JANUARY 2005 GOOD NEWS - Share Foundation

THOUGHTS FROM THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
By Kathleen Kelly
When I was growing up, time seemed to move slowly. I was always waiting for a special
occasion; for Christmas to arrive, for school to end so summer vacation could begin, and even
waiting for summer to end so I could begin a new school year with a new teacher and old friends. I
complained that time passed too slowly while my mother told me that the older I got, the faster time
would go. Of course, Mom was right and now I lament the days that are over before I know it and
the years that seem to fly by. How can it be 2005 already? Where did the year go?
Last year at Sharing Meadows was busier than usual and filled with milestones. We celebrated
the 10 year anniversary of our residential program shortly after we opened the third village and
welcomed new Villagers and stewards to our community. I am always amazed at the growth of the
Villagers and am so proud of the efforts they have shown and the successes they’ve achieved under
the nurturing eyes of the caring, sharing stewards. The new Villagers blended right in to the point
that if you saw all of the Villagers interacting you wouldn’t be able to tell who’s lived here 10 years
from who’s lived here a few months. What a joyful sight to witness!
2004 was also the 10th anniversary of our Leprechaun Hunt© and we celebrated with a trip to
Ireland for 2 and a bigger pot of gold for the top leprechaun. It was our best ever with the biggest
crowd we’ve ever hosted and a delightful experience for all of the participants. The event was
sandwiched between summer camp and the arrival of the modular houses for the 3rd village so it was
a busy time that also passed quickly!
Ground was broken last year for the guesthouse with completion expected in the spring and we
are looking forward to welcoming guests to the community of Sharing Meadows. Time marches on
as we get caught up in strengthening our current programs and embarking on new ones in the quest
of providing fullness of life to our other abled friends. It’s good to be busy even though I realize that
the heightened activities will cause time to continue to race by.
2004 was a great year for Sharing Meadows and I know that 2005 will be even better! This is
a great place to be and the best is yet to come!
Happy New Year!
CONTINUING THE DREAM
Share Foundation’s Capital Fund Drive is underway with a
goal of raising $1,645,000! We have seen much goodness in the
community of Sharing Meadows and the time has come to expand
and share it with others. Father Blaney’s dream of providing a
peaceful place where other abled people would be empowered to
grow to become the person God created them to be has become
your dream too, as you embraced our mission and have done so
much to make it successful. Now the time has come to continue
the dream with construction of two additional villages and a
guesthouse.
We are conducting the Capital Fund Drive entirely with
volunteers. No professional fundraisers have been hired so all of
the money raised goes directly into the drive to support the growth
of Sharing Meadows.
$1,645,000
$514,000
We have a great cause! The campaign runs for four years so
pledged gifts can be paid monthly or yearly. A pledged gift of
$500 amounts to just $10 a month; a gift of $50 per month would add up to be $2500! Your
pledge will make a difference! Please respond positively to the letter you received by
returning your pledge card today. Please help us continue the dream of Sharing Meadows by
supporting our Capital Fund Drive. Spreading out your commitment over four years makes
it affordable to everyone. Your gift will make a difference!
NEW SHARE FOUNDATION E-MAIL ADDRESS
Effective immediately, Share Foundation has a new e-mail address so please be sure
to update your address book:
share@sharefoundation.org
JANUARY 2005
FRIENDS CLUB WINNERS
Ed & Linda Sulicz
Chesterton, IN 46304
Anthony Maicher
Dyer, IN 46311
Helen Kozlowski
East Chicago, IN 46312
Winners receive a $100 gift certificate to
their favorite restaurant.
CONGRATULATIONS
FRIENDS!!
GOLDEN COUPLE
CELEBRATE
On January 8, 2005, Robert (Bob) and
Shirley Ladendorf will celebrate their 50 th
wedding anniversary. For more than two-fifths
of their married life together, Bob and Shirley
have supported Share Foundation through their
volunteer efforts – Shirley at the helm and Bob
on her crew. Shirley served as chairperson for
the annual golf outing for years, a leadership
position that entailed supervising all aspects of
the event. Bob maintained the beverage cart at
the function. His duties commenced before the
event as he helped pick up the refreshments
from donor businesses.
Using her God-given talents and skills,
Shirley serves as the chairperson for The
Luncheon, an event sponsored annually by the
Share Foundation’s Service League. Bob’s
contributions to this event are more subtle. He
patiently helps fill countless cream puffs – a
popular dessert at The Luncheon! Bob also
assumes the important role of delivering the
delicious, luncheon food to the hall where the
event occurs.
God blessed the Share Foundation with
these two loving, caring and giving individuals.
May He continue to bless Bob and Shirley with
good health and a strong marriage for many
years to come!
To remember Share Foundation in
your will, the proper legal name is:
Share Foundation With the
Handicapped, Inc.
P.O. Box 400
Rolling Prairie, IN 46371