Mark Your Calendars: 54th Annual Turkey Dinner and Raffle in 1 Week!

In just one week, WTC will be hosting it's 54th Annual Turkey Dinner and Raffle on Thursday, Nov. 13th from 5pm to 8pm! Plans are well underway to this traditional event! Bring your appetites and your friends and join us for a delicious home-cooked meal with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans and rolls. Don't forget the pumpkin pie.

Purchase your tickets at the following locations:

Chico:
WTC Main Office, 2255 Fair Street
Creative Apple, 2201 Pillsbury (Almond Orchard)
Paradise:
Made in Paradise, 7323 Skyway
Oroville:
Feather River Opportunity Center, 2905 Lincoln Blvd.

Or purchase them online at: http://www.bearmountaingifts.com/

Thanks to the hundreds of volunteers, corporate sponsors, staff and clients who make this event possible. This is a really wondeful event that brings together generations of community members to support our mission. All proceeds from this event benefit the Work Training Center. We do not put these proceeds into our general fund; they are used for special projects, or to grow our endowment fund. An endowment is a special fund established to provide a permanent source of income to a nonprofit. Usually, a large sum of money (capital) is invested and the interest is used each year for a specified charitable purpose.

It's not too late! You can become a corporate sponsor at the Gold, Silver, or Table Sponsor Level. Also, we are still accepting raffle prizes. Come be a part of our annual event!

We would like to thank our corporate sponsors:

Gold Sponsors ($1,500 or more)
Deer Creek Broadcasting
Graphic Impressions
Anonymous ($2,500)

Silver Sponsors ($500)
Dahlmeier Insurance Agency
Tri Counties Bank
The UPS Store
Anonymous

Table Sponsors ($100)

Billson Construction

Chico Electric

Feather Falls Casino and Resort
Maisie Jane's
Miracle Auto Painting
The Terraces Senior Living

And also a big thank you to all of our raffle prize donors:
All the Best Video
Breathe Easy
Carl & Vickie Ochsner
Chico Cabaret
Chico Creek Gardens
Chico Theatre Co.
Costco
Cottonparty
Courtyard Marriott
Disneyland
Dream Dinners
Enloe Medical Center
Face
Fundland/Cal Skate
Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch
Hula's Chinese BBQ
In Motion Fitness
Italian Cottage
La Hacienda
Lake Oroville Golf & Country Club
Mountain Mike's Pizza
Nash's Restaurant
Newton Bracewell Funeral Home
Noe's Budget Towing and Automotive
Northern Star Mills
Orient & Flume Art Glass
Powell's Sweet Shoppe
Recognition Products
Sports LTD
The Graduate
The Inkwell
Thornton's Chevron
Vino 100
Wells Fargo insurance Services
Western Tool Supply
Westlake Travel

See you on the 13th!

WTC Achieves Three-Year Accreditation!

Work Training Center, Inc. and its affiliated programs (WTC) has been notified by The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF) that it has been accredited for a period of three years for all of its programs.

This accreditation outcome represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization, and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the standards established by CARF. An organization receiving a three year accreditation outcome has put itself through a rigorous peer review process. WTC demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit in September that its programs and services are of the highest quality, and are measurable and accountable.

Work Training Center is a non-profit organization with offices and program sites throughout Butte County. It has been providing services to adults with developmental disabilities in this community since 1949. In Oroville, accredited programs include Feather River Industries, Feather River Opportunity Center and Sierra Center and Fair Street Recycling. In Paradise, accredited services are provided at Creative Learning Center and Made in Paradise. In Chico, accredited programs include Prestige Landscape Services, Fair Street Recycling, Bear Mountain Production Services, Community Employment Services, Joe McGie Center, and Deer Creek Sewing. Do It Leisure also has offices in Chico, but provides services throughout Butte County.

CARF is an independent, not-for-profit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF, the accrediting body establishes client-based standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.

The accreditation survey summary report includes commendations for WTC’s executive leadership, professional board of directors, dedicated and passionate staff members, flexible community integration practices, client orientation materials, and community employment efforts and practices.

For additional information about this accreditation, or on WTC programs and services, contact Carl Ochsner, WTC’s CEO, at 343-7994 extension 104 or visit the WTC website, www.wtcinc.org.

54th Annual Turkey Dinner & Raffle is coming November 13th!

Bring your family, friends and healthy appetite to share in a tasty tradition five decades in the making. Load up on mouth-watering turkey, yummy mashed potatoes with gravy, savory stuffing, buttered rolls, tangy cranberry sauce, and much more at the Work Training Center’s 54th Annual Turkey Dinner & Raffle on Thursday, November 13th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Manzanita Place (Elks Lodge) in Chico.

