Category: GUEST VOICES

Constance McDerby:  “Lifelong” Friend of New Danville

I came to Houston from New Orleans in 2000 in the radio marketing business.  It turned out to be a great career background for what I am doing now, and coming to Houston turned out to be a great move for a new career that is basically a hobby out of control.

New Orleans had great events that brought together wine and culinary experiences. I was surprised at the lack of those options in the Houston area, so when an opportunity to make a career change appeared, I knew what I wanted to try. Actually, I had wanted to get into the wine and culinary experience realm for a while. I prayed about it. A lot.  I kept hearing “not yet” when I prayed. So, I waited.

The wait came to an end when the radio broadcasting company that I worked for went through yet another re-organization. My position was eliminated and I was given a wonderful separation package that enabled me to act on what I had been thinking and praying about: create wine and culinary events that provide great experiences for attendees and support to nonprofits.  I was particularly interested in “stealth charities” when I started, that is those who most people didn’t know about and that would benefit greatly from marketing visibility and financial support. I started Food & Vine Time Productions in 2002 and created Wine & Food Week in 2005, the year New Danville was established. It was for the first Wine & Food Week that New Danville and I joined forces. You could say New Danville and business are lifelong friends – their lifetimes, that is.

My husband’s brother was special needs. I have seen the challenges that individuals and families experience when facing the variety of conditions that comprise “special needs.” I am very happy to help others with those challenges.

Our events have benefitted hundreds of nonprofits over the years. We have never turned down a request from a nonprofit. Our support has totaled more than $2 million and includes several ways we support charities with opportunities to garner funds, like Wine & Food Week, or direct contributions or in-kind contributions or…well, we always find one way or another to help out. 25-30% of our revenue goes to nonprofits.

New Danville has been with us from the beginning and I look forward to years to come.

Imani:  When the Match is Perfect

I’ve been a part of New Danville for about three months as a Direct Support Professional. Without a doubt, this has been the most fulfilling/rewarding position I’ve worked in. I previously worked in public education where the expectations were high, but the resources were very low. And so it’s been a relief to work for an organization that’s able to supply staff with an overwhelming amount of support.

The clients are the greatest; I’ve learned so much from them. There’s no limit to their creativity, which inspires me to bring my best to work every day. In art class, the Wranglers make use of color combinations that I never would’ve considered beforehand. But somehow, they just work; the artwork they produce is exceptional.

For comic-book club, we’re currently in the process of creating a manga novel series. The storyline and the scenes we’ve developed are so intricate and complex. My mind has been blown away. The Wranglers’ ability to prosper in teamwork is something that a lot of adults normally struggle with.

I’m grateful to be part of such an awesome, family-oriented staff. I’m used to being given a set of instructions, and then I’m on my own to handle a number of situations that would arise in the classroom. But at New Danville, help is always just a question away. It’s been refreshing to work with a group of adults that want the best for each other, and genuinely care. It’s been a great experience so far. I’m excited to work alongside great people while helping clients find ways to express themselves and be open.

He called out to me from across the campus, me in my office in the classroom building and he in the pasture by the barn. His unmistakable donkey voice let me know that he had something to share, so I traipsed past the flagpoles to where he waited at the white-railed fence. His braying stopped as I got closer as if to say, “Glad you heard me.  Thanks for coming over.  There’s something I want to talk about.” ~Editor

“You’re the fundraising guy, right?” he asked politely.

“Yes,” I said. I love it when people, and now animals, bring me cool ideas that require funding because it all, ultimately, helps our Wranglers.  No matter how the money is spent, it ends up making better experiences for the Wranglers.  “Do you have something in mind?”

“Absolutely,” he replied after lapping up some water from the bucket by the fence. “You know we love the Wranglers, and I know I am speaking for all the animals here.  I know because we talk about such things when the people aren’t looking. I know they love us, too. They talk to us, brush us — that is my personal favorite part of when they visit – walk around with us and feed us.  They’re good company.”

“I agree with everything you said.  Where are you going with this,” I asked as a couple more donkeys came over to join the conversation. Their heads bobbed a bit as they walked over, affirming what they overheard. Donkeys are famous for their eavesdropping abilities.

