THIS MONTH’S ISSUE The View From My Chair
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Garden Center Family Spotlight
02
New Host Family Program
03
Friends of Garden Center
04
THE LEAFLET ISSUE OCT YEAR 2011
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.
It’s hard to believe that on Sunday, November 6th, Garden Center Services will be celebrating its’ 55th Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon. This event holds such strong tradition for all of us whose lives have been enriched by knowing individuals that attend programs offered by our agency. I invite all of you reading this newsletter, as well as your family and friends, to join us at this years’ luncheon to commemorate the good that has been accomplished by our agency through the years, and to honor those parents, guardians, and staff that have made it possible. To purchase tickets, place an ad, or to donate items for our silent auction, please contact Michele Hula at (708) 3986506, mhula@gardencenterservices.org, or visit our website for more information: www. gardencenterservices.org.
In terms of support, I’m pleased to inform you that we’ve had our first generous response to our Planned Giving campaign. This friend of the agency and the people we support has taken the steps necessary so that part of her legacy will be the contribution made in her name as part of her will. The thoughtfulness of this individual, and her concern for the ongoing presence of Garden Center, touches me deeply. As anyone else would be interested in pursuing this type of bequest, please contact Michele at the number/email address I listed earlier. Some people have requested an option to provide a loving tribute for a friend or family member who has passed. I want to share with you that we now have available memorial envelopes you may obtain from Michele to be used at a wake or funeral.
As you can see, a lot of information about the agency, our current events, and fundraising efforts in progress, is shared through social media sites such as our website, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter accounts. Even if you do not spend time on the computer visiting these sites, I would ask that you encourage your extended family members and friends to check out these internet locations so that they’ll know what we’re up to and may consider supporting our cause.
In last month’s Leaflet, I referenced a couple of support functions being offered by our day programs which could be beneficial to local businesses. These activities are secure document shredding and the Garden Center Print Shop. Please contact me directly if you know of businesses that may be interested in these services. This would be financially helpful to the agency and provide meaningful work to our program participants. Thank you, Gerry A 5 0 1 (c ) ( 3 ) Nonprofit organi zation