2011-K315

Honoring Kevin and Betsy Carswell upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of the Good Neighbor Award from Family Services on April 7, 2011

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2011-K315


LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Kevin and Betsy Carswell upon the occa-
sion of their designation as recipients of the Good Neighbor Award by
Family Services on April 7, 2011

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 who would 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
Kevin and Betsy Carswell upon the occasion of their designation as
recipients of the Good Neighbor Award by Family Services to be cele-
brated at its 2011 Family of the Year Awards Dinner to be held on Thurs-
day, April 7, 2011, at The Grandview, Poughkeepsie, New York; and
WHEREAS, Kevin Carswell already had a busy career and a growing family
that demanded time and attention when his employer, IBM, first asked him
to oversee the Charitable Contribution Campaign; at the time he was
unaware of how it would change his life as well as his family's life;
and
WHEREAS, When Kevin Carswell joined the IBM community work project
donating time and muscle to a small renovation job, he fell in love with
the work; during his first year he dedicated his time to nine community
projects; he enjoyed the people, the work, and the new skills he learned
from talented craftsmen; since then, he has worked on projects such as
the ramp at the Partnership Center for nonprofits throughout the Hudson
Valley Region; and
WHEREAS, Betsy Carswell often volunteered as class mother, event
organizer, graphic designer, and all-around-go-to-person, almost full-
time, at their children's schools; a lover of the outdoors, particularly
birds, she enjoyed volunteering for the Audubon Society and other envi-
ronmental groups and it soon became central to their family life; and
WHEREAS, Kevin Carswell was approached by the New York Blood Center to
organize a blood drive and as the Hudson Valley Education Chair, he
enlisted schools and other groups to organize blood drives and education
sessions; he especially loves his work with students, who are responsi-
ble for donating approximately 20 percent of the blood supply; all
members of the Carswell family donate either blood or platelets as well
as their time working at the blood drives; and
WHEREAS, Each of the Carswell children have carved out projects that
reflect their individual personalities and passions; and
WHEREAS, Megan Carswell, Kevin and Betsy's youngest child, organized a
summer blood drive for students; her dedicated efforts are not only kind
and compassionate but literally saving lives; in addition, she started a
tutoring project for fifth graders through Students Against Destructive
Decisions (SADD) and will serve as its president next year; and
WHEREAS, When their middle child, Caroline Carswell, learned about the
child soldiers of Uganda, she was deeply touched and moved to action;
she founded a chapter of Invisible Children Schools for Schools, in
which students share the story of these abducted youth and raise funds
to rebuild their schools; and
WHEREAS, Dan Carswell, their oldest child, dedicated himself to help-
ing others by volunteering his time working with Special Olympics while
away at school in Virginia; and
WHEREAS, For Betsy and Kevin Carswell, volunteering reinforces their
family value system; through volunteer work their children have learned
the challenges others face; when the Carswell's adopted a family for the

holidays both their daughters carefully considered what a family with so
much less than their own would need and want; and
WHEREAS, The thread that runs through this family's volunteer work is
their penchant to fill gaps wherever leadership is needed; they not only
do the work, but also look around for the work that needs to be done;
the members of the Carswell family have shown the best characteristics
of what a good neighbor should be, making them worthy of this auspicious
award; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Kevin and Betsy Carswell upon the occasion of their designation as
recipients of the Good Neighbor Award from Family Services on April 7,
2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Kevin and Betsy Carswell.

actions

  • 29 / Mar / 2011
    • ADOPTED

Resolution Details

Law Section:
Resolutions, Legislative

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