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WE PARTNER WITH:
Focal Point Financial Services
is a broadly based independent financial service organization. They specialize in helping find and secure the appropriate plan in light of the changing economic, tax and financial environment. Their primary purpose is to consider you, the client, first.
Please support our business partners with your spending dollars!
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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
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Please share our story with your network!
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Niecee (left), a client at Merrick and Support Service Staff Ermelinda "Nana" Zamora shared a smile at this year's client holiday party.
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With the season of giving upon us, it is a timely message to think of the true gifts we have in life. Most of us would put family and friendship high on that list. Here at Merrick, we feel fortunate to use the term "family and friends," not only for those we work with, but also for those we work for. Knowing and loving someone with a developmental or intellectual disability broadens your heart in unimaginable ways, and the work of empowering adults with disabilities truly is a gift, not only to ourselves, but the community we live in as well. Thank you for your continued support of the work we do, and the gift you give to yourself and others by supporting Merrick. ❖
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Year End letter from JWB
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In this season of giving thanks, we are very grateful for supporters like you who have helped us grow from providing recreational activities to fifteen young adults who lived at home with their parents, to serving hundreds of clients and their families over the years, by providing meaningful work options, offering quality life enrichment services, and promoting self-advocacy activities.
We are especially grateful for the many supporters who have attended our events, contributed on Give to the Max Day, made a donation to the Client Holiday Party, or named Merrick as the recipient of a United Way contribution. If you have already made a donation this year, I want to thank you for making a difference in the lives of clients at Merrick. If you haven't made a donation, or might consider donating again, I ask for your year-end support of our campaign to raise funds to purchase a dock lift. The cost of the dock lift and installation will be $25,000 and we are nearly halfway toward our goal already.
Every morning, a truck drops off the materials our crew of 15 clients will need to complete their work for the day. Without a dock lift to match the height of the truck's bed, the delivery driver uses a pallet jack to move the load from the back of the truck to the edge. He then uses a forklift to remove the load from the truck; this is repeated until all the loads are removed. A 10-minute job can take 45 minutes! The process is then reversed when loading the truck with the completed orders for business partners. Your gift will help us improve efficiencies, and ensure the stable and safe transfer of materials and shipments to our business partners.
or go to our website, www.MerrickInc.org and click on 'Donate Today' in the upper right corner.
Some supporters have chosen to make a gift through a Donor Advised Fund; if you would like to do so, our EIN is 41-0991279. Gifts of all sizes are needed and appreciated.
Best wishes to you and yours for a peaceful and joyful holiday season,
John Wayne Barker ❖
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Get to Know Colleen Timbers - Director
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Next up in our new series of highlighting staff members is management team member Colleen Timbers. Read on to "get to know" Colleen.
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Colleen Timbers
Merrick's Program Resource and Training Director.
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What is your current position with the company? My current position is Program Resource and Training Director. I have been in this position since July of 2014.
How long have you worked at Merrick and what have been your roles? In the fall of 1984, I moved to the Twin Cities from Green Bay, Wisconsin and started as a substitute with the company. In November of 1984, I was hired as a Program Staff and within a year, I was promoted to a Program Coordinator. In January of 1988, I was promoted to the position of Program Director and held that position for over 25 years.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced working in the field of social services? The biggest challenge is attempting to move the focus from a service system to a person-centered approach in determining services and supports for each individual.
What are your greatest accomplishments at work? In collaboration with my colleagues and self-advocates, laying the foundation for self-advocacy; supporting self-advocates in their self-discovery to be strong leaders and advocates, valued members of their communities; promoting a culture for staff and clients of respect, integrity, transparency, and accountability.
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Colleen (back row - third from right) and her large family enjoy spending time together, including annual jaunts to Door County, WI.
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How do you spend your time away from the office? I love spending time with my family (i.e. parents, brother, four sisters, nephews, nieces, and extended family members) and close friends, shopping at antique stores, watching the Green Bay Packers and St. Paul Saints, redecorating/repurposing, sketching, traveling, cooking, going to movies and concerts, gardening, family debates, participating in political events, engaging in late night discussions with my sisters, and reading historical and non-fiction books. I enjoy my family's annual trek to beautiful Door County where we shop, play games, cook and bake, hike and bike, go on haunted tours, and laugh A LOT.
