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See our 2010 Auction Catalog Online!

Vine Village in the News, December 23, 2009

 

2008 Newsletter | Juliette's Horse Story | 2009 Newsletter | Spring 2010

2009 is Starting out Strong
By Joan Taramasso

THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL CELEBRATION 

Friday, August 14, 2009.  Save the date!   It’s time once again to party for Vine Village.  This year’s annual celebration will again be held at The Chardonnay Club.  Golf and Fun will be the two main components of the day.    

 

Art Program News: 
 

A trip into the Art Room at Vine Village is always a treat.  Checking in with Catalina Arabia, director of Vine Village’s Art  program,  I had a chance to see what’s going on today and what’s coming up for the new year.  While clients were busy with various projects, ranging from graphic designs utilizing pencils and paints to something involving a sewing machine, Catalina filled me in on one very special upcoming event.  The Vine Village Arts Program has been invited to do an exhibition at the Napa City-County Library.  The Library will feature Vine Village art for the entire month of December, 2009.  It seems a long way off, but time flies and December will be here before you know it.  Vine Village’s artists will be working throughout the year on pieces that will go on display. 

Vine Village’s artists communicate quite clearly through their artwork, but wouldn’t it be great if everyone could be as verbal as they are visual?  More mundane communication can be a bit of a challenge at Vine Village.  Do you know of someone with experience in speech therapy that might want to volunteer some time at Vine Village to work with clients on their verbal communication skills?  This could be a great opportunity for a student looking for some hours of community service, or a seasoned professional looking to “give back.”   

Another new feature at the Arts Program  is a giveaway going on through their monthly newsletter.  A special sticker is being included in one random newsletter per month.  If you happen to be the lucky recipient of the sticker, you can bring it to Vine Village and choose a piece of original Vine Village artwork from the collection.  So, check your newsletter carefully to see if you’re this month’s winner! 

If you aren’t currently receiving the Arts Program newsletter and you would like to, contact Catalina via e-mail: catalinaarabia@live.com or give the program a call at 707-255-4116.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 

The Annual Celebration offers many volunteer opportunities.  Are you a good party planner/team player that would like to help with pre-event planning?  Are you a roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-it-done volunteer that will come in and do some dirty work the day of the event?  There’s something for everyone at the annual celebration and we know we’ll have a position that will fit your volunteer personality.  Let us know your interests.   Everyone is welcome. 

POETRY DAY

Dennis Johns, one of our Grounds staff, is also a writer and poet. Dennis organized a Poetry Day for Thursday, April 30. It was well attended by clients and staff alike, and everyone enjoyed sharing their favorite poems, and hearing others recite theirs. Way to go, Dennis!

 CREATIVE WAYS TO SUPPORT VINE VILLAGE: 

At the bottom of this website you will see an icon at the bottom of the home page for “Mission Fish” and “E-Bay Giving Works.”  If you’re curious about that here’s the deal:   Let’s say you have an item sitting around the house that you want to donate to Vine Village. Well, donations of physical items can be tricky.  Sometimes cold hard cash is really the best way to help.  How, then, do you turn that beautiful old vase, stack of books or other useful item into a donation?  We have the answer.  Post the item on E-Bay through the E-Bay Giving Works  link and be sure to link a portion of the proceeds to Vine Village.  You can also “shop till you drop” for Vine Village.  Check to see what other Vine Village supporters might have up for sale through the same “E-Bay Giving Works” link. 

MORE CREATIVE WAYS TO HELP VINE VILLAGE

Memorial and Celebration Donations:   In our last newsletter we told you about Austin and Carla’s wedding.  Austin Bowker and Carla Mink-Valenza  included Vine Village in their wedding plans by  letting their friends and relatives know that they could donate to Vine Village in their name.  It worked out great for everyone.   Vine Village benefitted greatly and we greatly appreciate Austin and Carla’s thoughtfulness. 

To keep the spirit of giving alive, consider a donation to Vine Village to celebrate any special event in your life.  A donation to Vine Village might be just the “gift” for that hard-to-buy-for friend on their birthdays, anniversary, graduations, etc.  Does anyone really need another gift basket or coffee mug?  A donation in your beloved’s name will go toward keeping Vine Village alive and well.   

Donations are easy to make!

You can donate via the Vine Village website (www.vinevillage.org) or give us a call for personal service at 707.255.4006.  We’ll be happy to take your credit card information over the phone, and can even set up a scheduled giving plan for you.   Make a one-time donation or have us schedule a monthly or quarterly donation in your name or a friend or loved one’s.   We’ll be happy to send out a notice that a donation has been made.  And remember, all donations are fully tax deductible.

 
   
2008 Yearend Newsletter
(click to enlarge)
 

CLICK HERE TO READ THE 2007 YEAREND NEWSLETTER

Napa Valley Vintners donates $40,000 to Vine Village, as part of their annual community fund-raiser, Auction Napa Valley!

