THIS MONTHS ISSUE

The View From My chair gcS Family Spotlight celebrate Me Home Benefit around gcS

01 02 03 04

THE LEAFLET
ISSUE OCTOBER YEAR 2012

The View from My Chair

a MESSagE FrOM OUr ExEcUTIVE dIrEcTOr

Check out Gerry's Blog at [Link]

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.

If theres a Fall nip in the air, it must be Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive. time to begin thinking about our agencys We now have four councils that we team 56th Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon. up with, and as were able to provide Im excited by some novel changes and persons that can work the various locations additions to this years assigned to these councils, program and hope many we receive a percentage [The Annual of you will be able to join of the donations. Last year us on Sunday, Nov. 4th, Fashion Show] is an for our efforts we accepted at the Doubletree Hotel checks from the Knights in Alsip. Being one of opportunity for us to totaling $4,700. During such the agencys two large come together as the stretched economic times, fundraisers for the year, these additional funds are we obviously are hopeful Garden Center family so valuable. about generating some to celebrate our much needed revenue I also appreciated those for our programs; but this accomplishments and of you that went on line is also an opportunity the individuals we are and voted for our agency for us to come together to win one of the grants as the garden Center honored to support from Chase Bank. Even family to celebrate our though we didnt generate accomplishments and the individuals enough votes this time, any opportunity we are honored to support. Im thrilled to participate in contests like this where with this years theme, EVERYDAY we share information about our services SUPERHEROES, and look forward to with family, friends, and colleagues raises sharing some of the stories I have about awareness about the Garden Center, the superheroes Ive encountered during grows our friends list, and increases my time at garden Center! support from the community. I want to thank all of you that responded to our request to volunteer for this years

A 501( C)(3) N ON pRO fIT OR gANIzATION

Garden Center Family Spotlight

Robert Bob Hall grew up in Palos Heights and moved to Garden Centers Burbank ICF in 1997. Some of his friends say he is Garden Centers unofficial greeter. He keeps an eye on the parking lot for who is coming in and out of the building, always ready to welcome them with a big smile. Bob is a guy who knows what he likes. He is a fan of pipes, cars, and a game of bingo now and then. He is a social guy with a very busy calendar. Bob attends many local groups including the SPRED religious development program at St. Patricias in Hickory Hills, Guys and Gals Club with the park district, and a local seniors group. His biggest love though is spending time with his gal, Kathy. Kathy also lives at Burbank ICF and they enjoy sitting outside on the patio or catching a show on TV with their friends - when Bob has a free spot in his schedule of course!

ROBERT HALL
GCS Business Corner

Bob also enjoys visiting with his brother, Ron, and sister-in-law, Alice, who live in Florida. When they come to visit, Bob loves taking the train with his brother downtown to visit his favorite tobacco shop, Iwan Ries & Co.

Garden Center currently has six support businesses. Revenue from those businesses go back to programs for the people we serve. Over the next several issues we will highlight each of our businesses and what they can do for you.
Second chance Thrift Shoppe Second Chance Thrift Shoppe was opened in July of 2008 by Bonnie and Ron Nalepa. Bonnie & Rons son, Billy, lives at Garden Centers Westmont home. Before starting Second Chance, Bonnie volunteered at a thrift shop. It raised money for another program that previously provided services to Billy. Eventually, Bonnie took over the manager position of the thrift store and she worked there for 10 years. In 1999, Ron was ready to retire from his position at Amsted Industries and Bonnie decided to join him, but by three months into retirement Bonnie was bored. Billy had since moved to Garden Center and Bonnie and Ron approached Gerry about running a thrift store as a support business for the agency. As they looked for a building, they held regular rummage sales on the weekends at Garden Center. After some time they found a building, but it was not approved for a needed permit and they were back to the drawing board. Then the Nalepas heard the thrift store in Lemont where Bonnie had volunteered was going out of business. Garden Center bought the space to open Second Chance. Bonnie estimates about 80% of the volunteers that served the previous thrift store stayed on to help Garden Center. Currently, the store runs with the support of 60 volunteers. Only four of the volunteers are relatives of individuals served at Garden Center. The rest are area residents who just want to help. Volunteers process incoming donations, price items, clean the store, and handle cashier duties. Others have expertise in specialty areas like jewelry, books, and collectables. Bonnie and Ron say they are lucky to have such a dedicated group.

