newsletter of mount olivet rolling acres m o · pdf filenewsletter of mount olivet rolling...

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

From the Chief Operating Officer ....................2Board Member Profile: Greg Walling..............2Life Enhancements at MORA ....................... 3-52016 MORA Golf Scramble .......................... 6-7From the Director of Development ..................8Any Direction You Give ....................................8

Fall 2016NEWSLETTER OF MOUNT OLIVET ROLLING ACRESOffering care and services for people with intellectual and other disabilitiesNEWSLETTER OF MOUNT OLIVET ROLLING ACRESOffering care and services for people with developmental and other disabilities

Continued on page 3

Activities Embrace All Aspects of LifeDonor Support in Action

The Mount Olivet Rolling Acres Core Values statement begins with the profound statement regarding “the infinite worth of people.” It reads:

We affirm that all residents, parents, staff, donors and volunteers share a common dignity and shall be accorded respect.

That core value is lived out each day in the interactions between staff and clients, of course. But it is seen most vividly in the activities that are designed to be life enhancements.

Ask Stephanie Kohl, therapeutic services program director, and she can give you a long list of offerings that bring joy and wonder and stimulation to the people MORA serves. Chief operating officer Bruce Torgerson says, “Other places that serve the people we serve are cutting their life enhancement programs because of the costs involved. Because of our donors, we can continue to give our clients opportunities and experiences that enrich their lives—beyond the basic and necessary.”

Three programs demonstrate the breadth of services MORA offers along with the continuous redesign and redevelopment and the creativity MORA staff mem-bers employ as they work with clients.

First, Discover Summer camp (page 3) is designed for youth on the autism spectrum, specifically those who would not find other camps for autistic children particularly helpful. Then, read about an incredibly inventive process for adult clients, called Cowtipping (page 4). This program, which is just as creative as its name, allows clients to express themselves in writing. Finally, Camp McGregor is made available one weekend each month to veterans from the Iraq or Afghanistan conflict (page 5) who have been wounded in some way. It’s a heartwarming story that demonstrates the breadth of MORA’s offerings.

Those experiences that make each of our lives rich and full are things that enrich the lives of MORA clients too, demonstrating again MORA’s commitment to the “infinite worth of people.”

Year-end fundraising will support

life enhancements.

See page 8 for more details.

YOU ARE INVITED TO

A Special Free Performance by VocalEssence

for people with intellectual disabilitiesand their families and friends

PUBLIC ALSO INVITED

Monday, December 5, 7:00 p.m.Mount Olivet Lutheran Church

West CampusREGISTRATION REQUIRED

Email Stephanie Kohl at [email protected]

or 952.474.5974

MORA Homes with Heart Fall 2016.indd 1 9/21/2016 3:52:08 PM

Fall 2016

From the Chief Operating Officer

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FALL 2016

Homes with Heart is published three times a year for family, friends, and supporters of

Mount Olivet Rolling Acres.Board President: Dennis Johnson

Chief Operating Officer: Bruce TorgersonEditor & Director of Development: Mari Carlson

Copy Editors, Writers & Photographers: Jessica Rivest, Peter Stratmoen, Erin VanBurkleo,

Sam Velie, Lynn von Hassel, Karen WalhofGraphic Design: Karen Walhof

Our fall newsletter focuses on life enhance-ments for the people served by Mount Olivet Rolling Acres, and

there’s a reason for that. Enrichment activities offered through Camp McGregor, Discover Summer, the Showstop-pers, Glee Club, creative writing sessions, computer classes, special events, and myriad outings are important to living a high quality of life.

We know these programs set us apart as a provider of choice for people with intellectual and other disabilities, but more importantly, they give our people the oppor-tunity to enjoy life in ways never imagined.

Providing life enhancements is a challenge for many reasons, including having adequate staffing. Current-ly we are experiencing a shortage of workers, and state and federal funding cuts make it difficult to be competitive with wages. There have also been increases in unfunded mandates such as the increase in the minimum wage in Minnesota, new rulings by the United States Depart-ment of Labor, increases in fees, and new training requirements.

