Record $282,857 Raised at St. Ann Center Gala

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The 14th annual Dream Together Gala was an historic one for St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. A record-breaking $282,857 was raised — well above the goal of $225,000, thanks to generous friends and supporters of the center who gathered Aug. 10 at Discovery World Museum.

The fundraising event, traditionally the nonprofit organization’s biggest of the year, benefits the nationally acclaimed day care program, which provides health and educational services to children, older adults and people with disabilities all under one roof.

This year, funds raised will help launch three brand-new community programs at St. Ann Center’s Bucyrus Campus, 2450 W. North Ave. They are an Aquatics Center, where children will learn to swim and adults with special needs will receive water therapy; a Dementia Care Wing, where people living with memory loss can enjoy a safe, supportive environment;  and an Overnight Respite Center that gives caregivers a chance to recharge while their loved ones receive loving, professional care.

Proceeds from the gala also support St. Ann Center’s Care Champions program, which directly benefits clients who have no means to pay for services they desperately need. St. Ann Center serves Milwaukee at the Bucyrus Campus and also the Stein Campus, 2801 E. Morgan Ave.

The evening featured jewelry designed and handcrafted by Sr. Edna Lonergan, OSF, founder and CEO of St. Ann Center; live and silent auctions;  a raffle; a catered dinner and music by the Wisconsin Intergenerational Orchestra.

The Big Dream Sponsors for the gala include Marji Singer, MHS Health Wisconsin, Catalyst Construction and many other generous donors. The annual gala, first held in 2005, is hosted by Carol Nevins Cannon and Craig and Susie Nevins in honor of their mother, Florence Nevins, and her devotion to St. Ann Center.

Questions about ways to support St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care can be directed to Casey Rozanski at (414) 977-5062 or crozanski@stanncenter.org.

A Wet, Wild and Wonderful Day

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Splish splash…everyone had a blast at our Stein Campus on July 13. That’s when Splish Splash Day, St. Ann Center’s annual salute to summer, was celebrated—filling our parking lot with wading pools, inflatable slides and enough games and activities to keep our children and adults busy (and drenched!) for hours.

Showers of fun were forecast as the kids made the rounds, checking out the Slip ‘N Slide and a bouncy obstacle course. For the adults, there were misting bottles for impromptu water fights, plus a bean bag toss and hopscotch station.

The attire was casual, ranging from swimsuits and shorts to T-shirts and breezy sundresses. Straw hats were in fashion. And there was a line of all ages waiting to get their smiling faces painted.

Hunger didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits, either. Slushies, slices of sweet watermelon and cotton candy evaporated as the crowd grew. Babies to octogenarians got their summer jam on to a cool playlist of tunes. What an amazing way for generations of summer-lovers to spend a sunny July day together!

St. Ann Center Recognizes 2018 Hall of Friends Inductees

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St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care will add four new members to its Hall of Friends on Friday, May 18. Les Weil, Doug Barnes, Betty Glisch and Marguerite Woodfill will be recognized at a special reception at 10 a.m. at the center’s Stein Campus, 2801 E. Morgan Ave.

Established in 2014, the Hall of Friends Award recognizes people who have dedicated their time, talent and passion to furthering St. Ann Center’s mission of providing health and educational services for children, the elderly and adults with disabilities. “These people have put their hearts into making sure St. Ann Center fulfills its mission of serving the most vulnerable and ensuring quality of life for people of all ages,” said Sr. Edna Lonergan, president and founder of the unique day services center for both children and adults.

Les Weil, a philanthropist and active community volunteer, is a member of the Capital Campaign Committee that spearheaded fundraising for the multimillion dollar construction of St. Ann Center’s Bucyrus Campus, which opened at 2450 W. North Ave. in 2015. “Les has been a mentor to me, and he’s introduced countless people to the work we do,” Lonergan said. “He’s generous with his knowledge and words of advice—and I take it to heart.”

Doug Barnes, vice president at Zimmerman Architectural Studios, is a member of St. Ann Center’s board of directors. He’s also active on the Capital Campaign Committee and chairs the Mission Effectiveness Committee. Barnes leads the team that designed the award-winning Bucyrus Campus, including a 350-seat community band shell that’s scheduled for completion this year. “Doug worked closely with our staff to ensure our design would meet the needs of the neighborhood while remaining authentic to its culture,” Lonergan said. “Most importantly, he understands and believes in our mission.”

Betty Glisch has been a St. Ann Center volunteer for 30 years, assisting with special events, administration, the café and the center’s vintage jewelry collection. She helped to build a dynamic team of jewelry volunteers who clean, sort, repair and price donated heirloom and costume jewelry for sale to the public.

Marguerite Woodfill, one of Betty’s outstanding recruits, is equally dedicated to the jewelry program. She participates in monthly jewelry sales throughout Milwaukee and creates eye-catching displays that have customers flocking to buy. “Betty and Marguerite are talented, dedicated and have a wonderful fashion sense,” Lonergan said. “They’ve turned our jewelry collection into one of our major fundraisers.”

