Connecting families, friends, donors, and staff of PACER Spring 2003

Photos of adorable children set inPlexiglas rectangles. Glass etched withinspiring words. A metal ribbon to bindthem. These are the tangible materialsof PACER’s Donor Wall, dedicated onNov. 19, 2002. What the Donor Wallrepresents, however, is the love for andsupport of the community for childrenwith disabilities.

Seventy-five people took time out oftheir busy lives to gather for a briefprogram that unveiled the Donor Wall,thanked all the donors to PACER’sCapital Campaign, and dedicated theMara Bennett Conference Room. Marais the daughter of Muffy and FrankBennett, co-chairs of the CapitalCampaign. Mara, who has WilliamsSyndrome and received services fromPACER, is the reason her parents took aleadership role in the campaign.

Ten-year-old Darnell has a bigbright smile that flashes whenhe sees his mom. He and hismother have a special bond, soit’s not surprising to learn thatDelores uses all means avail-able to help Darnell, who hasAttention Deficit HyperactivityDisorder (ADHD). He hadbeen placed in a classroom forchildren with emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD).Darnell wasn’t academicallychallenged in these classes, andhis boredom and inattentive-ness was interpreted as abehavior problem.

Delores knew that her sonwould perform better ingeneral education classes. Hedidn’t show behavior problemsat home or in Sunday school.With PACER’s help, Darnellmoved to a regular educationclassroom with support ser-vices. His regular educationteachers reported to Deloresthat Darnell was doing well inclass—he was behaving justlike the other students.

“I always tell my son, ‘You justkeep your head up and havecourage. We have come a longway’,” she said. “Bonnie Jeanat PACER really educatedme. She and her supervisorVirginia Richardson are super.They know Darnell so well.”

Dedication and dreams…

letter cont. on page 2

cont. on page 8

Persistenceand couragepay off

Mara Bennett receives a plaque in honor of the newMara Bennett Conference Room at PACER Center.

Frank and Muffy Bennett, Capital Campaign Steering Committee Co-chairs; Jerry and Sarah Caruso, Capital CampaignSteering Committee Members; Jeff Betchwars, PACER Board President; John Guthmann, PACER Board Vice President.

2 PACER Partners

Dear Paula Goldberg,Executive Director,

I would like to take time out to ac-knowledge Bonnie Jean Smith fromPACER Center for doing an extremelygreat job. She has been with me andmy son Darnell from the very begin-ning, since January 2000.

She attended IEP meetings and concili-ation conferences. She has always beenvery supportive, patient, and knowl-edgeable of Darnell’s educationalgoals.

I’m very pleased to say that my child,Darnell, went from Setting III EBD(Emotional Behavioral Disorders) to

Setting II general education with support services, due to Bonnie’s goodworkmanship.

Bonnie Jean Smith will always have a special place in my family’s heartand mine!

Sincerely yours,

Delores Manning

“““““IIIIIf you can imagine it,you can create it.

If you can dream it,you can become it.”

William Arthur Ward

A fter the 2002 TwinCities TC 10 Mile race,Team PACER runners

were sweaty, tired, and sore—but in high spirits. The runnershad raised more than $5,000for PACER Center programs.

It started last year whenmarathon runners Tom Nelsonand Andy Lilienthal, Friendsof PACER Advisory Boardmembers, decided to run forPACER at the Twin CitiesMarathon. Nelson andLilienthal were joined byanother PACER supporter andrunner, Eleanor Fraser-Taylor,to help them raise money forPACER.

This year the Board expanded theirmarathon fundraising project toinclude the TC 10 Mile race and morerunners for Team PACER. Runnersincluded Cynthia Armacost, EleanorFraser-Taylor, Kathy Graves, AndreaHendel, Tom Nelson, and Amy

“Team PACER” becomesannual PACER event

Wooters. Lilienthal was unable to runthis year due to a running injury.

The Friends of PACER AdvisoryBoard was developed four years agoby co-founders Martha Dayton andTom Nelson. The goal has been toraise money and volunteer time forPACER programs, and membersaccomplish this in many creativeways. Some of the projects haveincluded: PACER garage sales; thePACER Bear Bank, a project that gavespecial talking bears to over 300families served by PACER; and thePACER Pumpkin Patch Party.

For more information on joiningTeam PACER for the 2003 run, callAmy Wooters at (952) 838-9000.

“Team PACER” runner Cynthia Armacost is stillsmiling after finishing her TC 10 Mile.

Spring 2003 3

PACER and Paddington pair up forfamily fun and community involvement

L ively entertainment, conversa-tions with Santa Claus, anda leisurely stroll through

Marshall Field’s popular annualanimated holiday display inspiredeager children and their parents fromthe Twin Cities to kick off the 2002holiday season while benefitingPACER.