Bonnie and Ron Nalepa

The Nalepas are quality conscious as Bonnie puts it. They ensure that no below standard items are put out to sell. If an item is in poor condition, like missing a button, Ron says, we dont put it out. And if something that is damaged does happen to cross the check-out line, Ron explains, Our volunteers know to say Im sorry. I cant sell this to you because it is broken, but if you would like to have it, you may for no charge. It is that attention to detail and their dedication to regularly rotating inventory that makes the shop so popular with local bargain hunters. As for the donations that dont meet the Nalepa standard or that have just been around too long, they are regularly recycled. Quality items are given to shelters, other thrift stores, Second Chance offers a wide array churches and charities. Items that arent usable in their current form are recycled for metal and other parts of items from clothing, books, and furniture to collectables and toys. by area scrappers. Of their own work, Bonnie modestly says Its just common sense, really. But if you spend any time with the Nalepas it is clear they know a lot about running this business. This is our love, Bonnie says, and we will continue until we cant go on. The thrift shop has been an amazing support business for Garden Center over the past 4 years in spite of the economy, or perhaps because of it. However, Second Chance is facing a challenge. This past August, Goodwill opened their own resale shop in Lemont. Please think of Second Chance Thrift Shoppe when you have items to donate or when you go shopping.
Fall items are on sale now. Christmas items will be out October 14th.

Second Chance Thrift Shoppe

Address: 44 Stephen Street in Lemont Phone: (630) 243-1279 Store Hours: Mon. thru Sat. 10am4pm & Thur. 10am-7pm Donations Accepted: Mon. thru Sat. 10am3:30pm & Thur. 10am6:30pm Cant run to Lemont to make your donation? No Problem! Just drop off your donations at Garden Centers main building 8333 S. Austin Ave. in Burbank.

Second Chance has a Super Sale each month. During that sale all items are 50% off. Seniors receive a 50% discount every Monday.

c elebratee M ee H o m ee B ee n e f t t c el ebrat M H o m B n e f i i aa HUgE S u cc c e s s ! HU gE S u c e s s !

On September 8th, Abide In In Me hosted the On September 8th, Abide Me hosted the Celebrate Me Home Benefit at at 115 Bourbon Street Celebrate Me Home Benefit 115 Bourbon Street Restaurant to to raise money to purchase, adapt, and Restaurant raise money to purchase, adapt, and maintain a home in in local neighborhood for a group maintain a home a a local neighborhood for a group of of women with disabilities served by Garden Center women with disabilities served by Garden Center Services. Over 500 people came to to the event to Services. Over 500 people came the event to enjoy food, fun, raffles and a silent auction. enjoy food, fun, raffles and a silent auction.

gardEN gardEN cENTErS cENTErS NEEdS LIST NEEdS LIST

Christmas lights Christmas lights Empty cereal boxes Empty cereal boxes Digital cameras Digital cameras Electric oven Electric oven Laptop Computers Laptop Computers Sofa/Chairs Sofa/Chairs Umbrellas Umbrellas Free-standing shelf units Free-standing shelf units printer printer phone phone Office desk Office desk Microwave Microwave Books Books Electronic keyboards Electronic keyboards (music) (music) Event tickets Event tickets Craft supplies Craft supplies frames for artwork frames for artwork Blank canvases Blank canvases X-Box and Wii games X-Box and Wii games

garden Center is is working with Abide in Me to start garden Center working with Abide in Me to start the home acquisition and renovation process. We the home acquisition and renovation process. We will keep you posted on our progress asas work begins will keep you posted on our progress work begins on the new residence. on the new residence. The Celebrate Me Home website continues to to The Celebrate Me Home website continues accept your donations toward this great cause. accept your donations toward this great cause. Just visit [Link]. Just visit [Link].

Thank you for your support! Thank you for your support!

Tinley Chamber Tinley Chamber Bag Crawl Bag Crawl

Sunday, Oct. 21st Sunday, Oct. 21st Event 1pm (registration at at noon) Event 1pm (registration noon)
Stop in Garden Gallery during the Bag Crawl Stop in Garden Gallery during the Bag Crawl down historic Oak Park Avenue. Participants will down historic Oak Park Avenue. Participants will accumulate a progressive score as as they compete accumulate a progressive score they compete in various locations. Cash in various locations. Cash prizes will bebe awarded. prizes will awarded. Dont feel like tossing a a Dont feel like tossing bean bag? Thats OK - just bean bag? Thats OK - just stop in to to say hello! stop in say hello!

