JM Murray celebrated 60 years on Friday, October 23rd at our corporate office, located at 823 NYS Route 13, Cortland, NY 13045.
We began the day with optional tours of our facility, followed by a presentation from several staff members, friends and family of JM Murray, as well as proclamations by both Senator Lea Webb and Congressman John Mannion.
“When we prioritize diversity and accessibility, our entire community grows stronger. JM Murray has been working for 60 years to uplift individuals with disabilities and provide them with meaningful, community-based employment opportunities. I was honored to join them and present an official Senate Proclamation for their anniversary. I look forward to our continued partnership.” Said Senator Lea Webb.
Representative John W. Mannion said, “For sixty years, JM Murray has helped people with disabilities find meaningful work and fully participate in their communities. Every person deserves dignity, respect, and the opportunity to reach their full potential. Congratulations to the JM Murray family, and I thank the staff, families, and partners whose commitment to inclusion has changed lives and strengthened communities across NY-22.”
During this special event, JM Murray offered those invited a look into all that we do here and helped visitors gain a little more insight into both our Business and Services Divisions of the organization. For 60 years, JM Murray has served Cortland and the surrounding areas, and has been Central New York’s leading provider of services, employment and vocational training for individuals with disabilities.
JM Murray was founded in 1966 by John Murray, and a group of local businessmen, looking to provide individuals with disabilities opportunities for paid work. Over the past 60 years, JM Murray has grown exponentially! Diversifying our services, we now serve over 1,000 individuals, and their families, across 46 counties in New York State.
We closed out 2025 with a record $36 million in revenue, and we were also able to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification across our entire organization. ISO 9001 is the international standard for quality management systems. This achievement underscores our commitment to quality for both our business customers and the individuals and families we serve.
Marking this momentous occasion of 60 years in business, JM Murray sought to do something we have never done before — launch our first ever fundraising campaign for our foundation.
The JM Murray Foundation, a 501c3 organization, was established and seeded by a former JM Murray Board Chair in the year 2021. The purpose of the foundation is to enhance the experience of our consumers both within JM Murray, and in our community.
Such enhancements for our consumers could be, but are not limited to:
- Music, dance, art or horseback riding therapy.
- Funding summer camps.
- Assistance to first-time employees in the form of clothing, food, work supplies and transportation costs (including gas allowances) until payday.
- Assistance to individuals living independently for the first time with cost incurred (including furnishings, bedding, linens, etc.).
The goal for our first ever fundraising campaign is simple — achieve a total foundation balance of at least $3 million so that we can allocate at least 4-5% a year to enhancing the lives of our consumers in the ways mentioned above.
Through the soft launch of our campaign back in July, and now through our 60th anniversary event, we have raised almost $2.2 million in donated funds for our foundation! The campaign remains open until the end of the year, so there is still time to donate and help us reach our goal of $3 million (or more).
Coinciding nicely with our 60th anniversary event, and fundraising campaign, was National Disability Employment Awareness Month, as well as National Manufacturing Month; two key events crucial to both our Services and Business Divisions, of which make up JM Murray as a whole and help us maintain our mission to provide services for people with disabilities and their families that enhance the quality of their lives.
“As National Disability Employment Awareness Month is celebrated across the country, it is a testament to John Murray and the founders of JM Murray that 60 years ago they realized the contributions individuals with disabilities can make to any workforce given an opportunity. Today we have continued to believe in the pride and dignity of earning a paycheck and have expanded our compassionate support services to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families.” Said Ernest Dodge, President/CEO.
For more information on JM Murray, our foundation, or to donate today, visit: 60th Anniversary Celebration – JM Murray.
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