Marshall Field’s selected PACER asa partner for a Nov. 8 preview of itsanimated holiday display with aPaddington Bear theme. This is thefourth year that the preview eventhas benefited PACER. Proceeds fromthe event go to several PACERprograms, including the SimonTechnology Center and the COUNT ME

IN puppet program.

“We thank Marshall Field’s for their continued support of children withdisabilities and commitment to the community,” said Paula Goldberg,PACER’s executive director. “The event is an example of how a caringcorporation canmake life better forchildren and theirfamilies.”

Event co-chairs wereCynthia Holtz, KateHelms, and KellyNitschke. Committeemembers wereCynthia Armacost,Sima Griffith, KellyJasper, Sheila Jones,Amy Lucas, andKelly Perry.

Committee co-chairs for the 2002 event were (left to right):Kelly Nitschke, Cynthia Holtz, and Kate Helms.

Val and Ed Spencer enjoyed the animated holiday festivities with two of theirchildren and a family friend.

PACERAdvisoryBoardmemberTom Plumbattended the2002 eventwith hisfamily.

PACER’s 21st Annual BenefitPresented by Metris

Featuring Bonnie RaittSaturday, May 3, 2003Minneapolis Convention Center

Ticket Prices$50, $75, $135*, $185*, $260*, $525*

Call PACER at (952) 838-9000 for reservations.Benefit events include a pre-concert gourmet

dinner (tickets sold separately), silent and live auctions,performance, raffle, and a patron party*.

Face painting was a big hit at this year’s event. Children werealso entertained by the PACER COUNT ME IN puppets whoperformed several shows.

4 PACER Partners

W hen Jessica Billingswas crowned MissMinnesota Junior Teen

2002 in June, she knew that she coulduse the title to draw attention toimportant issues.

Jessica had nohesitation indeciding whichissues were themost significantto her—raisingawareness andpromotingequality forpeople withdisabilities wastop on her list.

Jessica creditsher brother with

teaching her the importance ofaccepting differences and speakingup for others.

“When I look back through photoalbums when we were very little, Irealized that I didn’t know Jameyhad a disability,” Jessica said. “Hewas just Jamey. People would askhim things and I simply would say,‘Jamey doesn’t talk.’”

Jamey, 17, was diagnosed withautism when he was just 2 years old.As Jessica grew up, Jamey’s differ-ences grew more apparent. Jessica,who is two years younger thanJamey, spent much time explainingJamey’s disability to classmates,teachers, and friends.

Her 7th grade teacher suggested sheread the Universal Declaration ofHuman Rights and write an essay forthe League of Minnesota HumanRights Commission’s essay contest.Jessica took second place in an essaythat eloquently made a case for therights of people with disabilities to befree from discrimination and freefrom degrading treatment.

“One definition of prejudice is ‘anadverse opinion or learning formedwithout just grounds or beforesufficient knowledge’,” Jessica wrotein her essay. “In other words, preju-dice is ignorance. There is an oldsaying that people are scared of whatthey don’t know. So we need to teachpeople about disabilities and differ-ences.”

After reading the essay on cabletelevision, Jessica was approached bya Human Rights Commissioner whouses a guide dog. He thanked her forgiving a voice to those who don’thave one. He told her that by sharingher experiences she was raisingawareness of disabilities.

Staying true to her words, Jessica istraveling the state teaching peopleabout disabilities. This energetic15-year-old also serves on theBloomington Human Rights Com-mission, started a program called“Dare to be Different” to educatechildren about diversity, and volun-teers many hours at PACER Center.

She knows that her work is making adifference.

Children are inspired by her—theyshow up early at PACER’s CreationStation craft room to work withJessica, and they gather close to havetheir photo taken with her. Theirbeaming smiles say everything aboutwhat it is like to meet Jessica.

When Jessica volunteers with theCOUNT ME IN puppet program,working as a puppeteer for Gina, apuppet who is blind, or Mitch, apuppet with mental retardation, shecan tell that children are interested.

“They ask Gina how she cuts hersteak if she can’t see and other reallygood questions,” Jessica said. “WhenI am up there doing a puppet show,it’s not even like I am volunteering. Ibecome the puppet character.”

Inspirational teen makes a differenceBy Beth Casper

“Prejudice is ignorance.There is an old sayingthat people are scared

of what they don’t know.So we need to teach

people about disabilitiesand differences.”

Jessica Billings,Ms. Minnesota Junior Teen

Jessica with her brother Jamey and theirmother, Michelle Billings. Jessica uses herposition as Ms. Minnesota Junior Teen toraise awareness for the disabilitycommunity.

