Let's Get This Party Started!

The excitement builds as the Celebration nears. 

Mary Dobleman has been working for several months on preparing what will surely be another exciting success for the Madonna School program. She, and her husband Tom, have been advocates for the Madonna Programs for several years for many reasons and this year are the chairs of the Celebration event. 


When asked why the Madonna School is important to Mary and to the community, she answered:

“Our nephew, Lewis has been a student at Madonna and we also have had other friends with special needs who have had their children at Madonna at different times. Tom and I both work in Healthcare and we have worked closely with special needs children and their families in different capacities providing different levels of care. One overall theme for all of these families was the concern they had for their special needs child as they became young adults and needed more life skills and ways to gain more independence. Every parent wants a child to be able to reach a level of skill where they can live independently. Madonna's mission was consistent with this concern and the dedication of the staff at Madonna was impressive. Tom and I realized this is the one place that is really helping fill the gap for these individuals. The money raised for the school is used wisely and the needs of each student is very basic. We want to help Madonna reach as many special needs children in our community as is possible.” 

Then on the subject of the sunflowers and this year’s Celebration theme:

“Follow the Sun is our theme. Sunflowers grow toward the sun, they are bright and cheerful. Our Madonna children bring sunshine into our lives....they follow the sun .....they are bright and cheerful. as the theme song goes... Not knowing what tomorrow will bring, we will follow the sun"

 

If you’re wondering about what exciting new items and old favorites will be part of the auction this year, stay tuned! The Celebration Blog and Facebook page will begin sharing sneak peaks at some of the great stuff you can bid on while supporting the Madonna School.

Have you bought your tickets for the August 23rd event? You can reply to the school with a check or pay now through Paypal. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

What is your favorite view?

“Our hills and vineyards, the Alps early morning, just as the sun rises,” these are Giorgio Romansckyi’s favorite views. And when you visit his B&B, 5 chimneys, you may agree.

“You come as a guest, leave as family.” Is the slogan, as well as the best part of staying at Giorgio and Patrizia’s. 

At the Madonna School Celebration, August 24th, a 6 night, 7 day package for a couple at 5 Chimneys, including transportation to and from the Milan airport, accommodation, breakfast, dinner and tours will be in the live auction.  Wow! 

Introduced to the Madonna School and its mission by friends in Omaha, Giorgio and Patrizia and say that “in giving, we in return receive much more,” and helping the Madonna students and families fills their hearts with joy.  They both were born in Italy and returned to pursue this recent adventure only 4 years ago.  They visit Omaha when they can, but encourage Omaha to visit them as well.  In fact, Micheal Kelly did a very nice write-up just last year about his trip.

I asked Giorgio where he learned to give so generously and he said it is because of his Catholic upbringing. His favorite quote is “Where there is charity, there is love.” This kindness will be doubled for the Madonna School when the bidding begins for this great vacation.

HER School Now

Guest Post by Parent Jennifer Arnold

 

 

 

Nearly three years ago, I stood in the Madonna School parking lot trying to coax my daughter out of the car. It was her first visit to Madonna. While she had agreed to visit the school earlier that morning, she suddenly was overcome with anxiety and fear. She was (still is) a very determined young lady with rigidity ruling her world. And this was not her school, she said.

 

Finally, after several minutes of negotiation, she walked with me to the front door where we were greeted by the welcoming smile of former Madonna Principal Dr. Bill. Elise hesitated but stepped in the building. She wouldn’t look at Dr. Bill or anyone we met as we walked to Ms. Jablonski’s classroom. As we turned the corner into the room, several bright, happy faces looked up and immediately welcomed Elise to their school. The students surrounded her with hellos and “would you like to sit by me.” This was something she had never experienced before. Typically it was just the opposite. Her face lit up, and I remember her turning to me and saying, “Bye mom, see you later.” She was off — and we’ve not looked back.

 

 

Today, Elise is getting ready to start her third school year at Madonna.

With your help, Madonna School & Workshop is Working Wonders!

In the autobiography of Sister Mary Evangeline Randolph, RSM, I Have Seen Him, she describes the then developmental director Fred Otterberg as “…unequalled in his love for the students and full of hope for the future.”

The Madonna School is delighted to again be benefiting from Fred’s dedication and experience

Celebration Wine



Wine getting ready to ship from Napa Valley.
 

Magical Moments Celebration wines make the perfect gift or addition to your holiday event!

Produced and bottled by Goosecross Cellars in Yountville CA, my first comment to share with you is…Yum.

Read on for the tasting notes from all four Celebration wines on sale at: torchlightcellars.com/madonnaschool

Order right away for your Christmas and New Year's deliveries.

Great Late Breaking News!

This week we’ve focused on the live auction items. It’s been fun, hasn’t it? So here we are only 48 hours from the event and I’ve got some great late-breaking news. 

"Is it that the 'Party!' Now includes a case of wine,

54 pints of Stella, a beautiful wooden cooler and more?"

 

Well, that is good news but not what I’m thinking of.

"Is it that the 'Coast with the Most' trip now also includes two tickets to Ellen?"

Why we look forward to Celebration

This Guest Blog is from our Celebration Honorary Chairs: Mike & Beth Jareske

We always look forward to attending the Madonna dinner.  Why?  Because we know that those who are there, have hearts of gold. 

We love being surrounded by these good people who appreciate and support the special mission undertaken by Madonna. It is an evening to celebrate a fine school and a wonderful staff. 

It is an evening to count our blessings and to rejoice in the big and little steps that are made everyday at Madonna.  And all who are there, count these students as great blessings from God.  Our favorite part of the evening

Fr. Timothy Lannon SJ

I did a little research on Fr. Timothy Lannon SJ starting, of course, with Wikipedia. I won’t lay all of those details out for you – it’s pretty easy to find here.

This information stood out: “As an undergraduate, he received Creighton’s highest student honor, the Spirit of Creighton Award, in 1973.” 

The Spirit of Creighton Award, what is that? I asked Google.

It responded via the Creighton University web site:

Magic!

At the Madonna School magic happens everyday in the classrooms. January 6th it happened in the gymnasium with Jeff Quinn. Less than two minutes, enjoy!

What an exciting way to start the year!  Credits for the video include Jeff Quinn, and Tim Wright. Music: The BlueMan Group - The Complex (c) 2003