Downtown Tinley Downtown Tinley Kiddie Boo Bash Kiddie Boo Bash
Bring the family to to visit Garden GalleryStudio as as Bring the family visit Garden Gallery & & Studio wewe help put on the help put on the downtown Tinley Kiddie Boo Bash downtown Tinley Kiddie Boo Bash Sunday, October 28th Sunday, October 28th Oak park Ave. Train Station Oak park Ave. Train Station Noon to to 4pm Noon 4pm Costume parade and Costume parade and contest forfor kids and pets, contest kids and pets, dancing, trick oror treating dancing, trick treating and more! and more!

BEAN BEAN BAG BAG TOSS TOSS

GCS BULLETIN BOARD GCS BULLETIN BOARD

CARSONs COMMUNITY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN! CARSONs COMMUNITY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!
Support Garden Center byby purchasing Carsons Coupon Support Garden Center purchasing Carsons Coupon Books. 100% goes to to garden Center and get fantastic Books. 100% goes garden Center and get fantastic discounts forfor yourself! discounts yourself! Purchase books from GCS volunteers at at Carsons in Purchase books from GCS volunteers Carsons in Chicago Ridge at at the following dates and times: Chicago Ridge the following dates and times: Friday, Oct 5th 10am-noon Thursday, Nov 8th 6pm-8pm Friday, Oct 5th 10am-noon Thursday, Nov 8th 6pm-8pm Friday, Oct 19th 6pm-8pm Friday, Nov 2nd noon-2pm Friday, Oct 19th 6pm-8pm Friday, Nov 2nd noon-2pm
or or contact Michele Hula to make arrangements to purchase a contact Michele Hula to make arrangements to purchase a coupon book at at Garden Center (773) 941-4151 Ext. 212. coupon book Garden Center (773) 941-4151 Ext. 212.

GCS 56th AnnunuFaFa GCS 56th Anal al shshion Show ion Show Sundnd, Novevebebe Su ayay, No m m r 4th h r 4t DoububleTe Hote te Do leTre ree Ho l l 505000 W1212h St St 00 W . . 7t 7th . . Alsip, IL IL Alsip, BUY TICKETS S an BUY TICKET an d d SPONSORSHIHIPS SPONSORSPS ON OUR R ON OU WEBSITE WEBSITE

If you have anan item to donate, If you have item to donate, please email Anne McFerron at at please email Anne McFerron amcferron@[Link] amcferron@[Link]

WHErE WE grOW dIgNITy aNd INdEpENdENcE

phone 708.636.0054 email info@[Link] web [Link]

AROUND gCS

BOard OF dIrEcTOrS
president 1st Vice president 2nd Vice president Treasurer Secretary Members: Daniel Wenzler Scott Hardek doug combs r. pat Ballis annmarie caulfield John J. Kunkes Linda Stearns Linda Sherwood Sharon duncan Jenny Wojcik

Artists at Garden Gallery get their creative juices flowing with some morning exercise

Don and DeJuan work the Tootsie Roll Drive

Adam gets his wish to see a big rig up close Program Relocation to Kedzie Goals 2-4
$44,000

Chris, Andy and Humberto show off their rhythm in music group

Bonnie poses with her favorite Harley

Dont Forget!
Y AT THE GALLER FIRST FRIDAY5th tober Friday, Oc 7pm to 9pm Studio Garden Gallery & ION SHOW ANNUAL FASH r 4th Sunday, Novembe at noon ubleTree in Alsip Do

$23,550

50% SECOND CHANCE OFF THRIFT SHOPPE everythi ng

SUPER SALE
October 21st 12pm-4pm
HALF OFF EVERYTHING IN THE STORE! 44 Stephen Street Lemont, IL
First Friday at the Gallery
Garden Gallery & Studios

Make a donation at [Link]

Live Music, Wine & Cheese Friday, October 5th from 7pm to 9pm
[Link]

17459 SOUTH OAK PARK AVENUE, TINLEY PARK

Shop GCS Businesses

[Link] [Link]/
. Tastes Good. Does Good. Feels Good

another way you can help us make a difference...

F O R A L L

Garden Gallery & Studio is a support business of Garden Center Services, a provider of vocational and residential services for adults with developmental disabilities

Art

7 0 8 - 4 0 7 - 8 6 6 6

COF E Co. FE

[Link] gardencenterservices [Link]

For sale online, at day sites, & at Garden Gallery Gift Shop

17459 S. Oak Park Ave. Tinley Park

[Link] gardencenterservices

44 Stephen Street, Lemont

GCS Ink Cartridge and Small Electronics Recycling

For more information, visit [Link]/[Link]