GCS Newsletter THE LEAFLET Issue DEC 2012

THIS MONTH’S ISSUE The View From My Chair

01

GCS Family Spotlight

02

Exciting Kedzie News

03

Around GCS

04

THE LEAFLET ISSUE DECEMBER YEAR 2012

The View From My Chair a message from our Executive director

Check out Gerry's Blog at www.GardenCenterServices.org

OUR MISSION Garden Center Services is committed to supporting and empowering persons with developmental disabilities through innovative and person-centered services.

Our commitment to the excellence of our programs is surpassed only by our devotion to the people we serve and the communities in which they live.

I can hardly believe that another year is As you complete your Christmas preparations, coming to an end, and while the calendar may please keep Garden Center Businesses in be winding down, the busy holiday season at mind; we have a variety of locations and the agency is just getting started. But first, I events to help you complete your Christmas want to take a moment and reflect on the good shopping, without ever having to go to the things that our community has accomplished mall! this year, and to thank you for your involvement in “He who has not Stop by the Main Building on another amazing year at Friday, December 7th from 1-5 Garden Center Services. Christmas in his heart pm for the Consumer Christmas Bazaar, where you can purchase will never find it one-of-kind artesian crafts, while Together with your help, in enjoying homemade cookies just the past 12 months, under a tree” and treats. Then, head over we were able to do the following in addition to the Roy L. Smith to the Garden Gallery & Studio from 7-9 pm for our First Friday daily care and support we Event. Unique gallery pieces offer: • Open the Garden Gallery & Studio, an art will be available for purchase for those hardto-buy people on your list. And at anytime, studio for artists of all abilities; • Establish a new home in the Oak Lawn stop by the Second Chance Thrift shop to find community for six women with disabilities; some wonderful treasures at discount prices!

On December 16th, the Thrift Shoppe will be and holding their Super Sale from 12-4 pm. Be • Overcome a devastating act of vandalism sure to stop by and pick up those last minute by creating new vocational and office gifts and Christmas decorations. space at the Kedize building, with exciting new opportunities for the individuals we Again, I want to sincerely thank you for all that serve. you do on behalf of Garden Center Services and the incredible individuals we support. On We so appreciate your support and partnership behalf of myself, the Board of Directors, and as we continue to transform the lives of our staff, I want to wish you a Joyful Christmas individuals with disabilities! and a Peace-Filled New Year!

A 5 0 1 ( c ) ( 3 ) N o n p r o fit organization

Garden Center Family Spotlight

Charlie has been an important part of Garden Center since he began attending our program in 2006. He had a friend who knew someone at Garden Center and they told him how much they liked the programs so he decided to check us out.

Charlie works at the main building in the large workshop. He says he likes to do any job available and stresses how important it is that he do his best at whatever job he has. When pressed, Charlie admits he likes working with nuts and bolts a little more than the other jobs, but added that what he likes most of all is his paycheck.

CHARLIE PEER

Charlie grew up in Oak Lawn, where he still lives. In his spare time, he likes to go out with his Garden Center pals. Some of his favorite places to visit include the museum and zoo. Charlie says in his down-time from work he likes to “mess around” on the computer playing games and watching videos where he can catch one of his favorite tv show reruns - “Don’t Forget the Lyrics”.

GCS Holiday Shopping Opportunities

If you missed our November GCS Holiday Shopping Guide - don’t worry! You still have time to purchase beautiful gifts for the folks on your holiday list and support Garden Center at the same time!

Garden Center’s Christmas Bazaar

December 7th Hours: 1pm to 5pm Main Building Gym 8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank, IL

Join us at the main building gym (8333 S. Austin Ave. in Burbank) where you will find hand-crafted Christmas decorations, beautiful hand-made items for your home, delicious baked goods and much, much more!

Christmas houses, crayon paintings, hand-made decorations and much more at GCS’ Christmas Bazaar!

