Exceptional Journeys
Exceptional Opportunities, Inc.
Creating and Supporting Community Employment
Exceptional Opportunities is excited to have
a familiar face in a new place. Rodney Davis
has filled the position of Employment
Specialist at Exceptional Industries. Rodney
has worked previously at Exceptional
Opportunities, as a Direct Support Staff while
in high school, and later as the Human
Resources Coordinator. He lives in Algona
with his wife, Jean, and son, Christian. Their
daughter, Tayler, is a teacher in Rock Valley.
The Employment Specialist helps persons
with disabilities make steps to competitive
community employment. It begins with the
Discovery process, which assesses the
individual’s strengths and needs in gaining
employment in the community.
Another important step toward community
employment is meeting with employers to
market the potential employees’ skills to
them.
Rodney also facilitates job “carving,” for
employers. This involves the Employment
Specialist observing work on site and then
finding or “carving” out parts of the job that
fit the capabilities of the potential
employee.
Lastly, as Employment Specialist, Rodney
will coach and monitor people while on the
job, helping them to be successful.
If you are interested in learning more about
employing a person with disabilities in the
community, please contact Rodney Davis at
515-924-4321.
Rodney Davis
If you are
interested in
learning more
about
employing a person
with disabilities in
the community,
please contact
Rodney Davis at
515-924-4321
Yoshi Demonstrates His Skills for Exceptional Opportunities
Exceptional Opportunities was lucky to have a special
presentation at the South Home on Tuesday, October 16.
Jake Radmaker and Mark McGregor, Kossuth County
Deputies, gave a demonstration with Mark’s canine
officer, Yoshi. Yoshi is a male German Shepard from
Germany. He was trained from birth to be a working dog.
Mark was placed with Yoshi and completed 6 weeks of
training. During the training in Arizona, he learned
commands which are given in German. Yoshi then took
his permanent home with the McGregors in Algona. Yoshi
is trained to take down a suspect when the command is
given.
Shari pets Yoshi as
Direct Support Staff
Kristina Siemasko
assists her
Deputy Radmaker was the suspect or “bad guy” for the
day. Radmaker put on the heavy suit and McGregor gave
commands. Yoshi knew that it was time to work when
Mc Gregor placed Yoshi’s “uniform” on him, which
consists of two collars. He was also very excited and ready
when he saw Radmaker in the suit. McGregor gave the
command and Yoshi went after Radmaker. After they
demonstrated this, Yoshi was taken back to the truck and
Radmaker took off the suit. McGregor and Radmaker
then explained to the crowd the effectiveness of having a
police dog. Yoshi is trained to fight against the “bad guy”
until his last breath.
Yoshi then demonstrated his effectiveness on sniffing out
drugs. Radmaker placed some drug paraphernalia in the
gas cap of his pick up. The wind was blowing very strong
this day and once given McGregor’s command, Yoshi
walked all around the pick up until he found where
Radmaker had put the substance. Yoshi’s reward for
finding the substance was to play tug of war with his
prized toy. A few individuals were given the opportunity
to pet Yoshi and ask questions. A big thank you again to
Mark and Jake for coming and demonstrating Yoshi’s
abilities!
Memorials
In memory of Wayne Boettcher
Herb and Karen Sayler
In memory of Donald Larsen
Ryan and Erin Schmidt
In Memory of Agnes Baumann
Colin and Jean Menning
In memory of Berl Priebe
Berl Priebe Estate
Gary and Carolyn Berkland
Tom and June Bonderman
Lorraine Drager
WM and Kathleen Gannon
Duane and Shirley Habeger
David and Sandra Markla
Jim McMahon
Polly McNeill
Colin and Jean Menning
In memory of Mary Emerson
Colin and Jean Menning
In memory of Howard Finnestad
Dave and Deb Eischen
Colin and Jean Menning
Ryan and Erin Schmidt
In memory of Leola Miller
Lamont and Judy Junkermeier
In memory of Shirley Moore
Duane and Barb Dittmer
In memory of Blake Muller
Colin and Jean Menning
In memory of Connie Pannkuk
Lamont and Judy Junkermeier
Jerald and Laurie Harms
Dolores Mertz
Larry and Sandra Person
David and Christine Quisley
A colorful addition has been made to
the duplexes on Williams Street in
Algona. A telescoping flag pole, solar
light, and American flag have been
added to the landscaping in front of the
new shed there. Chuck and Betty
Harmon donated the items in memory
of Mary Jane Harmon. Thanks to the
generosity of the Harmon’s, all who live
at and pass by the duplexes will enjoy
the beauty of our nation’s colors.
In memory of Gary Priebe
Colin and Jean Menning
In memory of Mary Sarchet
Sharla and Mike Coleson
Colin and Jean Menning
Shelly and Chuck Robinson
Amy Sarchet
David and Linda Sarchet
Roger and Jean Sarchet
Ryan and Erin Schmidt
In memory of Dorothy Wilson
Ryan and Erin Schmidt
Holiday Mail for Heroes
Each year the Options Programs at the East Home, West Home and South Home
complete a project for a local business in our community. In past years they have
donated fall, winter, and spring projects to nursing homes throughout Kossuth
County. They have also donated bookmarks to a church in Burt. A few years ago
they developed a business partnership with a fourth grade class from Lucia Wallace
Elementary School. The Options Programs continue to donate notepads and
bookmarks made by persons served.
