Tim Cook Bids Clarity Care Fond Farewell

August • 2014
Volume 3 • Issue 8
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Tim Cook Bids Clarity Care Fond Farewell
CEO to Retire in December, 2014
It is with a grateful heart that the Clarity Care family extends CEO, Tim Cook,
congratulations on his upcoming retirement at the end of 2014.
Cook has led a professional, and caring team over the last decade as he has
worked, not only to strengthen, but build upon an organization dedicated to serving
individuals with limitations or disabilities.
Under Cook’s tenure, Clarity Care has grown from less than 500 to nearly 800
employees, helping over 1,400 individuals each year to lead independent and
fulfilling lives in their communities throughout northeast and central Wisconsin.
In addition to the growth of our existing programs, Cook initiated new charitable
programs such as Help At Home, and Chance, which have helped to fulfill the unmet
needs of individuals with limitations in our communities.
As our organization prepares for a change in leadership, we want to assure you
that our mission and vision remain the same. Clarity Care’s board of directors has
launched a candidate search for an individual who will continue to make our clients
Tim Cook, CEO
and consumers the top priority of Clarity Care. When we have found that person, we
will provide an opportunity for you to meet him/her.
You may have questions during the upcoming months, and we welcome them. You can contact Tim at
tim.cook@claritycare.org or 920-236-6560 ext. 1301.
424 Washington Avenue • Oshkosh, WI 54901 • (920) 236-6560
2649 Manitowoc Road • Green Bay, WI 54311 • (920) 469-5240
Toll Free: (877) 813-9219
www.claritycare.org
Clarity Care is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
“It’s Fun…Baseball’s Fun.”
~ Yogi Berra
Watching Bob and
Larry as they arrive at the
Southview ball diamonds
in Neenah – glove in one
hand, water bottle in the
other – it’s clear just how
much fun baseball really
is.
The crack of the bat,
Larry and Bob
the companionship of
fellow teammates, the atmosphere at the park, and the
aroma of tempting concessions treats are just about enough
to convince anyone.
Bob and Larry have been dedicated participants of
Neenah Baseball Inc.’s Discovery Softball League for
several decades now. The league offers adult and youth
organized softball games every Sunday evening for persons
with disabilities and limitations. Bob, who lives at Van Dyke
House in Appleton, and Larry, a resident of Wilson House
in Neenah, play in the adult league on opposing teams, and
absolutely would not miss a game.
“I like it!” said Bob, age 60. “I like taking my swings and I
like my team.” Bob’s care provider, Brian, brings him to the
ball park, and sits among the many spectators who stay to
watch the game.
“Lots of people come out to watch,” Brian told us. “The
teams really don’t keep score. It’s more about having fun
and not worrying about that. It’s funny – each team cheers
for the other, too. It’s actually kind of nice.”
Larry, 71, arrives with his care provider, Mary, and Larry’s
sister Lori usually tags along to cheer him on as well. He’s
on a mission to set-up his gear on the team bench and get
the action started. It’s clearly hard to wait for everyone to
arrive.
“I bat and play short stop,” Larry shared. “It’s fun. I like to
cheer, too.” Larry, who has participated for 30 years, wears
the No. 12 in honor of his favorite guy of all time – Aaron
Rodgers.
The Discovery League’s season runs from mid-May
through Labor Day, when the guys move on to other
activities such as bowling and basketball.
Meet Patrick Harrell –
Residential Maintenance
Staff Member
Patrick Harrell has lived in
the Fox Valley his entire life,
and knows the landscape
of the communities that
comprise it very well. This
knowledge, coupled with his
solid maintenance background,
makes Harrell an excellent
new member of Clarity Care’s
residential maintenance staff.
“I grew up in Appleton and
have
lived in Little Chute for
Pat Harrell
many years. I raised four grown
daughters here, and have always enjoyed the area.”
Employed for 11 years by Van Vreede’s T.V. &
Appliance, Inc., Harrell handled furniture and appliance
repair for the company. Before Van Vreede’s, Harrell was
employed by a large plant in the area and conducted
plant maintenance for the company.
“Actually, I know the neighborhoods I travel around
for Clarity Care very well. I’ve been in many homes
conducting repairs for Van Vreede’s, so in that way the
work is similar.”