Unfortunately, these mandates have not been accompanied by increases in funding, which puts important pro-grams at risk of being cut. The result is fewer opportunities for people with in-tellectual and other disabilities to reach their full potential.

In spite of the challenges, we remain dedicated to our mission of providing our people with the life they deserve—a life valued by soci-ety. Please join us in this endeavor and support our year-end fundrais-ing. You will make a difference in the lives of many people. Thank you!

BOARD PROFILEGreg Walling

Greg Walling, a dentist in practice for 48 years and a member, with his family, of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, has been a longtime Mount Olivet Rolling Acres board mem-ber. He has seen firsthand the incredible development of the organization. “When I started, it was a group home out in Victoria, serving children,” he says. “Now most of our people are adults who live in community homes throughout the metro area. It’s been an interesting story to be involved with.”

Greg speaks eloquently of the strengths of the organi-zation: “The leadership of Mount Olivet Rolling Acres has been amazing through the years. They have adapted to the changes that state and federal regulations have imposed on them, and they have done it so well, all the while keeping the purpose of the institution clear and serving the people who need them.” He cites moving residents from a central campus to community homes as an example. “It was a big change and a big transition for the organization and the families involved,” he notes, “but it’s really turned out to be so much better for the residents.”

Greg points at one of the services MORA provides that is often forgotten. “The services that they provide for caregivers, especially the respite care they offer, is critical. The demands on a family are so overwhelming. It’s such a help to families.”

“Mount Olivet has always done things ‘right,’” he says. “They look at the needs carefully, then act accordingly, in the way that best serves the people who need them.” Greg sums it up rather power-fully: “I don’t think that the people helped by Mount Olivet Rolling Acres could be served any better any-where else.”

Greg and his wife Sue with their grandchildren (l-r): Anna (14), Jonah (10), Matthew (8) & Catlin (12)


The Minnesota Zoo brought tactile zoo animals.

Discover SummerCamps for Youth

on the Autism Spectrum

Registration begins in January

3Homes witH Heart Fall 2016

Six weeks each summer the Victoria campus is invaded by campers and coun-selors for Discover Summer, a summer camp experience for youth on the autism spectrum. This year a total of 26 young people participated.

According to Stephanie Kohl, MORA staff person responsible for Discover Summer, “Our goal is for every kid to have a summer camp experience with their peers that meets their needs. These kids have different needs and skill sets. We support campers so we can be sure it’s a success for them. We want campers to be safe and have good experiences.”

Although other organizations sponsor summer camps for autistic children, MORA’s camp is different. “Our camp is for youth on the autism spectrum who have higher challenges for success,” Stephanie says. “Some of our kids have behavioral challenges or volatile episodes that would make participation in a typical camp difficult. We limit the number of campers to about 12-15 per week, then create a very supportive environment for them. Then we choose a hand-picked staff every year that is ready to support campers in whatever way they need immediately.” Keeping the number of campers around 12 is important, Stephanie notes. “Staying at 12 is important for the success of the campers themselves, given the space we have available.” Seven staff work as counselors.

Campers can choose the activities that interest them, and they often work in small groups of two or three, or if nec-essary one-on-one with counselors. They also have sensory breaks, to give them the time they need.

Each week of the six-week camp experience has a different theme:

Week 1—LegosWeek 2—MusicWeek 3—Science ExplorersWeek 4—Around the WorldWeek 5—RoboticsWeek 6—Minecraft (a computer-based creative program)

And Stephanie has enlisted collaborators. MacPhail Center for Music provided music therapy during the Music week. The Zoomobile from the Minnesota Zoo brought tactile zoo animals for Around the World week. “We paired with Holy Family High School in Victoria and their robotics program for the Robotics week,” Stephanie says. “The Victoria campus is perfect for summer camp,” Stephanie notes, “with a gymnasium, a waterfront, and inground trampoline and playground. We use the pontoon, and kids can choose to go swimming.”