For over 50 years, thousands of people from Butte County and beyond have supported Work Training Center by participating in this evening of food and fun. The proceeds from this event support valuable programs for the adults with disabilities we serve

Different this year will be the way the dinner is served. “In the past, one of the problems has always been getting hot food on the table,” comments Karen Huff, WTC’s Outreach Administrator. “This year, we hope to alleviate that problem by serving dinner buffet style. We are already working with Manzanita Place on the logistics.”

The Turkey Dinner brings together several service organizations with close to 200 volunteers to coordinate, cook and clean. WTC receives enthusiastic support from 4-H Clubs, Girl Scouts, Chico High School and Pleasant Valley High School Interact Clubs, Board of Realtors Affiliates, Breakfast Lions, Soroptomists, and the Chico Police Department, to name a few. More than 1,000 lbs of turkey, 3,000 rolls, and 200 pies will be prepared by volunteers for this event.

The Turkey Dinner also provides an opportunity to learn more about WTC’s high quality products and services. “Most people have heard of Work Training Center, but often are not exactly sure what we do,” said Executive Director Carl Ochsner. “Once they learn more about WTC, they are amazed by the many services and quality products we offer. The average community member is not aware that we manufacture custom gift crates and sewing products or that we provide specialty packaging, assembly and mailing services to several diverse businesses. We encourage individuals and businesses to tour our facilities or call us to find out what we can do for them.”

Dinner tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance (beginning October 20th) at the following locations: in Chico at: Work Training Center (2255 Fair Street, Chico), and Creative Apple (2201 Pillsbury); in Paradise at Made in Paradise (7323 Skyway); and in Oroville at Feather River Opportunity Center (2905 Lincoln Blvd). Tickets can also be purchased on-line at bearmountaingifts.com.

Mexican Fiesta Meet 'N' Greet Event

On Saturday, August 23rd, from 4:00 in the afternoon to about 7:00 that evening, the president of our Board of Directors, Abe Baily and his wife Daisy, hosted a lovely board year kick-off event! Braving nearly 100 degree heat, 29 people enjoyed this event.

Invited were all of WTC Board of Directors and their spouses, members of the North Valley Rehabilitation Foundation and their spouses, key community members, and all of WTC's senior management team and their spouses. We were pleased to welcome Andy Holcombe, Chico's mayor, and his lovely wife to our event!

Despite the late-summer date and the heat, approximately 29 people came to Abe and Daisy's home for a delicious Mexcican fiesta meal, featuring chips and salsa, build-your-own fajitas, and delicious pineapple cake and cocoanut brownies for dessert. The food was catered by A Friend of the Family Catering, and they did an outstanding job with the food. Not only is the food delicious, but the presentation is outstanding. Refreshing drinks were served as well -- there was lemonade, iced tea, water, soft drinks, beer and wine. No one left hungry or thirsty!

Below are some photos from this event. You can click on them to enlarge them; then hit the back arrow on your browser to return to the blog.

All ready for guests:




Ray Richter, WTC Board Member, chats with Cameron Wise, WTC's Director of Operations:


WTC's Director of Community Services Ken Steidley and his lovely wife Debbie.


L to R: WTC Board Members Steve Wattenberg, Vice President; Bob Bracewell, Immediate Past President and his lovely wife; and Eric Magnuson, Member at Large.


In pink is WTC Board Member Tisha Moore; in red is Judy Smith, WTC's Board Secretary, and on the very left is Daisy Baily, Abe's lovely wife.


Chico's esteemed Mayor Andy Holcombe and his lovely wife:


Board Members Tisha Moore and Judy Smith:


Tisha Moore chats with Eric Magnuson and his lovely and very pregnant wife! They are expecting their first child on October 16th. We wish them our very best.


Ken Steidley and wife Debbie chat with Linda Althaus, WTC's CFO:


Elmer & Sydney Dickson. Elmer is on WTC's North Valley Rehabilitation Foundation Board.


With her back turned is Steve Wattenberg's lovely wife, chatting with WTC Board Member George McIntyre. Eric Magnuson is behind him.


Around the table starting with Judy Smith in the red top, to her left is Vicky Ochsner, Carl Ochsner (WTC's CEO), Gwin Richter and Cameron Wise.


L to R: Tisha Moore; Debbie Steidley (with back to camera); Eric Magnuson; Linda Althaus.


With their backs to the camera are Sydney Dickson (on left) and Bob Bracewell's wife. Across the table are Elmer Dickson and Bob Bracwell.


Judy Smith (in red), Vicky and Carl Ochsner.


Party-goers enjoying each other's company:


Gwin Richter, our host Abe Baily, Ray Richter, and nearly off camera to the right is Cameron Wise.

It's Annie B's Fundraising Time Again!

Dear Friends,

How can your dollar be worth more than a dollar?

When you make a donation to Work Training Center through the Annie B’s Community Drive, we can take advantage of an incredible grant program from North Valley Community Foundation (NVCF).

