If ever there was any proof that love has no boundaries, it would have to be Sharon and Gordon’s love story. This story was first published in the Serenity Hospice Journeys Summer 2009 Newsletter. We’d like to thank Serenity Hospice for graciously giving us permission to post it here for your to read. We are sure you will find this very heartwarming. Please let us know what you think of it. Thank you.

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Fulfilling A Lifelong Dream

Serenity Helping Hands in conjunction with Shangri-La Corporation set out to help two individual’s dreams come true. Shangri-La is known for its care and support to individuals with Developmental Disabilities. One individual on hospice, Sharon, has been with Shangri-La for over 25 years. During this time, she fell in love with a man named Gordon. Gordon and Sharon have now been together for over 25 years while within the Shangri-La Corporation. Awhile back, Sharon boldly sent a letter to Jan Kral, Shangri-La CEO, requesting that she and Gordon be allowed to live together because they “do great coffee together.” Shangri-La arranged for the cute couple to live with each other. More »

Shangri-La’s ARK Manufacturing has acquired screen printing equipment to assist them with their production services. The new equipment was secured through a grant three years in the making. This will enable ARK to do their own screen printing and have more control over their turn around times and quality, issues which have been a problem in the past when using outside vendors.

ARK has already started screen printing logos and text on safety gear they produce and has been very pleased with the results.

The screen printing station will also provide a new job source for employing people with disabilities. The ARK management team has received training on operating the equipment and will soon begin training workers when all the needed procedures and workflow processes are in place.

For the moment, the screen printing service is for ARK’s own production needs, but there are plans to provide contract work for other organizations in the near future. T-shirts anyone?!!!

ARK Manufacturing is a subsidiary of The Shangri-La Corporation located in Salem, Oregon and provides services and employment for people with disabilities or economic challenges.

For more information about ARK and their services, please contact ARK Manufacturing Manager, Roseanne Schrull, at (503) 581-1732.

Shangri-La is among more than 300 organizations that will be receiving HUD grant funds for local homeless assistance programs. The $66,647 grant will help Shangri-La provide services to people with physical and mental disabilities.

For more information, please contact Robin Winkle (503) 581-1732.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA). This groundbreaking act was put into place to protect people with disabilities against discrimination.

Shangri-La LEAP participants in Salem have been helping plant and grow flowers for hanging baskets at the Pringle Creek Community greenhouses.

The Statesman Journal recently reported about the Pringle Creek greenhouses and Shangri-La’s Salem LEAP participation. Below are a few paragraphs from the Statesman Journal article detailing how LEAP is partnering with Pringle Creek. You can read the complete article on the Statesman Journal website.

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Another partnership, between Pringle Creek and Shangri-La’s LEAP program (Life Enrichment and Activities Program), is giving developmentally disabled adult volunteers an opportunity to grow flower baskets. Three days a week the volunteers tend the baskets of fuchsia and purple hued petunias, while enjoying the therapeutic benefits of gardening.

“They’ve really enjoyed going down and having time to work with the plants,” says project coordinator and Shangri-La’s business developer Sandi Bjorkman. “Right from the get-go, they planted seeds, have been watching them grow and nurturing them. It’s been quite a process and they are really enjoying it.”

Santana says that some of the flower baskets will be displayed around the Pringle Creek community, while others may be sold to the public with proceeds benefiting Shangri-La.

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If you would like to purchase a Flower Basket, contact shannon@pringlecreek.com to reserve yours!

As you may have heard, Bill Freeland, long time Shangri-La staff at Janice 45, passed away July 3rd at home. He was very near and dear to the individuals and staff at the Janice homes. Shangri-La held a celebration of life for Bill at Janice 45 on Tuesday July 13, 2010.

A memorial service for Bill will be held on Saturday, July 24 at 4:00 PM at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Services on Commercial St. in Salem, Oregon.

Did you know you could watch Shangri-La’s videos on YouTube? Check out the Shangri-La YouTube channel for all the latest videos and slideshows. Don’t forget to forward the link on to your friends and relatives to show them all the great things happening at Shangri-La!

You can find our YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/user/Shangrilacorp

Shangri-La has set up a booth showcasing our services at the 2010 Marion County Fair. The fair runs from July 8 to 11. Shangri-La staff and LEAP participants will be manning the booth Thursday and Friday from 10:00 am to 11:30 am and other Shangri-La employees will be manning the booth the rest of the time. Make sure to come by and visit and show your support.

Thank you to all who helped set up the booth and will be manning it!

The 4th of July float was a huge success. Thousands of people showed up in the little town of Creswell to celebrate. It was one of the best parade’s I have ever attended. The parade started with a bang with two F-15’s flying over head and you could hear the people cheer as they passed. Kids lined each side of the road with bags waiting for the candy to fly and the local fire department came ready prepped with water to soak all those who ran to the middle of the street. Many people on each side waved and cheered as the Shangri-La float went by. More »

Shangri-La will be participating with a float in the Creswell 4th of July parade on Sunday, July 4, 2010. This parade brings 10,000-15,000 people from all around who come to be part of this big day. Good thing Creswell is that the exit you take for Creswell is the town’s main road. This will be where the parade will happen for those who just want to watch.

The parade starts at 11am, but those who would like to volunteer and be a part of the parade are more than welcome to come join the fun at 10am. The parade usually lasts for 1 1/2 hours (est.) Those wanting to participate will need to meet at Creswell High School located at 33390 Nieblock Lane, Creswell, OR 97426.

See you there!!

Alisa Walker
Eugene Administrative Assistant
541-515-8890