2012 Wraps Up with Santa and a Unicorn at the Gala for Laura Baker Services!

Guests were greeted by a live unicorn and Santa as they arrived for the LBSA Gala on Saturday, December 1 to celebrate and support Laura Baker Services Association, which provides educational and residential services to adults and children with developmental disabilities. LBSA is known for holistic care centered on an individual’s own dreams and goals,

The 115-year-old organization serves over 80 clients, who enjoy lives enriched by art, music therapy, choir, volunteerism and community involvement. The Gala is a year-end culmination of joy in their accomplishments and gratitude for the kind of life-changing philanthropy that keeps the mission alive.

The Gala, now in its 17th year, has become a much-anticipated holiday kickoff event in Northfield, involving silent and live auctions, speakers, and entertainment by LBSA clients. The 2012 Gala drew 275 guests – a record number. The theme “Imagine!” celebrates the role that imagination plays in living a meaningful life.

Executive Director Sandi Gerdes used the occasion to unveil LBSA’s new logo and tagline: “Bringing the power of possibility to people with special needs.” LBSA will roll out the new brand throughout 2013, with professional activities and community events.   

“The butterfly reminds us of the great possibility of transformation, the chance we all deserve to fully live our best lives,” Gerdes told the crowd.

LBSA Gala took place in Carleton College’s Weitz Center for Creativity. Artist and St. Olaf Professor Wendell Arneson created three paintings throughout the evening, giving wing to LBSA clients’ stories of home, and their dreams for their lives. The paintings were auctioned off as the grand finale of the evening.    

Gerdes spoke about the connections that happen between people – those with disabilities, and those without:

“We create capacity together that we cannot have alone.  In fact, true possibility is what exists in the space between us. The meaning of life is what happens between people.  We can only discover the space between us when we take each individual as he or she is.

“If you’re here tonight to support those poor unfortunate folks that the angels at Laura Baker Services Association support, I’m here to tell you, there’s no us and them.   We each have abilities and disabilities. We each have beauties and flaws.  We each have skills, and incompetencies.

“We each have power. We each have competencies. And we each have possibility.

“Instead of turning our heads and looking away, let’s commit to really take a look at people. They may not be what we expect.”

About LBSA

Laura Baker Services Association is a leading provider of services for individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families. LBSA’s mission is to respect the life choices and dreams of people with developmental disabilities and help them reach their goals.

LBSA’s full range of services include intermediate-care residential services at its Oak Street Campus; supported living in five homes across the Northfield, MN community; semi-independent living support, and in-home services; art and music therapy; and the Laura Baker School for students ages 5 to 22.

Founded in 1897 in Minneapolis by Miss Laura Baker to serve children with disabilities, LBSA has been bringing the power of possibility to people with special needs for over 100 years. LBSA is based in Northfield, MN. To learn more, visit www.laurabaker.org. 

Please make a year-end gift to show your support!