“Not to sound braggadocios, but all of us critters here play important roles for the Wranglers. We overhead some of the people talking the other day…”

“Y’all sure eavesdrop well with those ears,” I interjected.

He smiled as if he were eating cactus.  I laughed as he nodded his head again.

“Yes, we do.” His buddies brayed a chuckle in the background. “Anyway, we heard there was an interest in adding a miniature cow, and maybe more chickens, as well as adding new coops and possibly a couple of small satellite barns. The cow would need one, the goats need one and the pastures need some fencing.”  He paused to nibble on some hay placed by the Wranglers. “We like the idea.  We approve.  Let us know how we can help. We’ll smile for photos, mosey over to donors who are on site for tours…whatever you need from us,” he concluded before turning to head back to the grasses with his buddies in tow.

I waved; they flicked their tails. Meeting adjourned. I returned to my office, anxious to share this story.

Contact Dion McInnis at Dion.McInnis@NewDanville.org if you’d like to help with the additions, or donate here and specify that your gift is for the animal therapy program. Our goal for the changes described above is $20,000.  We appreciate your help!

With Joy to Spare, It’s Bowling Day

Hanna Thacker is the event coordinator for Time to Spare in Conroe. Though she has only been in that role for four months, the relationship between the lanes and New Danville extends about four years.

I can speak for everyone here: The days that the Wranglers come to bowl bring a special joy. We all look forward to New Danville’s bowling days.

I was told about New Danville when I started the job. I soon knew the days they came; I knew the price arrangements; I knew that the Wranglers were special needs adults. It wasn’t until I looked around on the New Danville website that I began to understand how much is done there. I was blown away by everything the people at New Danville are doing. I realize there is still a lot for me to learn.

One of the things you can’t help but learn when watching them bowl is joy. They are so excited with whatever they accomplish. I am a bowler. I’ve noticed how I sometimes get too caught up in the competition of the sport instead of the joy of being able to play. The Wranglers remind me of that. I usually find an excuse to go to the area they are bowling in so I can pick up on their happiness and energy.

The team here feels the same way. A lot of the staff members know the Wranglers by name and know what their favorite drinks are. They like it when the Wranglers arrive.

Words can’t express how it feels to watch the Wranglers play, having so much fun and such pride in their accomplishments for the day. I watched the bowling scene in the music video of New Danville’s original song, Wranglers’ Ballad, and couldn’t help but smile. It captures the Wrangler joy very well. Time to Spare is proud to be part of that happiness.

B-4 there was COVID, there was King’s: Bingo key to New Danville

“I wish more people knew what we actually do. What we do is phenomenal. We help so many people,” Cassie Raether said. She is the manager of King’s Bingo in Webster, TX; New Danville is one of five charities that benefit from the bingo hall’s net proceeds.

“Frankly, I’m not sure where we would be without the support of King’s Bingo,” said Eva Aguirre, president and CEO of New Danville. “The past two years have been a challenge, but their support had a tremendous influence as we navigated the pandemic situation. I learned that no matter what is going on in the world, people will still play bingo.  Thank goodness for that! Not to mention the many years of support we received from them in our fledgling years as a nonprofit.”

Patricia Greenfield CEO and Founder of Texas Bingo Solutions echoed both Cassie’s and Eva’s sentiments. Texas Bingo Solutions oversees the financial and accounting functions of several bingo halls, including King’s Bingo. “I have a wonderful job.” she said. “Because of Cassie and her team, who work tirelessly, the hall is profitable and all of the profits from the conduct of bingo are distributed to the Kings Bingo charities that are doing great work with that money in the community. We know you can do so much with the money. Bingo is a social thing for everyone. People have fun, make friends and help charities. I wish more people knew about the charity component.” New Danville has partnered with Texas Bingo Solutions since 2012.

