FRIENDSHIP ARK INC

Huge thank you to M&D Best for providing us with a wonderful training!

Friendship Ark Executive Director, Jennifer Ellis, Quality Assurance & Compliance Manager, Anna Luppen, and Marketing Manager, Beth Lucht enjoyed hearing from area legislators about key issues affecting our community, businesses, and region at Ames Regional Economic Alliance's Legislative Kickoff Breakfast.

Congratulations to Nate Kuhn on this well-deserved award. Nate is very active in the Ames community, impacting a number of organizations in our area. This year, Nate is also a member of our newly formed gala committee which is working hard to bringing you our best event yet on April 5, 2025.

Friendship Ark's Marketing Manager, Beth Lucht, is excited to walk alongside Leadership Ames Class 38 as she co-chairs this year's sessions of the program. Beth enjoyed being a part of Class 37 of Leadership Ames and looks forward to working with the incoming group of participants.

Oh my, this group is growing! In mid December, we invited our Leadership and Administration Team to celebrate the season together. Members of our Board of Directors and Committee Members were also welcome to join us if they were available. We shared a meal, played some games with prizes for the winners, and exchanged "As seen on TV" gifts. It turned out, themed "Snuggies" were a popular gift item and provided quite a few good laughs. It was great to spend some time with the entire team, providing for the opportunity to visit with coworkers we interact with by phone or email frequently, but may not get to see every day. Special thanks to Lutheran Church of Hope - Ames for the use of their space. #everyoneshouldbehere

If you are not already involved in Special Olympics, the new year is the perfect time to start. Whether you're looking to setup a new delegation, participate as an athlete, or dedicate your time as a volunteer, coach, or Unified partner, we have opportunities for everyone and would love to chat with you! Visit https://lnkd.in/gqV4ztKu for more information on getting started!

Many thanks to our friends at Kinetic Edge Physical Therapy for their continued support as a Business Partner for 2025. We are grateful for their commitment to helping adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community achieve their fullest potential. #everyoneshouldbehere #PartnershipsMatter #togetherwecandomore Are you interested in Friendship Ark's Business Partner program and curious how to get involved? Email Beth Lucht at bethl@friendshipark.org for more information.

Congratulations to Sheila Lundt (Friendship Ark Board Member) and Nate Kuhn (Friendship Ark Gala Committee Member) for winning Ames Regional Economic Alliance awards. They are both doing great things in and for our community. Sheila is a winner of the Ames Foundation Influence Award and Nate is being recognized in the Area YP 4 Under 40 category.

Congratulations to Friendship Ark’s Employee of the Quarter for the third quarter of 2024, Katy Coburn. Katy's nomination recognized her because she is someone who gives her whole heart and is a whirlwind of positive energy. Katy consistently goes above and beyond for everyone. She is always willing to lend a helping hand, and her genuine care for others shines through in everything she does." We appreciate Katy's faithful commitment to the core members and to Friendship Ark. In recognition of her award, Katy received a gift of $100 and will be eligible to be selected for the Employee of the Year award. Nominations for Employee of the Quarter awards can be submitted by any staff of Friendship Ark and winners are selected by a diverse committee of staff peers. All Employee of the Quarter winners for a year are eligible to be selected as the Employee of the Year. #everyoneshouldbehere

Thanks to the Ames Regional Economic Alliance and everyone who joined us to celebrate the opening of our 9th home with a ribbon cutting and open house yesterday. It was great to welcome so many community members including current and former board members, committee members, core member parents and guardians and Friendship Ark's founder, Joe Johanns, and his daughter, Nancy, into our newest home. As we continue to work to find creative ways to serve core members with a variety of needs, this home was designed with a creative new floor plan in order to allow us to serve individuals with more complex needs. We are excited for additional core members from our waiting list to join the Friendship Ark family in the near future. #everyoneshouldbehere