Dear Friends,

As we celebrate our 30th Anniversary in the healthcare field, I am awestruck at all the things we’ve accomplished together. Verland continues to grow, both in the number of individuals we serve, and the new friends we’ve enlisted to help preserve and further the Verland mission. I do attribute this to the many wonderful Verland families, Board Members, friends and employees who have worked with us over the years, sharing in our vision to make Verland the best possible home for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. Without you all, Verland would not be what it is today.

One of our wonderful accomplishments last year was the 25th Verland Open, held at The Club at Nevillewood on August 6, 2007. This annual event has raised more than $1,000,000 in twenty-five years, through your generosity. We’re setting a goal of trying to raise another $1,000,000—minimally—over the next twenty-five years and we’re off to a great start thanks to our faithful golf outing supporters! A special thank you to Ross J. Nese, Managing Partner of Grane Healthcare Company, who continues to chair this event and makes it so successful. Thank you to the Graciano Corporation for your continuous love and support, too! We hope to see all of you at next year’s golf outing which will be held at The Club at Nevillewood on Monday, July 28, 2008.* Even if you don’t golf, just come to volunteer and have dinner with us!

As Verland continues to thrive, we are thrilled to welcome, as Advisors, Frank Wakely, Director of Special Gifts, and Bill Meyer, retired President and Chief Professional Officer of the United Way of Allegheny County. Together, Frank, Bill, Arlene Connors, the Board and I hope to begin a major fundraising campaign called “The Founders’ Legacy Fund”, in honor of Verland’s thirty years of service and leadership to our community of intellectually disabled persons. None of this would be possible without our army of God’s foot-soldiers, so to speak, and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the roles you’ve played in helping Verland reach this wonderful milestone in our history!

This is the time of the year when we’re reminded that we have much to be grateful for, from our health and the health of our loved ones, to the wonderful friendships we’ve developed throughout the years - whether you are old or new friends! We hope many of you will consider gifts to Verland in honor of our thirtieth anniversary to help further the financial stability of our mission, which is to serve individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities throughout Western Pennsylvania, or wherever God calls us to serve in the future. And to serve them in a way which honors God.

So, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! May God's Blessings be upon you and your families in this upcoming year. Don’t be strangers, and don’t wait until tomorrow to do good works; please give to Verland today.

Love in Christ,