September - November 2015

Reporter
The
A newsletter for families and friends of Beverly Farm
Our Mission:
We are here to provide a
loving, caring home for
adults with developmental
disabilities, providing each
individual with physical and
emotional security and a
dignified quality of life, with
opportunities and challenges, within each individual’s
functional capabilities.
Our Calendar:
• September 26-27, 2015
Fall Family Weekend
• Winter 2015
Beverly Farm’s
Giving Tree
• February 20, 2016
Beverly Farm’s Diamonds
& Denim
Beverly Farm’s
Diamonds
&
For information regarding
sponsorship and giving options
please contact: Tina Steibel at
618-466-0367, ext. 628 or at
[email protected].
Visit us at:
www.beverlyfarm.org
September - November 2015
Introducing: Our New Development Team
Martha Warford, Executive Director
Beverly Farm has a new development
team of staff that will be working with us
to help increase our development efforts.
The new staff have brought with them a
renewed energy and excitement to
Beverly Farm’s development program.
Tina Steibel, Director of Development
comes to us with education, experience
and charisma. Tina has a Masters of
Social Work degree. She is an excellent
communicator and has the qualities
to build meaningful relationships with
donors. She has an infectious smile that
will make you feel very welcome and
comfortable.
Taylor Gibbs, Development
Coordinator is Tina’s assistant. Taylor
has a BA in Public Relations and has
experience with marketing and
communication. She has jumped right
in with developing new volunteer
opportunities and managing our donor
data base. She also has a great smile
and a very outgoing communication
style that is valuable in developing
relationships.
Tina and Taylor are great additions to our
management team at Beverly Farm. Both
value the importance of helping people and
believing in our mission. Both have spent
time getting to know several of the people
who live here and have already gained new
friendships. Both have the education and
experience to guide and strengthen our
development program.
I hope you take the time to contact either
one of them to welcome them to the Beverly
Farm family. They would love to hear about
your family. Along with that, we are making
a few updates to the Beverly Farm website;
check it out!
2
What are Family Groups?
Lately we have had a lot of questions about
what the four family groups at Beverly Farm are
all about. We hope this brief description will
clarify the various family groups.
What are the four family groups?
DEHLL consists of the family members or
guardians of individuals that live in Donnelley,
Evans, Hillier, Laventhal and Logan.
Beverly Family Group consists of the family
members or guardians of individuals that live in
Beverly, Chappee, Herring, Smith and Stahl.
Group Homes’ “Helping Hands,” consists of the
family members or guardians of individuals that
live in Group Homes one through six.
Hardin Apartments Family Group consists of the
family members or guardians of individuals that
live in Hardin Apartments.
How does one become a member of one of the
family groups?
You are eligible to join a family group once your
loved one has been admitted to the corresponding
cottage, home, or apartments. If there is a
resident that moves internally, the family or
guardian switches family groups if needed.
What is the purpose of family groups?
The groups are set up for family members to
meet each other. Each family group usually has a
meeting during family weekend. These meetings
are also educational. Family groups can ask staff
to speak or present a topic to educate the families.
These groups are support groups for each other
but also an opportunity to share common issues
with the unit directors after the meetings. Staff
attends the meeting on family weekend for their
specific area.
Who is in charge of the family groups?
Each family group elects their own officers and
sets their own rules.
Do families raise money for their family
groups?
Yes, families may choose to donate money to
family groups. Some groups will also have raffles
to add money to the group.
What are the donations used for?
Each family group has an account set up at Beverly Farm but each
group decides what the money will be spent on and how much
of it will be used. Before every family weekend, the family groups
ask for “wish list” ideas for the homes so that those items can be
purchased or donated during family weekend. Items that are
often purchased or donated are things like: décor, cameras,
sensory items, TV, or whatever else the various homes may need
at that time. The family groups usually authorize money for the
homes to buy Christmas presents for the residents that need
items but may not have family to purchases those items for them.
The past several years, the Group Home’s Helping Hands group
has used the money to sponsor several residents to attend camp.
