Senator Michelle Hinchey Presents Chris Carpenter, Principal Volunteer at Amen Place Soup Kitchen, with Senate Commendation Award

AMSTERDAM, NY – State Senator Michelle Hinchey (SD-46) presented a New York State Senate Commendation Award to City of Amsterdam resident Chris Carpenter for his long-standing record of volunteer service to the community. Senate Commendations are one of the highest honors that a resident of New York State can receive and are bestowed to exceptional individuals who have made lasting contributions to their community.

“Amsterdam is a small city with a big heart, and Chris Carpenter embodies that sentiment through his leadership and tireless volunteer efforts centered on taking care of his neighbors in their time of need,” said Senator Michelle Hinchey. “As a driving force behind many critical community initiatives, like the Amen Place Soup Kitchen, Chris has been a longstanding champion of all who call the City of Amsterdam home. It was my honor to present Chris with a Senate Commendation Award for a lifetime of service to the Amsterdam community. I couldn’t think of a more worthy recipient for this great honor and look forward to watching Chris continue to support the community he loves.”

“I'm truly honored and humbled to receive a New York State Senate Commendation from our esteemed Senator who represents the 46th district of New York, Michelle Hinchey,” said Chris Carpenter. “I discovered a long time ago that kindness is contagious. No matter what's going on in the world, if we remember to be the example we wish to see in others and treat people with dignity and kindness, the little differences we make in our own communities will travel across our great state. I will continue to do what I can to help the people of Amsterdam throughout the many organizations I belong to. We're in this world together and together is how we take care of each other."

As one of the most active volunteers at the Amen Place Soup Kitchen, Chris Carpenter has been instrumental in helping hundreds of food-insecure community members access fresh food. Carpenter is also a lead organizer for the Adopt-A-Family for Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner Drives, run through the Greater Amsterdam School District — a donation initiative that puts holiday dinners on the table for local families in need. Carpenter was appointed City Commissioner of Deeds by the City of Amsterdam and manages community outreach efforts, in part, by managing the Facebook Group, “Family and Friends of Amsterdam,” which has over one thousand members who utilize the platform to promote events, small businesses, and share positive stories about the local community. Carpenter serves on the boards of the Mental Health Association of Fulton and Montgomery Counties, and the Amsterdam Waterfront Foundation.

###