This year the Options Programs have decided to put donated cards to good use by
participating in the programs Holiday Mail for Heroes and A Recovering American
Soldier. These two programs invite the public to send cards of thanks,
encouragement and holiday cheer to members of our U.S. Armed Forces, veterans
and military families. Holiday Mail for Heroes is being conducted at the Red Cross
office. Cards are distributed to hundreds of locations locally and around the world,
including military bases, military and VA hospitals, and other veteran’s services.
It is our hope that by participating in the Holiday Mail for Heroes program we can
spread holiday cheer to those who serve and protect us.
2
Kathy, David, Lorinda, Duane, and Duane show off the
flag in front of the shed at their homes
Donations
Algona Knights of Columbus Council 952
Apostolic Christian World
Bethany E & R Church Missions, Ledyard
Jean Menning
Madden-Mallory Foundation
Reformed Church Women, Buffalo
Center
Order Your Holiday Items
Now
The Options Program always
welcomes notepad and greeting
card orders. Over the past several
years, Options has received a
generous amount of donated
Christmas cards from families and
community members. Last year
Options began making gift tags with
the overabundance of donated
cards. They will be selling gift tags
again this year during the holiday
season.
For more information
regarding greeting cards, gift tags
or notepads please call 515-9244125. Please get your orders in
early, as they get very busy during
the holiday season.
Exceptional Dining 2014
Exceptional Opportunities held its 8th Annual
Exceptional Dining event on Saturday, October 11,
at the Rochleau Center in Algona. Thirty-two
themed tables were set by hosts and hostesses.
Each one invited seven guests to sit with them at
their table. Guests enjoyed viewing the themed
tables and the delicious luncheon.
EOI’s Health Services team set
a patriotic
“Salute to Summer”
Perhaps the most memorable table was Larry
Hellman’s “Harvest Table,” which had no guests at
all! Larry invited seventeen people to sit at his
table, but it was harvest time and most of them
were farmers who were too busy to attend.
Everyone invited made gracious donations to
Exceptional Opportunities in their absence.
“Peacock Splendor”
featured beautiful colors
In addition to the meal, a silent auction was held
for sets of dishes and china that have been donated
to Exceptional Treasures.
Exceptional Dining
guests were able to “vote” with their pocket money
for the People’s Choice table. The table, “Set for
Lynette,” decorated by DyAnn Bensen, was the
People’s Choice winner. Set with black dishes and
table linens, it featured a zebra print theme.
The People’s Choice
winner, “Set for Lynnette”
Exceptional Opportunities’ Blood Drive Saves 99 Lives!
On Monday, October 6, the Life Serve Blood
Center and the Body, Mind, and Soul
Committee teamed up to hold a blood drive at
the Administration building in Burt.
According to the Life Serve Blood Center
coordinator, it was the most successful drive
they have had in Burt. Many thanks to
employees and community members who
attended, donated, attempted to donate,
volunteered, and helped to make the drive a
huge success!
Here are the results of the EOI blood drive:
21
6
34
33
2
99
Whole blood donors
Double red cells for a total of 12
Total donors
Products
First time donors
Lives saved!
Did you know?









Only 38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood but
less than 10% donate annually.
There is no substitute for human blood.
You cannot get AIDS or any other infectious disease by donating
blood.
Healthy adults who are 16 years old and weight at least 120
pounds may donate one pint of whole blood –the most common
form of donation – every 56 days.
One unit of whole blood is equivalent to one pint.
About 1 in 7 people entering a hospital need blood.
Females receive 53% of blood transfusions, males receive 47%.
One unit of blood can be separated into several components: red
blood cells, plasma, platelets.
Fourteen lab tests (11 for infectious diseases) are performed on
each unit of donated blood.
More than 3,000 units of blood are needed each week to maintain
an adequate blood supply in our community and to meet rising
transfusion demands across the country. In fact, nine out of ten
people who live to age 70 will use blood during their lifetime. New,
first time donors, as well as established donors, are needed to
expand and sustain the donor base.
Source: Life Serve Blood Center
3
Return Service Requested
Ex ceptional Opportunities
Post Office Box 99
Burt, Iowa 50522
Nonprofit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Exceptional
Opportunities
Board of Directors
Lynn Jenson, President
Judy Weber, Vice President
Judy Junkermeier , Secretary
Robert Christian
Robert Cink
Judy Haag
Marti Habeger
Dennis Holmes
Michael Huff
Christian Nygaard
W.A. Renger
This newsletter assembled by clients at
Exceptional Industries and Options in Burt, IA
Jean Menning, Executive Director
Are You Looking to Spread Holiday Cheer? Consider Making a
Donation from the Wish List
West Home Wish List
South Home Wish List
Games (Turbo, Amazing Animals, Where in the
World, Bowling Dice, Left-Right-Center)
Outdoor games
DVDs (Sound of Music, Bring it On, Footloose,
Musicals, Disney Movies)
MP3 Players (3)
Heavy Duty Headphones (3)
New Wii games (Wii Party, Family Game Night)
Leather recliners from K-Mart (2)
Silk flowers
Wii Gift Card
MP3 Docking Station w/surround sound
Onion Chopper (2)
Bean bag chairs
Scrapbooking supplies
Paper
Stickers
Yahtzee
Hand held electronic games- Simon, Wheel of
Fortune, etc.
Wii games
Chicken Soup for the Soul books
Ninja grinders for the kitchen
East Home Wish List
Leaf blower
Balls for the pool
New karaoke CD’s
Scrapbooking materials
Books to read – Chicken Soup for the Soul series and
other books like that
Subscription to Readers Digest
4