Spring 2003 5

I magine fields full of pumpkins, falling leaves, the smell of hot applecider and the sounds of children laughing on a hay ride through thewoods… all these elements were part of PACER’s Pumpkin Patch Party.

Simon Delivers was the presenting sponsor of the party on Oct. 20, 2002, atDeer Lake Orchard in Buffalo to benefit PACER and children with disabilities.Edina Realty provided additional support.

More than 200 people attended this event, despite the cold Minnesotaweather—and enjoyed a day of family fun. Event activities included a pettingzoo, pumpkin decorating, hay rides, face painting, and live music from theSplatter Sisters.

Special thanks to the PumpkinPatch Party co-chairsCourtney Kiernat and LauraKeller and to fellow committeemembers Sarah Johnson,Kathy Longo, Sara Richter,Melissa Sigel, and Evie Simon.

Simon Delivers sponsors thePACER Pumpkin Patch Party

Suzy Downs-Laird, PACER Board member,braves the chilly fall weather with her family.

Melissa Sigel (left) and Courtney Kiernat (right) PumpkinPatch co-chair, took a break from committee duties.

One of the many prized pumpkins from the day. Childrenwere able to participate in hay rides, pumpkin decoratingand puppet shows.

Hay rides were very popular, despite the cold weather. Everyone bundled up for theafternoon fun!

Become a part of PACER’s future. . .put PACER in your will.

Planned gifts include wills, trusts, insurance, retirementplans and other giving vehicles.

You can choose who receives the money rather thanhaving the government choose through taxes.

You may designate any amount for a planned gift.

Call Mary Schrock for more information at (952) 838-9000.

6 PACER Partners

F ive years ago, Nan Owen andJohn Lavander would neverhave imagined that their

individual contribution could havehelped dozens of children andparents served by PACER’s Health

Information andAdvocacy Center.

For example,recently thecenter’s coordinatorCarolyn Allshousehelped a distraughtparent of a childwith epilepsy writean appeal to theinsurance company.The company haddenied payment forseveral expensivephone consulta-tions between themother and aphysician aboutmedication to treatthe epilepsy. Themother needed toconsult the doctor

regularly about the medication inorder to prevent her daughter’ssevere seizures. The mother said thatwithout Carolyn’s assistance shewouldn’t have known how to writean effective appeal and herdaughter’s health could have suf-fered.

Nan and John offered their firstchallenge grant in 1998 and othersresponded. The money grew into afund of $113,000 for the initial fund-ing of the Health Information andAdvocacy Center, which helpsparents find the right health careproviders, understand how to pay forhealth insurance, adapt to a child’sspecial health care needs, and manyother health-related issues.

With such an incredible start, BlueCross/Blue Shield provided addi-tional funding for the project for thenext two years. Other grants andorganizations contributed as well.

Since proving its effectiveness, it hasnow been funded by a four-yearfederal grant.

“Nan and John’s donation had amushroom effect,” said MarySchrock, director of development forPACER. “The project needed a trackrecord, and Nan and John helpedplant the seed and let the project takeroot. It started with a vision from thedonors and an investment in thatvision.”

The need that John and Nan fulfilledis by no means the only one atPACER. Many projects have beenidentified that would benefit from asimilar approach by donors. One ofthe aspects of giving that appeals toJohn and Nan is their ability to selectthe needs that most closely matchtheir values—something John calls“social entrepreneurship.”

“We look at our donations as invest-ments,” he said. “We appreciateaccountability and outcomes. Webelieve PACER is an excellent stew-ard of our money. The organizationhas had such success at leveragingour giving.”

Executive Director Paula Goldbergsaid PACER is extremely fortunatethat John and Nan chose to invest inPACER. “We are so grateful that Nanand John are friends of PACER,” shesaid. “Their spirit is infectious, theyhold themselves to very high stan-dards, and they set an amazingexample for other donors.”

Until this year, Nan and John choseto be anonymous donors. “It is moretypical of Minnesotans to be anony-mous,” John said. “Minnesotans tendto be low profile.”

To be effective advocates of giving,however, Nan and John also realizedthey needed to show people theirdedication. “In order to be good rolemodels, people need to know we areserious about our commitment,”John said.

“John is an enormous giver,” Nan

Individual contributions grow into

“We feel we aregatekeepers—this is not

ours to keep but to tryto share with others.

Giving is such animportant part of our lives.

We’ve really adoptedthe motto,

‘Giving is living!’”

Nan Owen andJohn Lavander

John Lavander and Nan Owen are committed to the spirit of giving.John and Nan have passed on this spirit of community and giving totheir sons.