Cassie has been the manager at King’s Bingo for six years. She started working with them not long after they opened in 2012 as a second job. Her role changed over the years until she was named manager after three years there. “My role is to make it as enjoyable as possible for people to spend their money while having fun, all for good causes. Our entire team has fun meeting and exceeding our revenue goals by creating a dynamic environment for our players. Everyone has a wonderful time and then we get to support charities. What a great job!” King’s Bingo has a special imprint of New Danville.  The wood letters that spell out “bingo” in the hall were made by Wranglers in woodshop class. Starting in May, they will also begin to occasionally show New Danville’s new, original music video, Wranglers’ Ballad to help players better understand what they are supporting.

Joe Cutillo: CEO of Sterling Construction on Volunteerism

Volunteer Appreciation Week is in April 17-23. New Danville benefits from its dedicated volunteers, as all nonprofits do. Whether the volunteer serves regularly at Jazzy Junque (our upscale home décor resale store), occasionally at a special event or as a program/class assistant, or as part of corporate-related team that takes on significant on-site projects, we appreciate all that they do to make us successful.  In the past year, the corporate team of Sterling Construction has visited New Danville to tackle day-long projects three times. Joe Cutillo, CEO of the company, shares his perspectives on volunteerism in this month’s “Guest Voices.”

I can’t help but look at volunteerism from various perspectives:  as a leader of a major company, as an individual who is part of the human race, and as a member of the community. Those views fit into all my ideas about volunteerism, but for our involvement with New Danville, I also look at our team’s efforts as a father.

I believe that all people are giving and want to help others who are in need. Volunteering is one of the most rewarding things that we can do with our time. It has been said by many that the volunteer always gets more from the experience than the people who benefit from the volunteers’ efforts; I believe that to be true.  I’ve seen it with every project that we undertake.

Our corporate team began volunteering as a team once per quarter. I was not sure how dedicating a day of service would be received by the team. I could not be more pleased or proud of the team for how quickly they adopted the notion of a day of service.  Now they ask “Where are we going next quarter? What do we get to do this time?” in anticipation of our next effort. I hope, and believe it to be true, that their experiences encourage them to adopt the notion of service on a personal level and begin to involve their family and friends with volunteer opportunities in the community.

Volunteering provides the opportunity to learn, too. Many of my team members learned a lot about the challenges of special needs adults by working on site.  I think the average person does not realize the realities of life for a special needs person. I was one of those average people until my wife and I learned that our son was on the autism spectrum. We had a lot to learn. I believe my team has learned a lot by coming to New Danville.  Any time you serve a population with different challenges than your own, you learn something important. Since we began helping at New Danville, several people have shared that they have friends, relatives or family members with special needs. They want to talk about it; that is a good thing.

As a company leader, I am always looking for ways to develop a sense of camaraderie and team. Volunteering does that. It provides a day of focus and we can see the results of our efforts on the same day. In the busyness of projects, travel, meetings and the million things that go on in people’s personal lives, it is helpful to separate from the rush and focus on service. Not only does it help develop a team mentality, but it provides fun stories that become part of the company culture, like the story of the two guys who painted themselves into the center of the bridge at New Danville. We still laugh about that.

Whether as an individual, a group or as a company, we are all called to help others. We are part of the community, as individuals and as a company. Sterling Construction has 3,500 employees across several states. The day of service concept has worked so well for the corporate team that we are now encouraging it throughout the company by using internal and social media to promote the idea and the benefits that come from it.  You just have to get started and let the ripple effect happen.

Everyone has causes that are important to them. I’ve learned it is more important to take action and get started with volunteering than to worry about picking the perfect organization to get started with.  

Melissa Varney: Following her heart’s call

I came to New Danville five years ago when I looked for a new job after my husband and I came to the area for his job. I looked at their website and loved what I saw, especially the job opening notice for a direct support professional. It provided a way to stay in a field that I love, but in a different environment with wonderful conditions.

I have been in the special needs field for many years, something I knew I wanted to do since high school. While in Colorado, I worked in schools with students who were medically fragile or were violent/aggressive. Even after a student injured me so that I needed surgery, I could not ever see myself doing anything else for work other than working with special needs. These people are my heart.  I could see myself in a different environment though, and New Danville was it.

One of the most incredible things about New Danville is how empowered the staff is to develop the classes and programs in ways that accommodate the various ability levels of the Wranglers. No one is left behind. We are able to align our own interests and abilities with the classes we teach and how we teach them. We can use visuals, discussion and hands-on projects which provides a way of learning no matter what type of learner each Wrangler is.

