Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Announces

Recipient of the 19th Annual Crystal Apple Award

Hudson, NY, February 29, 2008 – The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce The Firemen's Home of the State of NY as the recipient of the 19 th Annual Crystal Apple Award. The Gala was held on Friday, February 29, 2008 at Columbia Golf and Country Club in Claverack. Over 100 attendees enjoyed a fabulous dinner crafted by the staff at Columbia Golf and Country Club. A video created by Midhudsonmedia highlighted the 2007 accomplishments of the five finalists and a Steuben Glass crystal apple was presented to The Firemen's Home of the State of NY by the event keynote speaker Patrick Foye and Chamber Chairman John Maiuri.

The Firemen's Association of the State of New York (FASNY) was proud to present the community a brand new 126,000 sq. foot, 92 bed skilled nursing facility in 2007. Built at a cost of over $31 million their mission stays the same, to provide the best nursing care possible to volunteer firefighters, ladies auxiliaries and their spouses. After 2 years of building the 88 members moved into their new home on June 28, 2007. Of their current census of 90, 30 are Columbia County residents. Their facility was designed with all the comforts of home and every amenity possible, so members are able to enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle.

The Firemen's Home budget of over $10 million provides a good living for their 195 staff on hand. Roughly $5.5 million of the budget is paid out in salaries alone. They pride themselves on using local vendors, physicians, and hospital services and have created 45 new positions since 2000. The Firemen's Home provides access to state of the art skilled nursing care for the volunteer firefighters and ladies auxiliary and spouses who have given their time so unselfishly.

The other finalists included: Crosswinds at Hudson/3d Development, The Mac-Haydn Theatre, Spencertown Academy Arts Center and SunDog Solar. The annual award is presented to a Chamber member business to recognize an extraordinary contribution to economic progress, community improvement, and the quality of life in Columbia County during 2007.

The event was sponsored by First Niagara Bank, Kinderhook Bank, Taconic Farms, Inc., Midhudsonmedia, The Register-Star/Chatham Courier, Columbia Hudson Partnership, Fingar Insurance, The Bank of Greene County, Dunn Builders Supply, Freeman Howard, PC, The Independent Newspaper and Shallo Galluscio, Bianchi & Fucito, CPAs, PC.

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, with its 850 members, is the leading voice of business in Columbia County, providing advocacy, promotional and benefit solutions for its members. Those seeking more information concerning the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and membership can contact the Chamber at (518) 828-4417 or visit the website at www.columbiachamber-ny.com.