Garden Gallery & Studio

17459 S. Oak Park Ave. Tinley Park

Hours: MTRF-8:30am to 5pm/ W-10am to 2pm/ S-8:30am to 12:30pm

Garden Gallery has stained glass, pottery, furniture pieces and other original artwork that would make a wonderful gift for someone on your list - or yourself!

Can’t decide? No problem - just pick up a gift certificate and let the recipient choose between purchasing a great work of art or making one of their own in one of our art classes. Join us for First Friday from 7pm to 9pm on December 7th for live music and refreshments while you peruse our artwork and gift items.

Second Chance Thrift Shoppe

44 Stephen Street Lemont Hours: MTWFS 10am to 4pm/ R-10am to 7pm Donations accepted from store open to 30 minutes before closing daily

Whether you are making room for your new Christmas haul or looking for a unique book or collectable to give, Second Chance Thrift Shoppe is the place for you! Drop off your gently-used, tax-deductable, donations at our loading dock then shop our large, comfortable store for your gift giving needs. Visit us on Sunday, December 16th from 12pm to 4pm for our monthly Super Sale where you can get your purchase for an additional 50% off!

GC Roast Coffee Co. is offering our limited-time Holiday Blend throughout the holiday season.

You can pick up any of our highly-rated coffees at Garden Gallery, Kedzie Day Program, at the Christmas Bazaar or online by visiting “Our Businesses” on the Garden Center website.

Exciting Kedzie Relocation News!

Garden Center’s NEEDS List

Early this year, as many of you may remember, we had a break-in at one of our program locations.

The burglars stole computers and office equipment and vandalized the building causing damage so severe we were forced to move out. After a few uncomfortable weeks with consumers and staff from the damaged program working in the gym at the main building, we were able to find a new space.

Program Relocation to Kedzie $44,000

$28,550

Our new building, on Kedzie Avenue in the Merrionette Park area, has been renovated to meet our needs and we are comfortably settled into our new space. Every day it looks a little more like home.

The building houses 7 groups and is home to our staff training classes, several administrative offices and acts as home base for our community-based programs.

Electric oven Laptop Computers Sofa/Chairs Umbrellas Free-standing shelf units Printer

Soon after the break-in, Garden Center began a fundraising initiative to cover the costs of the move, renovation and equipment replacement. To date, Garden Center has raised $28,550 toward the $44,000 required to cover costs associated with the break-in.

This month, a long-time supporter has made a generous offer to help us reach that goal.

When Garden Center receives $39,000 toward the project, the donor will give us the remaining $5,000 to reach our $44,000 target. As of this month, Garden Center needs only $10,450 to reach the threshold that will trigger this generous gift.

Please help us take advantage of this amazing offer by making a donation on our website at www.

GardenCenterServices.org or by mail to Garden Center Services 8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank, IL 60459.

Just for Families

where we grow dignity and independence for persons with developmental disabilities

Winter 2012 Dear Friend, Because of you, a young woman who is blind learned to paint and discovered she is an artist.

Because of you, a group of friends transformed a house into a home, overflowing with love and warmth.

Because of you, a man with special needs learned new skills and experienced the dignity of work.

Your past contributions have helped Garden Center Services transform the lives of individuals with disabilities. Thanks to you, over the past year, we were able to: • Open the Garden Gallery & Studio, an art studio for artists of all abilities; • Establish a new home for six women with disabilities; and • Overcome a devastating act of vandalism by creating a new vocational space, with exciting new work opportunities for the individuals we serve.

Keep an eye our for our Holiday Appeal letter. Our goal is to raise $10,000 for New Day Programming Supplies and Equipment this year.

As we enter this season of giving we ask that you consider making a contribution to our agency for a very specific cause. Your participation in Garden Center Services’ Holiday Appeal will provide new Day Programming Supplies & Equipment, so that we can offer new, innovative programming, and increase the types of contract work we are able to fulfill. Reaching our goal of $10,000 would go a long way toward making the purchases we need.

