FEBRUARY
2014
T
Garden Center Services
HE LEAFLET
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Sunny and Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1
Boy, you talk about your winter blues! The cold and snow we’ve already experienced the past couple of months has at times made the delivery of our services more difficult. The largest effect has been on transportation, but the extreme temperatures have also been a lot for some of our heating systems to handle. On the days of sub-zero temperatures we’ve closed our day programs as to not risk any exposure of our consumers to the bone chilling and hazardous conditions.
FLOWERSHOW BENEFIT Page 2 BOARD CANDIDATES Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
I truly want to express my gratitude to all the staff that struggled with the roads and weather to provide care for the individuals we support. A huge thank you to our two-person
maintenance staff, Brian Fraider and Will Batistella, that spent many hours in frigid conditions clearing snow at our multiple sites. Their task was made much more difficult by the fact that our Ford pickup, with the plow attached, was stolen a couple of weeks ago from the lot behind the State street building. I also appreciate the understanding and support of the families regarding the altering of the schedule due to the inclement weather.
“Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone – we find it with another.” Thomas Merton Even with the crazy weather I think it’s very appropriate that the picture on the front of this month’s newsletter is of me and the agency’s mascot, Sunny. And that’s because as you look through this month’s edition, I hope the articles, pictures, and calendar warm your heart as you read about all the tremendous activities happening at Garden Center
Services. I’m very pleased and excited about the car raffle, the spot at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show, Saturday’s open house at the Blossom Boys, and our new relationship with the HARDBOILED Coffee Company. You’ll also see information about the three candidates for the two vacant Board positions that will be determined at the February 20th membership meeting. The work and contribution of our Board of Directors is vitally important to the future direction and presence of our agency. Next week, ballots will be mailed out to those families that have met the criteria to participate in the annual election process. Please provide your input in these very vital decisions. In closing, I’d to share a quote celebrating Valentine’s Day. “Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone – we find it with another.” Thomas Merton Peace,