What is your favorite indulgence? My favorite indulgence is sitting on the deck at Pier 500 with family members or friends on a beautiful day looking out at the St. Croix with a tall Bloody Mary--extra olives and a beer chaser.
Who is your hero, and why? I would not be where I am today if it weren't for my parents' guidance, love, encouragement, humor, and support. They instilled in their children the philosophy that having difficulties in life and growing from those experiences prepares us to have amazing lives and we need to lead in solutions rather than be passive bystanders in the area of civil and human rights.
What are your goals for the year ahead? 1). Collaborate with the Adult Day Services team in providing excellent services and supports. 2). Enhance the program team's person-centered and assistive technology efforts. 3) Provide technical support to the program team. 4) Provide resources to families about effective strategies when working with people with Dementia/Alzheimer's. ❖
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Giving spirit evident at Merrick
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Jo Ann Lizakowski (left) and Tara Ungar
help wrap gifts purchased with staff & company donations to give to local families in need "adopted" by Merrick this holiday season.
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With giving hearts, three groups organized holiday giving campaigns at Merrick this season. Headed by Finance Manager Judy Vollbrecht, staff members continued on with the tradition of "adopting" families in need from the local elementary school. Monetary donations from staff were matched by the company to fulfill the wish lists of four families with 11 children. Additionally, the Merrick crew at the University of MN was joined by U of MN staff in adopting another family.
The Self-Advocates United group also spread good will in the community by hosting a toy and food drive in partnership with the Vadnais Heights Lions Club. ❖
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Members from the Self Advocates United group pose with Santa and their collected donations.
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Comings and Goings on the Board of Trustees
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At the December meeting of Merrick's Board of Trustees, we welcomed new Trustee Heather Monnens who is replacing outgoing Trustee Mark Duea.
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Merrick's newest
Board Member,
Heather Monnens.
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Heather is employed with the firm GDO Law (formerly Geck, Duea & Olson) She focuses her family law practice on helping clients with divorce, property division, child custody, paternity, and adoption. She also handles various estate planning matters for her clients.
In addition to her family law work, Heather also acts as the Assistant City Prosecutor for the cities of White Bear Lake, Gem Lake and Lino Lakes. In this role, she represents the cities in various criminal and municipal matters. Thank you Mark for your years of service, and welcome to Heather! ❖
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Crystal Ball sparkled with good cheer and generous guests
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Our premier fundraiser of the year, The 2015 Crystal Ball, took place Friday, October 23 at the Prom Center in Oakdale. 300 guests enjoyed dinner, musical entertainment by the Mick Sterling Trio featuring Cate Fierro and Joshua Stigen, a fabulous silent auction - with special thanks to our amazing "basketeers" Colleen Mosley, Kay Verros, led by Robin Norsted and Anne Lingle. They really know how to make our events sparkle!
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From left:
Dr. Jeff Norsted, Robin Norsted, Anne Lingle, and Dr. Scott Lingle
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View the event photos here:
To watch the video produced by SharkBait LLC which debuted at the Ball, visit:
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Open House let community learn more about Merrick
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On December 9, we opened the doors to Merrick a little wider than usual and welcomed community members for an open house. About fifty business partners, community members, family, and friends joined us for tours that highlighted each of our client service areas and ended in the commons with a reception catered by Kowalski's Markets.
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Robin Mallek (center) Program Director, looks on as
Trish, a client at Merrick, meets an open house guest at our community event earlier this month.
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Stations were set up along our main hallway and in some of the program areas where visitors were greeted by a manager and client from that area who described the choices they are able to make at Merrick and how we support them in achieving their own personal goals. The open house gave visitors an opportunity to personally meet clients, ask questions, and learn for themselves how we make a difference in our community and empower adults with disabilities. We welcome visitors at any time. To set up a tour, contact Volunteer & Events Coordinator Jo Ann Lizakowski at JoAnnL@MerrickInc.org or by phone at 651-789-6207. ❖
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Offer from St Croix Cleaners in celebration of partnership
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 St Croix Cleaners has partnered with Merrick for over 17 years by providing job opportunities for clients. They currently employ eight clients that help with daily home delivery operations. Each team member takes great pride in their role. They connect and build relationships with others in the community and are acquiring skills that will help them with future goals.
