The fourth annual High Tea was held Wednesday, June 5 at the Crystal Tree Country Club in Orland Park. This special event was co-hosted by Sertoma Centre, Inc. and Sertoma Speech and Hearing Centre. We thank all the attendees and those who contributed to the success of the High Tea.
The photography included in this post was graciously provided by Backbeat Photography in Tinley Park, www.backbeatphotography.com
WHICH WILL IT BE?
Contributed by Sandra Baker, Direct Service Professional (DSP)
- Italian Sausage with green peppers, onions and fresh garlic?
- Spaghetti with meat sauce?
- Homemade chicken soup?
Linda, Ivery and Donald take turns preparing the ingredients for today's entree.
Every Tuesday the consumers in our DT program area, patiently await the chance to give their suggestion for Thursday’s cooking class. The choices are recorded, then they vote.
On Wednesdays our shopping list is completed, 6 consumers and 1 staff head out to the grocery store. The consumers locate the ingredients, check the quality of items, and learn how to get the most value for their money.
Erik carefully chops the onions.
It’s finally Thursday….. After completing exercise, the consumers set up the cookware and utensils needed. Each consumer puts on a pair of gloves and participates in preparing our entrée. They clean and dice the produce, add the ingredients using measuring spoons, and cups, and assist in cooking the meat. During preparation the staff teach and quiz the consumers on the type of meat that we are preparing, where it comes from , how the produce is grown, and the importance of following proper temperature guidelines.
Ivery enjoys the soup she helped prepare.
After the entrée is finished, the consumers all sit together and enjoy the meal that they have prepared.
Sandy, Pam, and Lauren also cook breakfast every Monday for the consumers to make sure they start the week off right!
It was smooth sailing at the Silent Partner Dinner on Friday, February 8.
We thank those who helped make this evening possible:
- Culinary Creations by Angie
- Lisa Scherer of Aged 2 Perfection
- Oak Lawn Hilton Consumers from Sertoma Centre and the CILA Homes
- Sertoma Centre Volunteers
Special Thanks to Those Who Generously Donated Items for the Raffle:
- Egon and Dorothy Menker
- Jenny’s Steak House
- Patio Restaurant
Silent Partners – Their Generosity is our Anchor, and their Support Keeps us on Course.
Over 300 people attended the event.
Sertoma consumers know how to have a good time. They enjoy, good food, great music, and an nice award presentations. However, if you throw in photo booth and a Michael Jackson impersonator then you really have PARTY. The more than 300 guests who attended this event had an awesome time at the Lexington House in Hickory Hills on Dec. 2.
Rico the Michael Jackson impersonator, got the crowd on their feet.
The consumers, their families and many of the Sertoma staff joined together to celebrate the holidays and the consumers achievements. Each year at the luncheon, service awards are presented to consumers who have been with Sertoma Centre for a significant number of years. Those with 5 years receive a certificate. Individuals with 10, 15, 20, 30, 35 and 40
years of service are presented with engraved plaques by Gus van den Brink, Executive Director of Sertoma Centre, Inc.
Special thanks the staff committee who plan this event each year. They work hard to insure that everyone has a wonderful time.
Welcome to the Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar
If you were not able to attend the Holiday Bazaar held on December 7th, there is always next year, but you missed out on a great time. Attendees were treated to wonderful day of shopping, browsing, eating, laughter and good cheer as everyone hunted for that perfect Holiday Gift. The North Pole Café served hot dog and hamburger meals while Holiday music played in the background. You could even enjoy coffee, hot cocoa and a baked treat from Mrs. Clause’s Bake Shop. All the elves in the gift wrap station were tuckered out from wrapping gifts purchased at the Bazaar.
Many consumers, family and friends joined the fun and frivolity the first week of December to help ring in the Holiday, Cheer. Above everything else, as I looked upon the Winter Wonderland before me, I was struck by the camaraderie and generous spirit of Sertoma Centre. There were so many staff, consumers and volunteers all working together to ensure everyone had a wonderful time.
Seeing our consumers interacting with one another as they shopped for gifts for loved ones, touched me deeply as I realized this is what it is all about: the Human Spirit. I realized that I am so lucky to work at a place that helps people foster their spirit as they strive for their own personal successes every day. Sure some people may say, “it was only a Bazaar, a place to shop like every other day.” But that’s the catch: for some of our individuals they don’t have the same opportunities that we do to do everyday things such as shop in a marketplace and buy a gift for someone they love. That was the sole driving force behind the Holiday Bazaar-giving everyone the chance to spread their own Holiday magic for the people they care about.