Some campers come for all six weeks, some for fewer, others for only one week. Right now campers are 9 to 16 years old. “Our challenge is to look at services beyond the age group we are now serving, both those 5 to 8 years old and 17 and up.”

Stephanie says that a successful camping week is rewarding for campers and counselors alike. “We build relationships with our campers. We had a camper who had a lot of behavioral challenges this year. On the last day he said, ‘I love camp. I don’t want it to end. Can I come back?’ And we want him back,” Stephanie says.

Dick Justman, parent of one of the campers, says, “This was our son’s third year at camp. And this is the only experience he really likes. He tolerates almost anything. But he loves camp, and it is so good for him. Every day he named the adults he met there.” He adds, “It’s a safe place where kids can enjoy the summer, and there aren’t many of those for him.” Dick and his wife Sue are donors to Discover Summer. “We want this to be available to a lot of folks.”

Discover Summer recognizes “the infinite worth of people.”

Counselors and campers build relationships.

Each week focuses on a central theme.

Sensory breaks are a strategic part of each day.

Campers choose which activities interest them.

Life Enhancements Embrace All Aspects of Life

Discover Summer Is a Week of Fun


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Life Enhancements Embrace All Aspects of Life“Cowtipping” Provides Creative Outlet for Expression

“Cowtipping” is not what you’re thinking. It is an organization that offers a fresh, creative opportunity for MORA cli-ents to express themselves in writing. And during this past summer, five adult clients were able to learn more about writing, share their work with their peers, and then become published authors.

Bryan Brice, founder of the orga-nization, has a younger brother with developmental disabilities. He longed for others to discover the richer dimensions of those with disabilities. “It’s about giving all of us a new way to think about disability, its as-sets and its dynamism,” he says.

In this process, clients go with their assigned staff person to a class for six weeks. A teacher talks to them about writ-ing, specifically poetry, non-fiction, fiction, and journalism; they look at strong examples of those genres in class; then they receive a specific assignment. “For example, this writer uses dialogue well, so let’s try writing dialogue,” Bryan says. Clients in the class either write themselves or their staff partners act as scribes, taking down their words (but not adding any of their own). Then the clients share their writing with the rest of the class. “It was amazing,” said Stephanie Kohl, who coordinated this activity, “that ability to express themselves and let others know who they are.”

“It gives them a space to try an art form that previously had been thought as being irrelevent to them,” Bryan says. “We honor, respect, and tease out their abilities. It’s an opportunity for self-expression, exploring a new artistic medium, as well as self-advocacy. And it’s fun!”

Bryan says, “This is not about im-proving grammar or writing style. It’s not about changing or fixing how people tell stories. It’s about giving them a voice. So often this group has been spoken for, rather than speaking for themselves.”

The MORA Cowtipping group found this process to be personally rewarding. They each wrote at least three or four assignments each night. “In a way, it’s magical what happened,” Stephanie Kohl

points out.At the end of the

process, a party cele-brated their work at which a published book of their writing was distributed.

Jill Weldin, mother of Daniel, one of the authors, talks about the experience. “I’m so pleased that Mount Olivet staff saw Daniel’s potential and involved him in this class. Jesse, the staff person who accompanied him, said Daniel didn’t say much at first, but gradually he began. They were really able to bring out Daniel’s personality, and I am so grateful for that. And a poetry reading at the end! What a typical

thing to do. It was so well thought out. These writers were so well respected. It was wonderful seeing Daniel’s potential —something that does not happen very often for him.”

It’s a transformative experience for cli-ents, family, staff, the larger community!

And finally, why name your company “Cowtipping”? “Because it was the first poem we published,” Bryan says, “and we want always to keep our client’s work front and center. And, it’s the kind of story one of our students is most likely to tell. Noth-ing deep or philosophical, but random and fun”—and respectful and promising, recog-nizing the “infinite worth” of each person!

Classes prepared clients and scribes for writing.

At a final gala event, writers read their published work.

During each class, writers read their work to their peers.

Parents were excited to participate!

