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Feedback
W
e value your feedback. Please let us know how we can improve this newsletter, or if you have suggestions for future articles or content, contact Karen Herrera,
Development and Communications Director, via email at
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June is a month of celebration here at Merrick. Do you know the significance of June 1, 1998 in Merrick's history? Read on to learn more about why this day is important. A busy summer and fall are taking shape; here are some of the highlights:
- On June 13th, we will unveil our new volunteer wall which will recognize the support of crucial volunteers who have committed 288 hours (two full Board terms) or more, to Merrick's mission. At the same event we will honor special donors, and the Ambassadors for Respect will receive a life enrichment award.
- Big Wood Brewery will host the 4th Annual tournament to benefit Merrick on July 16th
- The Summer Solstice will reward two lucky winners in our cash raffle.
- Client Award Ceremonies will take place on August 9th and 16th.
- Join us on October 4th for lunch (a new event to take the place of the gala). More information to follow.❖
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John Wayne Barker Marks 20th Anniversary as
Executive Director
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Do you know the significance of June 1, 1998 in Merrick's history?
It is the date that John Wayne Barker became the Executive Director at Merrick, Inc. With him at the helm, our team has made great strides in advancing opportunities for life enrichment activities and employment options for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities in the Twin Cities!
Today, with the help of supporters like you, we strive to provide exceptional opportunities that maintain or improve the quality of life for 375 adults who choose our services. With the best interest of clients at the forefront of our decisions, we have made great strides in these twenty years and the following are just a few program and operational highlights:
- June 1, 1998 - John Wayne Barker is hired as the Executive Director and the company serves 250 clients.
- November 2003 - Merrick, Inc., opens its doors at 3210 Labore Road, Vadnais Heights, and consolidates all of its services at this location. Still considered the best DT&H building in the state, unique features include its natural lighting, barrier-free design, and geo-thermal heating and cooling system, and 525 panel rooftop solar array.
- Summer 2004 - In response to a local need for disposing of plastic sheeting, Merrick launches the plastics recycling program. In the first year of the program, 17 truckloads of plastic is diverted from Minnesota's landfills and incinerators. Since the program's inception, we have recycled 11 million pounds. The plastic is sold and made into composite decking and lawn furniture.
- November 2005 - With changes in licensing rules, Merrick, Inc., expands to more than 305 clients.
- October 2006 - The 1,400 square foot greenhouse and courtyard gardens open to provide horticulture therapy to clients.
- January 2009 - Merrick is approved as a licensed Adult Day Services provider and completes a space renovation to support clients in Alternative Services to provide life enrichment activities (e.g., art, horticulture, pet, and music therapy).
- July 2012 - Merrick opens its Adult Day and Memory Care Services program in downtown North St. Paul transferring 23 clients from the 3210 building with the capacity to serve up to 40 clients at this site.
- November 2016 - Building off previous successes, Merrick receives a $20,000 grant to allow the Ambassadors for Respect to conduct anti-bullying presentations in 44 classrooms at 15 local elementary schools. In addition, since 2008, self-advocates from Merrick have been part of at least 4 professional videos on disability issues and presented at many conferences.
- March 2017 - JWB posts his 34th Bark's Bytes which has become a must read for those in the disabilities field.
As you can see, we have made major gains in providing an environmental friendly atmosphere where clients can strive to meet their full potential with the support and guidance of caring staff.
Today, we announce the largest annual giving campaign we have ever undertaken. In recognition of JWB's 20-year tenure at Merrick, and the many accomplishments we have realized over those years, we are asking you to support our $20,000 fiscal year-end appeal. We hope you will join us in this campaign with one of the gifts below, or another amount that suits your interest.❖
$5,000 - 1 gift
$2,500 - 1 gift
$1,000 - 4 gifts
$ 500 - 8 gifts
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$250 - 7 gifts
$100 - 8 gifts
$ 50 - 29 gifts
$ 25 - 20 gifts
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Proceeds from our fiscal year-end campaign will be used to help narrow the gap between governmental reimbursements, and the actual cost of providing services at Merrick. Currently, the average reimbursement rate is
$75 per day, per client, and the cost of services is $80 per day, per client.
Multiplied by the 244 days we are open, the $5 gap widens quickly!
For those wishing to make a contribution through a donor advised fund, our tax id # is 41-0991279.
Thank you for considering a tax-deductible gift to Merrick. Your support matters every day to the adults with disabilities we so proudly serve.
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2018 Golf Scramble
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| This Lake Area Bank Team had a rolling good time at the Golf Scramble. |
Once again, the weather cooperated, and the 23rd Annual Golf Scramble went off without a hitch at Troy Burne Golf Club! With the presenting sponsorship of Lake Area Bank and additional lead sponsorships from Northview Dental, and SevenHills Cleveland Benefit Partners, we raised nearly $30,000 for the client programs at Merrick.
