~In This Issue~ August 2015

Phase I of Donor Wall

BWB Golf Tourney

2015 Crystal Ball

Client Spotlight | Marcus

Recent Donor Listing

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About Merrick, Inc.

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WE PARTNER WITH:

Aquarius Water Conditioning (aquariuswaterconditioning.com)

has provided families and businesses with soft water for over three decades. They work hard to provide the best customer service and water treatment. Recently selected by Twin Cities Biz Journal as a 2015 'Best Place to Work in MN', they also hold an A+ rating from the BBB.

The staff at Aquarius Water Conditioning is dedicated to providing your family the water filtration and water treatment you need for clean, safe water 24 hours a day.

Please support our business partners with your spending dollars!

Feedback

We value your feedback. Please let us know how we can improve this newsletter, or if you have suggestions for future articles or content, contact

Marketing & Communications Coordinator Emberly Hermann-Johnson via email at

EmberlyHJ@MerrickInc.org

We seek your referrals!

Help us continue to find meaningful work for the clients at Merrick by suggesting business partners who might be interested in hiring a client or a work crew. Send referrals to Work Procurement & Contracts Manager Andy Rausch at AndyR@merrickinc.org

Take the Virtual Tour

Check out the Virtual Tour

now live on Merrick's website!

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Appreciatively Yours

If it seems like we are thanking our supporters and donors and recognizing our partners in every issue of this newsletter, then we are on the right track! Without the help and support of people like you who support Merrick's mission to empower adults with disabilities there would be no Merrick, and there would be no newsletter.

In this issue we highlight the completion of a permanent display to thank our major donors, sing the praises of Big Woods Brewery who donated all the proceeds from their first annual golf tournament to Merrick, and celebrate a client whose kind smile, gentle joking ways, and appreciative nature remind us why we do the work we do.

So if hearing THANK YOU is getting old, get used to it because we hope to be thanking you time and time again as we unite together to truly make the world a better place. YOU are making a difference. Thank you. ❖

Phase I of Donor Wall Complete

With a plan to acknowledge our major donors (gifts of $10,000 or greater), create a more welcoming space in the lobby of our main program site at 3210, and provide current information in a digital format, we are pleased to report Phase 1 of the project is complete with the installation of a video monitor last month.

The recently added video monitor displays current messages to guests entering the lobby at our main program site.

The monitor will display timely information to guests, promote current happenings, and showcase the work of self-advocates. The monitor complements the display case and donor wall in the lobby.

The next time you visit 3210, please take a moment to stroll through the lobby and check out the latest project in the on-going improvements to the building so important to so many. Visitors are always welcome, if you would like to set up a tour, please contact Volunteer & Event Coordinator Jo Ann Lizakowski at JoannL@Merrickinc.org or by phone at 651-789-6209. ❖

BWB First Annual Golf Tourney Brews Up Funds

Last month, Big Wood Brewery www.bigwoodbrewery.com located in White Bear Lake, held their inaugural golf tournament and chose Merrick, Inc., as the benefactor of the proceeds.

William, (second from left) a client at Merrick, poses with Steve Merila, one of the owners of Big Wood Brewery (BWB) and his golf partners at BWB's 1st Annual Golf Tourney.

William, a client at Merrick, was the lucky guy who got to spend some time doing meet and greets at Oak Glen Golf Club. He was able to thank some of the 84 participants, which included Merrick Executive Director JWB, Development & Communications Director Karen Herrera, Work Procurement & Contracts Manager Andy Rausch, and Newtrax Executive Director Mike Greenbaum.

A BIG thanks to Big Wood Brewery! Photos from the event can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/merrickinc/sets/72157656704346535 ❖

2015 Crystal Ball | Envisioning Our Future

Our fall fundraising event, affectionately known as the Golden Gala, has a new name this year, and exciting new features. The 2015 Merrick Crystal Ball will take place Friday, October 23 at Oakdale's Prom Center. Electronic bidding and live music with dancing are the two major changes to the traditional sit-down dinner format.

