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In This Issue:
From the CEO Mike Painter named as new CEO
Development Corner Things you can do now for the event
News and Announcements LGI Homes and the Astros; Waste Connections’ generosity
Fundraising Factoid Help with the Sensory Zone
Live David, here since the get-go
Learn For the love of rocks
Work Wranglers with new jobs on-site
Grow Prep for pumpkins
Wrangler’s Tale “Good morning, world!”
Guest Voices The Futchers’ touching perspective
Live, Learn, Work, Grow How hot is it?
Important Links For more info and details
From the CEO:
The New Danville board of directors announced that Mike Painter will assume the
role of president and CEO beginning on August 7th. He is currently the director of
programs for the Montgomery County Food Bank.
More information will be available soon, and you can look forward to his column in
this space of the August edition of The Wrangler Gazette.
Development Corner: Golf FORE the Wranglers
In less than 100 days, the third annual Play a Round for the Wranglers golf event will be held at The Woodlands Country Club on November 6. You can make this fun, gimmick-free, day of golf successful by taking one or more actions today:
Register
Sign up individually or a foursome. The event is a perfect opportunity to join friends, court clients or thank employees while benefitting New Danville’s programs in this time of great growth.
Sponsor
Become one of the sponsors of the event, newly named categories for this year celebrate what your sponsorship helps makes possible: Living Independently, Learning Differently, Working Proudly and Growing Authentically.
Market
Promote your business with our new approach to hole sponsorship signage. Each sign can include a QR code of whatever web page you want potential clients to go to while they are waiting for their time at the tee.
Other Support
There are other opportunities to support the event and Wranglers. Our Support the Wranglers donation option will help fund emergency financial assistance for our residents or scholarships for our day program clients. Support is based on need and at the discretion of the president/CEO. Other donation options are available, too.
It is a great, gimmick-free golf event that you are sure to enjoy with your friends, clients, potential clients, key staff members, etc. Contact the chair, Ric Millington, at Ric.Millington@NewDanville.org if you’d like to be involved.
Please feel free to contact me at Dion.McInnis@NewDanville.org or 936-253-5757 if you would like to learn of the many joy-filled ways you can support the work of New Danville.
News and Announcements
On a recent visit to New Danville, Michelle Little of Waste Connections (rear, center) presented a contribution. Several Wranglers (clients) and board members Brittany Sloan (chair), Janine Jones and Diana Egley joined the fun. Waste Connections holds an annual golf tournament, the proceeds of which are distributed to area charities. This is the first year that New Danville has been a beneficiary, and it is much appreciated! With tremendous growth in enrollment, support for the day program is essential to assure that our Wranglers have every chance to live, learn, work and grow to their potential.
Thanks to the thoughtfulness of our friends at LGI Homes who nominated New Danville, we will be the beneficiary of the Houston Astros’ Share2Care Charity for the September 13 game against the Athletics. New Danville will receive half the proceeds from their raffle that night. We hope you’ll be in attendance. Put the game on your calendar! Thank you LGI Homes and the Houston Astros Foundation!
Fundraising Factoid
We are creating a sensory zone for our Wrangler 2s, those who need additional assistance and support. The room will provide various pieces of equipment to help them de-escalate, relax, and regulate. For a modestly priced project, the effect for all our Wranglers will be significant, enabling them to live, learn, work and grow, less affected by stress and distraction. Please consider purchasing one of the items listed on our special Amazon Wishlist for this project. You can also make a cash contribution here. (The items pictured are just some of those included in the Wishlist.)
LIVE – David, Living Here Since the Get-go
“I’m an original resident to Meadowbrook (New Danville’s independent living community),” David said. “I moved here in August 2010. Meadowbrook wasn’t completely done. They hadn’t put sod down and it was muddy when it rained, but I really wanted to be here on my own. I was excited; it was my first time to live away from my parents.”
“It was boring in the beginning. There wasn’t much to do, but it has definitely improved. I love LARA’s monthly bingo bash when we celebrate the birthdays of residents for the month. My favorite is when they take us (residents) to Golden Corral and a Christmas play in Conroe.” LARA is the Legally Authorized Representative Alliance, a nonprofit that was created by some parents several years ago, dedicated to providing programs and activities for New Danville’s residents, as well as for the day program participants (Wranglers).