Lonergan will join St. Ann Center staff, day care children and adult clients in presenting the awardees with special gifts made by the youngsters and adults. Plaques with the names of the new Hall of Friends members will be added to a wall above the center’s grand staircase.

Chili & Jewelry Sale Is Bigger and Better than Ever

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St. Ann Center is the hot spot for shopping this weekend during the Warm Your Heart Chili and Jewelry Sale, Saturday, March 10, at the center’s Stein Campus, 2801 E. Morgan Ave. Open 9 a.m.-1 p.m., this special sale will feature chili from 20 popular Milwaukee restaurants, a dazzling collection of jewelry, and a market filled with gifts and produce.

Chili choices range from mild, spicy and five-alarm to black bean, chicken and vegetarian, served with all the fixings. There’ll be a selection of home-cooked classics, too, made by friends of St. Ann Center. Chili will be sold in flights, so you can sample several types, or you can warm up with a bowl of your favorite.

You can restock your jewelry box at a spectacular sale featuring hundreds of pieces of vintage, retro and heirloom jewelry—from rings, necklaces and bracelets to pins, earrings and watches. Costume jewelry is regularly donated to St. Ann Center by local churches, schools and individuals. Volunteers sort through it and clean, repair, card and price each eye-catching piece.

Jewelry fans will also find tasteful creations designed and handcrafted by Sr. Edna Lonergan, St. Ann Center founder and president. Sr. Edna began making jewelry years ago as a pastime and a way to supplement funding for the children, elderly and adults with disabilities served by St. Ann Center.

The center’s spacious atrium will be filled with upwards of 30 vendors offering locally grown produce, natural soaps and lotions, handcrafts, home decor, gourmet food, themed gift baskets and more. There’ll be live music by the Nonprofits from 10 a.m. to noon. And free chair massages will help you relax.

Restaurants donating chili include: Amaranth Bakery & Cafe, Amelia’s, The Backyard, The Bartolotta Restaurants, Beans & Barley, Cafe Centraal, Cafe Corazon-Bay View, Cudahy Burger Joint, C-viche, Honeypie Cafe/Palomino Bar, LuLu Cafe & Bar, On The Bayou, Out & Out, Outpost Natural Foods Co-op-Bay View, Pier 106 Seafood Tavern, Real Chili Downtown Late Nights, St. Francis Brewery, The Saucy Swine at Redbar, The Soup Market-Bay View, The Tandem and Triskele’s.

Vendors include: Annabelle’s Holistic Health, AVON Products, Barb’s Crafts, Carol Pierce Independent Mary Kay Beauty Consultant, Collette Suminski, Color Street nail polish strips, Connie’s This & That, Country Music Tours USA, Dwelling Place Corp., Evelynn’s Boutique, Gentle Hands Healing, Grandma Marianne’s “Dolly Wardrobe,” GyreToys, Happy Bee Distributors, Jose Acevedo, Linda Meyer Independent Consultant for The Pampered Chef, Lopez Bakery and Restaurant, LuLaRoe, Mary’s Crafts, Maureen Szymanski’s Fleece Pillows, Pheasant Run, Rüegsegger Farms, Sr. Diane Oman’s jewelry and scarves, Sisters of St Francis of Assisi Associates, Simple Beauty (wood restoration), Stitch Bewitchery, Sweet Aniese Catering, Sweet Delight Kettle Corn, Tudo Sabor Brasil and Tupperware/L’Brie/Quilts.

All proceeds from the jewelry and chili sale go to support the care of children and adults of all ages and abilities at St. Ann Center. For more information, call 414-977-5009, or visit stanncenter.org.

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St. Ann Center Hosts Children’s Little Hands Art Show

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Children from St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care will show off their creative side at the Little Hands Art Show on Wednesday, Feb. 21. This first-time exhibit will be held on the Veranda of the Stein Campus, 2801 E. Morgan Ave., from 4 to 7 p.m.

Close to 150 pieces will be on display, created by artists ranging from babies to 12-year-olds. Drawing on their imaginations, the children use watercolors, collage, crayons and mixed media to answer the question, “Wouldn’t it be great if…?”

The artwork will be matted for display and sale. One 3D group project will be auctioned off. Funds raised at the event will be used to purchase supplies for St. Ann Center’s youth art program and to support future public exhibits.

Art is an important part of the curriculum at St. Ann Center, said Susan A. Brown, a lead teacher at the Stein Campus who also has a Master of Fine Arts. “Children handle a paintbrush and pencil in ways that improve their fine motor skills,” she said. “Art also magnifies their creativity and gives them a powerful way to communicate and express their emotions.”

Several young artists will be on hand to discuss their creations. Refreshments will be served. For more information about the art show, call Susan A. Brown at 414-977-5000.