Harrell will assist with residential maintenance for
Clarity Care primarily in the Green Bay and Appleton
areas. However, in one short month on the job he’s also
been dispatched to Clintonville, Marshfield, New London
and Wisconsin Rapids. “When there is an emergent
situation,” Harrell explained, “we are all on the alert and
ready to help where needed.”
Harrell is enjoying his new job. “It’s nice to do
something a little more rewarding. Before, I was mostly
dealing with frustrated customers, now people appreciate
me when I show up and help with something.”
In his “down time” Harrell enjoys gardening, canning,
and restoring boats and campers. “It fills up the
weekends!” Harrell laughed.
Welcome to the team, Pat!
August • 2014
Volume 3 • Issue 8
Summer Meltdown Ice
Cream Social
Don: Happy to be the
Co-Pilot of Reichow
Don enjoys his title as
the resident “handyman” for
Reichow House. He’s been
helping with many household
jobs for years now, and has
no intention of slowing down.
And each summer when the
Oshkosh Speed Zone opens
up, his weekends come alive
with activity, and his efforts
put a little extra jingle in
his pocket – which he also
enjoys. For Don, being busy
is synonymous with being
Don, getting ready to mow
happy.
the lawn.
“Don has officially coined
himself the co-pilot of Reichow,” said Coordinator Tonya
Penelton. “He will help anyone with just about anything.
He loves to show new staff the routine of things around
the house, and he’s a remarkable handyman.
“I love it. I love doing yard work, making popcorn at
the Speed Zone, and cutting grass. It’s way better than
watching TV. I can only do so much of that,” Don said.
Don, who grew up in Oshkosh, also spends each
Friday visiting his family and helping out with grass
cutting at a few neighbors’ homes. “He’s quite a guy,”
laughed Tonya.
And if you can catch Don when he’s just relaxing and
kicking back (a rarity!) he’ll keep you on your toes with his
sense of humor and jokes.
“This past April Fool’s Day, Don played a joke on the
staff he got a tremendous kick out of,” Tonya shared.
“Don found a fast-food bag with the remnants of
someone’s lunch while he was outside shoveling snow.
He placed the bag on the hood of the staff’s car, and got
the other three consumers in on his joke. They said to the
staff member, ‘Hey look! Someone left you a present on
your car!’ The guys were snickering and laughing, and
when she went out and looked they were so excited, and
yelled, ‘APRIL FOOLS!’”
“Don really enjoys feeling productive, and we try our
best to keep things that way. He cares greatly for his
housemates, and our ‘co-pilot’ is well-liked by everyone in
the home,” said Tonya
Frederick House Coordinator
Angela Binder organized a
“Summer Meltdown” Ice Cream
Social recently for our Chance
Program. Several groups came out
to enjoy the cold, creamy, goodness
and some great company too.
Thank you for supporting a
“Chance” for some fun, Angela &
Company!
424 Washington Avenue • Oshkosh, WI 54901 • (920) 236-6560
2649 Manitowoc Road • Green Bay, WI 54311 • (920) 469-5240
Toll Free: (877) 813-9219
www.claritycare.org
Clarity Care is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
August • 2014
Volume 3 • Issue 8
“Up and Away” with Art from the
Heart Hot Air Balloons!
Consumers let their imaginations soar among the clouds
while working on some amazing entries for our Hot Air
Balloon ‘Art from the Heart’ challenge.
After posting the entries on Facebook and opening them up
for voting, a winner was selected!
Congratulations go out to Sherry R. from Florida who won
with a super cool “Pink and Purple Hot Air Balloon”. The
award for most creative went to Don F. from Ninth for his
“3D Paper Plate Balloon”.
Please take a moment to enjoy all the awe inspiring pieces
submitted for the contest by viewing them on Clarity Care’s
Facebook page. And if you haven’t already – please ‘like’ us
on Facebook so we are added to your news feed. Lots of
good stories are posted weekly!
Each month, all art pieces are displayed in the reception
areas at each office. Stop in and check them out
Connect With Us!
“Pink and Purple Hot
Air Balloon” - Sherry R.
“3D Paper Plate
Balloon” - Don F.
Find
on
Next Clarity Care Thrift & Gift Date
September 20th
10am-2pm
911 E. Main St., Winneconne
50% of the day’s sales benefit Clarity Care!
424 Washington Avenue • Oshkosh, WI 54901 • (920) 236-6560
2649 Manitowoc Road • Green Bay, WI 54311 • (920) 469-5240
Toll Free: 877-813-9219
www.claritycare.org
Clarity Care is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.