Assembly Resolution No. 481

BY: M. of A. Barclay

COMMEMORATING the 200th Anniversary of the Female
Charitable Society, Inc. of the Village of
Baldwinsville, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those esteemed organizations within our midst whose work and civic
endeavors have enhanced the quality of life in their communities and the
great State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The character of life in Central New York has been ably
served and uniquely enriched for the past 200 years through the
dedication and benevolent concern of the Female Charitable Society, Inc.
of the Village of Baldwinsville, New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Female Charitable Society, Inc.
of the Village of Baldwinsville, to be celebrated at its Annual Meeting
on June 17, 2017; and

WHEREAS, The Female Charitable Society of Baldwinsville began as a
cooperative female effort in the Village of Baldwinsville, New York, to
fend off possible starvation among the members of the fledgling pioneer
community during the crisis of 1816; in each month of that year,
community crops were killed by frosts, which left many families hungry
and destitute; and

WHEREAS, By pooling their pantries, the women of the Baldwinsville
community were able to sustain life for their own community members, as
well as 250 of their Oneida neighbors who also faced starvation; and

WHEREAS, The following year, although agriculture returned to
normal, the women had discovered that the needs of their community
continued; in 1817, a band of women met and formally organized
themselves as the Female Charitable Society, a group dedicated to
discreetly assisting their neighbors in need; and

WHEREAS, In 1817, Betsy Baldwin was elected as the first President
of the Female Charitable Society of Baldwinsville; she led the meetings
of the organization, many of which were held in the Red School House
(1813-1830) located on West Oneida Street in the Village; and

WHEREAS, As the Village of Baldwinsville grew, so did the needs of
its residents, and generations have stepped up to the plate for the last
two centuries to maintain the society's viability as a quiet resource
for members in the community; and

WHEREAS, Starting the second century of its service in 1917, the
Female Charitable Society of Baldwinsville had 193 members, and over the
next 25 years, which spanned World War I, the Great Depression and the
beginning of World War II, the monies collected by the Society were used
to buy groceries, clothing, bedding, coal, wood, reading glasses, and

medications for fellow citizens; the Society additionally helped
individuals pay for nursing care, hospital bills and personal loans; and

WHEREAS, Under the direction of President Bonnie P. Kisselstein, the
Female Charitable Society of Baldwinsville's membership has grown to
over 400 members in size, both men and women, with hundreds of
volunteers sustaining the organization during its years of active
service; and

WHEREAS, Today, a working Board of Directors is responsible for the
activities of the Society, which range from quiet acts of assistance to
the high-profile Loan Closet; and

WHEREAS, The Female Charitable Society of Baldwinsville's Loan
Closet is located at a storefront at 10 River Street in the Village of
Baldwinsville; it makes approximately 2,400 pieces of durable home
medical equipment available to any resident of the Baldwinsville Central
School District at no cost; and

WHEREAS, The Loan Closet is open daily and year round, and
generously provides a wide variety of medical equipment such as canes,
wheelchairs (both regular and transport), hospital beds and mattresses,
commodes, walkers, crutches, lift chairs, gait belts, raised toilet and
bath seats, and tub rails; most items are loaned for as long as they are
needed; and

WHEREAS, The Female Charitable Society of Baldwinsville also makes
regular contributions to the Baldwinsville Community Food Pantry (housed
at the Baldwinsville First United Methodist Church), the Baldwinsville
Meals on Wheels, and the Baldwinsville Christmas Bureau, among many
other organizations within the Baldwinsville community; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the Female Charitable Society of Baldwinsville
has an item in their budget labelled "special needs," which is used when
schools, ministers, and other organizations such as PEACE, Inc., contact
them about individuals in need; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and having contributed to the growth and excellence of this
great Empire State, the Female Charitable Society of Baldwinsville, in
every capacity in which it has served, has left a permanent mark on the
Central New York community for the past 200 years; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize and honor the Female Charitable Society, Inc. of the Village
of Baldwinsville upon the occasion of its 200th anniversary; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
presented to Bonnie P. Kisselstein, President, Female Charitable
Society, Inc. of the Village of Baldwinsville.