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More than 800 served at St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center dinner; task force chair asks for support at Tuesday meeting

Posted 9/16/13

The Ogdensburg Knights of Columbus volunteers served over 800 meals to raise funds to support the efforts of the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center Task Force to keep the inpatient facilities at the …

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More than 800 served at St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center dinner; task force chair asks for support at Tuesday meeting

Posted

The Ogdensburg Knights of Columbus volunteers served over 800 meals to raise funds to support the efforts of the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center Task Force to keep the inpatient facilities at the institution open.

Organizers said they "could not be more pleased with success of the dinner," in a statement issued Monday morning.

The SLPC Task Force is working to convince New York State to keep the in-patient facilities at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center open for both children and adults. Chairman Chuck Kelly chairman said that in addition to the Knights of Columbus, there was a strong showing of volunteers from the SLPC staff, local residents and volunteers from surrounding communities.

Kelly said it was a team effort headed up by Nelson Woods, Grand Knight; Albert (Bert) Doe, chief volunteer cook; Joe Lightfoot, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and also Task Force members, who had the responsibility of organizing volunteers.

"The event came together like clockwork," Kelly said. 'We would also like to thank everyone who purchased tickets. Many people who attended Saturday's dinner also made an additional donation by buying T-shirts. Saturday was a great day for SLPC, the Task Force and the North Country," he said in the release.

Kelly also called for public support at public meeting at city hall at 10 a.m. Tuesday where state officials will hear from the residents about why the psychiatric center is important to the area.

"If we are to succeed in convincing Governor Andrew Cuomo to take a second look at his decision to close SLPC, which has served the North Country and the New York State residents for more than 120 years, we will need the continued support of the region and the turnout Saturday night is just one more example of how the North Country is united behind this effort," he said. "We urge the community to come and show their support. The hospital has been open for more than 123 years and according to reports the quality of care offered at SLPC is among the State's best."