JUNE
2014
T
Garden Center Services
HE LEAFLET
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
years ago, works to identify and make happen one really, special experience of the individual’s choosing, for each of the persons that attend our programs.
Marnesha & Gerry There was an event held this week at one of our day program sites that aroused both joy and sadness, and I believe is a strong demonstration of what Garden Center Services strives to stand for.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 GARDEN CENTER FAMILY Page 2 WALK ‘N ROLL-a-THON Page 3 AROUND GCS Page 4
The occasion was a concert put together by staff and volunteers, focused on fulfilling a potent desire of an individual that is supported by the agency who is dealing with serious, potentially lifethreatening health issues. This person had voiced his dream of attending a Billy Joel concert in response to what would he choose to experience from the agency’s My Wish program. The My Wish program, initiated several
“...our agency’s tagline, “where we grow dignity and i n d e p e n d e n c e”, is not just mere words...” Most of the time their choices are those enjoyable escapes that we take for granted: going to a ball game, a concert, or a theater event; having a short get-a-way to a special location; a day at the spa; a shopping spree at a cool mall… And we’ve been able to meet a number of these wishes through the generosity and kindness of our supporters. For the individual I’m speaking of there was a heightened urgency to fulfill his wish due to his deteriorating health condition. Though
his symptoms would negate his ability to actually attend a Billy Joel concert, which staff initially tried to pull off, I saw such a commitment in our staff to put together an event that would hopefully, in some way, provide him with a semblance of his wish. They were able to obtain the services of an entertaining, talented performer that learned several Billy Joel songs which he sprinkled in the play list he sang for the guest of honor and everyone that attended this wonderful event. As the person stood next to the singer, smiling and swaying to the tune of “Uptown Girl”, I was deeply touched by his joy, and by the tangible experience of how much our staff really connect with and care for those we serve. I am very proud that our agency’s tagline, “where we grow dignity and independence”, is not just mere words, but something our staff put into action each and every day.
GARDEN CENTER FAMILY Greetings From
As you know, being a nonprofit program in Illinois is a difficult prospect. With the state months past due in paying us for services we have already provided - at a level significantly lower than we need - it is quite challenging to maintain the quality of support those we serve need and deserve. For the past several years, Garden Center has worked diligently to generate alternate revenue streams to alleviate the burden on the already cash-strapped families whose loved ones attend our programs. We do this in a variety of ways; through our nearly 100% volunteer-staffed Thrift Shoppe in Lemont, our Gallery in Tinley Park, by submitting grants to community funders, and through various events that we hold throughout the year.
Drivin g our
Dream s
This year we added another new revenue generating idea we wanted to tell you about. For the past several weeks, our Development and Administrative staff have embarked on a new campaign - Driving our Dreams. Through this project we have contacted, and continue to contact, numerous local businesses and community leaders to give them insight on the cost of just one essential, but underfunded, aspect of our program - transportation. Did you know it costs Garden Center $493 to transport those we serve to their programs and home again each day? We are asking those we speak with if they can commit to covering a day, week or more of that transportation cost to help Drive the Dreams of those we support. GARDEN CENTER
If you are a member of a group or organization that may be interested in supporting the Drive our Dreams Campaign, please contact Gerry Beagles at gBeagles@GardenCenterServices.org or by phone at 773-941-4151 Ext. 201 to share contact names or have materials delivered to you that you can share with others.
DRIVING
OUR DREAMS SERVIC ES
See you on the open road!
G C S
B U S I N E S S
C O R N E R
DID YOU KNOW? Second Chance sends out a regular email newsletter to keep customers up-to-date on the latest bargains and sales. Second Chance also maintains a Facebook page where they share information on amazing items that just arrived and cool upcycling ideas from their Pinterest boards. Join Second Chance’s newsletter list by sending an email to second_chance_ts@att.net. Visit www.facebook.com/ Second Chance Thrift Shoppe SecondChanceThriftShoppe and like the 44 Stephen St. page to see thrift posts in your newsfeed. Lemont, IL
630-243-1279
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And as always, please donate your new and gently used items to Second Chance Thrift Shoppe!
Do good when you shop... COFFEE Co.
. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good
Great deals for Father’s Day
how you can help GCS
SUPER SUNNY 5K & WALK ‘N ROLL-A-THON There is still plenty of time to sign up for our professionally timed 5k or the Walk ‘n Roll-a-Thon that follows the race. Stay for our cookout and enjoy raffles, dancing and fun!
Garden Center is in need of donations of the following items •
porch swing
•
basketball hoop
•
storage shelving
•
rubbermaid
Visit www.gardencenterservices.org for 5k registration or contact Jennifer Georgis for information on the Walk ‘n Roll-a-Thon. 773-941-4151 Ext. 218. jGeorgis@GardenCenterServices.org Be mindful that we will have a good deal of trucks in and out of the parking area in the morning as we set up for the day’s events.
-type storage containers •
digital camera
•
wall-mountable TV for exercise room
•
kitchen table & chairs
•
Wii game station
Please come as close to your registration race/walk time as possible to alleviate traffic congestion.
JUNE 7th NEWCASTLE PARK 6100 W. 85th Street Burbank, IL Race starts and ends on New England Ave. adjacent to Newcastle Park
There are lots of great places to eat near the gallery. Bring
Mark your calendar...
May 2014
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Sunday
ONLY $25 per ticket!
June 6th 7pm to 9pm 17459 S. Oak Park Ave. Tinley
Join us on June 6th for LIVE music and refreshments while you browse the work of our amazing artists at the Gallery.
Painted Silk
The convertible raffle will be held following the walk.
WALK ‘N ROLLERS Registration: 8:30am to 9:30am Walk Start:10am
FIRST FRIDAY at GARDEN GALLERY & STUDIO
Ceramics
Don’t forget!
RUNNERS Registration: 7:30am to 8:45am Race Start: 9am
Origami
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Important Date! SUPER SUNNY 5k and WALK ‘n ROLL-a-THON JUNE 7th 9am Newcastle Park in Burbank
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Fathers’ Day
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Second Chance Super Sale 12pm to 4pm
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Saturday
First Friday at the Gallery 7pm to 9pm
GCS’ Super Sunny 5k and Walk ‘n Roll-a-Thon
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All clothing at Second Chance is Half Price!
Spring Formal 7pm to 9pm State Building
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All clothing at 7 Second Chance is Half Price!
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All clothing at Second Chance is Half Price!
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All clothing at Second Chance is Half Price!
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July 2014
SUN
All clothing at Second Chance is Half Price!
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LIVE Music by Sarah Brooke
Weaving
Fine Art
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Growing dignity
Shop Second Chance’s Super Sale
and independence
Sunday, June 22nd 12pm to 4pm 44 Stephen Street in Lemont
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
Daniel Wenzler
1st Vice President
Jenny Wojcik
2nd Vice President
Doug Combs
Treasurer
George Sterba
Secretary
Sharon Duncan
Members:
Annmarie Caulfield
Chris rock s out with the
band
Mary Beth Herr John J. Kunkes Sean O’Shea Linda Sherwood
b lunch Perry gra d n a im T
o on the g
Get AMAZING DEALS on COLLECTIBLES LIKE THIS Thomas Kincade Illuminated Sculpture EVERYDAY at SECOND CHANCE!
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.
ABOUT GCS’ iGIVE PROGRAM We talk a lot about the iGive program at Garden Center, because it is such an easy way for our supporters to raise money for us without costing them an extra penny! If you shop online, please consider joining iGive. Just visit www.iGive.com and choose Garden Center as your charity of choice. Then every time you shop online, many of the online stores you shop at will donate a portion of your sale to us! Garden Center has raised over $700 so far with only 25 of our supporters having ever made a purchase through the program. Imagine what we could do if you joined!
This is just a few of the over 1300 stores who work with iGive. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM Adobe Amazon.com Apple Store Bass Pro Shop Bed Bath and Beyond Cafe Press eBags Entertainment Books Guitar Center Holiday Inn Home Depot
Joann Fabrics Kohl’s LL Bean Lands’ End Macy’s Nordstrom Office Depot and Office Max Old Navy Oriental Trading Overstock.com Performance Bicycle
PetSmart and Petco Radio Shack REI Sears Sierra Trading Post Sirius XM Radio Staples Starbucks Toys R Us Vistaprint Walgreens