Enjoy the MomentSee rain feelsLike freezing, tastesLike rain dropsSmells like umbrella

Deal with itGo with the flowI don’t knowStay focusedPay attentionI don’t knowStay on taskStay focusedTough to swim under the seaDolphins and mushroomsPoems by Daniel Weldin. Used with permission.


Homes witH Heart Fall 2016 5

Life Enhancements Embrace All Aspects of LifeVeterans Experience Peace, Accolades at McGregor

Camp McGregor has supplied a northern Minnesota cabin experience for Mount Olivet Rolling Acres families for many years now. Ten years ago MORA decided to make the camp available during the summer for military fami-lies. Now veterans who have sustained injury in the Iraq or Afghanistan conflicts and their families enjoy McGregor one weekend per month from June through October. Three families are invited each weekend; each family has their own cabin.

Stephanie Kohl points out that some injuries are visible and others are not. “With traumatic brain injury, it may take five to ten years to embrace that reality,” she says.

MORA simply offers them a place to enjoy the weekend. “We don’t offer clinical services,” says Stephanie, “only the magic of being at a lake in north-ern Minnesota.” She adds, “Sometimes bringing families together to get away from it all, for core family time, is the best therapy available.”

There was a reluctance initially from military families, Stephanie says. “I think they thought at first it was another therapeutic experience. But it is not that. It’s just a time away at the lake. At first we were able to get a few to come, then more. Kevin McLaughlin was instrumental in building the program. Now we get re-quests from Washington State and Texas.”

It is clear that this program is close to Kevin’s heart. A veteran himself, he is the host each weekend the military families spend at McGregor. “I listen, and I don’t ask questions. I try to be the least intrusive I can,” he says. “We have no expectations for them up there—just to chill and reconnect with their families. Sometimes I take them out fishing, but really we give them a little bit of peace and serenity. It’s a healing place.”

And healing takes place. “One of the cool things,” Kevin recalls, “is that we sit around the campfire, and we start talking, and often after a time the veter-ans begin talking about their experiences while deployed. Their families hang on to

every word because most often they have not heard this before.”

Kevin recalls the time one soldier who was experiencing severe Post-Trau-matic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was at the camp with his wife and children. “The first night he came to the campfire with his family, and he looked very uncom-fortable. But Snoopy, the dog, was right there next to him. He was able only to stay for a while. The next night he came out longer, and Snoopy was there again, right by him. He discovered how reassuring a service dog can be, and now he has his own “Battle Buddy,” a service dog which is helping him function fully in society.”

Although families can join in commu-nal events like the nightly campfire, they are not required to do so. But there is a special time each weekend that military families are urged to attend. “On the last night,” Kevin explains, “I host a barbeque with a special presentation to thank them for their sacrifice. It’s a Patriot Pen, a really nice pen nicely displayed in a box. One of the things I say is that they wrote a blank check for their country when they signed up, and now we want to rec-ognize that and say thank you. Families, as well as the service member, sacrifice so much while they are deployed. And it sometimes gets rocky when they go and when they return, as they leave the family dynamic and then try to enter it again.”

Although neighbors were skeptical at first, many have come to appreciate what’s happening each month at the camp. “This last month, a neighbor brought zucchini bread for everyone there. Each month Al Nistler Trucking donates firewood for the bonfires. And when the families arrive they find a welcome basket in their cabin, stocked with donations from the broader community.”

“It’s a way for us to say ‘thank you for your service,’” Stephanie remarks.

And offer a place for rest, rec-reation, reconnection with family, and—perhaps—healing.

MacGregor is a place of healing, “a magical place.”

Veterans can relax and recreate with their families.

Families can choose to come to a nightly bonfire.

The final night’s Patriot Pen ceremony is a way to say “thanks.”


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Golf Gifts 2016Thank You, Donors!BENEFACTORS:Data Center Systems, Inc.Geritom Medical, Inc.Kraus-Anderson

Construction Company

TITANIUM SPONSORSHIPS:

John & Linnea Castro Family Foundation, Inc.

