Business

Mohawk Hudson Humane Society Receives Historic Donation; Reveals New Name for the Organization

CAPITAL REGION — On April 11, the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society received the single largest gift in its 135-year history, a moment that comes as the result of a donation from Business for Good and Lisa and Ed Mitzen. The $1 million gift also comes with a new name for the stateof-the-art facility that houses the Humane Society’s many programs and services: The Lisa Mitzen Animal Care Center.

“Much more than a gift, this is a collaboration, and we are already exploring ways to work together to fulfill each of our missions and to achieve greater equity in our communities,” said Ashley Jeffrey Bouck, Mohawk Hudson Humane Society’s CEO.

Bouck became CEO of the Humane Society in May of 2020, tasked with figuring out how to deliver essential services to the community while keeping staff and volunteers safe. Signature fundraisers became virtual, and the Mitzens served as the honorary chairs for the 2021 Gala for Animals.

“Their generosity helped make the event the most financially successful gala we have ever had,” said Bouck. “That is when we really got to know Lisa and experience her lifelong passion for helping animals.”

During the April 11 presentation, an array of elected officials were present including Representative Paul Tonko, Senator Jim Tedisco, Assemblyman John McDonald, representatives for Assemblywoman Pat Fahey and Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, Albany County District Attorney David Soares, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly, Colonie Town Supervisor Peter Crummey, and Florencia Feleder, who was in attendance representing Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, but did not speak. The unveiling was led by President and CEO of the Capital Region Chamber, Mark Eagan and the President of the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Kate Manley.

“Through venture philanthropy, entrepreneur support, and impact giving, the Mitzen’s mission is to build stronger communities and a more equitable world,” said Eagan. “Today’s historic donation to the Humane Society is indicative of their ongoing philanthropic generosity.”

“This organization does so much more than shelter animals,” added Manley. “Their growing humane law enforcement program and its efforts to bring animal abusers to justice is just one example of how the work of Mohawk Hudson Humane Society keeps all of us safer.”

The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society (renamed The Lisa Mitzen Animal Care Center) is the oldest and largest animal protection organization in New York’s Capital Region, serving Albany, Rensselaer and surrounding counties. In addition to providing shelter and care for stray, abused and unwanted animals, MHHS provides an ever-increasing array of services for animals and those who care for them. These programs contributed to a 95.6% live release rate in 2021.

Formed in 2020, Business for Good’s goal is to provide businesses and organizations with sustained support. BFG has advanced the model of traditional venture philanthropy to Do Good and Give Back to communities in the Greater Capital Region of Albany. To learn more, visit www. businessforgood.org

Lisa Mitzen, Ashley Jeffrey Bouck, and Ed Mitzen. Photo provided.

EXAMINATION APPLICATION FILING DEADLINE MAY 2

Correction Officer Trainee

• $45,712 hiring rate • $48,081 after 6 months • $55,057 after 1 year • PAID time off • GREAT benefits • Retire after 25 years

AT ANY AGE

Apply on-line today or download exam information at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/

Additional information about the position of correction officer is available on our website at https://doccs.ny.gov/

Newsweek Again Names Saratoga Hospital as One of the ‘World’s Best’

SARATOGA SPRINGS — For the second year in a row, Saratoga Hospital has been named one of “The World’s Best Hospitals” by Newsweek — a distinction earned by just 11 hospitals in the state.

Newsweek announced the list in a press release last month. Saratoga Hospital, a member of the Albany Med Health System, is the only Capital Region facility counted among the World’s Best.

The rankings are compiled by Newsweek and partner Statista, a research and analysis service. Their 2022 World’s Best list recognizes 2,200 hospitals in 27 countries based on three data sources: recommendations from medical experts, results from patient surveys and medical key performance indicators for hospitals.