View the entire sponsor list.
Highlights from the event:
- 1st Place Team: Chris George, Nick George, T.C. O'Malley, and Tyler Sorvari
- "Chip for a Chance," sponsored by Warners' Stellian: Joe Trenary
- Longest Putt: Mindy Oosten
- Closest to the Pin (Women): Carol Maloney
- Putting Contest Winners: Kevin Whelan, Kevin Kelly, Mike Brass, and Dave Bossard
- Yellow Ball Contest Winners: Mike Kinderman, Bryan Haines, Joe Morris, and Mark Paetznick
We look forward to seeing everyone in 2019 for the 24th Annual Golf Scramble!
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New! Summer Solstice Cash Raffle!
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What: A raffle to raise funds for Merrick's programs
Grand Prize: $2,000.00 CASH
2nd Prize: $250.00 CASH
$20.00 per ticket
permit # 00264-008
When: Thursday, June 21, 2018 @ 4:00 p.m.
Where: The Dog House Bar and Grill
2029 Woodlynn Avenue - Maplewood, MN
How:
To purchase raffle tickets, please cotnact Jo Ann Liozakowski at
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Client Corner - Susie J. - Offsite Crew Member
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| Susie brings excitement and joy to her job at Kowalski's where she works in the gift department. |
Enrolled at Merrick since 2007, Susie J. loves working at Kowalski's and earning money so she can enjoy the good things in life like going out to eat and seeing movies, having friends over to her house and shopping. She enjoys working in the gift department at Kowalski's where she gets the first glance at all the fun, new decorative items before they go on the shelves. Susie is a great help in the department where she prices the items, and keeps the department clean and organized. She brings great excitement and energy to the work.
Sandy, our direct support service professional who supports Susie, is proud of her: "She is a very hard worker, dedicated, follows directions well, fast learner, and she goes above and beyond."
When not working, she likes going to Church, seeing movies, going out to eat, having friends over to her house, going to the YMCA, and shopping. She keeps busy at home by making cards for friends, coloring, embroidering, talking on the phone with friends, helping around the house, feeding her fish named Kevin, and chatting with neighbors, Susie also enjoys watching movies; her favorites are Matilda, Harry Potter (all of them!), Annie, and Wall-E.
Susie is not afraid to speak her opinions, and is a natural leader when she participates in self-advocacy groups at Merrick. She draws others to her; her peers and coworkers all enjoy spending time with her. They try their best to keep up with her energy level!
Another job Susie thinks she would enjoy is a waitress position. This social butterfly would definitely liven up any restaurant in which she worked and have diners coming back for more!
Get to know other clients at Merrick on our website: www.merrickinc.org/client-spotlight.html❖
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4th Annual Big Wood Brewery Golf Tournament to Benefit Merrick
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| Gather your foursome for a good time at Oak Glen! |
Join
our friends from Big Wood Brewery for the 4th Annual Big Wood Brewery Golf Tournament to Benefit
Merrick, Inc.,
on Monday, July 16th, 2018 at
Oak Glen Golf Course
in Stillwater. The day will include an 18-hole round on their beautiful Championship Course, Big Wood beer, golf contests & prizes, a reception dinner featuring dishes cooked & paired with Big Wood beers, and an auction.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Multiple sponsorship opportunities are available and each is an effective way to spread the word about your business to potential clients, which will include consumers, business owners, and non-profit organizational leadership.
- Pine Sponsorship
$150 - Your business logo will be displayed on the tee box of one hole on the course the day of the event, as well as the online registration page for the event. We will also mention your business in online promotions we will be doing in the coming months leading up to the event.
- Oak Sponsorship
$500 - Includes Pine Sponsorship perks, as well as registration for four (4) golfers.
- Hickory Sponsorship
$750 - Includes Oak Sponsorship perks, as well as placement of your product or service on the tee box you are sponsoring. You may set up a product display and/or a booth/table to meet with golfers as they play through and promote your business.
- Cherry Sponsorship
$2000 - (Available for one sponsor only.) Your business will be the exclusive sponsor of the closing reception, which will include prominent signage at the golf course on the day of the event, a spoken promotion and acknowledgement of your sponsorship during the closing speech for the event, prominent logo placement in our promotions for the event, as well as mentions of your sponsorship in our online promotions we will be doing in the coming months leading up to the event. This sponsorship also includes registration for four (4) golfers.
Auction
If you are unable to sponsor at any of the levels listed above, we are also looking for donations to raise additional funds for Merrick, Inc., during the auction on the evening of the event. This is also a great way to promote your business and be a part of this great event. Whether it's a gift card, product basket, service discount, or another offer from your business, your contribution will raise money for a great organization that is committed to serving our community.
We hope to see you there. Fore!
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