Jeannine Rivet & Warren Herreid

PLATINUM SPONSORSHIPS:

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.Charlie & Kathy

CunninghamKleinBank

GOLD SPONSORSHIPS:Bullis Insurance AgencyLunds & ByerlysLupient Automotive GroupMMKR

SILVER SPONSORSHIPS:Alton FoundationBlake BonjeanBusiness Choice, Inc.Jerome & Linda CarlsonBruce & Nicole EnsrudFraser-Morris Electric Co.Gray Plant MootyGresser Companies, Inc.Daniel & Jean GroteHatzung InsuranceMount Olivet Church -

Men’s Breakfast GroupsLorraine NeugerOld Dutch Foods, Inc.Roy & Cammie OlsonSteven & Stefie OrthParsons Electric, Inc.Paul Meyer Architects, Inc.Curt PearsonPiper Jaffray CompaniesDean & Ruth SchmalzJames & Judith StrommenMary Hershberger Thun &

David ThunVenture BankWAI ContinuumAaron YoungdahlNancy YoungdahlYoungstedts, Inc.

BRONZE SPONSORSHIPS:

Cindy O’Shaughnessy & Steve Anderson

Bald Eagle ErectorsLinda & David BorrellSusan BucknamJames CarlsonCHOICE, Inc.Clifton Larson AllenDecor-Tec, IncDelta Dental of Minnesota

Claudia EngEdina RealtyRon & Sandy HaberkornCraig & Cindy JohnsonKennedy & GravenJoe & Donna LangerPhilip & Jo Ann LarsonWayne & Carolyn LarsonMarjorie McLaughlinMedicaBill MingeChris & Stan RudSign Source, Inc.Dean & Carol SpatzMerton StrommenSundet FoundationThe KNW GroupWaconia PharmacyDave WalterWashburn-McReavy Gary & Launa WertJoel Hoese &

Susann Zeug-Hoese

GOLF GIFTS:AnonymousDouglas AffinitoJ.C. & Lori AndersonBryan BerghBergmann Interiors, LLCEmily & Andrew BrainerdWayne & Betty FaddenCynthia & David FolinGilbert Mechanical

Contractors, Inc.Hugh GilmoreDale GlockThomas GormleyPatricia GorrKathleen GreenJohn GreenwoodRichard HeldeLukas HermannDennis & Carol JohnsonRobert KroogRussell LewisHarold LoefflerRichard & Susan LundellRichard & Joyce McFarlandCaryn MeyerJeff & Karen MoenBarbara MoschetRobyn MoschetRankin & Janelle PatetPaul & Camille RogersRudy Luther Toyota ScionJohn SchumacherWilliam ShermanRebecca SullivanThe LowbrowDave WalterTom & Gloria WeselyLowell & Norma Zitzloff

GOLF GIFTS IN KIND:AnonymousMatthew AafedtLinda & David Borrell

Bryant Lake BowlChanhassen Dinner TheaterChaska Par 30Chaska Town CourseCulver’s ChanhassenCulver’s ChaskaDahlen Sign CompanyDeer Run Golf ClubEdina Country Club John Anderson Bill BraskEl Portal RestaurantFloyd’sGeritom Medical, Inc.Giants Ridge ResortHugh GilmoreNate HatzungGloria HinerKyle HoganJason IanfollaIke’s Food and CocktailsIsland View Golf ClubAndrea JanssenJoe Senser’s Sports GrillCraig & Cindy JohnsonBruce & Judy KobsKowalski’s Market Kraus-Anderson

Construction CompanyBrian KujawaLafayette Club

Adam EricksonMark Sampson

Wayne & Carolyn LarsonLord Fletcher’sPeter & Gwen LudwigLunds & ByerlysMacPhail Center for MusicMaynard’s RestaurantMinneapolis Golf ClubMinnesota Landscape

ArboretumMinnesota LynxMinnesota VikingsWayne NeubarthRoy & Cammie OlsonOlympic Hills Golf ClubParasole Restaurant