This is how it works:
North Valley Community Foundation has committed to granting $100,000 each year for the next five years to our local nonprofits. In order to receive a portion of these funds, WTC needs to raise money from August 1st through September 30th. Your donations are to be sent to NVCF and earmarked for WTC. You will make the check out to “Annie B’s/WTC”.

One hundred percent of the money raised for WTC through Annie B’s Community Drive will go to assist and support people with disabilities as they achieve increased independence in work and leisure, thereby enhancing the quality of their lives. After September 30th, NVCF will tally the total amount raised by all participating nonprofits and determine the percentage grant amounts that will be given.

For example: Last year, the collective nonprofits raised over $700,000, making last year’s matching grant 14%. WTC raised $6420, and received a matching grant of $892.

This year, our goal is to raise $25,000!
This would result in a 14% matching grant of $3,500!!

Donations must be received between August 1st and October 30th to be eligible for the grant program. NVCF is very flexible in the donations that can be accepted. Checks are most commonly used for donations, but NVCF also accepts gift of stocks or equities, and can even accept gifts of real estate or other personal property of value.

Make checks out to: Annie B’s/WTC

Mail to:
North Valley Community Foundation
3120 Cohasset Road, Suite 8
Chico, CA 95973
Or for more information, call (530) 891-1150 ext. 23

Contributions can also be made online at www.wtcinc.org and click on the Annie B’s link. Please specify WTC as the recipient of your donation. Funds received from the Annie B’s drive will go to grow WTC’s endowment fund.

Please help support Work Training Center, and make your contribution through the Annie B’s Community Fundraising Drive.

Taste of the Foothills Tour 2008: A fun time was had by all!

We woke up to a beautiful sunny day, perfect for a day spent touring local vineyards and olive oil producers in the north valley. While a bit breezy, the temperature didn't require more than a sweater and it warmed up nicely in the afternoon. Fortunately, the wind didn't pick up until just about the time the event was over.

Held on the lawn of our beautiful Joe McGie Center on Hegan Lane in Chico, registration began about 10:30am. As guests arrived, they signed in at the registration table, ably manned by our own Director of Rehab Services, Deb Royat.


After signing in, guests picked up their tote bag and wine glass before moving on to get some delicious goodies donated by Delightfully Delicious and Upper Crust, and sample some fabulous coffee donated by Has Beans Coffee & Tea Company.





After a pleasant interlude of visting, sampling delicious treats and shopping from items produced by WTC's Made in Paradise, it was finally time to board the buses and be on our way!




While guests were on their tour, volunteers were busy preparing for the guests return at 4:00 p.m. In Tents Events generously donated a tent, in which we held our dinner. Here are some photos of the tent going up:







Upon their return, guests were treated to a fabulous Italian dinner provided by Italian Cottage catering. The dinner included lasagna, green salad, garlic bread, and a delicious bread pudding for dessert. Volunteers also served wine to guests, as well as soft drinks and water. Coffee was served with dessert.





Guests were treated to some outstanding flamenco guitar music by classical guitarist Tobin Roye, who is a member of the CSU Chico Music Department faculty. His music lent a wonderful ambiance to the afternoon.


The evening was rounded off by a Chinese raffle with some fabulous raffle prizes donated by local merchants.

Here are some guests filling out their raffle tickets:


Raffle prizes:



Carl Ochsner, WTC's executive director, MC'd the raffle


The feedback we have received from our guests at this event has been positive. While ticket sales were down this year, we hope to have more participating next year as the economy improves.

Thank you to all of our corporate sponsors who donated their services, talents and/or money to make this event possible:

• Deer Creek Broadcasting
• In Tents Events
• Italian Cottage
• Butte Community Bank
• Dahlmeier Insurance
• Graphic Impressions
• Hegan Lane Partnership
• Olde Gold Estate Jewelry
• The Group Real Estate

Thank you also to those merchants who donated items for our raffle and supplies for our snacks:

• Cal Java
• California Harvest Shop
• Chico Sports Club
• Delightfully Delicious
• Gold Country Casino & Hotel
• Golden West Nuts Harvest Shop
• Has Beans Coffee & Tea Company
• Lodestar Olive Oil
• Longs Drugs
• Masa Organics
• Penna Olives
• Safeway Stores
• Sierra Nevada Brewery
• Sports LTD
• TJ Farms
• Upper Crust

Hope to see you all at our Turkey Dinner this fall!

Taste of the Foothills Tour -- April 19, 2008

This year, WTC's Spring Fundraiser, Taste of the Foothills Tour, is going to be happening on Saturday, April 19th from 10:30am to 6:00pm. Tickets are $60 each.

Better hurry and get your tickets, because space is limited on this popular tour! For the past two years, WTC has conducted its Taste of the Foothills Tour. Past tour participants are eagerly awaiting this year’s event; some even booking an entire van in order for their group to travel together.