When he is not busy at work (HEB) or day program, he enjoys playing video games or hanging out with his friends, Brooke, Morgan and Jessica. “I went to high school with Brooke. I’ve known her since 2001. And now we live in the same community!”
Along the way, David has developed a love for photography. He enjoys photographing scenery the most, of which there is much at New Danville. His images of Meadowbrook homes decorated for Christmas were feature in the December 2022 edition of The Wrangler Gazette.
LEARN – Making Rock Hounds
As with other phases of nature, I have probably loved the rocks more than I have studied them.
John Burroughs
Thanks to Direct Support Professional Angel Whittenton, who is a devoted rock hound, New Danville’s Wranglers have the chance to study rocks a bit and love them a lot in a new class called Rock Finders. Angel said, “I love rocks! You’ll always find rocks in my car that I’ve picked up while driving around. In class, we’re looking at all types of rocks, learning to clean them so we can see their colors, and soon we’ll have a geode to break apart so the Wranglers can take some of the crystals home.”
“We get to take some home?” Justin asked, grinning at the possibility of adding crystals to his collection of favorite things. Angel assured him that the students in the class will be able to.
She explained that they will have a rock crusher in class so the Wranglers can see how the geode is opened up, revealing its internal beauty. “My husband is a welder so he is adding protections around the machine to make it safer for the Wranglers,” she said. “Adding Plexiglas shields will enable them to see what is happening, but prevent rock pieces from possibly hurting anyone.”
Every class is a day of learning a bit more about rocks and loving them a lot more.
Wranglers pick the classes that they prefer. It is often hard to select a few from among the many!
There are many new classes, including: All that Glitters, Balance and Flex Together, Bible Basics, Clay Creation, Discovery and History in Action. Some of the returning classes include fishing and golf cart training.
And more! For more information about the day program, contact 936-344-6200, or request a tour at tour.newdanville.org.
WORK – Wranglers on the Job: Insights and Advice
Several Wranglers (clients) now have jobs at New Danville, thanks to a grant from Texas Mutual Insurance. We caught up with three of them to get their insights on their jobs and work. Pictured, L-R: Cody, Alyssa and Brandon.
Alyssa
She has held a job before, but not at New Danville. She is now on the production team that makes bath and beauty products. They are sold at New Danville’s online store and at Jazzy Junque resale. “I like cooking and preparing the products is a lot like cooking,” she said. “I would tell job seekers to not be scared. Go for it!”
Brandon
He is on the custodial team at New Danville. He had worked here before, but not in quite a while. “I don’t work for the money, but for earning the money. I want to be productive. I like learning new skills, too.” He has advice for job seekers, too, “Go for it. Show ambition. Learn to manage your time.”
Cody
This is Cody’s first job ever, though he has wanted one for a long time. He works in production, like Alyssa, and gardening; gardening is his favorite. He learned about gardening from his mom. His advice: “When it comes to working, it is not just about you. It is also for others. Remember that people are counting on you.”
We’re thinking their insights could make a good guide book for anyone searching for a job, whether it be their first ever or a career change.
GROW – Jack O’ Lanterns in the Making
While most everything that was once green is now brown, nestled away in New Danville’s 1,800 square foot greenhouse are some seedlings that are growing, preparing to bring color (orange) and fun to the Wranglers…like pumpkin decorating!
According to Direct Support Professional James Scott, pumpkin seeds were planted several weeks ago and have been progressing nicely in the more reasonable conditions in the greenhouse. “We expect to put them in beds in another few weeks, though these are tough times to transplant anything with the heat and lack of rain, but the Wranglers love having pumpkins so we’re going to do our best to deliver.”
The gardening class is always popular, James said, but it has been a challenge to maintain enthusiasm for planting, tending and weeding when the heat indices are between 105 and 115 degrees. As much as everyone enjoys the various herbs and vegetables that are grown as part of the class, “We keep the safety of the Wranglers top on our minds,” he said.
Wrangler’s Tale: “Good Morning, World!”
