VANDERHEYDEN Newsletter
 In the News....
May 2017 

 
VANDERHEYDEN'S ROYAL GALA 2017
"LIGHT UP THE NIGHT"


 

Thank you Capital Region community
for making this a special night for our Individuals!
 
    
     

 What a spectacular night!


        
       
 
THANK YOU RAYMOUR & FLANIGAN!    

     
 
Thank you Raymour & Flanigan for the opportunity to hold a fundraiser at your Latham Showroom on Saturday, May 6th!

Thank you so much for your monetary donation to be used for expenses associated with our Royal Gala for our Individuals, and, for being a drop-off location of gently used formal wear and accessories for our upcoming event!



We appreciate all your company does for Vanderheyden, and, for being such a great community partner!
 
 
 
THANK YOU ROYAL GALA VOLUNTEERS!    

     
 
 
Thank you to our volunteers from the Capital Region, who styled hair, applied makeup, tailored suits, sewed gowns, prepared and served hors d'Oeuvres, served dinner, helped with the cleanup, and many more tasks to make this a special night for our Individuals. 

      
 

We appreciate all you do for Vanderheyden!

   



 
 


MEET OUR UPCOMING GRAD MICHAEL
   
 
 

Michael will soon be leaving the halls of Vanderheyden as a Graduate of the Class of 2017.

The Albany County resident is a student at the Richard A. Desrochers Educational Center, where he says he has achieved mostly "A's."

Michael came to Vanderheyden as a resident at our Wynantskill campus two years ago, and transitioned to a "Day Student." He now lives back at home with his parents and his twin sister. Michael says he's older than her by two minutes.

According to Michael, Vanderheyden has been a positive influence in his life by giving him "the support, all the transition help, and social work," in order for him to live back with his family.

The experience at Vanderheyden has made a big difference in his life, Michael says.

"They do fantastic work. I'm happy to be graduating," he says.

After graduation, Michael hopes to find a job and work for a year. During this time, he would like to focus on what college to attend, and what avenue to pursue. After that, he plans to go to college to take some courses related to his interests of video games and sports.

Michael has kind words about his experience at Vanderheyden.

"The staff are nice," he says. "They care about everyone here."

He says the Team Members went out of their way to help facilitate home visits every week for him, while he was a resident on campus.

One of Michael's favorite Team Members at Vanderheyden is Matt McEvilly, the school's Safety Coordinator.

"Michael is a very caring, friendly kid, that is always on top of his education, and is always helping others when they are in need," McEvilly says.

In the past, Michael has been involved in football and basketball, and has a great foul line and three-point shot. He also likes to play video games, and says he loves to eat. His favorite foods are subs and steaks.

Good luck, Michael, in your future endeavors! 

 
CDPHP WORKFORCE TEAM CHALLENGE!    

     

  "Team Vanderheyden"  



Team Vanderheyden took part in the 3.5-mile road race on Thursday, May 18th at the Empire State Plaza in Albany.  Close to 10,000 runners and walkers participated in the annual event. 

Vanderheyden was one of two charities that were chosen 2017 Charities of Choice for the event.

Thank you CDPHP, the Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club, the participants, volunteers, and all of our donors!   

     


A VANDERHEYDEN GIVE BACK   
 
     
  Members of our Executive Team were busy stuffing bags at Hannaford's in Albany. 
The goodies were given out at the 2017 CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge.
 
 

THANK YOU TEACHERS AND TEAM MEMBERS!  
 
     
 Our Teachers and School Team Members were treated in early May
with a luncheon and goodies!

Thank you for making a difference here at Vanderheyden!! 
 

VANDERHEYDEN AT NY YANKEES GAME!  

     
Our Individuals and Team Members made it to a New York Yankees game over the Memorial Day weekend, thanks to a Capital Region donor.

We always welcome donations of tickets to any event.  We have "the wheels," and we will travel to see an event.

Thank you for your support with ticket donations!  Our Individuals absolutely love it! 
 
 
THANK YOU KEYBANK
FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT VANDERHEYDEN!

 

"Committed volunteers are the backbone of our organization. 
Lives are changed in this community because of their work. 
What an amazing mark to leave on the place you live." - Karl Ridder
     

    
 
Vanderheyden is grateful for the opportunity to be one of the nonprofits that benefited from KeyBank's 27th Annual Neighbors Make the Difference Day!     
 
A special thank you to George's Market and Nursery in Latham for the beautiful flowers at our Wynantskill campus!  

    

 

THANK YOU VANDERHEYDEN NURSES!  

     
 
Our nurses were treated to a special luncheon and lovely flowers on Wednesday, May 10th
for National Nurse Appreciation Week! 
Thank you for all you do!
 
 
THANK YOU TO UHY ADVISORS NY
FOR VOLUNTEERING AT VANDERHEYDEN!

