DECEMBER
2013
T
Garden Center Services
HE LEAFLET
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
affected our consumers and helped them realize their own goodness and gifts.
Lorenzo and Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 LOREL RENOVATIONS
On behalf of the Garden Center Services’ Board of Directors, our program participants, our staff, and myself, I would like to wish each and every one of you a Happy Thanksgiving and a very, Merry Christmas. I believe we have so much to be thankful for as we look into the faces of the individuals we are lucky enough to interact with and understand how, in some small way, we have opportunities to improve their lives as we are improving our own.
Page 2 GCS FASHION SHOW Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
I also want to express my gratitude to all of you reading this newsletter who have contributed your time, resources, and talents in ways that positively
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. ” Helen Keller Our agency has always felt like a family and no matter how many individuals we are serving, we strive to maintain this fundamental significance as our foundation. This was ever so present at the agency’s recent 57th Annual Fashion Show Luncheon, with 340 people in attendance to support us financially and to celebrate our accomplishments through the years. I was really moved at this year’s event by a number of things: the joy and pride expressed by the consumer’s that attended this years’ luncheon; the camaraderie and lively conversations happening at all the tables; the stylish, graceful performance by this years’ models; and the fantastic
collaboration and coordination from all the volunteers. Please check inside this newsletter for the December calendar with the many holiday events that you, your family, and your friends may want to take advantage of. There are a number of occasions where you can mix with other friends of Garden Center, mark items off your Christmas gift list while supporting our consumers, and just have a really good time! During this season of thankfulness and giving, please remember our agency and the incredible individuals we serve. In closing I share this quote from Helen Keller as my hope for us all during this holiday season. “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” Wishing you happiness,
GARDEN CENTER SERVICES LOREL RENOVATIONS
Broken countertops and dilapidated cabinets are just a few of the issues the remodel will address
The kitchen at Garden Center’s Lorel house is in need of renovation. The home was built in the 60’s and hasn’t had an update since that time. Garden Center is working with Andersonville Kitchen & Bath owners, Ogi and Maja Guzina, on a complete renovation of the space. Ogi and Maja have generously offered to complete the kitchen construction including custom cabinetry and counter tops in a new, more Proposed remodel by efficient and beautiful layout at no cost to Andersonville Kitchen & Bath Garden Center. They have already completed the drawings and are ready to being work. Before construction can begin, however, Garden Center will need to put a new subfloor in the kitchen. We would also like to purchase new appliances for the renovated space. We need your help to make this dream a reality for the ladies of Lorel house, please contact Jennifer Georgis at 773-941-4151 Ext. 218 or by email at jGeorgis@GardenCenterServices.org to donate.
AKB CHICAGO
w w w . a k b c h i c a g o . c o m
My Wish Program Each year, GCS consumers choose a WISH, one thing outside of regular programming they would love to do, and GCS staff work to make it happen. Recently, as a part of the My Wish program, Jonathan and Sal visited Chinatown. They ate at a great restaurant and enjoyed shopping at the many unique stores up and down Cermak Avenue. Each found and purchased a treasure to bring home with them as a reminder of their day.
Sal and Jonathan visit Chinatown
Part of the funding for the My Wish program is provided through Garden Center’s iGive fundraiser. People who sign up for iGive earn money for Garden Center every time they shop online at over 1300 stores. The money is paid to Garden Center by the store at no cost to you. iGive shoppers have earned over $500 Just some for Garden Center so far. Sign up by December 2nd and earn GCS an of the 1300+ additional $5 bonus! See the ad on the back of this newsletter for more Stores that details and help us make more wishes come true! participate
G C S
in iGive
B U S I N E S S
C O R N E R
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT is an amazing place to shop for everything Christmas! From decorations to jewelry, toys to clothes, Second Chance has everything you need to make your holidays merry & bright while keeping your pocket book full. Don’t know what to buy? Pick up a Second Chance Gift Card! 44 Stephen Street Lemont, IL 60439 630-243-1279 HOURS M-S 10am to 4pm Thur 10am to 7pm
2
Do good when you shop... COFFEE Co.
. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good
This Fitz & Floyd Father Christmas ($300 new) is ONLY $200 at Second Chance!
