BINGO!!! Our Numbers are a Winning Love Combination with Catalent Cares |
by Sheryl Wilde Mountain Shadows celebrates a decade-long partnership with Catalent San Diego this year.
Catalent San Diego, Inc. is a premier pharmaceutical chemistry development and manufacturing organization supporting the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Catalent’s San Diego facility focuses on early-stage development of small molecule and peptide drug candidates.
Catalent Cares is the company’s volunteering and philanthropy program. With 46 facilities across four continents, Catalent touches thousands of people every day; helping people live better, healthier lives.
Catalent has a long history of giving back to their neighbors. Through Catalent Cares, employees organize volunteer projects and charitable giving activities in their communities – including right here at Mountain Shadows Community Homes – San Diego.
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Since 2014, Catalent San Diego (CSD) has donated more than $60,000 to Mountain Shadows. The CSD Cares Team has also hosted an annual family-style Thanksgiving luncheon for 10 years straight. |
“We’re really excited about our partnership with Mountain Shadows,” says Ruth Cellery, Director, Human Resources. “We’re pleased that this year, we are able to provide a $5,000 grant to the Mountain Shadows CARE Program, to support the recreational activities provided for the residents. “The grant is part of our larger corporate responsibility program through which we provide funds to our local partners who are doing great things in the community.
“We hope that the Mountain Shadows CARE Program activities may be yet another way our CSD Cares Team can support and spend time with residents. Catalent awards grants once a year, but encourages its employees to be active in their communities all year long. |
“It’s always fun to see our friends at Mountain Shadows,” continues Ruth. “During our March visit, we enjoyed lunch, did coloring, and art projects, and played some board games. We had a particularly good turnout for BINGO this time.
“I really enjoyed watching resident, Chris, play BINGO. He’s a really shrewd BINGO player! He was very unlucky, but he was patient – waiting, and waiting, and waiting.
“And then, finally, his number was called. B8!!! He was so gratified to cross off that number. Then, of course, he promptly asked, “Where’s my prize???” That was so much fun.” |
“Resident Kenny was also very interested in the BINGO games,” adds Recy Flores, Office Coordinator, Catalent San Diego. “Kenny loves to talk and he really wanted to talk with one of our team members. Her name is Taylor, and she was at the BINGO table.
“I think he has a crush on her. He kept saying to her, “Hey, can you come over here?” “So, I think Kenny now has a girlfriend – Taylor. He dedicated a song to her – a love song – and he kept telling me, “I dedicated this song to you know who.” “I said, ‘Who?’ And Kenny said, “To the BINGO girl!“
“He didn’t know her name, but I think he will always remember the BINGO girl.” |
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“Resident Johanna has been coming to our visits since the very first one in 2014,” adds Ruth. “We have pictures of Johanna and the Catalent team dating back to 2014.
“During a previous visit to Mountain Shadows, we were taking a CSD Cares Team photo, and Johanna rolled right up in front, and said she wanted to be in the picture! That was fun. Now, it’s a tradition.” |
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Says Carolyn Collins, Scientist 2, Parenteral Formulation Development,
Catalent San Diego, “One of our co-workers, Anna Frehner, does a lot of work with the Special Olympics. The day before we came to Mountain Shadows, she gave us a presentation on how to best interact with people at different ability levels. That was super helpful.”
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“I have a background volunteering with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” says Anna, Scientist II, Oral Formulation Development, Catalent Pharma Solutions. “I showed our team a video that was produced by Special Olympics called, ‘How to Speak with People with Disabilities.’ People with disabilities are interviewed in the video, and they say for themselves, how they would like to be spoken to. It’s important to include their perspective.
“In my presentation, I wanted to make sure people would be comfortable interacting with residents who are verbal or non-verbal. If somebody doesn’t have experience interacting with someone who is non-verbal, it can maybe feel a little bit awkward. Sometimes they don’t know where to start. We wanted to make sure none of the residents felt left out.
“I think volunteering at Mountain Shadows is one of the most rewarding experiences. I tell others it’s the most selfish type of volunteering, because it’s the most fun for me. I have a great time. The residents give you a unique perspective on life. It’s a great opportunity to focus on others, to exercise compassion and patience, and to gain a really positive outlook on life.
“When I volunteer at Mountain Shadows, my face hurts from smiling afterwards.” |
“I think learning about the best way to interact with people with disabilities was helpful,” adds Carolyn. “You should just go in looking to have a good time and hang out with them. They’re just people too. They’re just like us.
“Mountain Shadows is such a fun group. They just like to have a good time. They want to do what is normal – normal people things. “I’ve always had a positive experience at Mountain Shadows. I’ve always been passionate about volunteering and giving back to the community. I feel I’ve been fortunate, like I’ve been privileged, so it’s important to me to help others and support them.” |
Mckinzie Thatcher, Quality Assurance Assistant (Intern), Catalent San Diego, agrees. “I had an awesome time with the residents. It was just such a great experience. I enjoyed learning more about them, learning about their lives, learning about their loved ones, learning about their hobbies and interests. “The entire visit was like one great conversation, and a great, great time overall. It didn’t feel like volunteering. It just felt like we were hanging out with friends and enjoying each other’s company.
“We’re all just people at the end of the day. We all live the same lives. We have similar interests. You just open your heart to people – people like Johanna, who, though Mountain Shadows is wonderful, sometimes she is lonely. So, visiting with her, and just sharing a couple of laughs, it’s such a wonderful experience to put a smile on someone’s face.
“Mountain Shadows is just a wonderful place to volunteer, to visit, and to really reach out and open your arms to someone else. I feel like in the world nowadays, people are often self-centered and cruel. People can be mean. To be able to spend time helping someone and put a smile on their face, to lighten their day, their week, it’s a wonderful experience for both people. It’s just a wonderful, wonderful time.
“At Mountain Shadows, you come in meeting a stranger – and leave having a friend.”
We thank you, Catalent San Diego Cares Team, for your generosity and support over the last decade, and we are ever so grateful for your friendship and the smiles you have brought to our faces.
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Whether it’s B8 or the BINGO Girl … We are happy to have found forever friends in the Catalent San Diego Cares Team! |
The Mountain Shadows Foundation – Because We CARE |
Thanks to YOUR SUPPORT, the Mountain Shadows CARE program provides recreational and social experiences to residents and participants adding meaning and richness to their lives.
It’s easy for you to help us continue to provide activities like this – activities that improve the quality of our residents’ lives in fulfillment of their dreams. Here are some ways you can help ensure these crucial activities can continue for years to come: -
Make a one-time donation today by clicking on the donate button below.
- Make a monthly or annual contribution.
- Leave a Legacy Gift.
To learn more about the Mountain Shadows Foundation Legacy Society, to include us in your estate plan, or to let us know if you have already designated Mountain Shadows to receive a legacy gift, please contact Mandy Huiras, Director of Development at: mhuiras@mtnshadows.org, or visit our website by clicking here:
Learn More About the Mountain Shadows Foundation Legacy Society
Please share this story with your family, friends and co-workers to help grow our Mountain Shadows Family! |
Mandy Huiras
Mountain Shadows Foundation Director of Development
Contact Mandy today to learn more about the Mountain Shadows Foundation and how you can continue to make a difference in the lives of our residents:
mhuiras@mtnshadows.org |
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