La Quinta Hotel Supports SSSRA
La Quinta Hotel, Tinley Park generously contributed eight rooms for SSSRA's New Years Eve Bash, which was held on Friday, January 8, 2010. The event, which is held each year, provides an opportunity for our adult participants to enjoy an overnight experience with friends. This year, 21 participants and 6 staff enjoyed the event, which included a pizza dinner, swimming, games, and a continental breakfast in the hotel the next morning. This is the third year that La Quinta provided the rooms free of charge. La Quinta's contribution enabled the association to offer this event at a reduced rate. Many
thanks to Mr. Johanns Williams, Area General Manager, for making this possible.
New 2010 Buses
The South Suburban Special Recreation Association has purchased two new 2010 Glaval 15-passenger buses! Each bus is designed to accommodate up to 5 participants who use wheelchairs or 14 participants who are ambulatory. Both buses are equipped with a state of the art Braun rear lift for easy loading and unloading and a low step-well for passengers.
In conjunction with one of SSSRA’s Strategic Initiatives, these vehicles will assist us in exploring opportunities to branch out transportation pick-up points to help serve our families more efficiently.
Furthermore, all drivers are expected to complete a comprehensive training on these vehicles and complete 10 hours of on the road driver training before transporting participants.
Recent Grants Received Total $13,800
Due to the generosity of the following foundations, program expenses for select programs will be covered, and program fees will be lowered or free for our residents during 2010:
Edmond & Alice Opler Foundation, Oak Lawn, IL - $10,000 for day camp transportation services
Ecolab Foundation, Joliet, IL - $3,800 for Early Childhood programs
Many thanks to these groups for their assistance to our participants, and for their support of our valuable mission.
20th Annual Golf Outing
SSSRA's 20th Annual Golf Outing was held on Friday, September 11, 2009, at Coyote Run Golf Course in Flossmoor. Golfers enjoyed a beautiful, sunny day this year.
Many thanks to the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Commissioners and staff, for their support in hosting the outing at this facility.
SSSRA would like to thank everyone involved in the golf outing for their generous and continued support of our agency. Your generosity helps us to continue to provide quality recreation programs for individuals with special needs.
Thank you to the Miller Family for their continued support of SSSRA, and to Mrs. Laurel Miller, Conner, and Isabella for sharing their experiences that evening.
Due to the generosity of our golfers, dinner guests, hole sponsors and prize donors, over $7050 was raised at the event. Proceeds will offset the cost of our programs, and assist in keeping fees affordable for the families we serve.
Thanks to the following individuals and businesses who contributed $250 or more in sponsorship or prizes to our event this year:
Olympia Fields Park District
Walt's Food Centers, South Holland
W-T Engineering, Inc., Hoffman Estates
Matteson School District 162 Staff
Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Danceworks, Inc., Tinley Park
Studio B - Bettinardi Golf, Tinley Park
Ms. Sandra Wolff-Chevalier, Oak Forest
George Dunne National Golf Course, Oak Forest
Coyote Run Golf Course, a facility of the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District
3rd Annual Ricky's Ride
The 3rd Annual Ricky’s Ride was held September 27, 2009.
Thank you to everyone involved for your continued support of Ricky’s Ride and our agency. Your generosity helps us to continue to provide quality recreation programs for individuals with special needs.
The 3rd Annual Ricky’s Ride raised over $13,500 that will be applied directly to our program services for individuals with disabilities. SSSRA will offer several programs at a 50-75% reduced fee to our residents for the upcoming 2010 winter and spring season, thanks to the proceeds raised from Ricky's Ride.