Holdings, Inc.Perkins ChanhassenPerkins ChaskaPGA ReachPohlad Family & The

Minnesota TwinsJessica & Ben RivestSam’s ClubShadow Ridge ResortSouthWest TransitTavern 4&5University of MinnesotaDave WalterDarcy WinterAaron YoungdahlMitch ZavadaJoel Hoese &

Susann Zeug-Hoese

CORPORATE TEAMS:Central Minnesota

Fabricating, Inc.Clifton Larson AllenData Center Systems, Inc.Delta Dental of MinnesotaGeritom Medical, Inc.Gresser Companies, Inc.Hoese ConstructionKraus-Anderson

Construction CompanyLupient Automotive GroupMedina Electric, IncMMKRNorthland Securities, Inc.Parsons Electric, Inc.Sonus Interiors, Inc.WAI ContinuumWashburn-McReavyUnited Marketing Partners

GOLFERS:Dave AadlandMatthew AafedtJ.C. AndersonNathan AndersonPaul AndersonPaul AshenfelterDrew BakkenKaren & Mark BeeseAndrea BlairJohn BoerboonBruce BoydAndrew & Emily BrainerdCraig BudolfsonGary BurauLeaAnn BurauNorman CalvinJerome & Linda CarlsonJim CarlsonBrian CastroJed CheneyChris ColemanMarty CollinsDave DalyKevin DavidMark DupontChuck EhlersBruce EngelsmaJamie EngelsmaDerek FarsandJeff FeltenBill FinkCharlie FinkTerry FinzenJohn FoxAl GerhardtBrett GevingHugh GilmoreTony GoodmanDaniel GroteCharlie HartwellNate HatzungCathy HedlofNeil HeinenDick HeldeCory HoeppnerChase HoeseNathan HoeseJon HoffmanKyle HoganTrent HoganVicki Holinka

Dan HolteJill Holte-WeldinScott HookJim HorwathJason IanfollaBrad IversonDoug JaegerKevin JanasikAndrea JanssenBob JohnsonTom KarnowskiChad KingbayRoger KolandTodd KolandGreg KomisKen KotzerSteve KranickBobby KroogDavid KroogRyan LamereKatie LandwehrSteve LewandowskiRuss LewisDoug LuickSeth MaderJay MahlerDarla & John MarsdenJeff MauserMike MayasichDan McQuillenScott McQuillenBill McReavyPaul MedinPeter MedinJonathan MurrayRoss NelsonRyan NovaczykEric OllermanRyan OlsonEric OrsonLuke PeikertRyan PetersonTom PiccioneRob PresthusPaul RadosevichAl RamseyMichael ReinhartLyn RingoldBrent RivardDan RoddyShane RoepkeStan RudDerek RustMark SampsonPhil SchaeferKollin SchammelAugie SchauerJon SchneiderRussell SchweihsEmily SheevelBill ShermanRick SmithTom SmithMarty StanchfieldRob StanleyBob StrommenJim StrommenTodd TaggartCharly TemplinTroy ToozRick TurbettJohn Upson

Lazaro VersallesJeff VolmerTed WaldeckDave WalterMatt WalterPeter WarnerGary WertTom WeselyClive WestChristopher WieseGary & Sandy WieseDarcy WinterDavid WolterstorffEric YoungdahlLarry YoungstedtAaron Zabel

WINNING TEAMS1st Place Net: Bob Johnson, Brian Castro, Rob Presthus, Bill Sherman

