December 2011 - Suburban Adult Services Inc.
Transcription
December 2011 - Suburban Adult Services Inc.
Golf & Wine: Page 2-3 Inside: For the Birds SASi program participants created beautiful custom designed birdhouses which were auctioned off at the SASi Celebration. See page 4 for the complete article SASi offers a line of clothing and other items with the SASi or High Hurdles logos! Visit our s tore fr ont at www.sasi.qbstores.com OR through the link on the homepage of the SASi website: www.sasinc.org Contributors: Tony Annunziato Joe Barrick Judy Feine Corey Jarzyniecki Lynn Kelly Tim Pfohl Susan Purtell Karen Vance Awards & Rewards: Page 4-5 Crickett’s Corner: Page 7 It’s hard to believe it’s been 37 years! It all started back in early 1974 when a committee of three, spearheaded by Lois Jackson and Lelia Kearney, saw a need to provide services for individuals with disabilities in the Southtowns. That fall, a new program opened its doors in a small garage in Springville. Three staff members provided services to six disabled adults, including the sons of our honorees. Today… nearly 500 full and part time staff provide programs and services to over 2000 adults, children and their families at more than 30 locations across Western New York. All of this developed because of the drive, determination and perseverance of Lois Jackson, Lelia Kearney and others who saw a need and took action to find a solution. Lelia continued supporting SASi’s development in her role as a member of the parent committee and Lelia Kearney as a member of the Corporate Board of Directors. She served as a board member for more than 30 years, including several terms as Board President. Sadly, Lelia passed away in March of this year. SASi was honored to present this award to her son’s Dennis and Patrick in her memory. Lois continues to serve as a member of the SASi Corporate Board of Directors, the special review committee and as a parent committee volunteer. She is an outspoken advocate for SASi and for individuals with disabilities. SASi is pleased to honor to Lois & Lelia for their years of service, vision, dedication and leadership! Lois Jackson SASi Boards of Directors CORPORATE BOARD Hillary W. Bowen President Mark Balus Vice President Thomas Geisendorfer* Secretary Timothy Madey Treasurer Deanna Briggs A Successful Summer Event On Friday, July 1, 2011, SASi held the 16th Annual Golf Tournament in conjunction with the 3rd Annual Niagara Trail, Wine Tasting Event. Nearly 200 registrants gathered together for a beautiful day that started with lunch at Arrowhead’s Timberlodge Restaurant. After lunch, guests headed their separate ways for one of the two featured activities. Guests attending the Niagara Trail wine tour excursion boarded a deluxe limo bus and headed off for wine tasting at several Niagara County wineries. Fabulous Foursome—from event sponsor: Upstate Pharmacy Ennio Cerquetti* The tour destinations included: Schulze Vineyards & Winery, Spring Lake Winery, Black Willow Winery, Vizcarra Vineyards and The Winery at Marjim Manor. George Gebhard* Lois Jackson Ron Kenyon Michael Medden* Linda Trzaska FOUNDATION BOARD Frederick Marshall President Kevin Weber Vice President Michael Medden* Secretary Suzanne Novelli Treasurer Ennio Cerquetti* Denise Staffa, Kathy Nigro and SASi volunteer tour guide - Kathy Doster There were several skills prizes on the golf course. Unfortunately, no one took home the brand new 2012 Chevy Camaro which was provided by Emerling Chevrolet as a hole-in-one prize. All of the guests met back at the Timberlodge for drinks, dinner, raffles and prize give-give-a-ways. This year’s event raised more than $27,000 which will directly benefit the individuals who receive services through SASi. Beth Downing George Gebhard* Thomas Geisendorfer* Jeffrey Markello William O’Connell Tammy Yekich *Serving on both boards Page 2 As the tour bus departed, event emcee WGRZ—Channel 2’s Kevin O’Neill, started the golf event off with a bang. A full field of golfers took their positions for a 12:30pm shotgun start on the scenic and challenging 18-hole course at Arrowhead Golf Club. Lynn Jasulevich & Robbi Matrivich, guests of sponsor Mighty Taco, switch it up with a sampling of beer instead of wine! “Mighty Good Golfers” - Gerry Buchholtz, Dan Scepkowski, Randy Jasulevich & Mike Wahl Wine Tour Guest Dawn Cress enjoying a sip of rosé Event Emcee—Kevin O’Neill, M&T Insurance golfers: David Forsythe Kevin Weber and John Wallace The tentative date for the 2012 Golf Tournament and Niagara Trail Wine Tour is Friday, June 22, 2012. For information on this event or for other SASi special events information, please call (716)805-1555. Thank you to all of our event guests. You Make a Difference in the Lives of Individuals with Disabilities! Saying goodbye to someone you care about