Marie Mills Spring 2008 News...  

Fall and Winter Happenings

As in past years, the fall of 2007 was very busy for Marie Mills Center with numerous activities keeping everyone busy and on the run. In late October Marie Mills Center held its annual Open House. This event again honored employees reaching employment milestones. In 2007, Jared Armitage, Transportation Coordinator and Maintenance reached 10 years of service and Brenda White, Direct Care reached 15 years of service. Marie Mills Center is extremely fortunate to have had staff that has stayed with the Center for so long and certainly appreciates their efforts and dedication. Additionally, at the Open House, Marie Mills Center recognized the Tillamook ARC (TARC). TARC has been a fixture in Tillamook for nearly 40 years and has been very supportive to individuals with disabilities providing assistance for a number of things ranging from emergency assistance, funding for medical and dental needs, etc. The list of their contributions goes on and on. Marie Mills Center certainly could not be where we are today without having a strong local ARC.

The day after our Open House, Marie Mills Center, TARC, and the Recreation Committee held its 21st Annual Halloween Party & Dance. This event has been a fixture within our community for many years and is well attended by community members as well as those in our program. This year over 200 people came and donated 300 lbs of canned food which was then given to the local food bank. Being in dire need of donations as stocks were running low, this donation was a welcomed sight to those who run the food bank.

Also this fall, Marie Mills Center held a rummage sale. This event was spearheaded in an effort to raise money to purchase Christmas presents for individuals in our program. What started out as a good idea turned into a major event with a huge response from community members donating large amounts of items for sale. This sales proceeds far exceeded our goal making it easier to brighten the holidays for many people in our program, especially for the ones who do not have family members in our area. Many thanks to the community for all of the donations and also much thanks to all of the staff who made this sale a success.

A fall and winter update would not be complete without mentioning storms. As many may remember in 2006 our county was racked hard by fall rain storms causing serious flooding within the community impacting Marie Mills Center. Again this year we faced stormy weather including a serious wind storm which caused major damage throughout the county.

We at Marie Mills Center were very fortunate compared to many; however we did suffer damage at our Front Street Facility and minor damage to our Madrona House Group Home. The west end of our Front Street Facility which houses our Vocational Program was hit hard by the wind, causing damage to roof tiles and to our west wall damaging windows and an interior walls & ceiling.

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Marie Mills Foundation News

The past year was spent continuing with their efforts to build a future for those with developmental disabilities in Tillamook County and for Marie Mills Center. In October the Foundation welcomed onto its Board, George Wilson and Gary Beyer. Additionally, the Foundation entered into its 3rd Annual Appeal and raised nearly $8,000. Those donating to the Foundation include: Ed Armstrong, William & Linda Josi, Tim & Linda Kay Marshall (in memory of Dorothy Russel, Sam Gallino, Ruth Johnson, & Kitty Pullen), Helen Benscheidt (in memory of Kathy Gienger & Avis Brustruen), Stimson Lumber, Kathy & Wayne Jacobsen, Bud & Helen Gienger, Dick Canty, Elise Bigelow, Nehalem Bay United Methodist Church Men’s Club, Roy Peterson, Boyd’s Implement, Mr. & Mrs. Edward Haye, Pat Keser (in memory of Glen Lipscomb), Charles Benscheidt, Tillamook Pharmacy, Laurie & Brent Jacobsen, Sally Wallace, John Sandusky, Nancy & Richard Jones, David & Claudia Efurd, Ruth Fenk, Chas & Jean Bailey, Rosenberg Builder’s Supply, Tom & Betty Waud, Bill & Geri Berg, Rockaway Lions Club, Ed & Wilma Myers, Carol & Tom Thompson, Wilma Rowland, Jack & Fran Graves, Richard Rivers, Orella Chadwick, Gloria Slusser, Aaron Dunn Insurance, Walt Rigterink, David & Wendy Flett, Lu Ann Darling, Knipe Marital Trust, Mel & Pat Dean, Dick & Leanne Spence, The Webbery, Henry & Margerate Beard, Ed Armstrong, Dorothy Bateman, Tillamook Pharmacy, H&R Block, Anne Seeger, Louise & Vincent Bogard, Art & Janet Riedel, Bob & Elva Weeks, John & Carol Steele Trust, Patricia Rinehart Trust, Connie Chitwood (in memory of Ruth Johnson), Brenda White (in memory of Ruth Johnson), Betty Rose Hentzen (in memory of Ruth Johnson), Hank & Judy Gollon, Eunice & Frank Samuelson, (in memory of Ruth Johnson) Leo & Patricia Pothetes (in memory of Ruth Johnson), Manor Management Services (in memory of Ruth Johnson), Sonja Fromme (in memory of Ruth Johnson), Celia Williams (in memory of Ruth Johnson), Aaron & Andrea Medlock (in memory of Ruth Johnson), Paul & Susan Adcock, Mike & Peggy Streicher, Donald & Joy Lundquist (in memory of Ruth Johnson), John Whitehead (in memory of Ruth Johnson), and Mary Walker (in memory of Ruth Johnson).