Once in a while the family groups will also sponsor staff
appreciation activities.
Who am I?
By Cory K., Logan Cottage
What do you see when I roll into
the room?
Braces, wheels, crutches, limitations
But I am so much more
I am competitive
Dedicated
Talented
Motivated
Determined
Frustrated
Inspired
Rain doesn’t bother me
I live day-to-day
I have more Spirit than my body
shows
I would help anyone who needed it
I don’t show my emotions to others
I can give advice
Walk far
Hold one stick up in the air
Make people smile
Look past what you think I Can’t do
and Realize I can do anything!
3
Butterfly Dreams Pageant
The Illinois Butterfly Dreams Pageant took place
on Saturday, June 27th in Edwardsville, IL. Four
ladies and three gentlemen represented Beverly
Farm. Beverly Farm ladies who participated were:
Brooke, Whitney, Andrea and Nadine and Beverly
Farm escorts were Cory, Jimmie and DJ. Butterfly
Dreams is a pageant for individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities. The event celebrates the participants’ abilities and their efforts to
overcome their
disabilities.
On the day of the event there is a rehearsal so everyone
can get comfortable with being on stage, a craft event, lunch
and a talent show. After the talent show there is a brief
intermission and then all the contestants perform an
opening number and then each contestant receives an
introduction. Next, the ladies come out in evening wear
and the gentlemen are dressed in bow ties and suits. Hair
and make-up are professionally provided compliments of
several local beauty stylists. In each division one female is
crowned a queen and everyone else is crowned a princess.
Cory from Beverly Farm, received a standing ovation
and there was not a dry eye in the audience. For the talent
portion of the pageant, Cory read a poem he wrote called
“Who Am I?” (Poem published on page 2). Executive
Director/Founder, Syndi Sills, said it was one of the most
moving moments in the pageant’s history.
They are interviewed earlier in the day and the
judges base their decision on the “ability” of the
participants “disability”. Each participant is judged
separately and not against each other.
A month prior to the event, contestants
participate in a pot luck at Beverly Farm, where
each contestant is paired with a PAL (Person
Assisting with Love) and they have the chance
to get to know each other. The PALs provide the
contestants with moral support and help them do
interviews, get dressed and hang out with them
during the day of the event.
Another Resident at Beverly Farm, Sarah, returned to
participate this year after winning a crown in the Miss
division in last year’s pageant. As one of the Butterfly
Dreams participants, she has spent the last year riding in
parades and attending public events. Sarah says she was so
excited to come back and be able to crown the next queen
so that another individual can experience the same
excitement that she did last year.
When the time came to pass the crown on, Sarah was
honored to crown Whitney, who not only lives at Beverly
Farm, but is also one of Sarah’s dear friends. The Senior
Miss division crown also went to another one of Beverly
Farm’s very own ladies, Andrea. The evening was enjoyed
by all.
4
A Night of Class with a Little
Country Sass at Beverly Farm’s
Diamonds & Denim
In the beginning, Diamonds & Denim was simply an
idea of a new and exciting way to raise money for Beverly
Farm. On the day of the event, the simple idea turned into
a sold out party. If you missed out last year, grab your pen
and get ready to mark your calendar now.
After such a successful event last year, Beverly Farm
would like to extend a huge thank you to Stephanie Sinclair
and the committee for returning this year; to once again,
make this an extraordinary fundraiser for the residents
that call Beverly Farm “home.”
We are reaching out to the business community, our
neighbors, friends and families for the 2nd annual event.
This year there will be a live auction. We are asking for
large valued items for this portion of the evening; Saint
Louis Cardinals, Blues, or Rams tickets, an all-expense
paid weekend retreat or a high-priced liquor basket just to
name a few examples. Of course we will gladly accept items
and baskets for our silent auction as well.
Now is the time to mark your calendars. Save the Date
for the 2nd Annual Diamonds & Denim on Saturday
February 20, 2016 that will be held at The Commons at
Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey, IL. Tickets
will be available soon.