is never easy, but sometimes it’s harder than others. On December 7th, SASi lost one of its finest, Mr. Ennio Cerquetti. used volunteer help to construct the building. That organization joined forces with SASi and then incorporated the Suburban Adult Services Foundation. Ennio’s list of titles was a long one: husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, board member, committee member and founder… just to mention a few. And if you knew Ennio, you know that he played his part in all of these roles with loyalty, integrity, reliability and a great sense of humor. Over the years, Ennio continued to be an involved parent and family man, as well as serving SASi as a part of the Golf Event Planning Committee and member of the SASi Foundation and Corporate Boards of Directors. His many roles at SASi started with the opening of the West Seneca facility. At the time, he was working as an active parent with the “West Seneca Parents of the Handicapped,” a parent organization that Ennio was all of these things and so much more. He was kind, loving, honest, willing to work and always willing to have fun. He wasn’t a very tall man but he was a very big man in the life of many people. He will be sadly missed! The Original Kazoo Company — It’s More Than Just Kazoos! Did you know... that SASi’s own Original Kazoo Company in Eden, NY, manufactures and sells personalalized kites and kazoos? These items are unique, American made novelties that make great gifts for any number of occasions including school events or reunions, corporate events, community events, weddings, baby showers and MORE. “Buffalo Box Kites” are available in a wide variety of color combinations. Your company logo or personal message can be silk screened on to the material. There is a 24 print minimum per image and a maximum of two print areas per kite. Personalized kazoos are available in the standard model as well as the airplane, trumpet, trombone, race car, ear-of-corn, French horn and locomotive models. Each kazoo is laser engraved or ink printed. There is a 10-piece minimum and orders must be placed 3-4 weeks in advance. Prices vary based on model and personalization. Retail sales go through The Kazoo Boutique. SASi also sells directly to other retailers and nonprofit organizations. For more information regarding personalization and ordering contact Corey Jarzyniecki at (716)474-8899 or by email: [email protected] Page 3 Celebrating an Exceptional Evening of ARTS & ABILITIES The “SASi Celebration” is an annual fundraising event held in the Mary Seaton Room at Kleinhans Music Hall. This year’s event included cocktails and gourmet food stations catered by Oliver’s Restaurant, a special performance by Moving Miracles, Inc., a dance/ movement program for children, adolescents and adults who are exceptionally challenged, and tickets to the featured BPO concert. Moving Miracles Performers The Celebration is an opportunity for SASi to recognize the outstanding efforts of its employees, supporters, community leaders and most importantly, the people we serve. This year’s honorees were two of SASi’s founders: Lois Jackson and Lelia Kearney. Lelia’s sons, Patrick and Dennis, accepted the award on her behalf. One of the highlights of the event was the hand-crafted birdhouses featured in the silent auction. Program participants from SASi’s Darien Road, George Street and Dake Hill IRAs exhibited their SASi Executive Director, Tom Becker, individuality, creativity and Patrick Kearney and Dennis Kearney artistic talent through their interpretations of “Home Tweet Home.” They designed twelve terrific birdhouses that helped bring in over $6000 at the auction. The event continued with a tribute to the timeless music of Paul McCartney at the “Live and Let Die” concert in Kleinhans’ main music hall and concluded with an “after party” featuring more Beatles music with live music by BackBeat 64. SASi Executive Director, Tom Becker and Lois Jackson Special thanks to this year’s top sponsors, Upstate Pharmacy and KeyBank. Proceeds from this event will benefit the over 2000 individuals and their families in our area who receive services through SASi, including residential, recreation, respite, supported work, High Hurdles therapeutic horseback riding, clinical and community services. For details about tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the 2012 SASi Celebration, call SASi’s Fund Development Department at (716)805-1555. Several of the hand-crafted bird houses auctioned off at the SASi Celebration Page 4 Recognizing SASi Employees October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Each year, the Western New York Employment Consortium (WNYEC) hosts an annual event to honor local employers for their efforts in hiring individuals with disabilities. This year, SASi was pleased to recognize