Spring 2003 7

said. “I came to realize that if the goalis to teach people to be better givers,then we better show how we give.We need to teach by example.”

John and Nan have always donatedto various organizations, but theystarted a concerted effort in 1997.John had founded Caliber Develop-ment Corporation, a commercial realestate development company, in1986, and sold the buildings he hadin his portfolio in 1997. Nan workedas a financial planner.

In 1997, Nan walked into PACER,asked to speak to Executive DirectorPaula Goldberg, and handed her agenerous check. She explained thatfive years earlier, PACER had helpedher family. Nan had called ParentTraining Manager VirginiaRichardson, who helped them withan issue with their son.

The first gift from Nan and John wasused for general operating expenses.The following year they made thechallenge grant to start the healthproject, and for the two years afterthat, Nan and John committed amajor donation to the capital cam-paign for PACER’s new building.Last year, another challenge donationhelped the COUNT ME IN and LET’SPREVENT ABUSE puppet programs raisemore than $58,000. Nan and John arenow deciding which PACER need isthe most crucial for this year’scontribution.

PACER was a clear choice for Nanand John as they searched for organi-zations that matched their interestsand values. As parents of a 19-year-old son with autism, the couple has afirm understanding of the struggleparents face when raising a childwith a disability.

“We are committed to the philosophyof PACER,” the couple said. “Wewant to be able to save the mothersand fathers of today from thestruggle we went through to get helpfor Bradley. We want to help parentsof special needs children. We want to

make sure it’s not as hard for them asit was for us.”

John and Nan give much to organiza-tions in terms of their time. Eachvolunteers frequently: John was amember of PACER’s building com-mittee during construction andcurrently co-chairs the Benefit Corpo-rate Sponsor Committee, and Nan isa member of PACER’s AdvisoryBoard and organized a seminar toaddress women’s financial responsi-bility. John also has numerous boardappointments, including HamlineUniversity, The Minneapolis Founda-tion, Groves Academy, and Opportu-nity Partners. They both volunteer atmany organizations, includingPACER, Opportunity Partners, andHabitat for Humanity.

The Lavander children are followingin their footsteps. Bradley, Tommy,

and Davey have volunteered atmany different types of organi-zations throughout their lives.Days off from school areconsidered perfect opportuni-ties for the family to pick avolunteer site. But the childrenare also learning about ac-countability. Nan said shevividly remembers Tommy inthe living room reading oneorganization’s annual reportand commenting on how itdirected its money.

“We feel we are fortunate,”John said. “We feel we aregatekeepers—this is not oursto keep but to try to sharewith others. Giving is suchan important part of our lives.We’ve really adopted themotto, ‘Giving is living!’”

much-needed PACER programs

8 PACER Partners

Ryan Simon, with daughter Mary Grey.

PACER’s Capital Campaign raised$6 million to build a new home forPACER and to provide an operatingreserve that funds maintenance of thebuilding.

Sue Pratt, a parent, was inspired towrite a poem when she visited thenew building for the first time. Thepoem is now inscribed on a plaque inthe lobby and expresses the feelingsof many parents and others whowork with children with disabilities(see left sidebar for poem).

Thank you to each and every donorwho contributed to creating PACER’snew home with such a warm,welcoming environment. As oneparent said, “This is a place whereI feel like a first-class citizen when Ibring in my child. Rather than beingshuffled to a dark, basement room, Iam in warm, respectful surroundings.Thank you for making this a placewhere I feel comfortable andrespected.”

Thank you to the Capital CampaignCommittee that provided the leader-ship for this project and to all thedonors listed on the following pageswho helped transform the vision intoreality.

We invite you to visit our beautifulnew building at the intersection ofhighways 100 and 494.

Capital CampaignCommittee

Frank Bennett (Co-chair)Muffy Bennett (Co-chair)Jerry CarusoSarah CarusoJoan GardnerJack HelmsKate HelmsElliot KaplanConnie KuninDwight OppermanRichard PerkinsDerm RowlandMary Sue SimonSteven Simon

Welcome toWelcome toWelcome toWelcome toWelcome toPACER CenterPACER CenterPACER CenterPACER CenterPACER Center

This PACER Center buildingsymbolizes our community’sbelief that the presence of

children with disabilitiesand their families

enriches and validateseach of us.

Look around and seeThe PACER building built with

community support,The PACER building built with

hopes and dreams,The PACER building built with

joyful themes.

Look around and seeNot just bricks and mortar,

But listening ears,supportive hands,

Wisdom gained from life’slessons learned.

This PACER building stands—a symbol of hope,

A tribute to childrenwith disabilities

and their families.