 

   Thank you UHY Advisors NY, Inc for volunteering at our Wynantskill campus! 
 
     
 
We greatly appreciate clearing the winter debris from our Sanctuary Trail, even in the rain!

Thank you for helping us transform our "Boutique" for Vanderheyden's Royal Gala, back into our Art Room!

A special thank you to the volunteers who assisted Community Service in a lamination project for our campus!

         
  MEET LEE, OUR NEW EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT       
 

Lee Vero brings a lot of solid experience to the Vanderheyden team as Executive Assistant to President and CEO Karen Carpenter Palumbo.

Vero, from Long Island who has made Saratoga County her home for the past 25 years, has been in her new position since April.

As Executive Assistant, Vero does everything needed to make Vanderheyden run smoothly agency wide.

Some of Vero's duties include maintaining a very busy and active calendar for our President and CEO, setting up meetings, and making travel arrangements.

She is also the facilitator of our open door policy, and our liaison for the Board of Directors.  This entails the scheduling of Board and Committee meetings, and the recording of minutes.

Vero is happy to assist the Executive Team and any Team Member with whatever task when they need.

"I go with the flow," Vero says.

During her first week here, Vero organized a retreat for Vanderheyden's Board of Directors and Staff, which was held only a couple of days later. The event was highly detailed and flawless, thanks to Vero.

Vero says she was impressed with Vanderheyden after reading about our organization.

"What attracted me was the dedication and the passion that the CEO and Executive Team had for the facility," Vero says. "And, the volunteerism of the giveback idea."

"I told my children as long as you have passion for what you want to do, you will be a success," she says. "You have to love what you do, then it won't be considered work."

After a couple of months at Vanderheyden, Vero has kind words about the organization and Team Members.

"I just love the people. I love their passion," she says. "I love that people will jump in and help no matter what. The team spirit."

Vero finds other positives to working here.

"I love the grounds and the natural setting," she says. "There is a peace and quiet driving up here in the morning that is very welcoming."

Vero says the position offers her the flexibility and structure to have a job that she says is very rewarding.

After living on the South Shore of Long Island for many years, Vero, her husband, and their three children, (a fourth came later) moved to a quiet setting on a farm in Cooperstown. While living in "The Birthplace of Baseball," she was the owner of a chocolate business.

Vero also held a position at a Schenectady hospital as a Residency Coordinator, who recruited medical students to be family practice doctors. She also planned the graduation of 800 resident doctors, after they completed the hospital's three-year residency requirement.

While at a large Capital Region-based health insurance company, Vero was the Administrative Assistant for three of their departments.

Vero's passion is cooking. The professionally-trained chef says she enjoys creating dishes with Mediterranean, Spanish, Italian and Indian themes.

She also likes to do gardening and rollerblading, and relaxes by taking a walk of three to five miles a day.

Taking care of her three-year-old granddaughter brings an enormous enjoyment to her life.

During vacation, Vero can be found traveling the country with her family in their R.V. Some of her memorable trips include driving cross-country, and going to Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, and Colorado.

Since Vero loves the ocean, she plans special getaways to Nantucket Sound in Massachusetts, and Smith Point in Long Island.

While at our Wynantskill campus, stop by and introduce yourself to Lee in the Pattison Wing of the Administration Building. She can also be reached at (518) 283-6500, extension #208.

Welcome, Lee, to our Vanderheyden Team! 
 
  SAVE THE DATES!

 
 
 
YOU ARE INVITED TO BE OUR GUEST AT OUR 2017 UPCOMING EVENTS:

 
June 12 to 15 - Burger 21 Fundraiser in Latham.  Mention "Vanderheyden," and 10% of your purchase will benefit our organization.

Friday, June 23 - Vanderheyden Graduation and Moving Up Ceremonies

Saturday, October 14 - Community Fall Festival -Vanderheyden Wynantskill Campus 
 
Wednesday, October 18 - Annual Oktoberfest Fundraiser at Brown's Brewing Co, Troy

  More details to come.... Keep following us on Facebook!

                                             As always, thank you for your support!
 

BLUE BOX DONATIONS ALWAYS WELCOME!

 
 
Time to clean out your closets for the season!  We will accept any unwanted clothing item!  Bring them to our campus at 614 Cooper Hill Road in Wynantskill, and look for the "Blue Box" at the entrance to our parking lot.  Thank you so much for your help!                         
 
   To make a donation on our website, donate_now_blue4_btn.gif
    click on the "Donate Now" button.
            
                     Find us on:  www.vanderheyden.org                                
                                                 

  Other Ways to Help.....
  

  
                                  
      
    
                

Non-Violence * Emotional Intelligence * Social Learning * Open Communication * Social Responsibility * Shared Governance * Growth & Change