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In This Issue:
From the CEO Spring Thing Thanks
Development Corner Birdhouse became a building
Good News that is Good to Know Got golf?
News and Announcements Entergy gift changes lives
Upcoming Events Spring Thing is coming soon
Fundraising Factoid Cowabunga! Riding the waves
Live Something in the air
Learn Classes are keepers
Work There is work, and labors of love
Grow “A Light exists in Spring”
Wrangler’s Tale A high-quality life
Guest Voices It’s personal
Live, Learn, Work, Grow Wranglers out and about
Important Links For more info and details
From the CEO
Eva Aguirre
“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.” Paul J. Meyer
It is hard to believe that our major fundraising event, Spring Thing, is just around the corner. Time for us to shop for that special outfit and put on our fancy spring shoes!
On a more serious note, if not for the “commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort” of our volunteer committee, event planner, staff, and many others, we could not pull this off. Our successful Spring Thing events are the fruits of their labors and talents!
This year we are delighted on two fronts: First, Rory Feek will be our keynote speaker. Rory is an inspiring singer-songwriter, storyteller, filmmaker, author, and blogger. But, his most important role is that of a father. His special needs daughter, Indiana, is the inspiration for much of what he does, including writing the best-selling book, This Life I Live. Secondly, this year’s event honors the Lynne and Steve Charbonneau family. The family’s commitment to New Danville is exemplary. Their company, Charbonneau Industries, is a modern master distributor of pipeline products and services. They developed their “Pallets to Partners” program, providing Wranglers with jobs assembling pallets for the company. The family also donated the construction of a building at New Danville for pallet work and more. We are truly grateful for their ongoing support.
Lastly, we want to express our gratitude in advance to all of our donors, sponsors, and participants. If not for your spirit of generosity we could not continue to have an impact on the lives of our Wranglers. As we look to our future through our Vision 2025, we are focused on expanding our services and program to better serve the growing needs of our community.
In the words of Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
How a Birdhouse Became a Building: The important role of special events
Development Director
A birdhouse sold at our Tea on the Lawn fundraising luncheon a few years ago became a building. The event is now called Spring Thing, and the honorees of this year’s event reveal the story of the birdhouse transformation.
Lynne Charbonneau attended the event and purchased a bird house made by a Wrangler (client). When she showed it to her husband, Steve, he admired the quality of the work and felt like there was something else that they could do to provide a long-term benefit to the Wranglers. They initiated the “Pallets to Partners” program between New Danville and their company, Charbonneau Industries. In November 2021, we dedicated The Charbonneau Family Building at New Danville; they donated the construction of it to accommodate the growing pallet assembly program. At least 8,000 pallets have been assembled so far, providing meaningful employment to several Wranglers. The Steve and Lynne Charbonneau family are our honorees at the April 28th Spring Thing event at The Woodlands Resort.
In their story resides the real reason nonprofits hold events: To develop relationships and connections that grow and flourish out of a mutual commitment to the cause. Who knows what will come of the friends we meet this year!
If you have any questions about ways to support New Danville, please feel free to contact me at 936-253-5757 or Dion.McInnis@NewDanville.org.
Good News that’s Good to Know
WANTED: Golf Committee Chair to lead our Play a Round for the Wranglers golf event. REWARD: …for the volunteer, immeasurable. With two successful golf events behind us, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of co-chairs Brady Hull and Odette D’Agostino, and an active committee, New Danville is seeking a new chair to lead this very important event. Please contact Development Director, Dion McInnis, to learn more: Dion.McInnis@NewDanville.org; 936-253-5757.
News and Announcements
The text message from the staff member with the following photo said, “Look who can ask for coffee with the new app!” She added that he was also able to tell her that his head hurt. Thank you, Entergy, for the grant to purchase apps to assist our non-verbal Wrangler 2s.
Upcoming Events
April 28, 2023
The Woodlands Conference Center
Mark your calendar!
Keynote Speaker: Rory’s story is that of a farmer and filmmaker, author and artist, world-class storyteller, and father raising his 8-year-old special needs daughter.
Honorees: The Lynne and Steve Charbonneau Family of Charbonneau Industries for their great generosity and dedication to New Danville.
Check out the new Spring Thing Bling raffle! Buy your chance
at a beautiful diamond pendant.
Fundraising Factoid
Riding the Waves: Cowabunga!