Sue Pratt,Sue Pratt,Sue Pratt,Sue Pratt,Sue Pratt,parentparentparentparentparent

FOUNDERSteven & Mary Sue Simon Family

Foundation

LEADERMuffy & Frank BennettThe Kresge Foundation

BENEFACTORAndersen FoundationF. R. Bigelow FoundationThe Bush FoundationThe McKnight Foundation

SPONSORThe Katherine B. Andersen Fund of The

St. Paul FoundationCargillThe B. C. Gamble & P. W. Skogmo Fund

of The Minneapolis Foundation

Friends ofPACERCapital

CampaignDonors

1999-2001

cont. from page 1… dedication

Spring 2003 9

Frank and MuffyBennett, CapitalCampaign SteeringCommittee Co-chairs;Paula Goldberg, PACERExecutive Director.

Stacy Seman, Frank Bennett, Dan Seman,and Mary Schrock, Director of Developmentat PACER.

Brian and ShariFlanagan, and TonyWhelihan, PACERresident artist.

Irwin & Alexandra JacobsDaniel & Constance KuninDavid & Sara LiebermanNancy Owen & John LavanderJay & Rose Phillips Family FoundationCarl & Eloise Pohlad Family FoundationMartha B. StimpsonTarget Corporation

BUILDEREcolab FoundationThe Eugene U. & Mary F. Frey Family

Fund of The St. Paul FoundationGeneral Mills FoundationJack & Kate Noelke HelmsThe Hubbard FoundationThe Dwight D. Opperman

FoundationWells Fargo Foundation Minnesota

PATRONMary Lee & Wallace C. DaytonDeluxe Corporation FoundationJoan & Jim GardnerJean & Laurence LeJeuneCargill & Donna MacMillanMarbrook FoundationNSP Corporate ContributionsRichard W. PerkinsDermot & Helen Rowland

Valerie & Ed SpencerJames & Kate Weinert Family Foundation

PARTNERAnonymous (2)The Beverly FoundationSarah & Jerry CarusoChadwick FoundationVanessa & David DaytonBob & Jackie GardnerPaula F. GoldbergClark & Sima GriffithAnn & Dave LoceyJan, Jeff, & Jenna LynnRoberta Mann FoundationE. M. Pearson FoundationDaniel J. & Stacy L. SemanEllen & Sheldon SturgisEvy Fischlowitz SussmanUS Bancorp Piper Jaffray, a subsidiary of

US Bancorp

FRIENDAnonymous (1)Alvin & Donna AppleMelanie & Charles Barry, Twin Cities Fan

Companies, Ltd.Steve & Suzanne BennettSpencer Crum, Third Wave PartnershipDon & Joanne DavidsonWendy & Douglas Dayton

Fingerhut & Fingerhut Fund of theFederated Department StoresFoundation

Fingerhut Family FoundationBeverly Deikel FoundationRon Fingerhut Family FoundationMarvin & Rosemary FishHazen & Kathy GravesJohn & Teresa GuthmannGwendolyn A. & H. Richard

HopperRuth & John HussEloise S. & Elliot S. KaplanCarolyn P. KeinathDavid S. KeinathPaula & Warren KeinathWarren C. KeinathColleen & David McMahonCatherine & Ford NicholsonKelly & Dale NitschkeLouise & Harry Rosenbaum Fund

of the Minneapolis FoundationEstate of Lily RoyceMary H. & Christian G. SchrockBeverly Tallman & Elliott RoyceElizabeth & Manny VillafanaThe Villafana Family FoundationLinda Warner & Kenneth Hoj, MDPennell Whitney

continued on page 10

“This is a placewhere I feel like

a first-class citizenwhen I bringin my child.”

10 PACER Partners

Becky & Jerry KajanderMichael & Donna KaplanJudy Ann KaronMark & Sandie KasterBarb KellerDennis & Roberta KellerKathy KennedyRobert & Jane KetroserCheryl KeynesJudy & Mike KingThomas & Jean KingJill KirkLiza & Steven KiwusAmy KlobucharKathleen KlugMarcelline KochevarKaren KoeppP.E. KofskiWesley & Darla KolbJodeen & Nicholas KozlakHannah & Charlie LakinLaura Beth Landy &

Michael IsraelJim & Penny LanglandWilliam & Linda LappMicki LarrabeeSuzanne Larsen & Robert

Becklin Carolyn & Wayne LarsonBrian & Jane LavinLouis & Kitty LazarouPat & Lee LeBlancRonald & Lori LeeAlyce & David LeesJeffrey Leppink & Jane

