THIS MONTH’S ISSUE The View From My Chair
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GCS Family Spotlight
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GCS 56th Annual Fashion Show 03 GCS Holiday Shopping Guide
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THE LEAFLET ISSUE NOVEMBER YEAR 2012
The View From My Chair a message from our Executive director
Preparing for this upcoming Thanksgiving holiday this year is very simple because I have so much to be grateful for. In the past few weeks I’ve had several experiences which continue to validate the true basic goodness of people, and also the reality of the positive difference our agency can make in the lives of the individuals we work for. Check out Gerry's Blog at www.GardenCenterServices.org
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.
Our annual Halloween party at Crystal Light was so much fun, and I’m not sure which does my heart the most good; the dancing, or observing the consumers’ pure joy & exuberance! It is also so gratifying to watch the staff that help with and attend the event throw themselves so fully into ensuring that everyone has a good time. From organizing and running the party, to ensuring that everyone’s makeup and costumes were just right, to getting anyone that wanted to boogie out on the dance floor; the staff did a tremendous job and I am so pleased with them. I was also very touched by the generous response of our families & friends to attend and donate towards this years’ Fashion Show Luncheon. I’ve been delighted with the positive comments I’ve received from those in attendance, and cannot thank those staff and volunteers enough that worked so tirelessly to make the event a success. The consumer, staff, and volunteer models were incredible, and looked fantastic on the runway. The outfits chosen from the Second Chance Thrift Shoppe were gorgeous, and the attendees could
not believe the prices when they were announced! The astonishing jazz vocals provided by Ms. Stephanie Browning, who serves as Garden Centers’ music instructor, really overwhelmed the crowd and was a great addition to the luncheon. The staff and volunteers from our wonderful thrift shop displaying and selling their wares were another positive addition, and I so appreciated them being there. It’s nice when an event goes so well that you find yourself immediately looking forward to the next years’ event! I’ve also been truly moved and inspired by the acceptance, commitment, and love expressed by two of the agency’s staff that recently celebrated the birth of their son that they knew would have some developmental disabilities. I cannot imagine a better couple to face the challenges ahead, and to rejoice in the special gifts they will experience, than these two individuals. Furthermore, I think the support and caring exhibited by the staff and families for this couple and their children helps define Garden Center Services and our values. Well, there are more examples I could share, but there’s only so much room on this page. In closing, may we all take time to dwell on the good things in our lives, and to be motivated by gratitude to express kindness to all we meet.
A 5 0 1 ( c ) ( 3 ) N onp rofit organization
Garden Center Family Spotlight Ken joined the Garden Center family only three weeks ago! He works with the Community Crusaders, GCS’s community-based program, where he has been helping with many volunteer activities including; baking for the families at Ronald McDonald House, cleaning the toys at the Oak Lawn Children’s Museum and assisting with food distribution at a local food pantry. Ken grew up in Park City, about an hour north of Chicago and now lives at GCS’s Moody house. Ken is an easy-going guy, who is quick with a smile and an offer to help if you need a hand. He says he enjoys working at Garden Center and he especially likes that he is able to get out and about so much with the Community Crusaders. When asked what he likes best about Garden Center so far, Ken says, “ It’s a good joint and I help out a lot.”.
KEN POGOR
Welcome Ken. We are glad you are here!
A tasty way your office can help Garden Center People at your office drink coffee right? By purchasing your coffee through GC Roast Coffee Co. (Garden Center’s newest business), your office can enjoy great tasting coffee while helping a great cause at the same time! Coffee can be ordered in premeasured individual packs, in 12oz bags, or in bulk. Available in whole bean or ground. Organic, fair trade and kosher options. Call Gerry today to learn how we can meet your office’s coffee needs. (708) 560-4400.
GCS BULLETIN BOARD
CHRISTMAS
COFFEE Co.
Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good.
BAZAAR
Support Garde n Center and get some holid ay shopping do ne at the same tim e! •Baked Goods •Gifts •Ornaments •Cards
First Fridays at the Gallery
J oin us
Art
Enjoy punch and cookies wh ile you browse. Each day program room will have their ow n display table of wares. Event is open to staff, consum er families, and the public.