Surfers refer to a group of waves as a set. When New Danville looks out across the ocean of the near- and mid-future, it sees quite a set! Enrollment is booming, the Growing…for Living campaign is underway to fund Vision 2025, new state regulations are creating changes in day-to-day operations, major changes to the campus are coming, Meadowbrook homes are getting spiffed up with new paint, Wranglers are going offsite more often…wave after wave after wave. We’re stoked and hope you are, too. You can help us turn these waves into magnificent rides by donating here. Thank you!
LIVE – Something in the Air
‘Tis springtime and there is something in the air!
Maybe the scent is that of paint. The process of spiffing up the homes in Meadowbrook, our residential community, has begun with homes beginning to get new paint and trim with a crisper look. Residents are excited!
The aroma could be bark mulch. New mulch and plants have appeared in Meadowbrook, giving the community a fresh, springtime look.
Changes in the community aren’t the only ones coming. The area affectionately known as the “Mud Pit,” has been improved so it is now a nice, graveled parking lot for the administration building. On the horizon are two projects near and dear to everyone at New Danville: a new entrance gate, and a new, iconic windmill to be located at a more visible location than our current one. Also, the flag poles will be moved to the administration building area.
Soon there will be the aroma of freshly turned dirt. The major infrastructure development project on the south side of campus is expected to start in the second quarter, according to Randy Smyth, Director of Operations.
LEARN – A Bunch of Keepers
Men like stuff that smells good, too! And everyone likes a good tug on the line. These realities strongly influenced classes for the new semester of Individualized Socialization and Skills (ISS) that recently started.
Last spring, a new class for Wrangler women offered attendees the chance to make their own beauty products. Called “Blushing Beauties,” it provided the opportunity to find recipes for various bath and beauty productions like lotions, lip balm and more. Class participants found their own preferred concoctions and made them with oversight from staff. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, as the old proverb states, then those who made the class such a success should feel flattered, indeed, because the Wrangler men wanted a similar class, too.
In March, a new class called “Men’s Line,” was introduced by popular demand. One of the secrets of New Danville’s variety of classes and programs is the input of Wranglers.
Speaking of “line”…a class from the past has returned and, based on Wrangler interest, it’s a keeper: fishing! Thanks to the generosity of Ranger Oilfield Products, LLC, the Wranglers have the chance for a catch of a lifetime thanks to them granting access to their beautiful lake. “It was thissssss biggggg! Really!!” According to team members, the Wranglers are in no need of a Fish Stories 101 class!
WORK – Work and Labors of Love….Luis’ story
Luis has worked at Willie’s Grill and Ice House for almost two years. His first job, he puts a lot into his roles there. While he enjoys work for pay, he also gets a lot from his labors of love.
He is busy at his job: getting things ready before opening by moving tables and chairs, cleaning tables during business hours, and helping carry ice. His favorite part of the job is moving the tables and chairs because “I feel like it is.”
“He got the job with the help of his high school teacher, Carol Baker, at the TRAILS program in CISD and Texas Workforce Commission. They even provided a job coach to help him learn the ropes,” according to his mother.
A conversation with Luis comes with random quizzes about Spanish. “I speak Spanish with my tias (aunts),” he said before inquiring about the interviewer’s hijos or hijas (sons or daughters).
Luis is well known for his love of making beaded items that he enjoys giving to others. “Mostly I give to women. Necklaces and bracelets. Necklaces are my favorite,” he said. He loves colors and no longer needs helping making his gift items. “I make them all the time,” he said.
GROW – A Light exists in Spring
A Light exists in Spring
Not present on the Year
At any other period –
When March is scarcely here
A Color stands abroad
On Solitary Fields
That Science cannot overtake
But Human Nature feels.
It waits upon the Lawn,
It shows the furthest Tree
Upon the furthest Slope you know
It almost speaks to you.
Then as Horizons step
Or Noons report away
Without the Formula of sound
It passes and we stay –
A quality of loss
Affecting our Content
As Trade had suddenly encroached
Upon a Sacrament.
By Emily Dickinson
Wrangler’s Tale: A High Quality Life
Kaylyn fulfilled her dream in January 2020 – she moved into her place at Meadowbrook, New Danville’s independent living, residential community. She joined New Danville’s day activities in 2015 and quickly realized that she also wanted to live at New Danville. With few people leaving and a long list of people who want to move in, the wait was long…but worth it, according to her, and her mom, Jana.
