Lambs Tales Volume 2 2024

2024 Volume 2 Summer

inside: page 2: A Message from the President & CEO page 4: Special Olympics page 5: Summer on the Farm page 6: Dogwood Day

our mission: Helping people with developmental disabilities lead productive, happy lives and connecting with the human spirit in us all www.lambsfarm.org

Celebrating the Spirit with Lambs Farm From the gorgeous weather to the beautiful views, we were excited to be back at the Cuneo Mansion & Gardens for Celebrating the Spirit 2024.

Upon arrival, guests were warmly greeted by participant volunteers as they checked in for a night of fun.

They entered the ballroom and made their way to the spacious, outdoor tent for cocktails and games. As everyone found their seats for dinner, guests played a Heads or Tails Game and heard some special words from the Chairman of the Board of Directors Joe Milburn and Honorary Gala Chairs Eric Wright and Sarah Rulseh.

President & CEO Kathy Buresch shared all the ways Lambs Farm continues to blossom. With residential home improvements and plans to open our commercial greenhouse this fall, we had a lot to celebrate!

A highlight of the evening was honoring our 2024 award winners. The Spirit of Giving Award recipients, Warren and Margaret Alridge, have supported Lambs Farm for many decades. Their family most recently helped install new street lights, which has been a major campus upgrade.

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Artists at Work!

The Celebrating the Spirit 2024 silent auction had family experiences, distillery tours, sports memorbilia, weekend getaways, gift baskets and all kinds of unique artwork created by Lambs Farm participants.

They experimented with colors to create drip art, used a steady hand in pallet painting and our 2024 Living Legacy Award winner, Libby Creigh, donated two of her stunning watercolor paintings.

Their work was a big hit with our guests and mobile bidders!

Blooming & Growing at Lambs Farm Everything comes to life in the summer, and Lambs Farm is bursting with life!

Summer got off to an early and exciting start when we Celebrated the Spirit at our gala in May, raising funds to create LF Studios, an initiative that will transform our visual, performing, and arts programs. We will have more to share about LF Studios this fall, but before the summer is over, our greenhouse will be going up—a long-awaited addition to our retail businesses and job training programs, made possible by the kindness and generosity of so many of you. Exciting things will be happening soon in the Farmyard, too, thanks to a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to renovate our beloved train!

Your belief in what we do makes all the difference to the blooming life and growth at Lambs Farm this summer and always. I am filled with gratitude for the strides we have made together. Through the hard work and passion of our employees, participants and families, volunteers, and supporters like you, we are making dreams come true—big and small.

Kathy Buresch President & CEO

President & CEO Kathy Buresch and Manoj, a Lambs Farm participant, at Celebrating the Spirit

Libby with one of her beautiful watercolor paintings!

Though LF Studios isn’t opened yet, participants are learning all kinds of new techniques from their instructors

Aubrey looks forward to developing her painting skills at LF Studios

Mary with a unique pour painting she made with her friends

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We are so excited to open the greenhouse this fall! Be sure to follow us on social media for updates

Some cool recent woodworking projects

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Their generosity, professional expertise and kindness makes a big difference, and we appreciate everything they do.

The Casanova Award, created in memory of Vince Casanova, is very close to our hearts. Vince was a longtime Board member and dedicated supporter of Lambs Farm, and this award honors his memory by recognizing an individual with his passion and commitment to our participants.

This year’s recipient, David Hamel, is a remarkably active and effective volunteer who has taken on a wide range of projects at Lambs Farm. His work includes advising us in a professional capacity on market research and program evaluation, freshening up our mini golf area and building structures for our Farmyard friends. His most recent project was a big one, as he renovated all 16 horses on the Farmyard’s iconic carousel. Before we met David, the restoration was a pipe dream, but he made that dream a reality.

Our final award of the evening, The Living Legacy Award, recognizes Lambs Farm participants who live life as our co-founders Bob Terese and Corinne Owen envisioned— learning, growing, sharing, and contributing to their community.

This year’s winner, Libby Creigh, fits this description perfectly.

Libby lived in the dorm when it opened as our first residence in 1976, and she recalls the day First Lady Betty Ford visited for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Libby is an agency historian and Lambs Farm ambassador who enjoys sharing her rich history.

Libby is also a talented artist and has been since childhood.

She took art classes any chance she could and continued to explore different mediums when she joined Lambs Farm. She learned about opportunities at the Adler Arts Center, and it was there she discovered her passion for watercolors. Libby’s stunning artwork was featured on this year’s gala invitation and some of her favorite paintings were made into notecards. Each guest received a pack of Libby originals as their party favor.

After Libby’s inspiring acceptance speech, we started our paddle raiser and shared the exciting news that we are building an art studio! LF Studios will be a creative space for everyone to express themselves.

From painting, sculpture and crafts to music, dance and spoken word, our new art program will have something to offer every participant. The Studio will encourage business cultivation and will ultimately open the door to a world of opportunities.

Guests and participants then Celebrated the Spirit on the dance floor, showing off their moves to the great music played by the Not for Profit Band.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this incredible event!