St Croix Cleaners is a locally-owned, Minnesota based, eco-friendly dry cleaner with 18 locations across the metro, offering free home delivery service options. In celebration of our long-standing partnership, St Croix Cleaners is offering a $10 discount to new home delivery customers via this link:
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Thank you to our recent donors
| Andersen Corporate Foundation | | Arnold, Rodman, Pletcher PLLC | | Cheryl Bailey | | Mary and John Wayne Barker | | Peggy Barker | | Laura Barker | | Bernice Bednarz | | Beltmann Group | | Jane Birks | | Boeser Sheet Metal, Inc. | | Jim Chicone and Donna Borton Chicone | | Doris Ellen Braley | | Scott and Diane Bronson | | Kristy Brown | | Maureen Cahill | | Brian Carnes | | James Chicone | | Lynne Conley | | Patti Cullen | | John Cundy | | Linda and Doug Curtis | | Ryan Danielsen | | Kathleen Davis | | Ken and Kendra Davis | | Maureen and Ken Deceuster | | Bob and Mary Ann DeYoung | | Charlotte and Paul Donahue | | Ellen Donnelly | | Rod England | | Lisa Erickson | | Leah Faiad | | Russ Gagner | | Geck, Duea, and Olson, LLC | | Jim Gerlich | | Mike Greenbaum | | Linda Gresback | | Cheri Guirere | | Kurt and Linda Hallgren | | Cathy Hamilton |
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| Rick and Jean Hansen | | Tim Harding | | Nicole Heimer | | Deb Helseth | | Emberly Hermann-Johnson | | Karen and Cadex Herrera | | Donna and Erv Hinrichs | | Tom and Joanne Hirtz | | IPS Worldwide | | Emily and Matthew Johnston | | Sherrie and Thomas Kenny | | Denise and Lawrence Kerr | | Jean and Mike Koch | | Steve Kopeski | | Steve and Mary Kosel | | Kayla Krey | | Romona Mogg & Dr. George Krienke | | Lake Area Bank | | Erik Levy | | Daniel Lew | | Scott and Anne Lingle | | Jo Ann Lizakowski | | Robert Lockwood | | Lynn and Richard Lomen | | Bill Mahre | | Diane Malfeld | | Stephanie Mann | | Phil Manz | | Phyllis Martin | | John Marzitelli | | Len de Llano and Wayne Matesky | | John McDonough | | Lynne Megan | | Mary Moehrle | | Margaret Monn | | Michael Morgan | | Colleen Mosley | | Sue Moyer | | Terry Nelson | | Mary Ann Nowak | | Diane Olson |
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| Michael O'Neill | | Suzanne Paki | | Rita Pechmann | | Andy and Jane Peltier | | Chris Penn | | Christine Ramirez | | Donna Rausch | | Nancy Rausch | | Daniel Reed | | Diogo Reis | | David Richter | | John Rieke | | Ford and Susan Runge | | Judie Rush | | Karen Sager | | Crystal Saric Fashant | | Teri Scattarelli | | Lori Scherer | | Mel Schroyer | | Cindy Senarighi | | Diana Smith | | Brad Stamp | | Pat Strong | | Kirsten Talentino | | Brad and Liz Tauer | | Colleen Timbers | | Rita Torborg | | Kim and Renee Trenary | | Vadnais Heights Area Community Foundation | | Vadnais Heights Lions Club | | Ann Vance | | Gary Vander Vorst | | Judy Vollbrecht | | Bill Walsh | | Wesli Waters | | Wedding Day Diamonds | | Carol and Greg Whittier | | Joan and Robert Wilson | | Millie Woodbury | | Gil and Audrey Zachman | | Gust and Carole Zahariades | | Paula and Judd Zandstra |
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 Thank you for your continued support of Merrick, Inc. |
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