We at MDS just can’t adequately express how much we appreciate the hard work and wonderful spirit of RSVP volunteers Bill Stevens and Jerry Blangstead. Having heard of the tremendous challenge we were undertaking in our “A Home of Their Own” project, to provide three new group homes for residents from the Grand Junction Regional Center, Bill and Jerry called and asked what they could do to help. With their excellent wood working skills they modified three large mat tables to be used in therapies for the residents of these new homes.

Due to the unique needs of these individuals the tables must have padded fold-down sides, so their physical therapies can be safely accomplished. Sides for these tables are unavailable on the marked and must be individually handmade. The people who benefit most from Bill and Jerry’s hard work are for the most part unable to verbally express their thanks, but in their behalf, and from of all of us at MDS, we thank RSVP and these two wonderful volunteers.

To paint a picture of Kenneth J. Lampert, MD better known as Dr. Lampert, would be impossible to do. The shades and colors of his life and work would be too much for a canvas to hold. He’s a rare type of leader, who works quietly behind the scenes with years of knowledge and ability. He has stepped beyond being a doctor, and has dedicated his life to serving. That is why MDS nominated him for the Beacon Fest Volunteer of the Year Award.

Dr. Lampert has worked on MDS’ Board of Directors for 17 years. He rarely misses a board meeting coming prepared and ready to make headway. He’s also currently on the Marillac Clinic Board. Because of his volunteer work throughout the community, he has been an important bridge builder who has opened doors for MDS that otherwise would have been impossible to open.

Many of the clients at MDS are fond of Dr. Lampert because he takes the time to know them, which isn’t usual for Board members of any organization to do.

He doesn’t volunteer his time for glory or recognition, but because he truly cares for people who are less fortunate than him. He is a tireless servant of the community on a level rarely seen.

He’s a friend and respected colleague to others on the MDS Board of Directors. He mentors and helps new Board members become acclimated to the rules and regulations they are required to work with.

Dr. Lampert has dedicated his life to service. He is more than a volunteer in the sense that he truly does it to improve the lives of people. He doesn’t just serve a cause or a mission, he wants to help people.

The picture created doesn’t come close to really describing the volunteering heart of Dr. Lambert, or the assured leader he is. Although he didn’t receive the Beacon Fest Volunteer of the Year Award, he will continue to do great things for our community, and we are truly blessed to have him on MDS’ Board of Directors.

As a Broker at ReMax 4000, and a long time guardian of an MDS client, Rob Burnett wanted to help fundraise for MDS’ new group homes. Rob and his working partner Michael Burkhard decided to start a button fundraiser throughout the state.

At the Denver Realtor Rally, Rob said, “Everyone was really compassionate.” The people he spoke with were very interested in helping out. He put up huge posters promoting the fundraiser and he got a lot of great feedback.

This was an idea that wasn’t difficult to do and it will help MDS’ “A Home of Their Own” project immensely. Ordinary people who think outside the box and recognize an opportunity will make all the difference.

Form a bowling team to help fund the new group homes. The RotarACT Club of Grand Junction is a community service club of young professionals between the age of 18 and 34 which chose MDS’s “A Home of their Own” project to sponsor. They are dedicated to making the world a better place, locally and internationally. Strike Out 2010 is going to be on May 5. Register your team of four by April 28. The Captain’s meeting is at 5:30 and bowling starts at 6:30. If you are unable to join a team then you can pledge any dollar amount for your team of choice for every strike, gutter ball, or both.

The Community has done it again. After it was reported that aluminum cans were stolen from Mesa Developmental Services’ clients who were collecting them to raise funds for Special Olympics, many people responded by donating bags of cans. The cans donated in one day netted $151.30 for local Special Olympics activities and some people signed up to have their recyclables collected by Special Olympians on a regular basis as part of their ongoing fundraising efforts.

Karen Larson has been nominated for Alliance’s Direct Support Professionals of the year. Alliance is a statewide association Community Centered Boards (CCBs) that advocates for people with disabilities and organizations that support them. Karen has earned this honor through her ability to help the people we serve discover many new and exciting possibilities.

“What I enjoy the most is watching the guys try something new, do something new, and learn something new on their own,” Karen said.

