20 years in the fabric of life

By Bradford R. Watts, Community Relations Specialist, People Inc.

The Orchard Park Day Services has been committed to "Opening up worlds," one individual at a time for twenty years. The 20th anniversary of the day hab was recently celebrated in conjunction with the agency's new logo at an open house. The celebration was a historical precedent since its beginning as a small program in East Aurora. Program Administrator Pam King stated, "We started planning this in January and wanted to incorporate it with the new logo, and a quilt we have in our recreation room that symbolizes the mission of People Inc. Many of the staff and individuals participating in the program began developing the theme." The quilt played a special role in the anniversary celebration because of the beautiful story attached to its creation.

Terri Kumro, an instructor at Orchard Park Day Services, had a twin sister, Mary, who attended Orchard Park for a number of years before passing away three years ago. Terri was talking to a colleague at Orchard Park about a blank wall that, "just needed something." Terri created a quilt with the use of photos of the individuals and staff that participated in the program since it first opened its doors in 1986. The quilt along with so many familiar faces and colorful fabric incorporates many of the characteristics similar to People Inc.'s mission.

Upon arrival, administrators, families, present and former staff were handed a butterfly magnet that states: “People Inc. is like a quilt - Many patches. Many shapes. Many sizes. Many colors - All woven together by a common thread.”

A tour of the facility brought that concept to life. Each program room picked a color that was representative of a color in a quilt. Michelle Buntich, an instructor said, "Picking the colors, decorating, getting t-shirts and everything else was interactive for the staff and consumers." Everyone got to use their creative talents and express them in the project. There were crafts, signs, bookmarks, and even cakes that represented People Inc.'s new logo of a butterfly. Each room was a colorful piece of fabric that had its own texture, depth and richness creating a unique detail in the tapestry of life's fabric of individuality. These rooms only came to life as each individual expressed themselves by handing out gifts, engaging visitors in conversation, giving tours, and being an integral part of the celebration of this day. Orchard Park Day Services celebrated 20 years of warmth, love, and comfort that each individual, family member, and staff feel on days that the world can seem just a little cold. Much like a quilt with some hot coco can warm the body… People Inc. warms the soul by celebrating life around-the-clock. Isn't that what it's all about in the tapestry of this thing called life?