Month: December 2019

With it being so near the Thanksgiving holiday, there is no better time to express what we’re thankful for. We asked the employees of LIFEDesigns what they’re thankful for this year. Read below to see why we’re grateful for our teams, clients and more!

“I’m thankful I get to have a meaningful impact in our clients lives and I get to meet so many different people I might not have met if I didn’t work for LIFEDesigns. Also, that this is a company where hard work is recognized and rewarded.” – Braden Kinser

“I am thankful for so many things about LIFEDesigns. I am so happy to be part of an organization that provides consistent housing to many who have experienced chronic homelessness. We, the worker-bees of LIFEDesigns, genuinely make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and greater community.” – Timothy Baer

“I am thankful for all the employees who dedicate themselves to our clients and making their lives better. I am thankful for the great team I have and that we are always willing to jump in and help each other in any way possible.” – Heather Bagshaw

“I am so very thankful for the opportunity to work with really caring, sincere and giving people who help LIFEDesigns clients become independent, stay healthy & happy and build relationships both at home and in the community!” – Sandra Reynolds

“I’m thankful to work for an agency that allows me to use my education and experience to help others in a rewarding way. I’m grateful that I work for an agency that I’m proud to be associated with.” – Desiree Branaman

LIFEDesigns would like to thank Mona Mellinger for hosting a wine tasting party at her house to raise funds for LIFEDesigns endowment campaign. Mona was first introduced to LIFEDesigns through her daughter Sarah Burgess who is on our board. She immediately was touched by our mission to partner with and promote independence for people with disabilities, and subsequently she became a LIFEDesigns ambassador. As an ambassador she assists with fundraising, promotes our mission, and helps to connect us with others who want to support people with disabilities. In addition to hosting the wine tasting party, Mona played a major role in helping to connect German American Bank to LIFEDesigns for the Angel Tree. The project was very successful the first year, employees, bank clients, and people from the community enjoyed choosing a wish list. This year, we’ve received several phone calls and emails from people in the community who want to help, and have absolutely no connection with either German American Bank or LIFEDesigns. We’re excited to see the engagement from the community grow. 

Mona was surprised that many of her friends did not know about LIFEDesigns which gave her the idea to plan a fundraising event to help others learn about our mission and generate new donors. Mona invited 20 of her friends to her house to taste delicious wines. This fun social event raised $3,750 for our endowment held at the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County. Mona, a very humble woman, did not wish to be acknowledged too abundantly for her efforts. She said that “seeing the work LIFEDesigns does with clients just melts my heart” and she wanted to help.  We thank Mona for all of her support, and hope that this can serve as an idea that will help others create similar experiences!