Newsletter 2013 Winter - Opportunity Matters, Inc.

WInTEr 2013
Board Member Brings Important Perspective to OMI’s Board of Directors
Natalie Ethen, Executive Secretary
John Herges, President and CEO of Falcon National Bank joined Opportunity Matters Board of
Directors in 2011 and currently serves as Board Treasurer. John lives in the Hester Park neighborhood with his wife Mary. He has two sons, one of which receives services through Opportunity
Matters, Inc. John is able to bring a unique and important perspective to the board as a family
member of a loved one being served by Opportunity Matters. “I am very appreciative of what OMI
does for my son and look at this as a way of giving back to the organization.” John is very active in
the community and is also a board member of the St. Cloud Area and Foley Chamber of Commerce
as well as the St. Cloud’s Downtown Council.
This is not the first time, however, that the OMI Board has had a family member serve on the
Board of Directors. The Board feels that family members bring a unique and valuable insight into
the organization and the Board.
Opportunity Matters’ Board of Directors is a volunteer board. Board meetings are held the fourth
Wednesday of every month, they begin at 5:15 p.m. and typically last 90 minutes. Benefits of serving
on the OMI Board include:
John Herges
• Empower lives of the individuals, families and community members we serve and the staff working for Opportunity
Matters.
• Great networking opportunity with other business and community leaders in St. Cloud and surrounding area.
• Sharing knowledge and skills to help grow and guide the organization.
The OMI Board of Directors is currently seeking individuals interested in serving on OMI’s Board. If you are interested
in becoming a member of the Board of Directors, please contact Regan Stommes, CEO at [email protected]
or (320) 240-1900 extension 210. 
Partnership Offers Valuable Volunteers
Brittany Wright, Program Coordinator
Since the inception of Opportunity Matters volunteer program in 2008, over 800 amazing volunteers have given their
time within various areas of the organization. The benefits of utilizing these volunteers are endless for the individuals we
serve, the organization, the volunteers and even the community itself. One example of this is the partnership established
with Rasmussen College Nursing Department. Students enrolled in the Rasmussen Nursing Program have been completing part of there clinical training by volunteering at a few of our residential homes. This partnership was established to
assist students in learning skills to work with people with disabilities while giving the individuals we serve and staff the
opportunity to meet new people and introduce them to our organization. Having these students out at the sites has been a
wonderful experience. The volunteers arrive at the homes with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. Their attitude
is contagious! The individuals we serve are excited to have someone new to talk with and to share their stories with, giving
them a casual and impromptu lesson in social skills. It is through these types of partnerships and our volunteers that assist
Opportunity Matters in creating opportunities that empower individuals and their families to reach their full potential. 
Look Back
at 2012!
Our Favorite Things About the Holidays!
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
What is your favorite present that you have ever
“Going to see my sister in Wisconsin” -Jackie Yilek (F9) recieved?
“A blanket my parents bought me a long time ago.”
“Spending time with friends and shopping.”
-Colleen Eilers (SH)
-Connie Roberts (F8)
“Opening presents.”
-Judy Duncan (F10)
“Shopping for gifts.”
-Kristine Eldredge (CH)
“Making and decorating Christmas cookies.”
-Carol Boeke (F4)
What is your favorite memory of the holidays?
“Going shopping and opening presents.”
-Jacob Jehoich (PTO)
“Grandma’s lasagna.”
-Jon Dresow (F6)
“Playstation and an Xbox.”
-Brad Jordahl (M1)
“A karoke party machine.”
-Rachel Miller (F9)
“Money!”
-Tim Storkamp (F9)
“Three Stooges movie”
-Danny Kasner (F6)
What is your favorite holiday movie?
-Sara Deppa (SH)
“Elf.”
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”
-Eric Theisen (F2)
-Danny Miller (PTO)
“Opening presents with my family on Christmas Eve at
my aunt’s house. I love getting presents!”
-Sharon Cole (F1)
“Frosty”
“Opening gifts, shaking the gift up when I was little to
guess what was inside.”
-Donna Gerads (F1)
“Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer.”
-Bernice Roering (F1)
“Food.”
-Jane Peterson (SH)
“Santa Buddies.”
