THIS MONTH’S ISSUE The View From My Chair
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GCS Annual Rock ‘n Roll-a-Thon 02 Garden Gallery Grand Opening
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Around GCS
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THE LEAFLET ISSUE JUNE YEAR 2012
The View From My Chair a message from our Executive director
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.
While you’re there, enjoy a cup of On Saturday, June 2nd, we held our Garden Center Services’ own brand annual Walk ‘n Roll-a-Thon, and we of coffee, which is now for sale at the were blessed with wonderful weather gallery. and such a nice turnout of family and friends. It’s difficult to sufficiently I was interviewed about our new express my gratitude to the many location in Tinley Park last week on individuals and groups that once the Tinley Park Chamber Cable TV again donated their time, energy, and Show. The session will be aired every money to help make our event a great Tuesday in July at 6:30 pm on your success. I want to specifically thank Comcast Community Channel 19. Michele Hula of our staff for the work Continuing my she did in coordinating expressions of gratitude, this year’s affair, as “ It’s difficult to well as the Knights of sufficiently express my I would be remiss if did Columbus & Ladies gratitude to the many not acknowledge the Auxiliary for preparing and serving the delicious individuals and groups many individuals that have made financial refreshments. We had a number of new sponsors that once again donated donations towards the expenses we incurred this year which is exciting, as well as fresh their time, energy, and due to the vandalism faces in the attendees. money to help make our at the now closed Wesbrook location. The Since the last newsletter [Walk ‘n Roll-a-Thon] a generosity has been incredible, and it has we also held the Grand great success.” helped us get close to Opening of the Garden our original goal of $22,500, which was Gallery & Studio which was a huge the money needed to prepare our new success! Read about day program location for occupancy. it on page four. If you COFFEE Co. weren’t able to make Thank you everyone for your ongoing it that night please support of Garden Center Services and stop by when you the wonderful people we serve. can to view this new programmatic and business venture. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good.
12oz Med. Dark Roast
GC Original Blend Proceeds benefit Garden Center Services Providing supports to persons with developmental disabilities since 1956
Garden Center's new coffee brand is now for sale at Garden Gallery & Studio
A 5 0 1 ( c ) ( 3 ) N o n p r o fit organization
GCS 2012 Rock ‘n Roll-a-Thon Walk ‘n Roll participants enjoyed beautiful weather, great food prepared by the Knights of Columbus and the music stylings of DJ Loren Gent of Fun! Fun! Fun! DJs while raising needed money for agency programs and services. The event featured games for the kids, a music improv area, vendor booths, silent auction and a live art auction of works supplied by the Garden Gallery & Studio. Thank you to the many vendors and supporters who helped make this event a great success! Event Sponsors • • • •
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Lou Viverito Lagestee-Mulder E Anthony
• • • •
Frega and Associates Special Needs Tax Services Abide in Me Conway and Sons Lawn Care
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Coca Cola Weinstein Meats The Private Bank Geo’s Gyros
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George and Aldona Sturba Ploskonka family Margaret Srebalus Hallberg Insurance
Donations
Carla takes Miss Teen Illinois International, Claudia Maka’s, sash for a turn around the building
Ashley and Ronnie pose for the camera
Stacey and Dorothy enjoy the day
THANK YOU Knights of Columbus St. Louis de Montfort Council # 14553! Garden Center would like to extend a special thank you to the Knights of Columbus St. Louis de Montfort Council # 14553 who have been a great supporter for many years. In addition to being one of the councils which collaborates with us on the annual Tootsie Roll drive, the Knights #14553 have been in charge of the cookout at our Walk ‘n Rolla-Thon for the past couple of years. Recently, several of their members Several volunteered to complete needed members of landscaping, deck painting, as the Knights well as many other tasks for our of Columbus donated their new Oak Lawn home. On June time to do 18th, the Knights are also hosting landscaping a fundraiser for Garden Center at and paint the deck at our The Knights of Columbus St. Louis de Montfort Council Chuck’s Cafe (details next page). Oak Lawn # 14553 pose with Gerry after the Walk ‘n Roll-a-Thon home Thank You Knights!
G a rd en Gal l er y & S t u d i o G r a nd Openi ng Garden Gallery & Studio’s Grand Opening Event was a resounding success! The gallery was filled with enthusiastic Tinley Park community members and Garden Center supporters enjoying the beautiful creations and festive atmosphere.
Computers
Ed ‘n Joe’s Restaurant provided fantastic food and drinks while gallery patrons were serenaded by a string bass and guitar duo. Many of the local artists with works on display were on-hand to talk with visitors. The gallery’s gift shop also proved popular as we sold coffee mugs, T-shirts, prints, and cards along with numerous paintings and sculptures.
Garden Center’s NEEDS List
Sofa/Chairs for our reading area
Gerry cuts the official Grand Opening Ribbon with Charlie Peer and Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce members looking on
Umbrellas
Bar-type stools
Free-standing shelf units Printer
If you didn’t get a chance to come by for the opening, please stop in to see our beautiful space and the work our talented artists are doing. Garden Gallery & Studio hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday’s - 8:30am to 5:00pm Wednesday’s - 10:00am to 2:00pm Saturday’s - 8:30am to 12:30pm
Phone
Office desk Microwave
Large coffee maker Books
Electronic keyboards (music)
Event tickets
Craft supplies
Frames for artwork Blank canvases X-Box games
Becca poses with a gallery patron who purchased one of her paintings
Board Member Annmarie Caulfield poses with Shawn Caulfield and Lisa Kunkes
GCS BULLETIN BOARD Don’t Forget! You can bring used printer cartridges and small electronic items like cameras and cellphones to GCS for recycling. Help us earn $ and save the planet while you get rid of clutter!
rundraise Knights nFe 18th Ju
ill ur meal w e cost of yo 15% of th d to GCS! be donate fe’ omfort Ca outhern C IL k, n a rb Chuck’s S u B th Street 9 7 . W 1 0 65 scafe.com at the www.chuck k one up site or pic ne 18th. b e w r u o on u Ju a coupon g it with yo Download Building and brin in a M GCS
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
Chris at the Blue Man Group. Tickets were donated by Ronald McDonald House near UIC
Stickney Township donated GCS this truck and a snow plow attachment!
Gerry Has a Blog! Check it out on our website by clicking the link on the top right hand of the screen.
EARN GCS $$$ When you "Like" Chicago Office Products Facebook Page For every "like" Chicago Office Supplies gets on their facebook page in June, they will donate $1 to GCS!
Linda Stearns Linda Sherwood Sharon Duncan Jenny Wojcik
Visit their page today at www.facebook.com/ ChicagoOfficeProductsCo Prepare Building for Occupancy GOAL 22,500
Impo rt ant Date! R KNIGHTS FUNDRAISE uck’s Cafe’ Ch at Day June 18th, All
$21,020
We’re almost there! Twin Hearts Ausism Foundation donated $10,000 toward our goal Don Borling, pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church in Orland Park, donated $1,000 toward our goal!
http://gardencenterservices. wordpress.com/
SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPE SUPER SALE
http://www.youtube.com/user/ gardencenterservices
June 24th 12pm-4pm
http://twitter.com/gardencentersrv
http://www.facebook.com/ gardencenterservices
HALF OFF EVERYTHING IN THE STORE! 19th Ward Alderman Matt O’Shea and his Aide Maureen Chausse drop by our new Kedzie site
44 Stephen Street in Lemont