The tour is an opportunity to highlight a local industry that is increasing in importance and stature; gourmet products crafted from locally grown crops. Guests have been impressed with the quality of the products and the passion of these grower/producers for creating unique and enjoyable products.

Well worth the $60 per ticket price tag, guests will be treated to local wines and olive oils produced by these local growers. Guests can choose from the northern or southern tour, and transportation will be provided.

The northern tour will stop at New Clairvaux Vineyard & Monastery in Vina, the Olive Pit in Corning, and Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico. The southern tour will stop at Grey Fox Vineyards, Lodestar Farms Olive Oil, and Quilici Vineyards; all in Oroville.

Both tours begin and end at our Joe McGie Center, 2812 Hegan Lane in Chico. Registration begins at 10:30, with the tours departing at 11:00 a.m. sharp! Tours return at approximately 4:00pm, when a sumptuous Italian dinner will be served, followed by a Chinese raffle, where guests can purchase raffle tickets to place in the jar in front of the prize(s) they wish to win. The dinner and raffle will end at approximately 6:00pm.

Dinner this year will be catered by Italian Cottage, who graciously agreed to cater the dinner at their cost. This kind of support and sponsorship allows WTC to use the revenue from ticket sales to go directly into programs and services.

Other businesses who have generously donated of their time, talent and hard-earned dollars are: Butte Community Bank, Dahlmeier Insurance, Deer Creek Broadcasting, Graphic Impressions, Hegan Lane Partnership, In Tents Events, Olde Gold Estate Jewelry, and The Group Real Estate. Please patronize these businesses to help show how much WTC appreciates their support of our mission.

Tickets cost $60 per person. You can purchase tickets in person in Chico at WTC, 2255 Fair St., or Creekside Cellars, 250 Vallombrosa #500 in Chico; in Paradise at Made in Paradise, 7323 Skyway; or in Oroville at Feather River Opportunity Center, 2905 Lincoln Blvd. You can also send checks to: Taste of the Foothills Tour, 2255 Fair St., Chico 95928. Please indicate whether you want northern or southern tour if you mail in your order, and if you wish to travel together with a group. You can also purchase them online at www.bearmountaingifts.com.

Call 343-7994 ext. 138 if you have any questions. All proceeds benefit the Work Training Center: Serving people with disabilities for nearly 60 years!

We look forward to seeing you on our tasty tour!

Enjoy these pictures from last year:

A Successful "Friends of WTC" Dinner!

Work Training Center held its Friends of WTC dinner on Thursday, February 28, 2008, and it was a rousing success! Over 80 guests attended our event this year, and a good time was had by all.

Beautiful centerpieces, provided by our own Made in Paradise artist studio, provided these beautiful centerpieces for the event:



The evening began with a half hour of socializing and purchasing raffle prize tickets. Guests were invited to put their tickets in front of the prize(s) they wanted to win.





At 6:30, dinner was served. Guests lined up to get platefuls of delicious lasagna, garlic bread, and green salad, prepared and served by the Well Ministry of Rescue. They did a terrific job, and we would highly recommend using their services next time you need a catered meal!



Drinks (soda, coffee and water) were served by our excellent human resources staff.


The program began at 7:00, and included a variety of awards, speeches and presentations. Two board presidents were honored for their service: Former President Carol Linscheid and current President Bob Bracewell; retired board members Hugh Campbell and Kent Rasmussen were honored for their years of service; the Business Partnership Award went to Lou & Lola Lodigiani with Tri-L Mandarins; Employer of the Year was awarded to Surplus City in Oroville; Care Provider of the Year award was presented to Marna Carli of the Alpine Homes; Service Recipient of the Year was presented to Dean Hornbeck; andf Friend of the Year was presented to our own Abe Baily.

WTC was pleased to welcome Alys Walters, one of the founding parents from the early days of WTC. Chico Mayor Andy Holcomb was also in attendance, and said a few words of welcome.


Alys Walters (right), founding parent of WTC


(L to R): Chico Mayor Andy Holcomb; WTC Executive Director Carl Ochsner, and WTC Board President Bob Bracewell.

An excellent speech on "Finding New Friends for WTC" was given by keynote speaker Abe Baily, retired professor from CSU, Chico and WTC's board vice president.


WTC Vice President Abe Baily and his wife

The evening was rounded off with the giving away of the raffle prizes. Much laughter (and groans) were heard, as those who won came up to claim their prizes.

After all the prizes were given out and a few closing remarks from our Executive Director Carl Ochsner, the evening ended about 8pm on a high note. A good time was had by all, and many commented on how much they enjoyed themselves.

We look forward to seeing everyone next year, as we plan to celebrate our 60th Anniversary at our Friends of WTC Dinner 2009!