Resa Rosen-Murray receives the 2019 Joseph H. Mason Award
From left front, George Borrello, Tim Murray Resa Rosen-Murray, Molly Murray,
Amy Rohler UWAYSCC Executive Director, Bonnie Peters CSEA 807 Labor Representative, Dave Painter UWAYSCC President From left back: Andy Goodell, David Wilkinson Labor Union President,
Every year, United Way solicits local union halls for nominations and convenes past winners to select a member or staff person from organized labor who contributes to the community through volunteer service. This year on August 14th, United Way of Southern Chautauqua County honored Resa Rosen-Murray, a member of the NYSUT Labor Union, at Webb’s Captains Table in Mayville, NY.
“Resa is an activity leader for the Resource Center Senior Adult Day Habilitation program, and has worked at the Resource Center since the fall of 1979. She honors the Mason family legacy in many ways, and the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County is pleased to name her as the 2019 Joseph H. Mason Award Winner,” states Amy Rohler, Executive Director.
The community engagement that Resa helps to facilitate each day has deep purpose and provides learning skills not only for the people who attend the RCSADH program, but also for the community members who become engaged and are on the receiving end of the support. Resa’s volunteer activities have been instrumental in making positive community connects in our area to include: Collecting books for children summer recreation program, promoting reading to our youth; Collecting sports equipment for the summer recreation program; collecting books for the WCA ER waiting area ad making baby blankets for new moms in the WCA maternity; Baking items such as cookies and delivering them to our local police departments, K-9 dogs, fire departments, BPU sanitation department; Making bookmarks for SPCA, churches, local schools, JCC, fund-raisers, DD Day celebration, midway state park & Lucy Desi museums along with the libraries for children, adults including our surrounding communities – Falconer, Frewsburg, Bemus, Lakewood, Ashville, Mayville, Westfield; Resa helps with the Jim Roselle Read A Thon, Bark and Brew, Reg Lenna Kids Day, and the TRC Celebration of Life.
“My union NYSUT is very near and dear to my heart. Once my children grew up I had empty nest syndrome, TRCUEA is how I managed to fill the extra time I suddenly had.” Stated Resa. “My union brothers and sisters are an awesome bunch! We work diligently to try to improve the services that we provide to developmentally disabled, but also to enhance the wages, benefits, and upbeat atmosphere in the work place. Work should mean dignity, not Poverty! In a world where you can be anything, be kind – this starts at home, in your community, at your place of employment, in your heart.”
Unions present in support of honoring Resa included local Building Trades, CSEA 807, CSEA 6300, IBEW 106, IUOE, and the Labor Council. United Way Community Partners in attendance included Boys and Girls Club, Jamestown Community Learning Council, Mental Health Association, and the Resource Center. Public officials elected and running included State Assemblyman Andy Goodell, Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello and the team for Eddie Sundquist for Mayor.
The Joseph H. Mason Award: History & Background
Joe Mason was the Directing Business Representative of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District 65, representing southwestern New York and northwestern Pennsylvania.
Joe’s reputation for standing up for the causes of labor most importantly impacting the day-to-day lives of working men and women of our area is well known. Joe was recognized nationally for serving as the first Co-Chair of the labor management committee, a locally initiated revolutionary approach to labor relations. Joe Mason was most importantly a long standing member of the United Way Board of Directors. Joe exemplified labor’s commitment to serving our community through his devotion to the United Way campaign.
After Joe’s passing on, the United Way Board of Directors created tonight’s award in recognition of labor’s critical contribution to the success of the United Way. What followed was 37 years of the United Way recognizing the critical role that local labor leaders play in serving our community, in addition to serving the interests of the union members they represent.
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