JUL/AUG
2016
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
growth in self confidence is at the foundation of our agency. I am so grateful for the staff and volunteers that put so much time and effort into making our participants dreams come true.
Patrick & Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 ADOPT A HOME UPDATE Page 2 SUPER SUNNY 5K Page 3 FRIENDS OF GCS Page 4
This newsletter is full of articles and pictures which so capably represent the strengths and values of our agency. The Super Sunny 5K and Walk ‘n Rolla-Thon is in itself such a great example of so many people coming together in a spirit of collaboration and celebration to put on this annual fund raiser that provides much needed revenue to further our mission of growing in dignity & independence. But this year’s event took on a special focus and brilliance with the establishment of the “Sunny Striders”! Honoring the wishes of a number of individuals that attend our programs who wanted to participate in this year’s 5K, it was so heartwarming and inspirational to watch as these individuals crossed the finish line, beaming with pride!! Creating opportunities for achievement and
“Independence isn’t doing your own thing. It’s doing the right thing on your own.” Kim John Payne
I’ve recognized the incredible positive impact that the Adopt A Home program has had at the agency and on our financial bottom line in past newsletters. In this edition of the Leaflet you’ll find a short status update describing how this committed group of individuals, families, friends, businesses, and fraternal organizations continue to make wonderful things happen! Please join me as you can in thanking these generous persons. The pictures from the June GCS Formal is another statement regarding our commitment to understanding what’s important to the persons we serve, and our appreciation that it takes
a community of believers and supporters to make these things happen! This is also true of the ladies that live together at the house in Oak Lawn and have started an Avon business to fund their vacation to Memphis. Place your order today!! Lastly, due to the fact that our state is heading into its’ second year without a budget, and that our services are exceedingly underfunded to begin with, we have decided to lower the production and distribution of our agency newsletter from a monthly one to six times a year, beginning with this July’s Leaflet. This change will save a decent amount of revenue from the printing and mailing cost. You will notice that the calendar provided is for two months, which will give you more notice for our various events and meetings. Thank you, and have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July! May
God
Bless
America
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY ADOPT A HOME UPDATE
epot Home D
Garden Center’s Adopt a Home program is making things happen! In early June, volunteers from Home Depot gave the State Street bathrooms a fresh coat of paint. The Malloy Family and Simon Trinidad of Estrada Landscaping completed mulching at the ICF and State Street Program. Last week, the Knights of Columbus #14553 completed several landscaping and deck projects at the Oak Lawn home. This week, the Knights started to build an eagerly anticipated ramp that will make the Oak Lawn home’s back yard wheelchair accessible.
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voluntee
In just one week, volunteers will begin a much-needed kitchen renovation at our Moody home. The amazing project leaders have taken donations of cabinets and appliances for the renovation and are now looking for donations of faucets, flooring and counter-tops. The project has a couple volunteer carpenters/ general handymen signed on. We would love to have an electrician, plumber and someone to do drywall.
KOC # 14553
If you would like to donate your expertise toward this project and/or donate funds or materials, please contact Bob and Kathy Wegner at wegrf@yahoo.com or 815-600-0855.
JUNE GCS FORMAL
G C S
B U S I N E S S
C O R N E R
GCS’s Micro-Business featured product for June is: Hand-Made Glycerin Soaps ONLY $5
Visit our website to see scent options Order online GardenCenterServices.org/shop.html or at the Kedzie or State buildings 10444 S. Kedzie Ave. Chicago 8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank or visit us at the
Oak Lawn Farmers Market Wednesdays 7am-1pm
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Do good when you shop...
Hand-made glycerin soap
SUPER SUNNY 5K/ WALK ‘N ROLL-A-THON RECAP
Jonathan & Meg
Last month, GCS held our Super Sunny 5k and Walk ‘n Roll-a-Thon. Despite a little rain, it was a fun and well-attended event earning much neededfunds for Garden Center programs. The 5k portion of the day saw double the number of runners from last year. New this year was the popular Top Dog Division which allowed participants to run alongside their canine companions.
Kathy and her si ster, Dolly
We would like to thank the many families, sponsors and volunteers that make this event possible. A special thank you to the Knights of Columbus #14553 for the cookout and City of Burbank for their support of the event. A SHOUT OUT TO THE SUNNY STRIDERS! Garden Center’s newly-formed Sunny Striders began training for the 5k in April of this year. Although none had ever run a 5k race before, they didn’t let it stop them. All the striders completed the race in great time. They plan to continue training and run other 5ks in the future. A special thank you to Countryside Bank who sponsored the Sunny Striders for the Super Sunny 5k this year.
Dogs run with their humans in the Top Dog Division
SHOW SOME LOVE TO OUR 5K SPONSORS WHEN YOU SHOP!
HALLBERG- VALEK Allstate Agency
Friends of Mayor Klein Vita Coco Burbank Police Dept. PepsiCo CHFS Friends of Bill Cunningham Whittingham Meats Beverly Ridge Funeral Home Quaker Oats Ramar Supply Friends of Fran Hurley Dr. Albovias Senior Eye Associates Frito Lay Geo’s Gyros
Mark your calendar...