Your donations, sponsorships and attendance are all
extremely important to the success of our fundraising
events. If you have questions about making a donation for
the oral auction, are planning to send a basket, becoming
a sponsor or about purchasing a table or ticket(s) for the
evening, please call Stephanie Sinclair at (618) 531-9335 or
[email protected] or Tina Steibel, Director
of Development, Beverly Farm Foundation (618) 466-0367
ext. 628 or [email protected]. Don’t forget your
cowboy boots! See you there.
The Giving Tree
It will be here before you know it. That’s right; we
are talking about Christmas.
This coming holiday season, will you help us
share holiday gifts with the people who live with
intellectual and developmental disablities at
Beverly Farm?
You and your co-workers can show your
generosity by collecting items for Beverly Farm
individuals for holdiay gifts. This can help create
a giving experience for individuals in your
community or business.
For more information, please contact Taylor
Gibbs at (618) 466-0367, ext. 649 or at tgibbs@
beverlyfarm.org.
5
MEMORIALS &
MEMORIALS &
MEMORIALS &
HONORARIUMS
HONORARIUMS
HONORARIUMS
GIFTS IN MEMORY OF:
GIFTS IN MEMORY OF:
GIFTS IN MEMORY OF:
Listed gifts received
June 1, 2015 - August 31, 2015
• Kathleen Altvater
Elaine Litwak
Bill and Sally Ann Thomas
• Billy Blocki
Linda B. Baker
• Raymond Bohle
Atrium Hotel & Conference
Center
• Dr. Art Bok
Ghost And Vicki Strausbaugh
• Bert S., Bonnie, And Joanne
Brown
Matt Brown
• Brian Downing
Buth Downing
• Zack Fennewald
Jeff and Patty Fennewald
Wayne and Mary Jo Harris
• Thelma R. Fugate
Rod Bunn
Theodore and Judith Nye
• Thomas W. Layloff
Jerri Wells
Casper Nighohossian
• Audrey Merrell
Rex and Karol Shreve
• Barabara Bobbi Metzinger
Joe and Janet Schutter
• John Mott
Carol Bishop
Hasting Extraction Plant Employees Flower Fund
Mary Mason
Mary McDiffitt
Lewis and Barbara Mott
Belinda K Nehmsmann
Genee Wychoffr
• Judy Myers
Joe and Janet Schutter
• Pat Weaver
Sara A. Giancola
• Jack And Rosemary Williams
Bradley and Anne J. Williams
• Cletus Windler
Joe and Janet Schutterl
• Ione Wise
Lois M. Wise
• Fred And Billie Woelfel
Edward and Dorothy Kuehl
• D.D. Zimmerman
Carolyn Zimmerman
• Caralee Ziontz
Eugene and Patricia Boffa
• Robert Ziontz
Eugene and Patricia Boffa
• Teddy Ponfil
Anna Lee Nissenholtz
• Carolyn Richards Moehring
Robert and Nada Carrigan
• Meyer Shwachman
Neil and Shari Levin
GIFTS IN HONOR OF:
Listed gifts received
June 1, 2015 - August 31, 2015
• Blake Allen
Ruth Allen
• Teresa Marie Giancola
Sara A. Giancola
• Betty Skee
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur J. Kneller
Nancy Risoli
• Jackie J. Goree
Mark and Gail Webb
• Gordon Skee
Nancy Risoli
• Jason Clemens
Cynthia Gallo Callan
Loretta Gallo
• Barbara Haase
Rev. Louis P. Haase
• Jack Steele
Joe and Janet Schutter
• Matthew Cox
Mary Jane Cox
• James Hemphill
Bill and Sally Ann Thomas
• Eric Stroud
Richard Stroud
• Jim and Patti Downey
Dr. Barry and Eleanor Allswang
• Theresa L. Hoefer
Joe and Janet Schutter
• Grace R. Taylor
Charleston Theosophical Study
Center
Diana Davis England
Dr. Catherine England-Plisiewicz
Will Marble
Christie Millsap
• Michael Fleming
Gregg and Lesleann Grossiusl
• Hellen Hohmann
Sara A. Giancola
• David Jefvert
Joe and Janet Schutter
• Penny Kapp
Shirley M. Anderson
• Neil Goodman
Mark H. Goodman
• Hillier Cottage
Matt Brown
• Michael Minbiole
R. Dennis and Janet Voisey
6
MEMORIALS &
HONORARIUMS
GIFTS IN HONOR OF:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE
PASSED
June 1, 2015 - August 31, 2015
• Jeffrey Richardson
Carol Jean Richardson
Ellen R. Richardson
• Virginia Scott
Richard O. Briggs
• Brian Sherod
Carol O’Toole
• Jennifer Shutt
Norma Kay Shutt
John Mott
October 1963 - July 2015
John lived at Beverly Farm
since 1963
• Gregory Stark
Bill and Sally Ann Thomas
•David Stephens
Anonymous
Marcie Mowers
• David Swain, Jr.