So if you didn’t get a chance to stop by this year, mark your calendar for December 6th, 2013 as the Bazaar promises to be bigger and better next year. On behalf of Sertoma Centre and Volunteer Services, we hope you have a wonderful Holiday Season and
good luck for a fabulous New Year! More Event Photos!
Click this link to see all the photos from the event
Welcoming faces at registration (L-R Laura Gardner, Regina Robinson, Archie Garret
Gus van den Brink shared consumer success stories
Magical entertainment provided by John Measner and his lovely assistant, Robin.
L-R (Lorraine Barnes and Carol DeVries)
Insite Employee of the Year – Robert Mundy. The presenter- Dana McFarlin-Lloyd, EDS Program Coordinator.
Dinner attendees were invited to take part in the on stage magic show as well.
L-R (Dave Peksenak, Robert Mundy, Dana McFarlin-Lloyd)
Joe Varanauski
John Fanning, Fanning Communications with staff members.
Yes, Christmas Shopping. This is not a misprint although some of us would like it to be as the holiday season quickly approaches. But have no fear, Sertoma Centre has all your shopping needs covered this year. Introducing Volunteer Services’ Winter Wonderland ~ A Holiday Bazaar and Shopping Extravaganza. Who ever coined the phrase, “Go Big or Go Home” was right and we are going BIG this holiday season. Please join us on Friday, December 7, as we offer a unique opportunity for consumers, family members and the local community to shop for holiday items while also supporting the different services and programs at Sertoma Centre. We will be offering a Craft Fair and Shopping Bazaar composed of many different items: ornaments, holiday décor, stocking stuffers and boutique items. We’ll also be bringing our Good As New Thrift Store to you. Here are the details:
Friday, December 7, 2012
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
4343 W. 123rd St.
Upstairs Lunchroom and Board Room
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
We need volunteers and small donations to make this Shopping Extravaganza possible for our consumers who may not be able to get out and do traditional Christmas shopping. Below are just a few of the volunteer jobs and donated items we need to be a success:
Santa’s Helpers: Now through December 7, we need volunteers to assist consumers in creating and making the crafts they will be selling at the bazaar.
Gift Wrapping Elves: We will have a FREE gift wrapping service to all who purchase items at the bazaar.
Rudolph’s Reindeer Boutique: Set up Good as New Thrift Store items the day before the event and/or help work the boutique on day the of the Bazaar.
Mrs. Claus’s Bake Shop: We need baked goods and people to manage this area.
North Pole Café: Snack food will be available for purchase.
Donner’s Donations: Simple donations are needed to make this a magical time for our consumers: craft items (please call for specifics), holiday themed wrapping paper, tape, ribbons, Christmas tags, baked goods, gift cards to local craft stores, etc.
Spread some holiday cheer this year by donating your time, treasures and talents to the Holiday Bazaar before or on December 7. If interested in volunteering or donating, please contact our Head Elf, Laura Gardner in Volunteer Services at (708) 730-6211 or email her in-box at the North Pole: lgardner@sertomacentre.org. Hope you can join us in some way to support our Winter Wonderland!
WISHING YOU AND YOURS A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!!
Sertoma Centre celebrated National Direct Support Professional Appreciation Week by recognizing the 115 Direct Support Professionals who are committed to serving the individuals with disabilities.
Special activities and treats were provided each day of the weeklong celebration.
On Monday, all DSP staff received “Great People” buttons and banners were hung at all the Sertoma locations thanking “Great People Doing Great Things”.
Tuesday included a “Lunch on Us Raffle” where winners at each location received a gift for a free lunch.
On Wednesday there were 
beautiful cakes served at the Sertoma locations and cupcakes for the CILA homes.
Thursday morning, DSPs enjoyed complimentary coffee and snacks served in the staff lounge – which was decorated like a Coffee Cafe.
The finale on Friday included a tailgate lunch and Jersey day – which featured grilled burgers and dogs, plus tons of delicious side dishes provided by Sertoma Staff. Sandra Baker, a Direct Support Professional with 
Sertoma for eight years said, “[The week was] very nice, and much appreciated. Thanks to all who took the time to make us feel appreciated.”