Vine Village, Inc. is thrilled to have been chosen this year as a recipient of $40,000 by the Napa Valley Vintners, through their annual community fundraiser, “Auction Napa Valley.” 

Vine Village is a non-profit program established in 1973 to meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities. Our residential program serves 19 clients, who live in two houses and a semi-independent cottage, and our arts-based day activity program serves an additional 20 people.  

Vine Village’s residential program strives to nurture supportive and long-term human relationships, while meeting each client’s special needs in an atmosphere of respect and dignity. Vine Village’s day program serves a mix of people including those who are talented and serious artists – who happen to have a developmental disability, and those who need the socialization and emotional support that the program affords.  People thrive here. 

The generosity of the Napa Valley Vintners makes a huge difference in Vine Village’s continuing ability to provide a high quality program for our community’s citizens with special needs. Thanks you so much Napa Valley Vintners!

Sincerely, 

Michael Kerson
Executive Director
Vine Village, Inc.
Napa, CA


Michael Edwards Retires from a long successful career at McDonald's

Annual Family Club picnic raises $10,000 and everyone has a wonderful time!

Vine Village Celebration

Spring 2007 News

Kiwanis Work Days

Winter 2006 - Spring 2007

Welcome, Saanen Kerson!

Saanen Kerson has joined the Vine Village team as a full-time Director of Development! Probably no one knows Vine Village better than Saanen, who grew up here as Executive Director, Michael Kerson's daughter. Saanen is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, where she worked at Events Management with the Athletic Department while in school, and she brings a fresh new energy and professionalism to Vine Village's development.


Tucker working with the grapes

Nancy Kerson and Pat Curtis walking the dogs, Monty & Joe

October 28, 2006 Halloween Party
With ParentsCAN

Click for Link to Napa Valley Register article by Kathleen Dreeson

John Modzelewski and Joan Lockhart of ParentsCan, a Napa non-profit serving families with children who have special needs, asked us if they could use our facilities to hold a Halloween Party for the children in their program. We not only said, "Of Course!" we joined in and helped with the party. Vine Village Director, Mike Kerson, and his wife, Nancy, contributed a "Go Fishing" booth with prizes for everyone. And they brought their Mammoth Saddle Donkey, Max, to give rides to the kids. The party also featured great food with barbecued hot dogs and burgers, decorate-your-own-cupcake, and pumpkin painting.

It was a great party - everyone had fun!


Party's over, and Max is smiling!

Fall, 2006 Residents' Trip to Reno

KITCHEN REMODEL!

An Anonymous grant made possible through the Community Foundation of the Napa Valley, combined with wonderful volunteer assistance from Al Gillette of Alpine Construction and the Kiwanis Club, have given the Women's House kitchen a whole new look!


 


Board President, Jane Meyers, stopped by to admire the new kitchen, and visit with residents. Here she is with Executive Director, Mike Kerson, and Heidi Clarkson and Andrea Kaufman

2006 In Memoriam:


Pat Salazar, House Counselor

Pat Salazar, beloved house counselor at Vine Village for many years, died peacefully in her sleep this spring at the age of 49. She leaves behind a teen-aged son. If you want to help her son through his senior year of high school, send donations to:

 Paul Salazar Educational Fund
New Technology High School
920 Yount St.
Napa CA 94559

Mary Elizabeth Kolaites, long-time resident


Our dear Mary Elizabeth passes away after suffering a massive stroke while visiting her mother and brother over 4th of July weekend. Mary was always the light that would brighten the darkest day, and we all miss her terribly.

A celebration of Mary's life was held September 24 at Vine Village.

2006 Celebration Pictures

KIWANIS VOLUNTEER DAY 2006

Formerly known as "Christmas in April" this wonderful group of hard-working volunteers came out to Vine Village to replace stairs, paint kitchens, refinish the bocce ball court, paint fences, cut firewood, and general clean up and handy-person chores. What a wonderful difference they made! The place looks great and feels wonderful. THANKS!

WINTER 2005-2006 DAMAGE REPAIR

Thanks to Josephine Haas for helping us remove a giant fallen tree from our irrigation pond, and for replacing the gutters on the Men's House and office.

WINTER 2006 PAINTING

A generous grant by Jim & Myrna Andrews financed a very professional re-painting of all the major Vine Village buildings. Colors were chosen by color-guru Annette Boss. Everything looks absolutely beautiful!

In Process

All done!

Our Annual Yearend Holiday Open House & Art Sale was held
Friday, November 18, 2005

Vine Village and Vine Village Arts will also be attending these Holiday Events:
  • Sunday, November 13
    9:30 - 2:00
    Alternative Crafts Fair
    1st Presbyterian Church, Napa
     

  • Friday, December 9
    North Bay Regional Center
    Art Sale

Click to download a PDF of recent Newsletters:
2005:                                                                2006:                                            2007:

Hit Counter since November 1, 2006

Vine Village, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit organization located in the Napa, CA Wine Country
Telephone: 707-255-4006     Fax: 707-255-8431    Napa, CA     Email Us!

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