Thank you to the following individuals and businesses who contributed $100 or more in donations, prizes and ongoing support:
Sean "Duey" Fallon, Blue Island
Robert Schmidt, Country Club Hills
Schmidt Family
Uncle Chuck & Kathy
Jerry Mac
The Guy's
Volunteers
Timothy & Patricia Fallon, Naperville
Gordon Lane
Pat McHenry
Plank Trail Tavern, Frankfort
Saunoris Brothers, Frankfort
Charles & Diana Busha
George & Maria Litynski
Anthony & Susan Golda, Manhattan
William Fitzgerald, Frankfort
Oak Lawn Harley Davidson
In Print Graphics, Alsip
Oak Lawn H O G - HOGS for Hope, Chicago
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Mr. B's Bar & Grill on Route 66, Inc., Elwood
Design Draft Association
Big Run Golf Club, Lockport
The Odyssey Country Club, Tinley Park
Chicago White Sox
Orthodontic Associates, LTD., Flossmoor
Carey's Car & Credit Center
AAA Foundation Sealers, INC., Chicago
Heat and Frost Insulators Local No. 17, Chicago
VFW Mens Auxiliary Post 2791, Tinley Park
Ed & Joe's, Tinley Park
Choppers Tap, Hazel Crest
Choppers, Inc., Midlothian & Orland Park
Four Winds Casino Resort
Aurelio's Pizzeria, Frankfort & Homewood
Walt's Food Center
Lincoln Oaks, Crete
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., Aurora
Windy City Thunderbolts
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Please visit www.rickysride.org for more information.
SSSRA Board and Staff Recognize Jim Randall
On June 25, 2009, the SSSRA Board of Directors and Staff recognized Frankfort Square Park District Executive Director Jim Randall, for 20 years of service on the SSSRA Board.
The Frankfort Square Park District joined the association in 1989, and Mr. Randall has served as the Board Representative to the association for all 20 years. Through the years, he has provided leadership as the association’s Chairman during 1995-96; 1996-97; 2004-2005; and 2005-2006. He has also served on the Budget Committee, and has participated regularly in the agency’s Annual Golf Outing Fundraiser.
It is through the support of Mr. Randall and the Frankfort Square Park District Board, that the association’s office building became a reality in 2003. He was instrumental in promoting the need for a permanent office facility for the agency, and was supportive of the land donation by the Frankfort Square Park District for the project.
Although Superintendent Audrey Marcquenski will now serve as Frankfort Square’s regular representative to the SSSRA Board, Mr. Randall promises to stay involved in the association’s future projects. Thank you, Jim!
Lisa Drzewiecki Receives State-Wide Recognition
SSSRA Superintendent Lisa Drzewiecki received the Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Section (ITRS) Professional of the Year Award at the Illinois Association of Park Districts/Illinois Park & Recreation Association State Conference on January 29, 2009. Lisa has been a member of IPRA for eight years, contributing to our profession in a variety of ways. Lisa has served on the Interagency Sports Committee, the Adaptive Sports Committee and is the current Chair of the Youth at Risk Committee. Lisa played a formative role in the development of the Adventure, Etc program for children and youth with mental illness, a cooperative between 13 Special Recreation Associations and the Chicago Park District. Lisa has been instrumental in overseeing SSSRA’s program growth over the past few years. Her leadership skills have also proved valuable in the area of fundraising. Her work with a local business owner, Mr. Sean Duey Fallon, has contributed to the success of Ricky’s Ride motorcycle run, which raised $17,000 for the association’s programs last year. Lisa has been with SSSRA since July of 2000. She is a graduate of Northern Arizona University, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education.
Lan-Oak Park District Membership - June 1, 2008
The Lan-Oak Park District became the eleventh member of SSSRA, effective June 1, 2008. Residents of Lansing may now register for all SSSRA programs at the resident rate. Lansing residents are also eligible for scholarships and for door-to-door transportation services for designated programs.
Several programs are now be held in Lansing each season. In addition, pick-up point transportation to and from Lansing is offered for several programs and special events, enabling Lansing residents to conveniently participate. Many SSSRA programs are held in Homewood, just a ten to fifteen minute drive for most Lansing residents.
Are you a Lansing resident with a specific program request? Please contact our Superintendent, Lisa Drzewiecki, at (815) 806-0384, or by e-mail at lisa@sssra.org.
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