-Jessica Thompson (F5)
2013 Brings a new Focus to Pathways
Amy Inglett, Program Director
2013 will see exciting changes happening within our
Pathways program. We are currently looking at ways to offer
the individuals we serve their necessary programming while
increasing the opportunities for community integration,
socialization, and health and wellness, in a more structured
format. One area that is being closely looked at is transportation to and from the program. Currently, individuals are
picked up throughout the day which can cause them to miss
out on group outings or key socialization opportunities. A
new transportation schedule offering set pick-up/drop-off
times will ensure everyone is present to participate in all
opportunities.
Those individuals attending Pathways due to memory loss
may also see some changes in 2013. Participants will be utilizing the Adult Day Services room more frequently, which will
allow them adequate space for activities that focus around
memory loss and a more quiet and peaceful environment.
Please watch your mail and future Visions newsletters for
further information about the exciting new changes happening within Pathways. 
Donations/Grants
We are grateful to the many individuals, families, businesses and foundations whose contributions are vital to the
success of Opportunity Matters Inc. The following list reflects gifts received from September 2, 2012 to December
1, 2012.
2,500+
John & Nancy Bartlett Family Fund of the
Central Minnesota Community Foundation
500+
Brandl Motors
Bremer Bank
Center for Diagnostic Imaging
Flagship Insurance & Financial Services, Inc.
Joyce & Tony Tillemans Fund of the Central
Minnesota Community Foundation
Netgain Technology Inc.
Suite Spaces, LLC
250+
Jerymie proudly showing some of his Toys for Tots donation
Doing His Part to Give Back
Birttany Wright, Program Coordinator
Jerymie Roberts is a hard working young man. He
works four days a week at WACOSA and takes great pride
and enthusiasm in his job and the paycheck he receives.
With the money he saved this year, Jerymie decided to
put those hard earned dollars to good use and give back
to the community. Jerymie went shopping and bought
over 30 toys to donate to the Toys for Tots program in
addition to giving a cash donation. Jerymie also gave a cash
donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Jerymie greatly
enjoys children and picked these organizations to give the
donations to. Jerymie had a great time shopping for the
toys and knowing that he helped make a happier holiday
for children in our community. Great job Jerymie! 
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
GNP Company
Gray Plant Mooty
Workplace Behavioral Solutions
100+
Laurel Kasner
Eric & Regan Stommes
Kurt & Sarah Erickson
Falcon National Bank
St. Cloud Federal Credit Union
W3i Holdings, LLC
In-Kind
360 Chiropractic
AmeriPride Services
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
Crafts Direct
Crown Press
Minnesota Copy Systems
MCI Carpet One
Twisted Twilight 2012: A Success!
Brenda Eggerth, Volunteer & Communications Manager
A big thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday, October 27 for our annual fundraiser, Twisted Twilight.
Attendees enjoyed music by Slip Twister, appetizers, and participated in a variety of contests. Congratulations to our Best
Costume Contest winner, Jill Lyone, and Best Witches Cackle winner, Julie Diethelm. Over $6,000 was raised to benefit
the programming needs of OMI’s Adult Day Program and Multiple Sclerosis Center. A special thanks to our sponsors
and all the volunteers that helped make the event a great success. 
Mark your calendar for our 2013 event:
Friday, October 25, 2013
Music by Sell Out Stereo
Best Western Kelly Inn
Twisted Twilight Committee
Winner Best Costume: Jill Lyon
Winner Best Witch’s Cackle: Julie Diethelm
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www.opportunitymatters.org
return service requested
Board Members
President
Pam Rickbeil, St. Cloud Hospital
President Elect:
Bob Rueter, Boy Scouts of America
Secretary
Nick Brandt, Retired Investment Counselor
Treasurer:
John Herges, Falcon National Bank
Directors:
Ann Cofell, St. Cloud Area Legal Services
Gary Sabby, T & S Agency, LLC
Thank You to Our Community
Brenda Eggerth, Volunteer & Communications Manager
Thank you to the local businesses and collaborative partners who help support the important
mission of Opportunity Matters throughout the year. It is through your support that we are able
to continue to create opportunities that empower individuals and their families to reach their
full potential, while embracing a diversity of abilities creating richer opportunities for all.
Opportunity Matters would also like to spotlight the following individuals and organizations that have shared in our mission over the past 6 months. 
Chaz Blakk, Music In Motion
Sandy Hackenmueller, Captured Moments
Karen Fuecker, RN, BSN, MSCN, Teva Pharmaceuticals
Diane Ekrens, Wright County
Elise Chahla, Tysvar
Bob Bunger, HBH Consulting
Katrina Pierson, HBH Consulting
Kathy Grochow, Bremer
Christine Stanz, CliftonLarsonAllen