Registration opens September 1. Watch your email for more updates on what the Crystal Ball has in store for you!

Dust off your dancing shoes, and press your tux/gown, the Crystal Ball comes to town in October!

Thanks to Target for signing on as our first Emerald/$10,000 sponsor. For a list of all available sponsorships, visit:

www.Merrickinc.org/gala ❖

Client Spotlight | Marcus | Recycling Crew

Marcus came to Merrick four years ago with a work history in the oil fields of Mississippi and as an iron worker. When his strong work ethic became apparent, he was asked to join the plastic recycling crew in 2013. For the past two years he has thrived under the leadership of Support Service Staff Liz Tauer who said of Marcus, "He is the heart of the recycling crew, and one of the hardest workers I've ever met. He works nonstop his entire shift. When he took a week vacation, I filled in for him, and I had the workout of my life!"

Besides being known for putting his "all" into his work, Marcus also puts his all into being a proud self-advocate. Being a member of both the onsite Shooting Stars group, and the offsite self-advocacy group that meets weekly at J. Arthurs has brought him out of his shell and lets others see his funny and outgoing personality. This fall he will begin the Partners in Policymaking twice weekly classes offered through the MN Governor's Council of Development Disabilities. The free program is designed to teach people with disabilities and family members the power of advocacy to positively change the way people with disabilities are supported, viewed, taught, live and work.

Marcus working the plastic recycling baler at Merrick.

In his free time, Marcus enjoys talking to his friends on the phone. One of his new goals is to become better at using email. He types independently and enjoys communicating with his friends through the computer. He also enjoys dining out and is a proud father and grandfather, showing off photos of his family when asked.

Without a program like Merrick and the support of staff and self-advocacy programs, would Marcus find a fit in an integrated employment setting? No one knows the answer, but for now we are glad the question doesn't need to be asked. Marcus is a great example of someone who has truly blossomed through the support offered at Merrick.

Get to know more clients at Merrick through the Client Spotlight feature on our website. Visit: http://www.merrickinc.org/client-spotlight.html ❖

Thank you to our recent donors

Lance Arnett

Peggy Barker

Eugene Beaulieu

Bernice Bednarz

Big Wood Brewery

Don Bordsen

Boss Foundation

Benjamin Bryant

Lucille Bryant-Little

Jim and Karen Clapper

Ryan Danielsen

Darlene and John Doty

Mark and Kim Duea

Georgia Duncan

Allen and Barbara Erickson

Alan and Beth Fletcher

Dede and Len Gavic

Grace Geer

Bobette Godding

Mike Greenbaum

H. B. Fuller

Karen and Cadex Herrera

Paul Huot

John Jacobson

Ed and Susan Jambor

James Jorgenson

Carolyn Kelleher

Kirtland Electric

Patricia Krumm

Bill and Cheryl Langevin

Bradford and Cheryl Lee

Erik Levy

Lifecore

Linders Specialty Company, Inc.

Dr. Scott and Anne Lingle

Thomas Lopez

Maguire Agency

John and Maria Marzitelli

Len de Llano and Wayne Matesky

Linnea Miskowiec

Margaret Monn

Dr. Alan Montgomery

Northeast Metro Referral Group

Dave and Mary Osgood

Mary Parenteau

Carole Pfaff

Clarice and Robbin Rosen

Chris and Cathy Schneeman

SevenHills Benefit Partners

Bob Simonet

Matt Spadino

Roland and Mandanah Spadino

Jill Steeves

Donald or Lori Stephens

Target Corporation

Edward Therrien

Robert and Katie Timbers

Kim and Renee Trenary

Gerry and Debra Urban

Venburg Tire

Joan and Robert Wilson

Leroy and Patricia Zeuli

Thank you for your continued support of Merrick, Inc.