Marie Mills Fall 2007 News...  

Spring & Summer Activity

Spring and Summer are typically the busiest time for Marie Mills Center with many activities occurring. In late May, spring time activities started with restroom maintenance at Cape Lookout State Park which provides work opportunities to three individuals with disabilities.

This year’s crews are supervised by Jessica McMurphy and Donna Garcia. Marie Mills Center has provided services 7 days per week (during the summer months) for Cape Lookout State Park since 1980 and is very proud of the longstanding relationship developed as well as the work opportunities available. A very important aspect of this contract is the golf cart that is used to transport our cleaning crew from restroom to restroom.

Cape Lookout is a very big park with 7 full restrooms and 10 self contained units. In the beginning it was very tiresome for the crew to walk to every cleaning station in the entire park. Thanks to the aid of a golf cart the crew is now able to service each site more times during the day. The golf cart that we had been using for the last 6 years, “bit the dust”, making it necessary to replace it with a much newer electric model instead of the old gas powered model. It was a nice change for this year’s crew to have a cart that was much easier to operate and dependable.

As you may recall, as indicated in our last newsletter our parking lot was severely damaged in the flooding that occurred in 2006. During this past spring our parking lot replacement project at our Front Street Facility was finally completed. The process was long and tedious but with FEMA committing to paying for 75% of the cost, the new parking lot was well worth the wait.

During the spring Marie Mills Center made application to the State of Oregon Public Transportation Division for grant funding to assist in various transportation related activities. Over the years such funding has enabled us to purchase new vehicles, to acquire tokens at a discounted price to be used by our program participants to purchase public transportation services, and in the past these grant monies have also assisted Marie Mills Center in meeting vehicle preventative maintenance expenses.

In July of this year Marie Mills Center was informed that once again it would be a recipient of funding (above photo) for a new vehicle in 2009, that it would receive some funding to help cover vehicle preventative maintenance expenses, and that it would also receive some funding to be used to purchase transportation tokens for those in our program. Although the amount to be received for tokens was less than we previously received, we were able to obtain grants from the Siletz Tribe Charitable Contribution Fund and the Tillamook ARC to augment this funding. This will enable us to purchase an adequate amount of tokens on behalf of those with disabilities in Tillamook County for the coming two-year funding cycle.

Marie Mills Foundation News

The Foundation continues to be very active in it’s efforts at growth. The Foundation wishes to thank individuals who have recently donated towards their efforts. These individuals include Harry & Linda Backenberg, Thomas Lindseth, Gladys Jacobsen, Rip’s Mixer Shop, Dick Canty/DC Transportation, Ed & Wilma Myers, Dick Crossley, Vista House Vacation Rentals, Hampton Lumber, Pacific Campground and RV Park, Brian & Sheryl Seaholm, Linda & Larry Beyer, Louise Christianson, Steve Darling, Dorothy Berkey, Evelyn Milner, Charles Benscheidt, Dick & Leanne Spence, Paul & Susan Adcock, Robert & Suzanne Stewart, Mel & Pat Dean, Edward Armstrong.

Again, Thank You!

A New Work Opportunity in the Community

After being contacted by Richard Biggs, Marie Mills Center’s Employment Specialist, Baertlein and Phegley, Certified Public Accountants approached Marie Mills Center with an interest in having someone from our program come to their office to perform work duties. Twinetta Frazer (right photo) immediately came to the mind of Cindy Green, Vocational Program Manager, as the perfect person for this job.

Twinetta goes to the Baertlein & Phegley CPA office one day a week to do confidential record destruction, labeling of files and envelopes, as well as other duties in their office. William Baertlein said that he is very pleased with Twinetta’s skills and her dedication to perfecting each task she does. We at Marie Mills Center are very thankful for this opportunity and we are very excited for Twinetta, as she is very excited and happy about getting to work in the community.

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Honored By Employer

Becky Kirchoff has been employed at the Tillamook Best Western Inn & Suites since June of 2003 with job coaching support from Marie Mills Center’s Employment Specialist, Richard Biggs. In a letter dated February 28, 2007 from Rick Takach, President and CEO of Vesta Hospitality, Becky was named Vesta Hospitality Associate of the Quarter.