For the full Newsweek rankings, visit www.newsweek.com/ worlds-best-hospitals-2022/ united-states. For more information about Saratoga Hospital visit www.SaratogaHospital.org

Pioneer Pledges Financial Support for Humanitarian Relief Efforts in Ukraine

ALBANY — Demonstrating its resolute commitment to helping those in need, Pioneer today pledged to provide critical financial support for children and families impacted by the war in Ukraine. Led by its 250-person Capital Region workforce, Pioneer will donate $20,000 to aid humanitarian relief efforts.

Nearly all of Pioneer’s employees support Pioneer’s Charitable Foundation through recurring paycheck deductions and one-time contributions made throughout the year. During the months of April and May, those donations will be directed to organizations providing food, clothing, school supplies and other critical items to the Ukrainian children. In addition, Pioneer will make a dollar-for-dollar match of all employee contributions.

At the conclusion of the campaign, Pioneer will work with St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Troy, to distribute the donated funds to relief organizations. Members of the public are also invited to make contributions through the Pioneer Charitable Foundation; secure online donations may be made at www.pioneerny.com/community.

Hubbard Hall Awarded $86,000 from New York State Council on the Arts

CAMBRIDGE — Hubbard Hall Center for the Arts and Education has announced it was awarded $86,000 in additional funding from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) towards new HVAC, sound, and audience seating systems.

NYSCA’s Capital Funds will allow Hubbard Hall to update its heating and cooling systems throughout its buildings, purchase and install a new sound system in its main stage space, and purchase and install new audience seating.

“These new systems will greatly enhance our ability to serve our audiences with world class music, theater, dance and spoken word special events,” said Hubbard Hall’s Executive & Artistic Director David Snider, in a statement. “This new equipment will allow our older and hearingimpaired audience members to hear every word spoken on our stages and to clearly hear a musician’s notes and a singer’s voice. It will increase the comfort in our spaces, by providing cleaner and warmer or cooler air, and more comfortable seating. It will also provide the kind of professional support necessary for high quality artists.”

NYSCA’s Capital Funds must be matched dollar for dollar. Hubbard Hall will therefore launch a matching campaign this summer in order to raise the funds to complete the HVAC and sound system projects later this fall. In 2023 the Hall will launch a second matching campaign in order to raise the final funding needed to purchase and install new audience seating in 2024.

Saratoga Senior Center Awarded Four Grants

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Senior Center was recently awarded four grants to support the work and mission of the Center. The four grants totaling $48,000 are coming from the Hortense and Louis Rubin Community Health Fund of the Community Foundation, a CapCom Infrastructure Grant and two grants from the Saratoga Arts Performing Arts Fund, regrant program made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA).

The Hortense and Louis Rubin Community Health Fund of the Community Foundation grant for $30,000 was awarded for a project titled Building Healthy Seniors. This project will encompass both support for both programs and services at the Center.

The CapCom Infrastructure Grant of $10,000 was awarded for the purchase of a new van for the Center. This grant, in addition to an $18,000 grant previously received from MVP, will enable the Center to make the purchase. The Center uses their vans for variety of purposes: transportation for members on local day trips to museums, shows and dining; to pick up about 2,000 lbs. of food each week for the Regional Food Bank Pick-up here at the Center, and as transport for those in need as part of our Community Connections volunteer match program.

The two grants from the Saratoga Arts Performing Arts Fund were made possible from a regrant program made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). A $5,000 Arts Education.

Grant will be used for Mosaics, Clay Arts, dance, and multimedium workshop. On a weekly basis the Center has two Clay Arts sessions, one Mosaics group and open studio time. Sprinkled in among these classes are various workshops in watercolor painting, card making, tile transfer class as well as others. The second Saratoga Arts grant is a $3,000 award for Community Arts. This grant will be used to conduct a lunchtime concert series.

The Center is located at 5 Williams Street in Saratoga Springs. Later this year they will be relocating to a new 14k sq ft home adjacent to the Regional YMCA on West Avenue in Saratoga Springs.

For more information visit saratogaseniorcenter.org.