Volume 1                                                                       March 1, 2018                                                                         Issue 2
ANNOUNCEMENTS

Loveland's Office of Community Impact has been busy in and around the community! 
Our premier art exhibition and sale featuring Loveland's first artist-in-residence, Mr. Gary  Felfoldy, alongside two dozen Loveland artists was an overwhelming success!  On February 24, over 150 people joined us in the Lamoureux Clubhouse and 70 paintings were sold. Several of Loveland's featured artists were also busy painting live during the event. We look forward to announcing our next artist-in-residence in the coming weeks.
 
The Volunteer program currently has four community opportunities. The newest and most exciting to-date is a partnership with the City of Venice Area Beautification, Inc. Be on the lookout for us!

If you have or know of a volunteering opportunity in our community, please contact Jennifer Bushinger, the Director of Community Impact at:
SUPPORT LOVELAND

Triple The Impact! 
From March 12 - March 31, Amazon is tripling the donation rate of your first Amazon Smile purchase!


#BETHEOPPORTUNITY

Steve Bell from  Unity Through Rhythm taught a drum circle class in early February. We worked on rhythm and story telling through music. 
LOVELAND SPOTLIGHT

ap.pre.ci.a.tion

No matter how you pronounce it or even how often you say it -- it's never enough. Showing appreciation serves to acknowledge someone's character, a gift received, or even an expression offered that makes you smile.

Loveland Center had the chance to show its appreciation to the many patrons, donors, and volunteers that have supported the agency this year. We hosted a series of Donor Appreciation Luncheons throughout the county area -- North at The Founders Club, central at Plantation Golf & Country Club, and south at Boca Royale Golf & Country Club.

Three groups of six Loveland Chorus participants each sang, "You Are Awesome", "God Bless America", and "Be The One" to packed audiences that cheered and applauded their performances. Several of our participants even chose to speak spontaneously and express their appreciation to the supporters themselves!

We can never stop saying, "Thank you" to those that allow us the opportunity to continue our mission at Loveland -- indeed, you are awesome!
FEATURED STORY

It is Normal to be Different.

This quote from Dr. Gunnar Dybwad (1909-2001), an early and prominent advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, noted how "disability" is a natural part of the human condition. He framed I/DD as a civil rights issue rather than a medical or social work problem. As he once stated, "There will always be people who are treated unequally because they are perceived as different."
 
Imagine a world where everyone regardless of how different they are - are considered equal.

Imagine a world where everyone has the opportunity to realize their potential and dreams.

Indeed that is our quest at Loveland Center and your efforts as parents, caregivers, supporters, volunteers and advocates will undoubtedly make the future brighter for not only the individuals at Loveland, but those in our surrounding communities-nationally and globally.

Equality through Opportunity  is Loveland's new tag line and, more importantly, our rallying cry in every community starting today! Join us and engage your passion and inspiration with those that can change the world.
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH

"Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of March 1987 as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. I invite all individuals, agencies, and organizations concerned with the problem of developmental disabilities to observe this month with appropriate observances and activities directed toward increasing public awareness of the needs and the potential of Americans with developmental disabilities. I urge all Americans to join me in according to our fellow citizens with such disabilities both encouragement and the opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential." [Proclamation 5613, February 26, 1987]

31 years later, great strides have been taken across this country to increase awareness and fight for the rights of those individuals we serve here at Loveland, but we have merely scratched the surface of the possibilities. Now is the time to turn everyone into advocates and champion for each individual, some of whom can't access their voice, to speak out and say that every person should be given the opportunity -- the opportunity to be seen as equals. 

Loveland has been serving this community for 55 years and we are ready for this journey to advocate for those who just need some additional support to showcase their abilities and remove the "D" word from our frame of mind.  Equality is the goal and opportunity is the avenue to achieve that goal, but we can only do it with the help of everyone in our community and around the world.
DID YOU KNOW?
Logo
This year celebrates the 10th year that  ArtisTree Landscape Maintenance and Design has shown dedication and support of Loveland through its  in-kind donation of the grounds maintenance for our entire property!  

ArtisTree encourages  its  staff to support Loveland as well , and  they have given many hours of volunteer time in addition to consistently beautifying our surrounding area.  

Loveland's tree logo that was  unveiled in 2012 was conceived by ArtisTree's Vice President of Marketing, Debra Morrow, and illustrated by artist Erwin Sherman.  

Thank you, ArtisTree!
ON THE MOVE

Loveland's ADT program has been out and about in full force. Since the new direction to be engaged in our community, our instructors have organized 40 different outings in to the community in the month of February alone!
The Foundations class has teamed up with the Wellness class on a variety of outings as they all have exercised and explored their way up and down the pier at Sharky's, around Maxine Barritt Park, and enjoyed the facilities at the Gene Whipp Special Olympics park to play basketball and run on the track. 

The academics class has been making regular trips to the Jacaranda library and learning about personal responsibility for returning items that are borrowed, as well as all the great wonders that the library has to offer.

All in all, the opportunities are abundant for all of Loveland's participants and we will continue to support those we serve learn, explore, and be a part of their community.
UPCOMING EVENTS

IN-SERVICE - LOVELAND CLOSED
Friday,  March 9

LOVELANDERS JEWELRY SALE
The 17th Annual Jewelry Sale, hosted by the Lovelanders, will be selling a variety of beautiful new, old, antique, and collectible jewelry pieces where all the proceeds will benefit the students and residents of Loveland.
Saturday, March 10 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday, March 11 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Loveland Building A Cafeteria

UNITED WAY WALKATHON
Come support the United Way of South Sarasota County in their 12th Annual Community Walk.
Saturday, March 24 at 9 a.m.
Gran Paradiso - 20061 Galleria Blvd., Venice

LOVELAND PLAYERS  PRODUCTION
23rd Annual Loveland Players at the Venice Theatre presents "Unplugged: The Best Day of Your Life".
Thursday, May 31 at 7 p.m.
Friday, June 1 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 2 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 3 at 2 p.m.