2nd Place Net: Daniel Grote, Jon Hoffman, Peter Warner, Steve Lewandowski

3rd Place Net: Clive West, Kevin Janasik, Luke Peikert, Doug Luick

4th Place Net: Nathan Hoese, Jeff Volmer, Ryan Olson, Chase Hoese

1st Place Gross: Jason Ianfolla, Ryan Peterson, Charly Templin, Al Ramsey

2nd Place Gross: Aaron Zabel, Jim Dolan, John Boerboon, Lyn Ringold

3rd Place Gross: Jim Carlson, Stan Rud, Dan McQuillen, Scott McQuillen

4th Place Gross: Russell Schweihs, Jeff Felten, Stave Kranick, Mike Mayasich

FIELD EVENT WINNERSLongest Drive:Peter MedinAndrea Janssen

Straightest Drive:Chris Coleman

Closest to the Pin:Eric OrsonGary WieseJon HoffmanGary Wert

Longest Putt:Ryan PetersonSandy Wiese

Putting Contest:Kollin SchammelJamie EngelsmaShane RoepkeRob Stanley


7www.mtoLiVetroLLiNGaCres.orG FaLL 2016

Golf Committee chair Aaron Youngdahl with Mallory

Chair Aaron Youngdahl with auctioneer Terry Hogan

Pastors Drew Bakken and Eric Youngdahl

Sam Velie and Jim Strommen

Dave Kroog and Darcy Winter

Linda and Jerome Carlson

Hugh Gilmore, chief operating officer Bruce Torgerson, Mallory & MORA staff Elaine Kruger

Greg Komis, Katie Landwehr, Kevin David &John Upson from Gresser Companies

The Minneapolis Golf Club once again served as the beautiful setting for the Mount Olivet Rolling Acres Golf Scramble.

MORA resident Mallory posed with the Kraus-Anderson team on hole 10. (l-r): Doug Jaeger, Al Gerhardt, Mallory,

Bruce Engelsma & Jeff Mauser

The golf scramble netted over $120,000 for serving the needs of clients.

The Data Center Systems team (l-r): Brett Geving, golf committee chair Aaron Youngdahl, Eric Ollerman, Andrea Janssen, Scott Hook, and volunteer Kim Kelsey


8 Fall 2016 WWW.MTOLIVETROLLINGACRES.ORG

Mount olivet Rolling AcRes

From the Director of Development

Mari Carlson, Director of DevelopmentMount Olivet Lutheran Church

& Affiliated Organizations612.821.3150, [email protected]

NON-PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDTWIN CITIES

PERMIT NO. 3675

18986 LAKE DRIVE EAST, CHANHASSEN, MN 55317-9348

A D D R E S S S E R V I C E R E Q U E S T E D

Games of Chance Family-Style Meal

MOUNT OLIVET HOMES’ AUXILIARY

Any Direction You Give Helps Mount olivet Rolling AcRes

ResidentsYear-end Appeal

Matching Gifts

Payroll Pledges

Thrivent Choice

Gifts In-kind

Amazon Smile

Give to the Max Day

Online Gifts

For information on these special ways to give, please contact

Sam Velie at 612.821.3153 or [email protected].

Dear Friend,What are you doing on

Tuesday, October 18 at 6 pm? Please join us for the Mount Olivet Homes’ Auxiliary

Fall Gala at the Golden Valley Country Club. There will be spectacular silent and live auctions with many

one-of-a-kind items. You could go home with a spring break trip to Kauai! The best part is that all proceeds enhance the lives of people served at Rolling Acres and its affiliated organizations.

Did you read about Cowtipping on page 4? When staff member Stephanie Kohl told me about this unique class, I felt the excitement as she described how it’s possible to give voice to people who previously have not experienced this kind of creative outlet. We all know that putting thoughts on paper is powerful, and now through the Cowtipping

program, residents can do just that. I loved Daniel’s poem entitled “Deal with It” which is published in the newly released poetry book Roar at Horses. We can all relate!

Activities like Cowtipping, weekends for veterans at Camp McGregor, and Discover Summer for young people on the autism spectrum are examples of life enhancements that Rolling Acres offers to add value and meaning for the people we serve. You can play an important role in this effort.

Our 2016 year-end appeal will focus on raising financial support for life enhancements. After basic needs are met, activities that lift our spirits, teach us new things, and connect us with the world around us have a profound impact. It takes a village to care for our people. You are an integral part of that village! Watch your mail for more about this effort. By giving a gift for life enhancements, you become part of the village and will have a big impact on the lives of many. Thank you so very much!

Hope to see you on October 18. Happy fall!

MOUNT OLIVET HOMES’ AUXILIARYAnnual Gala5:30 PM, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18GOLDEN VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB

Golf Scramble


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