FreemanGwen & Irving LernerDavid & Corrine LeslieKarl & Mary LeslieDeborah LeuchoviusH. Lynn LevineRhoda & Tom LewinBeverly R. Lewis, M.D.Keith LibbeySam & Darla LiebermanAndy Lilienthal & Laura

BlaisdellCharles & Deborah LindquistDenell LindquistBonnie LingbeckSybil LowyVincent LubbersRoger & Barbara LundTerry & Debra LynnerPat MackMarge MannKatherine MarfieldPaula MarshallMarcia MasseeLinda MatterCharles McCarthyMary & Larry McDonoughJudith McElhattonJohn & Theresa McKeonMonica McNaughtonDonald & Diane McNearnyRenae MegarryMae MeglenMarie & Dan Meierhofer

SUPPORTERAnonymous (20)Sue Abderholden & Lee

KellerMarjorie AdamsickLisa AlbersCarolyn AllshouseDavid & Pat AndersonJanet AndersonMary Merrill AndersonSusan & Lloyd ArmstrongScott & Barb ArtolaJames AudetteJolayne BairdBruce & Jean BakkeHelen BalcerzakNancy BaltoKathleen & Timothy BarkerSharman & Richard BarrettPatrick & Andrea BassettChristy & Rob BatemanMary BauerHeather BazePatricia & Bernie BeaverBea & Bill BeddorScott Beers,

Lottsa Financial ServicesElizabeth & Russell BennettPatricia BennettCarol & Michael BerdeMarci BergdahlCharlotte & Richard BermanJeff & Janeice BetchwarsLinda & Butch BialickLissa BillPat & Gary BillRobin & Richard BirkemoseJoyce BoardsonBarb & John BoelterBurton & Elaine BonnRudy & Ellen BoschwitzJoe BoulayLeAnn BradenPat BrennanLinda BrodyWilliam Brody & Bronwen

CoundDavid & Barbara BroesderPamela & David BroinMary & Michael BrooksNatalie BrostromSteven & Wendy BrueskeDonna BruhlBarb & Richard BudolfsonNeil & Carol BurnettAnn & Robert BurnsCheri BuswellRobert Byrd, Jr.Uri CamarenaBarbara & Kevin CampionDebra CarlsonMari & Dick CarlsonCathy CarrBeverly Caruso & Steve CaseDavid & Ruth CastleAnnette CerretaNancy ChakrinRichard & Marilyn ChernBrenda & John Cicha

Nancy CihlarNancy & Larry ClarkBeverly CohenChristopher & Jane ColfordMary CominskyKevin CostleyLucy CreaKimble CromwellMarty & LeeAnn CulhaneAndy & Carol CurrieDennis & Charlotte CutaThelma & Alfred CutaiaPerrine DaileyNika & Michael DaviesCindy DawsonKeith DawsonDietz Family Fund of the

St. Paul FoundationSusan & Pierre DelagoPattianne Casselton

DeMaraySharon & Chad DeZeeuwKatherine DicksonGail & Linda DielemanCyrena DierauerCarmen DorschnerJohn & Colleen DoyleMolly O’Brien & Patrick

DufourSharon DunhamShonna Dunphy-OrsoShirley DworskyKaryn DyrstadJean & Roger EarlMartha EavesDebra & Wayne EckMike EckmanJesse & Marjorie EdwardsGrace & Fred EhlersDick & Sandy EickhoffAllan & Judy EliasMax & Dinah ElkinCarol EllringerDonna ElvebakLee Ann & Dale EricksonDennis FazioNancy FieldDavid FeinbergAnnette FideldyCatherine FinchNancy FogelbergSue & John FolgerMary Ann ForsethDana FoxNancy & Bill FoxJeanette FredericksonEdwin & Arlyn FreemanFrenzel FoundationJohn & Maggie FrickeGeri FridgenEllen & Tom FridingerMelvin & Patti FrischJeff & Mary FrushCraig FuttererGage Marketing GroupMary Ann GallagherRenee & Tim GallaherSusan & Dan GallaherDavid & Leslie Gardner

Edith & Norman GarmezyCathy GatesWendy GayAlan GeiwitzKaren GeizerJohn & Janet GendlerLeroy & Jayn GerlachHeidi & Howard GilbertMarty GlanvilleDarrell & Connie GlowackiFay GoldMarge GoldbergJames & Mary GominskyLeland & Mary Gottstein,

Gottstein FamilyFoundation

Kathryn GreenMarie & Dennis GreenMort & Sandy GreenbergRobb & Nancy GreenbergKay GreggEthel GriggsRichard & Jeanne GrimmDavid GrossDebby GroteGerald & Mary Jo GruidlThomas & Mary GuionRamon GustiloHoward & Elizabeth

