playground with her family in
the summer of 2019, this extraordinary third-grader felt sad when she
witnessed a young girl who was unable to utilize some of the playground
equipment due to her disability and immediately took action; and

WHEREAS, Garnering nation-wide attention for her efforts to build an
adaptable community playground for children with physical disabilities,
Santii Patel has made it her mission to ensure children of all abilities
can enjoy their playground experience; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to her community, Santii Patel created a
Facebook page called "Santii's Smiles," with photographs of the
countless random acts of kindness she has done over the years and
sharing her advocacy efforts in hopes to encourage others to join in her
generosity; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the construction of this vital and inclusive
playground, Santii Patel has been instrumental in the success of
countless charitable endeavors throughout her local community, including
the donation of her hard-earned piggy-bank savings to benefit the Greece
Police Department and an officer who is battling cancer; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, she brought coffee mugs and hot chocolate to
local first responders over the winter to keep them warm, as well as
popsicles in the summer months to keep them cool; and

WHEREAS, For her sixth birthday, Santii Patel asked for gifts she
could donate to the local children's hospital rather than receiving any
presents for herself; she also goes outside each winter to ensure fire
hydrants are cleared out after every snowstorm; and

WHEREAS, During the COVID-19 pandemic, this young lady has gone
above and beyond to help neighbors and her community, using money she

saved from the tooth fairy to purchase milk for her 97-year-old
neighbor; and

WHEREAS, Santii Patel has also donated upwards of 50 loaves of bread
a month to the local food pantry, as well as several books to the mini
libraries outside of schools in Greece; and

WHEREAS, With her sense of civic duty and her commitment to others,
Santii Patel represents the best development of the potential which is
inherent in our most precious resource, our youth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor eight-year-old Santii Patel for her ceaseless dedication to
children with disabilities after building an adaptable community
playground in the Town of Greece, New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Santii Patel.