Karen recently was promoted to Vocational Supervisor. She had been a DSP for two years and her goal was to get the clients out to discover the community. There is a long list of activities she facilitated including: Volunteering at Roice Hurst Humane Society, trips to the Dinosaur Museum in Fruita, shopping on Main Street, eating out at Olive Garden, and playing in the park.

John Klausz said, “Since she has been with us, she has demonstrated leadership, the desire to learn, to teach others, and a special way of caring for the people who we serve. Karen, by her actions, is a natural teacher and role model for our staff as well as community members, showing and demonstrating that the people that we serve are human beings with the same needs, desires, and dreams that everyone else has.”

Karen said the best thing about being a DSP and working so closely with MDS clients is the friendships she has formed with them.

“She makes sure that the people that we serve, regardless of their disabilities, are able to be part of the community, enjoy life and have fun. As is the case with the best direct support professionals, Karen doesn’t approach her service as a job, but as a reciprocal relationship with the people she has the pleasure of serving. She is a tremendous asset and I am glad to have her on our team,” John said.

Karen has set a huge example for DSPs, and people like her make MDS services more effective with the effort she puts into her duties.

The Ability Art Exhibit is what we are calling the art show starting on March 1st at Barnes and Noble. All of the art work was made by people with disabilities. The art will be displayed for all to see in the coffee shop during the month in recognition of National Developmental Disability Awareness Month.

On March 19 and 20, if you are at Barnes and Noble and bring your voucher or say you are with Mesa Developmental Services (MDS), a portion of your purchase will go toward MDS’ Infant and Toddler Early Intervention Program.

If you can’t get out those days, then consider buying a book on BN.com March 19 -25. If you type in the voucher code 10139236 when you buy your book and you can still contribute a portion of your purchase to MDS.

There will also be a meet and greet with the artists on Saturday, March 20th at 11 a.m. Come by and show your support, and listen to Mark Saro explain why he finds it is so important to support people with disabilities who want to express their artistic flair. A representative from Western Colorado Center for the Arts will also be there to discuss their Artability - Arts for All program.

Mesa Developmental Services employee Tony McClellan was honored on February 19th with the first annual Alliance Organization’s Direct Service Professional recognition award. The ceremony took place on the floor at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Legislative Day, and it was read and introduced by Senator Josh Penry.

McClellan was properly honored with a standing ovation from every person that was in attendance that day. Humbled by the recognition, McClellan who usually is the first one to take a stand and voice his opinion, was at a loss for words. The day was wrapped up with a recognition luncheon at the Denver Art Museum that was attended by over 200 people.

Alliance Organization is a professional association for services that assist people with disabilities statewide. MDS is apart of this organization along with over thirty other not-for-profit organizations throughout Colorado including places such as Mosaic and Imagine, both organizations with similar standards as MDS.

McClellan has worked as a major advocate for and as a proud supporter of the Supported Living Program here at MDS. He literally does everything, from installation of assisted living appliances, taking clients from place to place, to being the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves by attending doctors appointments, meetings and dealing with families and coordinators to make sure the best possible care is provided.

He has been apart of the family here at MDS for over 14 years and has shown the qualities and care that we seek in every employee that comes in contact with our clients. McClellan has gone above and beyond all expectations and has distinguished himself as one of kind, giving care that can only be provided by someone with such a love for what they do as he has. MDS is proud to say that McClellan is a member of our team and is the Alliance Direct Service Professional of the year.

Mesa County commissioners on Monday agreed to donate four decommissioned Grand Valley Transit buses to Mesa Developmental Services, which finds itself facing an emergency transportation need.

The nonprofit says it needs the buses to accommodate the clients it will be serving as a result of next month’s closure of the skilled-nursing unit at the Grand Junction Regional Center.

MDS estimates it will take in 24 of the 32 residents of that unit and is building three eight-bed group homes. The organization will use the 12-passenger buses to transport clients to the new group homes and for day-program use.

“Some of the individuals in these new homes cannot even use a wheelchair and must be transported in custom-designed wheeled recliners or gurneys, which presents a new transportation challenge for us,” MDS spokeswoman Marilee Langfitt wrote in a letter to commissioners in December. “As you can imagine, passenger capacity per vehicle will be greatly reduced due to the space needed to accommodate these devices.”

Todd Hollenbeck, manager of the Regional Transportation Planning Office, which operates GVT, told commissioners MDS has applied for a state grant to purchase new buses but won’t receive them until the end of the year.