GCS’s 57th Annual Fashion Show Garden Center Services held it’s 57th Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon, An Evening in Paris, on November 10th at the DoubleTree Hotel in Alsip, IL. With over 340 in attendance, Garden Center raised needed funds for residential and vocational services while having an amazing time! Beautiful fashions from Garden Center’s Second Chance Thrift Shoppe were modeled by staff, consumers and families. The fashion ensembles put together by the Thrift Shoppe were absolutely stunning. Some accessories for the event were provided by Funky Fashion in Mt. Greenwood. During the event, Executive Director Gerry Beagles, took time to recognize some of the organizations and individuals who have been especially supportive to Garden Center over the past year. The United Methodist Church of Mt. Greenwood received the GCS Partner of the Year Award for their generous support of the agency since we relocated one of our program sites to the Mt. Greenwood area. Mecor, Inc. received the Business of the Year Award for their many years of ongoing support of the agency, and Mrs. Connie Bednarczyk received the Parent of the Year Award for her tireless fundraising and volunteer efforts on behalf of the agency and those Garden Center supports. Thank you to the many volunteers who helped make this year’s Fashion Show a success and to the attendees who made it so much fun!
Connie Bednarczyk Parent of the Year
Vince DeMar Business ofia, Mecor the Year
An amazing turnout of GCS Supporters!
LaTisha from our Oak Lawn house struts her stuff
Ron & Bonnie Nalepa of Second Chance Thrift Shoppe
walk Melissa on the cat
Mike Pulliam, Mt. Greenwood UMC, Partner of the Year
AMAZING ANNABELLE In September, when Annabelle Winters, Garden Center’s Behavior Analyst, committed to running three marathons in three months to raise money for Garden Center, we knew she would do well because she makes a habit of doing things well. What we didn’t know, was just how amazing Annabelle’s journey would be. On September 1st, Annabelle ran and won her first marathon, the No Frills Marathon in Minocqua, WI. On October 13th, Annabelle ran the Chicago Marathon in an amazing 3 hours and 13 minutes! And on November 9th, Annabelle ran the challenging Catalina Eco Marathon in Catalina Island, CA where she placed 10th overall and 1st in the women’s division. Annabelle will soon be closing her fundraising page for Garden Center associated with this amazing feat. Please show your support by visiting her page at www.GoFundMe.com/3zo0kc and her blog www.fluencysfolly.com.
W AY T O G O A N N A B E L L E ! ! !
Mark your calendar...
Friday, December 6th 1-6pm 8333 s. Austin Ave in Burbank enjoy punch and cookies while you shop for baked goods, gifts, ornaments, cards, crafts and more!
GCS Holiday Bazaar
Sunday
1
Monday NEW
December
Tuesday
2
3
Wednesday
4
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
5 GCS Holiday 6 Bazaar
1-6pm
Y FRIDA FIRST ALLERY G at the pm 7-9
8
FIRST
9
10
11
17
18
15
16
22
23
24
29
30
31
ce d Chan Secon ft Thri Sale Super 4pm 12pm to
FULL
New Year’s Eve
LAST
25
7
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
12
13
14
19
20
21
26
27
rship Membe g Meetin 7pm ank at Burb
First Day of Winter
28
Day Programs Closed January 2014
November 2013 S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1
2
S
M
T
W
T
1
2
3
4
8
9
10
11
14
15
16
17
18
20
21
22
23
24
25
27
28
29
30
31
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
5
6
7
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
12
13
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
19
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
26
F
S
3
Growing dignity and independence 8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank, IL 60459 10444 S. Kedzie Chicago, IL 60655 phone 773-941-4151 email info@gardencenterservices.org
Donna and Gary practice sight words
web www.GardenCenterServices.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS President
Daniel Wenzler
1st Vice President
Jenny Wojcik
2nd Vice President
Doug Combs
Treasurer
R. Pat Ballis
Secretary
Annmarie Caulfield
Members:
Sharon Duncan
Karen & Tim at
Cantigny Par k
Scott Hardek John J. Kunkes Sean O’Shea Linda Sherwood
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.
LaShawn, State Street DSP, shows off her secret number after winning the Chili Cook-off!
December GCS Membership Meeting Thursday, Dec. 19th at 7pm 8333 S. Austin in Burbank Join us for our holiday membership meeting. We will provide pizza and drinks.
Please bring a holiday treat to share
made Day cards Veteran’s rew h C it y w it n es Bob pos ’s Commu S C G y b rs for soldie
SIGN UP FOR GCS’s NEW PHONE LIST Receive calls about important GCS news to your home, mobile or work number (or all three). Just email your name and the number(s) where you would like to receive phone alerts to Jennifer Georgis at jGeorgis@ GardenCenterServices.org.
or call Jennifer at 773-941-4151 Ext. 218.
GCS will earn a $5 BONUS for each person who signs up with iGive from now until December 2nd! If you haven’t signed up for iGive, now is the perfect time! Just visit www.igive.com and choose Garden Center Services as your charity of choice. You’ll instantly start earning money for GCS every time you shop at the over 1300 stores registered with iGive. Join today & help GCS with every online holiday purchase you make!