Mom was excited for the move. Kaylyn was, too, and not scared about being out on her own. Having the various animals on site was a big plus. “I love the horses. Maisy almost gave me a kiss the other day,” she said about the newest member of the animal family. Kaylyn has ridden horses since she was little and has competed in equestrian events in the Special Olympics. Not surprisingly, her favorite New Danville class is animal therapy where she gets to spend time with the pony, miniature horses, donkeys and more.
Kaylyn loves the Astros, too. Born in College Station, Kaylyn is a devoted Aggie, as are her mom and aunt, so she loves the Aggies, as well. “Gig ‘em,” she says with thumbs up.
Mom and daughter enjoy time together, particularly going to concerts.
“I like to be involved as much as I can,” said Jana, and that includes volunteering to help out with New Danville special events when she can.
“New Danville is a blessing for me, for us; Kaylyn lives a high quality life here,” Jana said.
Guest Voices – Elizabeth Pritchett of Bellwether Concepts
I first stepped foot onto the acreage of New Danville on a sunny day in July of 2022 and immediately felt a palpable vibrancy in the energy there. “This is a special place,” I (probably annoyingly) repeated aloud to myself and to Dion during my tour that day. Having recently lost a late pregnancy due to complications with Down syndrome, I was immediately connected emotionally to New Danville’s mission and to the incredible Wranglers. This connection filled a void I didn’t know existed within me.
I have been so fortunate to be able to work on an external aspect of New Danville’s ethos of “Grow” via our Social Media accounts. The New Danville team has stunned and stirred me with the amount of devotion and genuine love they have for the Wranglers – I tell people all the time that I have never met such a committed, passionate team at a nonprofit organization.
I love seeing our followers’ reactions to our Social Media posts about our Wranglers and our mission, and am so happy to watch our numbers climb. I aim to continue telling the stories of this special place that has so thoroughly touched my heart – stories of Living, Learning, Working, and Growing at New Danville.
Speaking of Social Media A quick and effective way for you to help New Danville (and Jazzy Junque, too!) is to “Like,” “Share,” and “Comment” on our posts. Every engagement amplifies our message. Thank you! Find and follow us here: New Danville: Keep up with news, updates and interesting stories. • Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn Jazzy Junque (our upscale, home décor, resale store in Conroe): Keep up with sales, delivery of new inventory and interesting stories. • Facebook • Instagram
Live, Learn, Work, Grow: Wisdom From Under the Windmill, a Presentation on Life lessons Learned from Wranglers Lesson 14: Have a pure heart Wranglers mean well, even when their moods or emotions get the best of them. As they deal with life, we can learn a lot from them about our lives, too. Having a pure heart, absent of malice, goes a long way in relationships as well as how we see the world. Have a pure heart.
Contact Dion McInnis at 936-253-5757 or Dion.McInnis@NewDanville.org to bring the presentation to your group or company.
Live, Learn, Work, and Grow – Life and Times at New Danville
If it is rodeo season, you can be sure the Wranglers will be there. Conspicuous by their yellow bandanas, they enjoyed the big Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo parade in Houston.
Not long after the parade, the Wranglers were out again, enjoying the fun at the Montgomery County Fair that is nearby.
Important Links
Wranglers’ Ballad: The original music video that shares what happens at New Danville and the heart with which all is done.
Make a donation: You are what makes all these stories possible.
Volunteer: Bring your talents to the service of Wranglers.
Request a tour: Learn about New Danville by seeing.
Jazzy Junque resale store: A great place to shop that benefits New Danville Inventory changes almost every day.
Vision 2025 and the campaign to fund it is called Growing…for Living: A Collaborative Campaign to Grow Life Experiences for Adults with IDD are our future. Find a virtual flyover and the campaign storybook by clicking the link. The year 2025 is our 20th anniversary.
We are pleased to introduce Live, Learn, Work and Grow: Wisdom from Under the Windmill, an inspiring, motivational, immediately usable presentation by Dion McInnis, development director. Bring this to your organization, association, business or group; everyone’s life can be better with the 15 nuggets of wisdom for living discovered at New Danville. Contact Dion at Dion.McInnis@NewDanville.org to book the presentation for your event.
New Danville is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit rural community in Willis, TX for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. New Danville provides our clients an opportunity to live enriched and purposeful lives; we proudly call them Wranglers.