As a convenience to you, we have created a Monthly Giving Club. This is the perfect way to help the incredible individuals we support at Garden Center Services. The Giving Club allows you to set up an automatic monthly donation through your credit or debit card. You can change the amount of your gift at any time. Giving even a small amount every month can add up in a big way!

Sincerely,

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Gerry Beagles Executive Director 8 3 3 3 S o u t h Au s t i n Av e n u e B u r b a n k . I l l i n o i s 6 0 4 5 9 * 7 0 8 . 6 3 6 . 0 0 5 4 w w w . G a r d e n C e n t e r S e r v i c e s . o r g

CHRISTMAS

BAZAAR

Support Garde n Center and get some holid ay shopping do ne at the same tim e!

First Fridays at the Gallery

J oin us

Art

Books Electronic keyboards (music) Event tickets Craft supplies Frames for artwork Blank canvases X-Box and Wii games

and more!

Thank You!

If you would like to donate to sell, baked goods m in by please bring the 12:30pm on December 7th

e!

on the first Friday of every month for wine, snacks, and live music while you enjoy the amazing work of fantastic local artists

A L L

Microwave

Enjoy punch and cookies while you browse. Each day program roo m will have their ow n display table of wares.

Event is open to staff, consum er families, and the public.

17459 SOUTH OAK PARK AVENUE, TINLEY PARK

F O R

•Baked Goods •Gifts •Ornaments •Cards

See you ther

www.GardenGalleryandStudio.com

Office desk

Your gift of $25, $50, $100, $250 or more can make all the difference in the lives of people with special needs. Please consider making an investment today.

Please consider participating in the Holiday Appeal and making a real difference!

GCS BULLETIN BOARD

Phone

7 0 8 - 4 0 7 - 8 6 6 6

Garden Center

Services 8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank , IL December 7th 1pm – 5pm

If you have an item to donate, please email Anne McFerron at amcferron@gardencenterservices.org

Where we grow

AROUND GCS

dignity and

independence phone 708.636.0054 email info@gardencenterservices.org web www.gardencenterservices.org

Board of Directors President

Daniel Wenzler

1st Vice President

Scott Hardek

2nd Vice President

Doug Combs

Treasurer

R. Pat Ballis

Secretary

Annmarie Caulfield

Members:

John J. Kunkes

Samantha, Sal, Charlie and Frank take a break from a project to pose for the camera

Maureen and Kelly Jo

Linda Stearns Linda Sherwood Sharon Duncan Jenny Wojcik

Joey rocks out to some cool tunes

Don’t Forget!

Hard at work at the studio

50% SECOND CHANCE OFF THRIFT SHOPPE everythi ng

AR RISTMAS BAZA GCS ANNUAL CH to 5pm 1pm h 7t er mb Friday, Dece e. Burbank, IL 8333 S. Austin Av Y AT THE GALLER FIRST FRIDAY m to 9pm 7p h 7t er mb ce Friday, De Studio Garden Gallery & IL Ave. Tinley Park, 17459 S. Oak Park

Tim and Katy

First Fridays at the Gallery

SUPER SALE December 16th

12pm-4pm

Rich flashes a smile

HALF OFF EVERYTHING IN THE STORE! 44 Stephen Street Lemont, IL

J oin us

Art

on the first Friday of every month for wine, snacks, and live music while you enjoy the amazing work of fantastic local artists

17459 SOUTH OAK PARK AVENUE, TINLEY PARK

www.GardenGalleryandStudio.com

F O R

7 0 8 - 4 0 7 - 8 6 6 6

A L L

Shop GCS Businesses http://gardencenterservices. wordpress.com/

another way you can help us make a difference...

COFFEE Co.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ gardencenterservices

.

Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good

For sale online, at day sites, & at Garden Gallery Gift Shop

http://twitter.com/gardencentersrv

http://www.facebook.com/ gardencenterservices

17459 S. Oak Park Ave. Tinley Park

44 Stephen Street, Lemont

GCS Ink Cartridge and Small Electronics Recycling

For more information, visit www.GardenCenterServices.org/our-businesses.html