THIS MONTH’S ISSUE

THE LEAFLET

The View From My Chair

GCS Family Spotlight

GCS 56th Annual Fashion Show

GCS Holiday Shopping Guide

01020304

ISSUE NOVEMBER YEAR 2012

A 501(c)(3) NONpROfIt ORgANIzAtION

a MESSagE frOM OUr ExEcUTIvE dIrEcTOr

A 501(c)(3) NONpROfIt ORgANIzAtION

the View from My chair

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.

Check out Gerry's Blog at www.GardenCenterServices.org

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.

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 p r i c e s 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.

0%

FFthing

SECOND CHANCE

THRIFT SHOPPE

SUPER SALE

12pm-4pmHALF OFF EVERY

IN THE STO44 Stephen Street L

November 18th

garden center family Spotlight

KEN POGOR

GCS BULLETIN BOARD CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

•Baked Goods•Gifts•Ornaments•Cards

and more!

Enjoy punch and cookies while you browse. Each day program room will have their own display table of wares.Event is open to staff, consumer families, and the public.

Garden Center Services Main BuildingDecember 7th

1pm – 5pm

Support Garden Center and get some holiday shopping done at the same time!

See you there!

If you would

like to donate

baked goods to sell,

please bring them in by

12:30pm on

December 7th

17459 SOUTH OAK PARK AVENUE, TINLEY PARKwww.GardenGalleryandStudio.com 7 0 8 - 4 0 7 - 8 6 6 6

Art F O R A L L

on the first Friday of every month for wine, snacks, and live music while you enjoy the amazing work of fantastic local artistsJ

First Fridays at the Gallery

oin us

5O

every

THING RE!emont, IL

A tasty way your office can help Garden CenterPeople 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. COFFEE Co.COFFEE Co.

Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good.

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.”.

Welcome Ken. We are glad you are here!

November 18th

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!

GCS’s 56th Annual Fashion Show Celebrates Superheroes, Style and Smart Shopping gardEN

cENTEr’S NEEdS LIST

christmas lightsEmpty cereal boxesDigital cameras Electric oven Laptop computers Sofa/chairsUmbrellasFree-standing shelf unitsprinterphoneOffice deskMicrowaveBooksElectronic keyboards (music)Event ticketscraft suppliesframes for artworkBlank canvasesX-Box and Wii games

If you have an item to donate, please email Anne McFerron at amcferron@gardencenterservices.org

One of the awards of the evening went to the Fiedler Family for their

outstanding advocacy efforts

THANK YOU!

GCS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

Friday, December 7th 1pm to 5pm

8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank, IL

FIRST FRIDAY AT THE GALLERY

Friday, December 7th 7pm to 9pm

Garden Gallery & Studio 17459 S. Oak Park Ave. Tinley Park, IL

GCS MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Friday, November 30th 7pm8333 S. Austin Ave. Burbank, IL

WHErE WE grOW dIgNITy aNd INdEpENdENcE

phone 708.636.0054

email info@gardencenterservices.org

web www.gardencenterservices.org

BOard Of dIrEcTOrS

http://www.facebook.com/gardencenterservices

http://twitter.com/gardencentersrv

http://www.youtube.com/user/gardencenterservices

http://gardencenterservices.wordpress.com/

president daniel Wenzler

1st vice president Scott Hardek

2nd vice president doug combs

Treasurer r. pat Ballis

Secretary annmarie caulfield

Members: John J. Kunkes

Linda Stearns

Linda Sherwood

Sharon duncan

Jenny Wojcik

For more information, visit www.GardenCenterServices.org/our-businesses.html

Garden Center's 2012 Holiday Shopping Guide

13

1. Unique ceramic gifts, $3 to $25 - Garden Gallery 2. Crayon art posters, $3 for small, $5 for large - GCS Christmas Bazaar3. Hand-crafted pens and wine openers made by local Tinley artist, $25 to $55 - Garden Gallery4. Beautiful hand -made decorations for your home - GCS Christmas Bazaar5. 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.com6. Beautiful hand-crafted Christmas ornaments and holiday decorations - GCS Christmas Bazaar7. Glass and porcelain collectables - Second Chance Thrift Shoppe8. Beautiful, full-sized 2013 calendar featuring the work of local and Garden Gallery artists, $15 - Garden Gallery, Main Building and online at www.gardengalleryandstudio.com9. Original, one-of-a-kind artwork created by local artists - Garden Gallery10. 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!

5

8

4

2

7

6

9

10