See you ther
e!
on the first Friday of every month for wine, snacks, and live music while you enjoy the amazing work of fantastic local artists
17459 SOUTH OAK PARK AVENUE, TINLEY PARK
www.GardenGalleryandStudio.com
F O R
and more!
If you would like to donate sell, baked goods to in by please bring them 12:30pm on 7th er emb Dec
A L L
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Garden Cent
er Services
Main Building December 7th 1pm – 5pm
50% SECOND CHANCE O FF THRIFT SHOPPE ever yth in g
SUPER SALE November 18th 12pm-4pm HALF OFF EVERYTHING IN THE STORE! 44 Stephen Street Lemont, IL
GCS’s 56th Annual Fashion Show Celebrates Superheroes, Style and Smart Shopping This past Sunday, November 4th, Garden Center held our 56th Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon at the Doubletree Hotel in Alsip. Over 270 people were in attendance to enjoy the food, fun and fashion. This year’s fashion show saw a few changes that were met with wide approval. GCS’s own music teacher (and professional musician), Stephanie Burrow, performed several jazz numbers throughout the afternoon. In keeping with the event theme, GCS recognized a few “Everyday Superheroes” for the work they do supporting GCS and the people we serve. Award recipients were John Frega, The Fiedler Family, as well as GCS staff Babeth Kopf and Kimberly O’Brien. Another change at the fashion show were the models. This year, all models were GCS staff, consumers and volunteers - and they put on a great show! The fashions modeled were all from Garden Center’s own Second Chance Thrift Shoppe in Lemont. The crowd oohed and ahhed after each fashion and broke into applause every time the cost (average $8-$10) of the name brand outfits was announced. GCS would like to thank all who attended, our models and especially Michele Hula who organized this fantastic event!
Garden Center’s NEEDS List Christmas lights Empty cereal boxes Digital cameras Electric oven Laptop Computers
One of the awards of the evening went to the Fiedler Family for their outstanding advocacy efforts
Sofa/Chairs Umbrellas Free-standing shelf units Printer Phone Office desk Microwave Books Electronic keyboards (music) Event tickets Craft supplies Frames for artwork Blank canvases X-Box and Wii games
THANK YOU! If you have an item to donate, please email Anne McFerron at amcferron@gardencenterservices.org
Garden Center's 2012 Holiday Shopping Guide Where we grow
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dignity and
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independence
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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
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Linda Stearns Linda Sherwood Sharon Duncan Jenny Wojcik
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AR RISTMAS BAZA GCS ANNUAL CH 5pm to 1pm h 7t er Friday, Decemb e. Burbank, IL 8333 S. Austin Av
Y AT THE GALLER FIRST FRIDAY 9pm to m 7p h 7t er Friday, Decemb Studio Garden Gallery & IL Ave. Tinley Park, 17459 S. Oak Park
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IP MEETING GCS MEMBERSH h 7pm Friday, November 30t e. Burbank, IL 8333 S. Austin Av
http://gardencenterservices. wordpress.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/ gardencenterservices http://twitter.com/gardencentersrv
http://www.facebook.com/ gardencenterservices
1. Unique ceramic gifts, $3 to $25 - Garden Gallery 2. Crayon art posters, $3 for small, $5 for large - GCS Christmas Bazaar 3. Hand-crafted pens and wine openers made by local Tinley artist, $25 to $55 - Garden Gallery 4. Beautiful hand -made decorations for your home - GCS Christmas Bazaar 5. GC Roast Coffee in Original, Masterpiece breakfast blend, Empowerment dark roast and our new limited-time Holiday flavor, $11 - Available at Kedzie, Garden Gallery and online at www. gardengalleryandstudio.com 6. Beautiful hand-crafted Christmas ornaments and holiday decorations - GCS Christmas Bazaar 7. Glass and porcelain collectables - Second Chance Thrift Shoppe 8. Beautiful, full-sized 2013 calendar featuring the work of local and Garden Gallery artists, $15 Garden Gallery, Main Building and online at www.gardengalleryandstudio.com 9. Original, one-of-a-kind artwork created by local artists - Garden Gallery 10. Can’t find the perfect gift here? No problem. Just download the iGive button at www.iGive.com/GardenCenter and shop at one of the over 1000 participating stores to earn money for Garden Center on each purchase at no cost to you!
For more information, visit www.GardenCenterServices.org/our-businesses.html