Senate Resolution No. 4563

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 125th Anniversary of the Masonic
Care Community, to be celebrated on May 19, 2018

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those organizations within our midst who have
made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to
recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of
society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the
basic humanity among us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
125th Anniversary of the Masonic Care Community, to be celebrated on
Saturday, May 19, 2018, in Utica, New York; and

WHEREAS, On May 1, 1893, the Masonic Care Community, first known as
the Masonic Home and School, opened its doors in Utica, New York; and

WHEREAS, The facility was funded by the Free and Accepted Masons of
the State of New York and was built to care for the elderly Mason, his
wife, widow and orphan; and

WHEREAS, The first residents of the Masonic Care Community were
James and Margaret Borden, and the first building on campus housed
everything from administrative offices, seniors, children, dining and
medical facilities; and

WHEREAS, This vital organization grew rapidly, and by the 1920s
there were multiple dormitories for children, seniors, a full service
hospital and working farm on campus; and

WHEREAS, In 1928, the Masonic Care Community began offering
individual rooms for seniors at a time when others were housed in large
wards in nursing homes; from the very beginning this campus has truly
been a home with amenities that other area facilities could not match;
and

WHEREAS, The first independent living apartments were opened in the
early 1980s on an upper floor of one of the existing buildings; with a
growing need for this type of housing, construction began on Acacia
Village which was opened in 1994; and

WHEREAS, In 2003, the Masonic Care Community changed the way seniors
were cared for, adopting the neighborhood concept to resident care; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to its community, the Masonic Care Community
employs close to 900 people from throughout central New York, and over
the years has cared for countless seniors and children; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Masonic Care Community offers a continuum of
care to its more than 500 residents, as well as an award winning child
care center; and

WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 125-year history, the Masonic Care
Community has demonstrated continuous service to the residents and
communities which it serves; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Masonic Care Community is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its staff, whose involvement is, and
always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all
endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents an opportunity for this
Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to the Masonic Care
Community; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Masonic Care Community to be
celebrated on May 19, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Masonic Care Community, Utica, New York.