The ladies of Oak Lawn home need you! The ladies who live in our Oak Lawn home are planning a summer trip to Memphis. They hope to stay in Yogi Bear’s Jellystone park and visit local attractions including Graceland, Sun Records and a riverboat cruise. They are raising money for their trip through their new Avon business. If you would like to help, please shop their online store at www.YourAvon.com\ GardenCenterGals or if you would like to donate toward the trip, please contact
SAVE THE DATES! Independence Day DAY PROGRAMS CLOSED Family & Friends Forum SEP. 17TH 10:30am to Noon at State Road Program
Coopers Burbank Park District Knights of Columbus Wolf Bakery O’Hara & Friends Salon
Cindy Haworth 773-941-4151 Ext. 213
chaworth@gardencenterservices.org www.YourAvon.com /GardenCenterGals
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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 web www.GardenCenterServices.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS President
Dr. Jenny Wojcik
1st Vice President
Annmarie Caulfield
2nd Vice President
Paul Krutulis
Treasurer
George Sterba
Secretary
Florence Head
Members:
Caroline Connors Joan Strainis Representative Fran Hurley Dave Rauen Tom Beemesterboer
OUR MISSION Garden Center Services is committed to supporting and empowering persons with developmental disabilities through innovative and personcentered 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.
FRIENDS OF GARDEN CENTER $10,000 - $5,000 • •
Estate of Ruth C. Dietz Ronald & Alice Hall
$4,999 - $1,000 • • • • • •
Anonymous Donor Jenny Wojcik SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPE SHOPPERS Rita Jurkiewicz Linda Sherwood Robert Wegner
$999- $500 • •
John J. Kunkes III Victor Perez
• • •
Connie Bednarczyk Joan Pouleson Myrtis Winter
IN HONOR OF CHRISTOPHER SHADDEN
$100 - $499 •
Howard Beagles
• • • • • • • •
Peggy Hardek Dorothy Coyle John McBride Roger & Adele Guthrie Beagles/Haworth Family Margaret Horny Dennis & Deborah Conway Mary P. Malloy
• • • • •
Barbara Cesario Bob & Donna Willoughby BURBANK WOMEN’S CIVIC CLUB Daniel & Andrea Circelli Nancy Suski
• • •
IN HONOR OF MARY ANNE BEAGLES
IN MEMORY OF BOB HALL
IN HONOR OF JO LAPP’S 100TH BIRTHDAY
Cianain & Johanna Rickard Joan Fox Cynthia Malloy
IN HONOR OF KATHLEEN MALLOY
• • •
Ralph Storino EXELON Dee & Chuck Radgowski
•
Earl Ingalls
• •
John & Caroline Connors Marilyn Fitzgerald
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Thomas Greenwald
• • • • •
Carol Vodvarka CHARITABLE GIFT FUND CITIZENS FOR VIVERITO Craig & Florence Head Denise Doody
• • •
Edward Crowe Flora Tantlinger George Sterba Jr.
• • • • • • •
James and Mary Walter John and Nancy Krickl John Nemec Lynn Soukal Anonymous Donor Steven and Eva East Terry Viebach
IN HONOR OF KATHLEEN MALLOY IN MEMORY OF DAVID HENNIP
IN HONOR OF BOB HALL
IN MEMORY OF DAVID HENNIP
IN HONOR OF KATHLEEN MALLOY
IN HONOR OF RICHIE P.
• • • •
Up to $99
MARCH 2016 - MAY 2016
• • •
Brain Rotroff Dennis and Deborah Conway CLOROX COMPANY FOUNDATION EMPLOYEE GIVING CAMP Sherry L. VanKuren Ann McGrath-Harty Elizabeth Wojak
• • •
Myra Willard Francesca Manzella Jan Burrus
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Jennifer Georgis
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Mr. & Mrs. David Smith Mary Mann Ann Minarik Candy Sheridan Dorothy Ballis Dorothy Cook Douglas Combs Joan Cozza John Lillig Joseph & Joan Strainis Mary Quinn MT ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH NETWORK FOR GOOD Richard Rotunno Anonymous Donor Timothy Doherty
• • • • • •
Claire Fitz Rose Pisano Brian & Elizabeth Wojak Kathleen-C Malloy UNITED WAY CHICAGO Cynthia Palella
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George Harty
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Nancy Babel
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Beverly Nielsen Chestra Dohm Frances Mientus Jay Landis Laura Sweiss Linda Stearns M. Murphy Mary Cullen Mary Fitzpatrick Mary Schmuttenmaer Patricia Rafferty Rosalia Ahern Sylvia Bernardini Andrew Kapala Joseph Malloy
•
Michael Malloy
• • • • •
AMAZON SMILE Jo Lapp Mary Marren Bob Marsh Latoya Decquir
IN MEMORY OF JOAN MILLER
IN MEMORY OF JOSEPHONE LAPP IN MEMORY OF BOB HALL
IN HONOR OF KATHLEEN MALLOY
IN HONOR OF BERNADETTE BURROW IN HONOR OF JANE MCGRATH IN MEMORY OF BUNNY BURROW
IN HONOR OF KATHLEEN MALLOY IN HONOR OF KATHLEEN MALLOY
Thank You!