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Yates County and New York turned out Oct. 27 to honor Milly Bloomquist for her recent recognition by the President of United States and receiving the Presidential Citizenship Medal, the second highest civilian honor in the country. The shop named in her honor played host to a capacity crowd of friends, neighbors and grateful recipients of her efforts on their behalf. New York Assemblyman Phil Palmesano and State Senator Thomas O’Mara were in attendance to add their thanks, and personal letters of praise were delivered by aides from U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
At the Oct. 20 presentation in the White House’s famed East Room, along with 13 other worthy recipients, Milly was recognized for her half-century of efforts to feed, clothe, warm, and cheer the less fortunate of Yates County. Recognizing the negative impact hunger had on students’ willingness to learn, she initiated local school breakfast programs. Knowing that the problem must also be addressed in the home, she then founded Food for the Needy, which expanded to Christmas for the Needy, now bringing happiness to hundreds of families to whom the holidays would otherwise just be another day of deprivation.
President Obama quoted someone who said that Penn Yan has its own special system for handling emergencies. “If you’re out of food, call Milly. If your heat has gone out, call Milly. If you can’t pay your electricity bill, call Milly. If you need a winter coat, call Milly.”
George Schaeffer reiterated that policy, humorously adding, “But if the toilet is stopped up, call George.” Penn Yan Mayor Bob Church eloquently expressed the gratitude and love Yates County bears for her, and the thanks we give her for all she has done.
Perhaps the most touching moment of the afternoon came from Milly herself when she spoke of her gratitude for the unexpected national honor and how much it meant to her to meet the President and visit the White House, “But,” she said, speaking of the reception at Milly’s Pantry, “I think this outshines it.”
Yates County and New York turned out Oct. 27 to honor Milly Bloomquist for her recent recognition by the President of United States and receiving the Presidential Citizenship Medal, the second highest civilian honor in the country. The shop named in her honor played host to a capacity crowd of friends, neighbors and grateful recipients of her efforts on their behalf. New York Assemblyman Phil Palmesano and State Senator Thomas O’Mara were in attendance to add their thanks, and personal letters of praise were delivered by aides from U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
At the Oct. 20 presentation in the White House’s famed East Room, along with 13 other worthy recipients, Milly was recognized for her half-century of efforts to feed, clothe, warm, and cheer the less fortunate of Yates County. Recognizing the negative impact hunger had on students’ willingness to learn, she initiated local school breakfast programs. Knowing that the problem must also be addressed in the home, she then founded Food for the Needy, which expanded to Christmas for the Needy, now bringing happiness to hundreds of families to whom the holidays would otherwise just be another day of deprivation.
President Obama quoted someone who said that Penn Yan has its own special system for handling emergencies. “If you’re out of food, call Milly. If your heat has gone out, call Milly. If you can’t pay your electricity bill, call Milly. If you need a winter coat, call Milly.”
George Schaeffer reiterated that policy, humorously adding, “But if the toilet is stopped up, call George.” Penn Yan Mayor Bob Church eloquently expressed the gratitude and love Yates County bears for her, and the thanks we give her for all she has done.
Perhaps the most touching moment of the afternoon came from Milly herself when she spoke of her gratitude for the unexpected national honor and how much it meant to her to meet the President and visit the White House, “But,” she said, speaking of the reception at Milly’s Pantry, “I think this outshines it.”