GuthmannVava GuthrieGeorge A. & Lori L. GuzmánJanet & Robert HagenDavid & Judy HallettKathleen HancockAnn HarrisSusan &Bob HartzellMary Neal HarveyJihad & Dawn HassanChris & Patty HathawayWilla HathawayBeverly Thompson HatlenKay HawbakerLinda HayenSue Heath & Peter StopkaDavid & Corrine HendrickLinda HinesMary-Jo & Keith HobbieLaura HoganKathleen HolahanGary & Mary HolmesLaurel Holschuh & John

GrimstadJean & Richard HostermanLucinda Hruska-ClaeysDeborah HughesRosemarie Hughes &

Scott WilhelmyMaxine Pegors IlikaJock & Twinks IrvineKimberly & Kevin JachKent & Deborah JohnsonMary JohnsonPeggy JohnsonDavid Jones & Kate

PfaffingerDebra JonesLaVon JorgensenChuck & Mary Jungmann

Spring 2003 11

Merline MenartKen & Katy MeshbesherDiane & Richard MesterTom Meyer,

Meyer Offset PrintingLaDonna & Mike MichaudLinda & John MiddendorfAnne & Eldon MillerEsta MillerKathleen & David MillerBernice MintzDorothy MolstadBetsy & Jim MooreKatherine MorrowJudy MosesHelen MosherBruce & Louise MossMiriam & Michael MossSusan MurakamiEngin & Jennifer NasifogluMike & Lynne NaylonColleen & Timothy NelsonDeb & Brad NelsonSarah NemerMary Kay NessDeborah & James NicholsonStan & Marlene NicklesBill NiederlohJohn & Jane NilsenNancy NolanFlorence & Howard NorbackLiz & Dale NugentDave O’Brien & Miriam

SimonsMarcia O’KonekEd & Kathleen OgrinDawn & Michael OieClaudia OlsonL. OmanDeb OrmsethLeslie OstremMichaeline & James OtisDaniel N. ParkerRachel ParkerBill Partlan & Tina CharneyEugene & Darlene PascheCelia PasterTerri & Mark PatridgeSteve & Evon PearsonDeanna & Richard PerrineJanet Peters

Pamela PetersonAnn & Felix PhillipsJerome Poland, M.D.Jody & O.P. PortuBridget & Jeff PriccoPeter & Linda Quinn,

Café LatteJoe RabagliaBonnie RaeGregory & Brenda

Rainwater-BryantRhoda RedleafRedleaf Family FoundationEarl ReilandSusan & Charles ReinhartGladys & G.M. ReynoldsVirginia & Sam RichardsonJane & Walter Ringer III Sandra & John RoeFred & Marilyn RohlfingFred & Diane RoseJoanne RossCindy Royce & Michael

BenderDenise RoyerJames & Andrea RubensteinSt. Paul Retired TeachersDella SalitermanKaren & Ron SallersonTherese & Ted SalonekSteve & Karen Sanger,

Sanger Family FoundationAnn SargentJohn SatoriusDorothy & John ScanlanHal SchippitsJanelle & Frank SchlickJim & Pam SchloendorfRoy SchmidtJames & Nancy SchmotterPeggy & John ScholzPatricia SchreiberNancy Zalusky SchumacherDon SchwartzSharon & Stephen SegalThomas & Julie SeidelmannSusie SelcerBonnie SeldenDonald & Gail SellsZona Sharp-BurkeJane & Jeffrey Shaw

Kay ShawLinda ShawLucy & Stan ShepardPauline ShoutsBridget SiljanderCarol SimeCal SimmonsNick & Sue SimonsAnn & Jay SimonsonSheryl & James SkulleyBonnie Jean SmithJamie & Judy SmithKay SmithSusan Shogren & Jeffrey

SmithAgatha SommersLorrie & Larry SonnekGary SouleRichard & Cynthia SpicuzzaSharon StamosSherm StanchfieldPat Steiger & Greg

WanderseeChelle & Marvin StillmanCherie & Boyd StoferJennifer & John StoltenbergLeAnn SullivanEleanor SwansonMarc & Patricia SwansonHarriet & Steve SwartzArlene SwensonJudy SwettMary Tambornino & Ron

UsemMary TanghePam & William TelleenDennis & Mary Jo ThadenJack & Pat ThomasPhyllis ThompsonShelley B. ThompsonSusan & Dean ThomsonMarie ThunstromKay & Roger ThyrLori TierneyRobert & Mary Carol ToddCharlotte TripetSara & Andrew TurnerDoug & Kathy TwiteAlbert & Deera TychmanAmy UnterbergerRonald Usem

