What an exciting year we’ve had at Verland, and this upcoming year will prove to be just as exciting as we continue down our path of serving people with intellectual and physical disabilities. I want to thank each of you from the bottom of my heart for whatever role you’ve played to help us fulfill our vision. Whether you’re a donor, board member, family or staff, Verland owes much to all of you for our continued success. That success brought special international recognition to me as one of ANCOR’s 26 Legacy Leaders chosen for Ancor’s Inaugural Class of Legacy Leaders on Ancor’s 40th Anniversary Celebration at the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery. Legacy Leaders are those making significant contributions to the developmental disabilities field. This was a great day for Verland and for me. I thank Ancor for this with a grateful heart.

Our 28th Annual Golf Outing was held at The Club at Nevillewood on August 2, 2010, where 144 friends enjoyed another great day of golf and helped to raise more than $92,000, net proceeds, for Verland. We are very thankful to have had such a successful and enjoyable day once again with good friends like all of you. Special thanks to Ross J. Nese, Managing Partner of Grane Healthcare Company, who continues to chair this event and helps make it the success it is. Also, I want to extend our sincere gratitude to Mike Gleason and The Gleason Group for their constant generosity and support. We love you all for everything you do and we hope to see everyone again at next year’s golf outing on Monday, August 1, 2011, at The Club at Nevillewood.

Our 7th annual motorcycle ride was also a success this year. Thanks to the Teamster Horsemen, Chapter 40, for organizing a memorial ride for Paul A. Stinner, Jr., and for donating the proceeds of this memorial ride to Verland. We will all miss Paul for his love of Verland. Thanks also to Dan Henderson, president of Cookson Peirce Investment Management, for being our first Corporate Sponsor for our motorcycle ride. Thanks Dan! And a special thank you to the Blue Knights, Chapter VII, for all your hard work, and your continued support throughout the year. We love and appreciate you all!

On a sad note, we want to remember on his passing, the many substantial contributions to the strength and development of Verland in so many ways that James Gordon, our former longtime Board Chair and dear friend, made over the years he served.. May he rest in the hands of the Lord. We remember too, the passing of Joe Sadowski, a founding board member and a parent. He too helped Verland in many lasting ways—both his moral and financial support. We will never forget him.

As we enter our 33rd year, we have confidence that you, our friends, will remain faithful to Verland and continue to support our mission. We hope many of you will consider a Planned Gift, where you preserve your wealth from estate taxes and provide a legacy at Verland. We have a new exciting legacy strategy which gets your donation to Verland TODAY, without adversely affecting your current income or your family's inheritance! For more information on these programs, please call Frank Wakely, Chief Development Officer, at 412-741-2375, Ext. 255, or me at 412-741-2929.

God Bless you at this Christmas season and in the New Year.
Love,

Carol

Carol B. Mitchell, DHumL
President/CEO