There is a lot about New Danville that Judy loves. The various activities may be why she seems happy all the time; more than likely, it is just her personality to be that way.
“She loves painting the sun catchers,” said Direct Support Professional Marianne Roberds (pictured right with Judy). Judy is a member of New Danville’s Wrangler 2 program for clients that require more assistance due to the challenges they face. “She also loves the paint-by-number projects. She really loves art class,” Marianne said.
Judy loves feeding carrots to the animals, too. She has six dogs at home, named Wrigley, Tank, Fenway, Apollo, Demi, and Lily. She enjoys taking care of more than just animals.
“Judy is very caring,” Marianne explained. “The other day, one of the other Wranglers was upset so Judy started singing Rockabye Baby to her to help calm her down. It worked!”
Judy likes field trips, like to the library and Walmart, but she particularly likes being on-site at New Danville. Her favorite book at the library is Little Red Riding Hood. She agreed that she likes shopping, too.
When asked what she would like to say to the world if she could, Judy replied, “Good morning, world!” It is that sort of upbeat, positive spirit that makes her, and those around her, happy.
Guest Voices – Tricia and Jack Futcher
Jack and I are thrilled to be in a position to support the New Danville Community. We were immediately touched by what we witnessed when we toured the community this past April with Rory Feek. The impact that New Danville has on the residents and nonresidents is truly moving. Every single person we met was happy, well adjusted, productive and, obviously, loved. Their faces told a story of acceptance, self-worth and value. I recommend anyone who hasn’t taken a tour, please do so. It will open your eyes as to how amazingly wonderful individuals are that are born with challenges. You will experience the innocence that the participants possess while they live a productive and loving life.
If you would like to experience a tour with this sort of impact, please contact Development Director Dion McInnis at Dion.McInnis@NewDanville.org or 936-253-5757.
(L-R) Jack, Tricia and Rory at the VIP reception for sponsors of the 2023 Spring Thing event.
To learn more about New Danville’s various events that support the people and programs at New Danville, please contact Development Director Dion McInnis at Dion.McInnis@NewDanville.org or 936-253-5757.
Next up for events is our Play a Round for the Wranglers golf event on November 6.
Live, Learn, Work, Grow: Wisdom From Under the Windmill, a Presentation on Life lessons Learned from Wranglers Contact Dion McInnis at 936-253-5757 or Dion.McInnis@NewDanville.org to bring the presentation to your group or company.
Live, Learn, Work, and Grow - Life and Times at New Danville The people of the State of Texas consist principally of men, women, and children, with a sprinkling of cowboys. The weather is very good, thermometer rarely rising above 2,500 degrees in the shade and hardly ever below 212. ~O. Henry
The recent weather has kept the Wranglers indoors or under shade trees as much as possible. Despite the temperatures that are turning grass to straw, Wranglers continue to live, learn, work and grow to their potential with smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts.
Important Links
Wranglers’ Ballad: The original music video that shares what happens at New Danville and the heart with which all is done.
Make a donation: You are what makes all these stories possible.
Volunteer: Bring your talents to the service of Wranglers.
Request a tour: Learn about New Danville by seeing.
Jazzy Junque resale store: A great place to shop that benefits New Danville Inventory changes almost every day.
Vision 2025 and the campaign to fund it is called Growing…for Living: A Collaborative Campaign to Grow Life Experiences for Adults with IDD are our future. Find a virtual flyover and the campaign storybook by clicking the link. The year 2025 is our 20th anniversary.
Follow New Danville on: • Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn
Follow Jazzy Junque on: • Facebook • Instagram
We are pleased to introduce Live, Learn, Work and Grow: Wisdom from Under the Windmill, an inspiring, motivational, immediately usable presentation by Dion McInnis, development director. Bring this to your organization, association, business or group; everyone’s life can be better with the 15 nuggets of wisdom for living discovered at New Danville. Contact Dion at Dion.McInnis@NewDanville.org to book the presentation for your event.
New Danville is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit rural community in Willis, TX for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. New Danville provides our clients an opportunity to live enriched and purposeful lives; we proudly call them Wranglers.