Richard & Ann Van SickleJoanne VareyJanelle & Calvin VaubelRudy & Jill VecoliJohn & Judy VeloJesús & Katie VillaseñorSheryl WacholzBrian Allen WalkerDavid & Mary Ann WarkKaren WarnerNeil & Ann WassermanJean & James WayBob & Kathy WedlJill Weese & Steve VincentFrederick & Elizabeth

WeinerGertrude WeinerMary P. & Mike WeirArdis WexlerMark & Muriel Wexler

FoundationAnthony WhelihanNancy WhitneyRita WiersmaAntonia WilcoxonFrank WilkinsonGloria & Dick WilliamsKathie & John WilliamsKay WilliamsSandy & Richard WillowsMartha & Michael WilsonJudy & Gary WinklerSharon & Clark WinslowSusan WironenMarilyn & Richard WiseMollie WiseAnne & Allen WolfJudy & Peter WolfPeggy WolfSiew WongFrank WoodAmy WootersJerold & Joyce WulfDao & Drew XiongCynthia & George YaredLevi YoungKathy & Howard ZackKathy ZagarosJenelle ZamyslowskiSue Ziegler

Front row, left to right: John Guthmann, Vice President; Eleanor Swanson, Treasurer; Lori Guzman; Jeff Betchwars, President. Back row, left to right:Hal Schippits; Gisela Cano; Susan Thoen; Lorrie Sonnek; Jim House; Kathy Graves; Jeanette Frederickson; Marc D. Gordon; Pam Telleen, Secretary; andSuzy Downs-Laird. Not pictured: Ron Lee; Beverly Lewis; Don Schwartz; and Carol Sime.

PACER Board of Directors 2002-03

We thank PACER’s Board ofDirectors for their hours of

dedicated service in providinggovernance and oversight to all

of PACER’s activities.

Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights8161 Normandale BoulevardMinneapolis, MN 55437-1044

Address Service Requested

PACER Development CornerIn this issue:

Dedication andDreams .............................. 1

Persistence andCourage ............................ 1

“Team PACER” .................. 2

PACER and Paddington ... 3

Inspirational Teen ............. 4

PACER Pumpkin PatchParty .................................. 5

Individual ContributionsGrow Into Programs ......... 6

Friends of PACER CapitalCampaign Donors ........... 8

PACER Board ofDirectors .......................... 11

Development Corner ..... 12

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 2723

Minneapolis, MN

PACER’s 21st Annual Benefit ,presented by Metris, featuresBonnie Raitt. The Benefit will beheld this spring on Saturday,May 3, 2003. The Benefit Commit-tee, co-chaired this year by sisters,Mary Frey and Judy Jaffee, alongwith Kelly Perry, is soliciting SilentAuction items and CorporateSponsorships. If you are interestedin working on the Benefit Commit-tee, please contact Jan Flora atPACER, (952) 838-9000.

All proceeds from this gala eveninggo toward PACER’s programs,including the Simon TechnologyCenter, COUNT ME IN, LET’S PREVENT

ABUSE, American Indian ParentNetwork, and Creation Station.

The Mother of All Sales, a garagesale to benefit children with dis-abilities, is scheduled for Saturday,May 31, 2003, at Lake HarrietMethodist Church, 49th Street andChowen Avenue in Edina.

The sale, featuring many newand “gently-used” items, is forfamilies with children ages birth to12-years-old and expectant moth-ers. Items include clothing forchildren and babies, toys, books,sports equipment, maternityclothes, and infant equipment.

PACER has started collecting“gently-used” children’s items forthe sale. For more information, callPACER at (952) 838-9000.

Operation Dough•Nation® is apartnership between Panera Breadand PACER. Contributions placedin collection boxes at the registerwill be matched by Panera. Visitwww.pacer.org to find the Paneralocation closest to you.

Help PACER raise some “dough”by contributing the next time youare in Panera!

Save the Dates!Save the Dates!Save the Dates!Save the Dates!Save the Dates!

PACER Partners is publishedby the Development Office

at PACER Center.

©2003 PACER Center, Inc.

PACER Executive Director:Paula F. Goldberg

Director of Developmentand Partners Editor:

Mary Schrock

Communication Coordinator:Pat Bill

Contributing Writers:Beth Casper,

Willa Hathaway andAmy Wooters

PACER Center, Inc.8161 Normandale BoulevardMinneapolis, MN 55437-1044

(952) 838-9000 voice(952) 838-0190 TTY(952) 838-0199 fax

(800) 537-2237 toll-freeE-mail: pacer@pacer.org

www.pacer.org