“This award is a testimony to the commitment you have shown to your company, hotel team, and guests. You are now considered to be the best associate within the Vesta Hospitality Family of hotels by your peers and by your management team.” Pictured with Becky as she received an award at a celebration held in her honor on March 28th is Ron Wallace, General Manager and Cathy Peirce, Executive Housekeeper.

Fun Things We Do

“All Work and No Play Makes For A Very Dull Life”. This saying holds true for all of the individuals within our program. They lead active and normal lives and are involved in a number of activities. Many individuals in our program are involved with the local Special Olympics program which provides opportunities to learn individual skills as well as provide the opportunity to participate in competitive events against other Special Olympic programs in Oregon.

Tillamook County’s Special Olympics program is directed by Danell Boggs with assistance from Judy Gollon as well as the many volunteer coaches and chaperones it takes to participate in each event. This year’s softball team, the Tillamook Hawks, went to the State Tournament in June, having a great time and winning the Gold Medal. Congratulations to all of them.

Everyone at Marie Mills Center works hard throughout the year and needs to be able to take a break and have some fun. Most everyone likes to attend our summertime fun picnic that was held at Kilchis Park this year.

Other exciting times were had by those who have been able to go on vacations, some of which were provided through TRIPS, Inc., a Portland based company. This company provides trips for people with developmental disabilities complete with chaperones for supervised vacations all over the United States as well as to various locations all over world.

Many of our individuals have taken vacations to Disneyland, Hawaii, Florida, Nashville, and some have even gone on a cruise. These individuals have always come home happy, having had a great time as well as a great vacation. During this past year some of our program participants attended a tap dancing class through Oregon Coast Dance Center and performed in the end of the year dance recital, as well as at the Tillamook County Fair.

During the summer others participated in the Marie Mills Comedy Show produced by Daniel Phelps, a senior at Neah-Kah-Nie High School. Daniel created this opportunity for our people as his Senior Project. Daniel along with help from his parents and other volunteers, taught some of our program participants the basics about performing in front of an audience. These performers put on a show that tickled the funny bones of all those who were fortunate enough to be able to attend. Good Job – Daniel and the MMCI Performers!

Performing apparently is something that our folks like to do—earlier in the year the Developmental Disability Council Recreation Committee along with the help of Marie Mills Center and TARC put on a Karaoke & Desert Night. This event was a big success with everyone singing their hearts out and dancing to the beat!

The Recreation Committee, MMCI and TARC have joined together to support and create activities that enhance the lives of those we serve. These activities are put on by volunteers and would benefit from any participation and assistance that others may choose to provide.

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Tillamook County United Way

The Tillamook County United Way Drive announces that their United Way Campaign will start on October 1, 2007. The Tillamook County United Way supports 19 member agencies helping them care for local kids, strengthen local families, help local people in crisis, providing self sufficiency, and promoting Health and Wellness. To find out more about the Tillamook County United Way, go to their website at: www.tillamookcountyunitedway.org/donation.htm.

Volunteer Recognized

Over the past few months Bertha Moffett (left photo) has been doing a great deal of volunteer work for the Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce. Bertha helps out by folding brochures and other information that is given to, or mailed to visitors of Tillamook County. Bertha also did a great deal of volunteering for the Chamber by marking THOUSANDS of Great American Coastal Duck Race brochures.  Bertha was honored by Senator Betsy Johnson for all of her volunteer work at a Duck Race banquet held the night before the race. Bertha was presented with a certificate and a small gift of appreciation.

Upcoming Events

Important People at Marie Mills

Employees of the Month in 2007

Raymond S. - March	Frank F.— April
Matt A. - May	Gary M. - June
Michael O. - July

Birth Announcement

Congratulations to Hondo, Jaime, & Aubrey Hahn on the birth of their daughter/baby sister Alexis Jade (pictured at right). Alexis was born on July 3, 2007 weighing in at 7 pounds and measuring in at 19 3/4 inches.

Past Newsletters

• 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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