Denesha Honored With Harry E. King Award
OGDENSBURG – One of the longest-tenured volunteers in the history of the United Helpers organization was honored at this year’s annual meeting with the Harry E. King Award, an award named for another long-time volunteer of the organization.
Susan Denesha of Dekalb Junction, who has been a United Helpers volunteer since 2005, was surprised with the honor earlier this month.
Mr. King’s daughter, Marti MacArthur nominated her for the honor.
“My father was quite soft-spoken, yet always spoke up when he had something to say, had a great sense of humor, and belonged to many community groups. I never heard him say a bad word about anyone. He was loved because he helped anyone who needed it and expected nothing in return,” Mrs. MacArthur said. “You could use those same sentiments to describe Sue. He would be honored to have an award in his name presented to someone like her.”
According to United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care Vice President of Operations Timothy Parsons, Mrs. Denesha’s time with United Helpers began when her father was a patient at the United Helpers Canton Nursing Home.
“Her journey with us began as a result of her wanting the best for her father, but she has continued on with us and quite literally helped enhance the quality of life for hundreds of North Country seniors along the way,” Mr. Parsons said.
In addition to assisting activities staff on lunch outings and field trips, Mrs. Denesha has been preparing and serving home-cooked meals for residents multiple times each month for nearly 20 years.
“Our residents look forward to these meals perhaps more than anything on the calendar,” said Activities Director Patience Boswell.
In addition to being an active volunteer herself, Mrs. Denesha also helps recruit other volunteers for activities. Mrs. Boswell said she would bring in so many volunteers, that they eventually named Mrs. Denesha Volunteer Coordinator.
“We give her a list of our activities every month and she makes sure they all happen by supplementing our staff with people from her roster of volunteers,” Mrs. Boswell said.
Before presenting Mrs. Denesha with the award, Mr. Parsons read through a lengthy, but incomplete list of ways she has helped the facility including leading an Alzheimer’s support group, participating in resident council meetings, fundraising, casino outings, lunch outings, arranging for preferred seating at the county fair, bake sales, help with trick or treating, and more.
“Sue is our biggest cheerleader, but will not hesitate to inform us when we can do better for our residents. She makes it possible for us to offer more activities and programming,” Mr. Parsons said. “She inspires us all to do more and be better people.”
This was the third time the Harry E. King Award has been awarded, previously going to Dr. Edward Gordon in 2020 and Wayne Ladouceuer in 2017.
Mrs. MacArthur established the award in honor of her father as a way to recognize outstanding board members.
According to the award’s description, written when it was created, “The award is not an annual award by definition. It is to be presented only rarely, in the case of a desire to recognize a volunteer to UH who is virtually unrivaled and exceptional in his/her commitment to UH and his/her service to UH’s residents, clients, and families.”