Sertoma Centre is extremely proud of our DSP staff and thank them for the Great Work they do each day.
Regina Robinson, Lynn King, Laura Gardner, Amy Chmura were thrilled to be awarded the Abby Foundation Grant.
The luncheon included an exhibt area where Sertoma Centre provided attendees an opportuntiy to learn more about the many programs and services Sertoma Centre offers individuals with disabilities in the community.
The Abby Foundation’s mission: raise money and distribute it to established nonprofit organizations, who apply for a grants that help women and their children and fund scholarships for both young women and returning women.
Sertoma Centre requested the grant to expand the “Our Rights, Right Now” Healthy Relationships Group which focuses on prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault for women with disabilities. The goal of this group program is to educate women with disabilities about domestic violence and sexual assault awareness and prevention, rights and resource options. The expansion of the program will include curriculum materials to add training modules focused on healthy relationships, sexuality, family planning and communication and interactions with significant others (such as partners, family members and legal guardians).
Funds will also be used to develop a speaker’s series with professionals in various related industries and an agency-wide awareness and education event that will be planned and implemented by the women in the group.
http://youtu.be/mamIGWbB9gE
Garrison
Sertoma Centre celebrates our four-legged friends each year with Bring Your Dog to Work Day. As part of our special day, Bill Downs and his CCI (Canine Companions for Independence) service dog Garrison demonstrated several of the 40 commands Garrison can perform.
Left to right; Bill Downs, Garrison, Fennel, Tom Dornback
Tom Dornback, a volunteer puppy raiser brought his puppy, Fennel to explain the 18 month process of raising puppies. Tom shared how much he enjoys training puppies like Fennel to someday be a canine companion for someone with a disability. Training service dogs like Garrison and Fennel can create life-changing independence for a person with a disability.
Turning on the light
Consumers and staff were amazed by the types of tasks these dogs are able to perform like; turning on the light switch, pulling a wheelchair, opening a door or picking something up off the floor. Even more astounding, is the amount of time and training that goes into raising the 4 different types of assistance dogs: Service, Hearing, Facility and Skilled Companions.
Fennel
Canine Companions for Independence is non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. If you are interested in volunteering, raising a puppy, making a donation or applying for a puppy go to cci.org or call 1/800-572-BARK.
Pictured: Student - Amber Barajas, Director of Admissions-Ross Rosenberg, Sertoma's Executive Director-Gus van den Brink, Student-Kimberly Milan, and Bernadette Fumbanks, Admissions Representative Campus Sr. from Everest College in Merrionette Park.
Everest College in Merrionette Park, IL hosted a Hygiene Products Drive for Sertoma Centre.
On the 3oth of May, representatives from Everest College dropped off bins of hygiene products including soap, tissue, toothpaste, shampoo, etc. ”We were more than happy to make this wonderful contribution,” stated Bernadette Fumbanks, Admissions Representative Campus Sr. Accompanying Bernadette were Ambassador honor roll students, Amber Barajas and Kimberly Milan, and the Director of Admissions, Ross Rosenberg.
These products will be given to the individuals with disabilities served by Sertoma Centre in the Residential Services Program which includes Community Integrated Living Arangements, (CILAs) providing 24-hour residential support and Intermittent CILA, (ICILA) which provides part-time support to those individuals who wish to live more independently.
Pictured: Curtis Harrell, Lorez Stevens, Rev. Kenneth Lee, Suzan Simmons and Andre Moore
On Saturday June 8th, the classmates of Carver High School Class of 1982 celebrated their 30th graduation anniversary at Orland Chateau. Wishing to make a difference and give back, the class reunion organizers decided to collect donations for a cause near and dear to their hearts, children with autism.
One in every 88 children in the US has autism. It is estimated that approximately 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. has autism. Several classmates spoke that evening of how their lives have been effected by having a child on the autism spectrum.
Rev. Kenneth Lee graciously invited Sertoma Centre to stop by their reunion and speak briefly about Autism. Sertoma Centre sincerely thanks Rev. Lee for including us in their celebration and the Carver High School Class of 1982 for their generous donation to the Autism Services Program.
From left to right:
BIG Event 2012 – Highlights From SouthtownStar Newspaper’s Casey Toner