Salvatore’s Grand Hotel as an exemplary employer. On September 15, 2011, SASi Management staff and Boards of Directors gathered to honor their own with the presentation of two service awards. The Jackson Kearney Award is given to an employee who demonstrates the outstanding qualities of unsurpassed dedication and compassion. Darlene Schwartz & Tom Becker Over the past 10 years, Darlene’s personal involvement and loyalty have made SASi a better organization. SASi Receives Outstanding Service Award John Backus & Lois Jackson This year’s honoree, John Backus, has been with SASi for seven years. He was chosen by his peers in recognition of his ongoing quality serv ice. He is resp ectful , considerate and consistently displays a positive attitude. He demonstrates dependability and efficiency and always puts the needs of the individuals he serves before all else. Fellow employees and family members have described him as flexible and a team player. SASi program participants and staff alike benefit from his knowledge and experience. On September 22nd, SASi received the Corporate Volunteer Award from Meals on Wheels at their “Plate Expectations” charity auction. This annual event was held at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens with Russell Salvatore serving as the Honorary Chairman. SASi staff and volunteers were recognized for their 15-year volunteer service. They currently deliver meals to homebound seniors in South Buffalo and Orchard Park each week. The management and staff at Salvatore’s have created a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. They are always willing to assist employees with challenging tasks and have patiently allowed additional training time for individuals to learn more difficult assignments. Honoring Local Employers The Award for Distinguished Service was presented to Executive Secretary, Darlene Schwartz in appreciation of her dedication to SASi. The agency is always presented in a positive way because of her p ro fe ss io n al i sm , effi ci ency , accuracy and pleasant personality. WNYEC Co-chair - Shelly Ralyea, Salvatore’s Representative - Danielle Fox and SASi Supported Employment - Geoffrey Bensman MaryAlice Demler (Channel 2), Greg Norton, Amy Jaworski and Scott Levin (Channel 2) If you would prefer to receive your copy of the “Inside SASi” newsletter via e-mail, let us know. Send us an e-mail to [email protected] with the word “Newsletter” in the subject line. You will get a confirmation email from SASi when we receive your information. Page 5 We’re even better when we work together! SASi is proud to have developed several partnerships with retailers who share our desire to make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities. We are also pleased to offer an exclusive line of clothing and other custom items through the Queensboro Shirt Company. A portion of the profits from every order benefits our programs and services. Through our partnerships with these companies, SASi has been able to raise much needed funds to benefit the individuals we serve. Our most recent collaboration is with “Good 360,” an organization dedicated to fulfilling nonprofit needs through the distribution of corporate product donations. Through this partnership, SASi has been able to secure donations of much needed home goods for our residential program locations and for individuals we serve who are living independently in the community. “Embrace the Difference” is a jewelry line, offered exclusively through Reeds Jewelers. Robyn Zimmer, mother of a child with developmental differences, designed this symbol to show support, acceptance and kindness no matter what differences people may have. Thirty dollars from every jewelry purchase can be designated to go to SASi. These collaborations have allowed SASi to raise and save thousands of dollars this year alone! VetSuccess On August 15th SASi entered into a service agreement with the Buffalo Office of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Sterling Medical Corporation of Ohio. Services will be provided by SASi staff through a program called “VetSuccess” and will cover at least eight Western New York Counties. SASi has more than a ten year history of service delivery under previous contracts with the Department of Veterans Affairs and views this new venture as an opportunity to further our mission of assisting individuals with disabilities to become as independent as possible. The objective of the program is to assist Veterans who have a service-connected disability obtain and maintain suitable employment and to live as independently as possible in their homes and communities. The services to be provided include, Initial Assessments, Case Management and Rehabilitative Services, Employment Services, Educational Vocational Counseling and In Home Independent