Max and Betty Boyd
• Paul Taliana
Barbara Taliana
Lawrence Taliana
Lisa Taliana
• Tandy Thompson
Christy James
• Louise Walker
John Case
• Alan Watt
Cary and Judith Watt
• David Weikal
Marion Medley
Edith Louise Siddall
• Kristine Wille
Sue Johnson
John will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are
with his family and friends.
7
Some of the Best Gifts Come in the Most Unique Packages
When you hear the word “gift,” you probably think of a physically wrapped present. That same
word means something completely different at Beverly Farm. As a non-profit organization, Beverly
Farm receives many gifts on a day-to-day basis; donations to the shops, cash donations, donations
to special events, etc. The list is endless. One of the special gifts Beverly Farm receives is often
overlooked by many or not seen as a “gift.” This special gift is a volunteer.
Volunteering is not what many people perceive it to be. Many believe that people only volunteer
because they have to or they must need some community service hours. What they do not realize
is that some of the tasks we have our volunteers perform are just as important as many daily duties
that go on in the offices.
Tasks as tedious as stuffing envelopes in the Development office or painting walls in the barn at
the Equestrian Center are stepping stones to the next big thing. Those hundreds of envelopes that
need to be stuffed a certain way, will generate a great amount of donations that will benefit the
residents and staff. Those walls in the smelly barn that need to be painted on a hot summer day, will
allow one of the biggest special events of the year to go off without a hitch and will also help raise
money for the Farm.
While there is a possibility that the volunteer is donating their time and efforts for personal
benefit, their time and efforts are appreciated more than they will ever know by the organization. At
Beverly Farm we do our best to make our volunteers feel appreciated. Time is a valuable gift and all
of our volunteers give us their time at their own will daily.
There are volunteers at Beverly Farm daily because there is so much that can be done. There are
so many different ways for one to donate their precious time and truly make a difference in the lives
of the residents at Beverly Farm. We have several areas of opportunity: volunteers can help out in
Recreation. Activities, Event Committees, Office Support, the Shops at Beverly Farm, the Equestrian
Center as well as Grounds and Landscaping around campus just to name a few. If you belong to a
group that is looking for new volunteer opportunities, you need hours for school, or perhaps you
would just like to help out because it makes you feel awesome, please visit us at www.beverlyfarm.
org. You will learn a lot about us and you will be able to sign up to receive additional information
about volunteering. Contact Taylor Gibbs at [email protected] or at (618) 466-0367 ext. 649
after you have visited our website and are ready to start volunteering. We look forward to seeing you
at the Farm.
6301 Humbert Road
Godfrey, IL 62035
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
The Reporter is a quarterly newsletter of the
Beverly Farm Foundation, a not-for-profit
organization serving adults who live with
intellectual or developmental disabilities.
We welcome contributions of news of
interest to our families and friends.
www.beverlyfarm.org
Martha Warford, Executive Director
Patti Downey, Chairman, Board of Directors
Highlights from the 2015 Pro Bull Riding Event
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Godfrey, IL
Permit No. 10