I never stop thinking about the Wranglers. I seek input from family members and friends on different classes to offer and how to deliver them in ways that the Wranglers will enjoy, and benefit from. When the Wranglers leave happy, proud and have a better sense of self-worth at the end of the day…well, that’s a good day and why New Danville does what it does in the way it does it.

Early on I knew that someway, somehow, I would be in this field. And then I had a son with special needs. My work in the field has made me a better parent, I believe. If I were to cross-stitch a sampler for the wall with words of wisdom, it would say “Patience is key.”

Perspectives on Jazzy Junque since its inception

Thirty-seven years of combined experience leads to memories and perspectives on the establishment and operation of Jazzy Junque, an upscale home décor store in the Outlets at Conroe shopping center. Nanci, Gay, and Carol have been with the store since its beginning, and before.

Jazzy Junque started as a once-a-year sale of home décor items for the benefit of New Danville 14 years ago. After five years of hard work and successful sales, the decision was made to go set up a year-round storefront. Nanci and Gay started with the operation in its original format and are still on board today. Carol joined the team after the store opened.

Nanci related the moment when she said to another volunteer, “the thrill is gone.” They were pushing a sofa down the sidewalk in the shopping center, preparing for the annual sale. They knew that an ongoing operation was the answer.  The three shared stories of the “early years” when hardly anything was turned away because there was treasure in each and New Danville needed the funds. Carol said, “We painted or glued or whatever it took to get items into good condition.” Fast forward and the store space has expanded, including an expansion two years ago, and the need for storage to hold inventory has never been greater.  Quality items come from individuals, estates, and more, providing a constantly changing inventory for shoppers to choose from.

“We are a team, a family, a tribe,” Nanci said, “and customers have become friends over the years. The volunteers work hard because we all believe in the cause.”

The store contributed more than $150,000 in net proceeds in 2021 to New Danville. President and CEO Eva Aguirre said, “Our commitment is to focus on providing quality programs and fair prices to our clients. Our priority is to serve our clients, not make a profit off of them, which means that Jazzy Junque, our special events, and fundraising initiatives are essential for New Danville to complete its mission.” When asked about anything about serving at Jazzy Junque that might have come as a surprise, Gay said, “We’re too busy to be surprised about anything.  We always have so much going on.” It is also no surprise that the Jazzy Junque team is always looking for volunteers. (People interested in volunteering can fill out the contact form here.)

Finding New Danville Products in Special Places

Ernesto and Jodi’s B&B on Lake Conroe has 189 excellent reviews, largely because of their special attention to their customers’ needs and comfort. New Danville products produced by Wranglers are part of their success. “We’re proud that we can support New Danville while also spreading the word about their great services,” Ernesto said. “We even had a customer from Germany who wanted to know how to buy New Danville’s sugar scrub.  We directed them to New Danville’s store. All the great personal touches are Jodi’s idea,” he said with a proud smile.

The couple have had their B&B for about three years. As they were getting it prepared for the market, they visited Jazzy Junque to look for furniture and home décor items. There they met Odette D’Agostino, one of the co-founders of the store, who told them about New Danville. They were sold. They continue to buy products and spread the word about New Danville.

Jodi is a graphic designer and Ernesto has had a long career in the foodservice industry, including overseeing events as large as for 6,000 people. “We’re failures at retirement,” Ernesto said with a broad smile. “I don’t think he’ll ever really retire,” Jodi added. “He likes to be busy. He has been all his life.”

“I got an adrenalin rush from all the challenges in putting together huge events,” he said, “but I also really enjoy being able to be so attentive to the various needs of those who stay with us. We continue to learn and adapt.” He pointed to a variety of New Danville products, including lotions, creams, natural insect repellant, as well as several décor items from Jazzy Junque and items created in the New Danville woodshop, all that serve the needs and comforts of their clients.

“Odette introduced us to the New Danville team. We met with Eva, Randy, and others. Everyone was receptive to our ideas of products and smaller product sizes. They wanted to be there for us like we are there for our clients, and we appreciate that.”