Living Assessments. Staffing for this program includes Certified Rehabilitation Counselors, Employment Specialists and Occupational Therapists. Services will be provided at two SASi Locations: 960 West Maple Court in Elma and 950-A Union Road in West Seneca. Winter is right around the corner and while all of us in the High Hurdles barn will enjoy the peace and quiet after the year of classes we will miss our people friends. We are looking forward to our riders returning in 2012. Did you ever wonder how riders come to High Hurdles? I did some checking with the instructors and this is what I found out: Some of the riders learn about High Hurdles from other families or friends who are already riding, while some find out through newspaper articles or speaking engagements. There are also two school groups who come for two hours a week in the spring and fall to ride and learn about caring for horses. I like the days the school groups come because they always bring treats! People who are part of the SASi Day Habilitation Program also have the opportunity to ride or visit as well. So, as you can see, riders come from all sorts of places. Additionally, we also have riders through Family Support Services grants from both the Finger Lakes DDSO and Western New York DDSO. For the past year and a half, these grants have provided two sessions of riding (12 weeks) to specifically selected school age children who are living at home with their families. The purpose of these grants is to promote self management and self esteem in the riders while helping their families gain a better understanding of how to cope with behavioral issues. Of course, I am just one chubby pony so I don’t understand all of the implications of these grants, but I do know that because of them, the horses have met some wonderful new riders and we have helped them feel good about themselves and the world around them. After all, this is what we do best. On another hoof, I have big news! After more than thirteen years, my best friend of all, Equine Services Supervisor Judy Feine is retiring. We’re not quite sure what we’ll do without her here at the barn on the hill, but we know that she will leave us in good hands. Erin told us to “keep a stiff upper lip and we’ll get through it together.” I’m not sure if I can eat like that, but for Judy I’ll try! So from everyone at High Hurdles, riders past and present, family members, staff, volunteers and especially all of us who live at the barn, Congratulations Judy, we will miss you! Stop by for a carrot when you can. …….and if you see Judy trotting around town, say “hay” and wish her the very best. She deserves it! ~ Babe, Rudy, Angel, Maggie, Sassy, Penny, Princess, Sheila and Crickett High Hurdles Saddles–Up with help from the Variety Club Variety Women Member - Lauretta Szynkowski, Judy Feine - High Hurdles and Heart Committee Chairman/Board Member - Ken Scibetta This year it became apparent that High Hurdles needed another type of saddle to accommodate some of the larger and heavier young riders. SASi approached Variety – The Children’s Charity of Buffalo and Western New York, to help with the cost of the saddle. High Hurdles was selected to receive funding and was recognized by Variety for it’s value to children. Equine Services Supervisor, Judy Feine and SASi’s Director of Clinical Services, Karen Vance, were in attendance at the “Thanks-For-Giving” presentation dinner on November 11, 2011 at the Adam’s Mark Hotel. Judy happily accepted a check for $455.70 which was used to purchase the new 17 inch Western Saddle. SASi was just one of several nonprofit organizations that benefitted from the money raised during the 2011 Variety Club Telethon and other fundraising events held throughout the year. Moving Miracles, Inc., a dance and movement program for individuals with disabilities, and an affiliate of SASi, also received funding at the event. For information on how you can help High Hurdles, call (716) 805-1555 Page 7 Non-Profit US Postage PAID Arcade, NY Permit No. 1 960 West Maple Ct. Elma, NY 14059 (716)805-1555 www.sasinc.org Save the Dates! The 16th Annual Murder Mystery Dinner: Date: Saturday, March 10, 2012 Time: 5:30pm NEW Location: Michael’s Banquet Facility 4885 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg, NY Tickets are $37.50 each and include dinner, dessert & show The event also features a LARGE theme basket raffle and cash bar The 17th Annual SASi Golf Tournament Start your weekend off right with a Friday afternoon tournament or wine tour on the Niagara (USA) Wine Trail Tentative Date: Friday, June 22, 2012 Time: Lunch & Registration at 11:30 Location: Arrowhead Golf Course, Akron, NY * Please be advised, event details are subject to change. Check the website or call (716)805-1555, closer to the event date to confirm information