Again, Thank You!

Work Opportunities & Anticipated Growth

Marie Mills Center is always open to new job opportunities that provide those we serve an opportunity to earn wages and be productive citizens. A primary work opportunity for those receiving vocational services at our Front Street Facility is Confidential Record Destruction. Thanks to a kind donation of $2,000 from Judy Mohr we were able to purchase another industrial style paper shredder that ensures proper destruction of documents as well as ensuring a dependable machine used by those we serve. Thank you Judy!

Over the next few years we anticipate much program growth with approximately 17 individuals becoming eligible to be involved in Marie Mills Center programs. We anticipate the majority of these individuals becoming involved in our Vocational Programs. We are actively planning for the development of an additional vocational options and activities to accommodate these individuals. These might include developing additional competitive job placements, additional work crews, etc. If any business supporters or anyone for that matter has or knows of any job opportunities that they would like to share with Marie Mills Center, please contact Cindy Green at 842-2539 ext. 14 or cindy@mariemillscenter.com. We are very excited about this growth and for the opportunities that will become available to these individuals.

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More Fun Things We Do

As usual our people and Marie Mills Center have many fun activities and events continually taking place. In addition to the activities mentioned earlier, the Marie Mills Center also held its Annual Christmas Party for those involved with the Center. This year’s event was held at the Swiss Hall with a full ham dinner being served, pumpkin pie for desert, and presents being delivered by Santa. The presents were purchased with the proceeds from the rummage sale mentioned earlier.

On March 15th an Ice Cream and Karaoke Social was held at the Parish Hall for those that like to sing their hearts out. This year’s event was decked out in St. Patrick Day decorations with ice cream sundaes being made by volunteers. This event was sponsored by the local Tillamook Developmental Disability Recreation Committee.

Become a Member of TARC

The Tillamook ARC (TARC) has been involved in a drive to increase membership in our local chapter. Being a member of TARC also includes full membership in the State ARC. Membership creates a greater voice for those with disabilities as legislative decisions at both Federal levels are based upon upon what a constituency voices. The stronger that voice, the more it is heard by those who make decisions regarding the disabled. If you are interested in joining the Tillamook ARC, please contact the Marie Mills Center!

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Changing Faces/Spaces in the Front Office

On November 1st changes took place in our administrative office area that created different work opportunities for many. Kim Armitage, our long time Secretary moved from the Reception Area into the Bookkeeper’s office to provide assistance to our Bookkeeper, Linda Kay Marshall. This has been a goal for years as we operating very lean in the administrative offices of Marie Mills Center.

Our “Receptionist in Training” is Deanna Walker (right photo). Deanna has been involved with the Marie Mills Center’s Vocational Program for many years. She is working hard on her skills as our receptionist. Deanna is doing a fine job and we are all excited about the new opportunities that these changes have created for everyone in our Administrative Offices. Congratulations and good luck to you all!

New Staff

There have been a number of new hires at Marie Mills Center over the past several months. Filling a newly created “Flex Staff” position is Sheila DeLoe. Sheila, as indicated by her title, will be filling many roles within our vocational program. Christina Hibbs has been hired as our new Alternatives to Employment staff person. And Melinda Scott was hired in our Residential Program to help provide direct care to those we serve. It is great to have you all aboard, we look forward to working with all of you and your dedication to serving those with disabilities.

Remembering...

Remembering a dear friend, advocate, grandmother, mother. Daisy “Eula” Lockett was a very instrumental part of starting what is known today as the Marie Mills Center’s Residential Program. In the early years G.R.O.U.P., Inc. was formed to raise the necessary funding to start a group home setting for adult people with developmental disabilities in Tillamook County. Eula served as Secretary for G.R.O.U.P., Inc. as well as being a very important behind the scenes support for her daughter, Gwen Roemisch-Walker, in all of her efforts in T.A.R.C. and Special Olympics. Along with her support to Gwen, Eula wrote the articles that were published in the newspapers. But, possibly the most important thing she did in her life was to be there for and support her granddaughter, Daisy, a participant in the Marie Mills Center programs.

Daisy "Eula" Lockett August 1, 1914 - January 5, 2008

Upcoming Events

Important People at Marie Mills

Employees of the Month

Lisa M. - August	Jody C. - Sept.
Terry C. - Oct.	Dianne J. - Nov.
Tara B. - Dec.	Steven E. - Jan.
Clark W. - Feb.	Shirley H. - March

Past Newsletters

• Fall 2007

• Spring 2007

• Fall 2006 Newsletter

• Spring 2006 Newsletter

• Fall 2005 Newsletter

We invite you to tour Marie Mills Center. You will observe individuals at work and see our programs in action. Call Ron Rush at 503-842-2539 ext. 12 or visit us on the web at www.mariemillscenter.com

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