Soaring
September 2019
ADOPT A HOME FOR MADE IN THE SHADE 2019
Growth * Respect * Choice * Ingtegrity * Fellowship * Learning
Save the Date: September 21, Our second biggest fundraiser of the year, our Made in the Shade “Walk Run, roll” will be held on September 2st at Thomas Beach, Lake Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun) from 10 Am until noon and is always a wonderful morning of food, fellowship and FUN. Parking is free but arrive early as 900+ participants are expected. Wingspan partners with 6 other wonderful disability organizations—Episcopal Group Homes, Homeward Bound, Partnership Resources, PAI, The Phoenix Residence, and TSE, Inc., to raise awareness and funds for important needs. The seven collaborating organizations each raise their own funds but share in the event expenses. The committee works hard to attract in kind donations of food and water—all free for guests to enjoy. The morning kicks off with a fun warm up and then guests choose to go around the lake or relax and enjoy music from the stage. Back again this year are The Showstoppers featuring Rachael Kroog. Sing along if you’d like! We thank all of our sponsors from $250- $10,000 including: Associated Bank, Bergie and Darlene Bergerson, Virginia Connors, The Cox Family, Donna DeMatteo, The Eickhoff Family and Dell, Geritom Medical, the Horberg Family, “In Loving Memory of Bob James,” the Landreville Family, LB Carlson, Mark and Tracy Mooney, Angela and Ryan O’Neill, John and Jane Thames, Wealth Enhancement Group, and Curt Windingstad. We also thank the many donors who have also generously given in honor or in memory someone special. Donate via the enclosed envelope, make a gift by phone at 651.888.3112, or donate24/7 online using this link https://www.givemn.org/organization/Wingspan-Life-Resources/ welcome. Examples of items on our Wish List include: Funds for a basketball hoop and a sensory swing at Harmony House (our crisis respite home); a nice dinner out and/or a movie or theater outing for several of our homes including 16th Avenue, 29th Avenue, 1489 Hoyt, and Oliver House; raised veggie gardens for 91 1/2 Street and Wentworth House; new dishes, pots & pans for 17th Avenue and a dining room set; a patio set and living room couch pillows for 48th Circle; a dining room set and flat screen TV for Demont House; a Deep freezer, new furniture and pts & pans for Colfax House, dishes and an outdoor swing for Fairview House, a coffee table and TV stand for Glenpaul, a house party for Groveland House, Arts & Craft supplies for our In Home program, a trip to Wisconsin Dells for Oakland House and raised bed gardens, flooring and home décor for Dayton Our House and Portland Our House, a living room chair and a boat ride for Skillman House (home to 107 year old Betty!), landscaping for Sheridan House, 3 season porch furniture for Skycroft House, and living room and patio furniture and a grill for York House.
Empowering Abilities. Nurturing Spirits. Caring for Life.
Culture Share Day In Service 2019 One of the many special annual events in our Plato Campus Learning Lab is our “Culture Share” day. Staff and guest speakers give short presentations on interesting topics, and many staff bring in ethnic foods to enjoy. Several of our staff arrive dressed in colorful traditional costume. It’s always a great day for information and inspiration, and reflects Wingspan’s commitment to promoting the rich cultural heritage of our diverse staff. Native American elder Nancy Bordeaux, CEO of Towacin Tanka, spoke about “Beyond Historical Trauma: Cultural Resilience.” She also had a timely message about listening to the heartbeat of Mother Earth and, as destructive fires blazed in the Amazon (source of every fifth breath of air we take in), she warned of the terrifying devastation of natural resources that is happening. She reminded us that water is life, and that we need to each spend more time taking a “forest bath” in nature to replenish our spirit. We had a great line up of 6 other speakers on additional topics: Swedish Culture by Jennifer Blomberg from In-Home. Single Mothers Culture by Eleaisha Jackson(mother of 3) from In-Home, and LGBTQ Culture & Wingspan’s Rainbow Support Group by HC Deb Hoffbauer from 16th/Skycroft. From the Plato Office: Vegan Culture by Nicole Pivec, Barbershop Music Culture by Nancy Klemz, LGBTQ Culture & Wingspan’s Rainbow Support Group by HC Deb Hoffbauer from 16th/Skycroft, and French Canadian Culture by Development Officer Darolyn Gray who was our emcee for the day.
Summer Fun For Wingspan’s Annual Picnic A carnival theme was chosen once again for this year’s picnic and we lucked out with a stellar day of picture-perfect weather. Clients had many options-- from crafts and face painting, to games including Plinko, ring toss, duck pond, lollipop tree, bean bag toss and-the highlight of the event—the dunk tank! Each splashdown brought squeals and cheers of delight. There were prizes galore and no one went home empty handed. Aesop’s provided the catering of favorite summer foods, and Culvers donated custard sundaes. A client from our In-Home program, John S., did a sensational job providing us with a saxophone concert for most of the afternoon. Here are just a few of the highlights:
Board of Directors Mark Mooney, Chair Angela O’Neil, Vice Chair Roz Allyson, Treasurer LeRoy Bergerson Joe Eickhoff Bill Hamer Preston Koenig Taree Leach-Junkersfeld Rose Sherman Bruce Smith Executive Director Therese Davis Editor Pam Carlson Story Contributors Therese Davis Darolyn Gray
www.wingspanlife.org
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