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October 2010
Greetings!

As much as possible, we try to avoid mixing fundraising with the news and stories that make up this bi-monthly newsletter.  However, 2010 has been a challenging year for charitable giving - at Hillside House as at most non-profits.  We depend on our Annual Fund for 8% (in 2009) of everything we do: staff salaries, food, medicine, enrichment activities - all of it, and we still have $150,000 to go.  Please consider an end-of-year gift to the Hillside House Annual Fund.  It is important that those who can help, do help.  You can follow the Annual Fund link just below, or use the good old USPS.

On another topic, if by chance you did not receive a 2009-10 Annual Report in the past week or two, our 65th anniversary edition, please email or call me and I will put one in the mail to you.

All best wishes for a great fall and holiday season!

Curt Lauber
Director of Development
In This Issue
Celebrating Preston
Residents Shine On Stage
Tikkun Olam
The Gentle Barn: An Amazing Vision
Quick Links

Celebrating Preston
 
Preston

We mourn the loss and celebrate the life of Preston Baines, who passed away on September 19.  Preston was 66 years old.  He had lived at Hillside House since 1964, for 46 years!  Preston was a remarkable man, an exceptionally kind and loving person, who was well loved at Hillside House. He always had a smile on his face and a chuckle at a funny comment. Many of our residents considered him a close friend, and our staff were very fond of him as well. He had a particularly close bond with Romma and was happy just to accompany her as she did her work at Hillside House.  Preston was very intelligent and had many interests.  He was a speed typer and could spell out sentences faster than we could read them sometimes. He especially loved to travel and was a truly fun, inspiring travel companion for our other residents. He loved Bingo, sunbathing, picking flowers, playing poker, and watching movies (he had a huge collection of movies). He also particularly loved watching I Love Lucy, and he loved sweet foods. As one staff member aptly says, "He touched my life in ways I will never forget." We all miss him deeply.



Residents Shine On Stage

Each year Alpha Resource Center, where many of our residents attend day programs, puts on an original musical theater production. The chance to participate in this production, to be on stage, acting and singing and having fun with others, is a highlight of the year for all those involved. This year's play, written by Gavin Roy, a local volunteer, was called Like a Persian. In it, Princess Jasmine pursues true love after being trapped in an engagement to the Grand Vizier. Jasmine is granted three wishes by the Genie of the Bottle, and adventure and love ensue. Ingelise played the "G", the Genie of the Bottle and sang "I'm Coming Out," a tune Diana Ross helped popularize. Pilar and Frankie played thieves. Joan, Frank, Stacy and Morgan attended, along with several staff members. Great fun was had by all.


Persia Play

 

B'nai B'rith Singers
Tikkun Olam

 

Congregation B'nai B'rith practices tikkun olam, the healing of the world, by going out in the community and doing charitable work and bringing joy to others.  Last week about 30 members of the congregation came to Hillside House to sing for our residents. They sang such Yiddish favorites as "Oseh Shalom" and "Hava Ne'gilah"  Cantor Mark Childs said the Hillside House residents are absolutely the best audience they have performed for, and that the singers particularly enjoyed the impromptu conducting done by our resident Chris, who often chimes in this way when performers come to sing.  Thank you B'nai B'rith for gracing us with your musical gifts and warmth of spirit.



The Gentle Barn: An Amazing Vision
 

Gentle BarnPicture 6-acres of beautiful farmland in Santa Clarita with large horse and cow pastures, a red and white barnyard for the smaller animals, an organic vegetable garden, shade trees, and a panoramic view of the mountains. In this idyllic setting,120 rescued animals are loved, and in turn, these animals bring love, healing and learning to children with special needs, at risk youth and schoolchildren of all kinds.

 

Created from the vision of Ellie Laks, who had majored in special education and psychology, and her partner Jay, the Gentle Barn is a place where both children and animals who need extra care can thrive through their interactions with one another. Every animal at their place has been rescued from abuse, neglect, and loneliness, and yet they have all survived through forgiveness, trust, love, and courage. These are the qualities that Ellie and Jay teach the children that visit The Gentle Barn.

 

They write of the process: "Our unique treatment philosophy rehabilitates animals and connects their stories of survival and healing to the personal experiences of at-risk and special needs children. The healing that takes place is truly miraculous!"

 

On September 9 Valerie, Richard, Edmundo and Susan M visited the Gentle Barn with Get Out! Travel, with funding provided by Hillside House's Nancy Read Life Enrichment Fund. They were enraptured by the close contact they got to have with the animals, being given the chance to pet, groom and feed the animals. Trips with other residents are planned for the near future.

 

To find out more: www.gentlebarn.org

1235 Veronica Springs Rd.
Santa Barbara, California 93105
(805) 687-0788
www.hillsidehousesb.org