Thank You, Celebrating the Spirit 2024 Sponsors!

We can’t thank you all enough for supporting our mission and the participants of Lambs Farm.

Jubilee Sponsor Packaging Corporation of America Celebrate Sponsors Nancy & Bob Goerne, and Barbara Sheahan Joe & Carol Milburn Rejoice Sponsors Exclusive Woodworking nuHaus Anne Mullen & John Jennings Michael & Toby Liner Cheer Sponsors Abbott Belmont Bank & Trust MedScript Long Term Care Pharmacy Milburn Demolition Uline Toast Sponsors James Davis & The Smith Davis Morse Group The Kinhal Family Karen & Jodye Lieberman Monohan Law Group, LLC RCA, LLC Linda & Donald Seberger Uline Craft Beer Sponsor Phase Three Brewing

Radio star Hannah B from 102.3 came to celebrate!

The Spirit of Giving Recipients Warren & Margaret Aldridge

Casanova Award Recipient David Hamel

President & CEO Kathy Buresch & Libby

Original Lamb Patti Horgan enjoyed the evening

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Special Olmypics Banquet 2024 Our athletes work so hard, and it was an honor to celebrate their accomplishments at the 21st Annual Special Olympics Banquet!

Congratulations to the 2024 award winners.

Participant athletes showing off their new hardware at the evening festivities!

Outstanding Performance at State Tina Caputa

Athletes Compete in State Games

If there is one event athletes look forward to most, it’s the State Summer Games! Everyone works hard to secure their spot and counts down the days until the bus heads to Bloomington. Participants have a blast attending the opening ceremony, competing in their favorite games and making memories with new and old friends.

This year, athletes returned home with an abundance of ribbons and medals, including a gold from first-time competitor Tina Caputa in swimming! We could not be more proud of Lambs Farm participants for giving their all and having fun every step of the way.

Sportsmanship Award Sarah Komperda

Athlete of the Year Linda Schuh

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Big Achievement Award Abbey Wright

Tina with her shiny gold medal

Jessica gives her autograph

Kris celebrates with a friend after winning second place in the bocce competition

Participants and staff at an event

Coaches and participants cheer for Abbey

Lambs Farm Products Did you know you can find Lambs Farm products at various locations?

Kevin modeling the 2024 Fun & Fit Family Day T-Shirt!

Summer on the Farm

Lambs Farm is the place to be, especially in the summertime! Guests love visiting our many Farmyard friends, feeding them hay and showering all 300+ animals with love. We kicked off the 2024 Farmyard season with an exciting new attraction: a barrel train! This new ride was the result of a one-day fundraiser and gives guests a fun, short tour around Lambs Farm.

We hope you will visit and go for a spin soon!

Here’s the full list: - Ace Hardware (Libertyville) - Artisan Marketplace - Cardinal Cushing Centers - Craft Collective Palatine - Food Shed Co-Op - Grand Foods (Winnetka) - Northeast Arc Gifts - Painted Tree Boutique (Kildeer) - The Picket Fence Foundation - Refreshed Furnishings & Makers’ Market - Sunset Foods (Lake Forest, Libertyville & Long Grove) - Woodmans (Kenosha)

With nicely shaded outdoor seating areas, delicious food and great service, the Magnolia Cafe is bustling with birthday parties, weddings, field trips and groups. While at the Country Store, participant bakers are working hard to keep the freezer stocked with handmade ice cream. They recently implemented a Flavor of the Month program, and all are proving to be popular. The Snack Shop is officially back in business for the season, and guests love the convenience of stopping by for a quick bite while visiting and shopping.

Another summer staple at Lambs Farm is our Fun & Fit Family Day. Families, friends, participants and staff came together on June 29 to run and walk around Old School Forest Preserve to celebrate our mission.

After the race, everyone enjoyed games, a face painter, balloon twister and bounce house.

Maribeth sprinkles a fresh batch of Famous Butter Cookies in preparation for the Food Shed Co-Op’s Opening Day

Summer is already off to an awesome start, and with more special events, participant dances and other happenings on the calendar, we know it will get even better!

The barrel train at the Farmyard

Jimmy and Doug with a fresh batch of Salted Caramel Ice Cream

First summer picnic featured fun painting games

Ric serving up iced coffee

Mike gets ready to package Lambs Farm Chicken & Cheddar Dog Treats for a store order

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Adoptions at Lambs Farm Since 2017, we have partnered with our friends at Wright-Way Rescue.

Together we are dedicated to creating a caring and supportive environment that contributes to the lives of rescue animals, Lambs Farm participants and the community.

Here’s a look at some happy adopters with their new best friends!

Participants Ali and Brian with Pet Center Manager Jenna and two precious pups

Dogwood Day 2024

We are excited to celebrate our co-founders legacy, the bonds we share with our four-legged friends and partnership with Wright-Way Rescue at Dogwood Day on Sunday, August 4 from 10am to 1pm.

Quigley the Boxer Mix with his mom and dad

The Lambs Farm story began when Bob Terese and Corrine Owen started a pet shop in downtown Chicago in 1961. It was like every other small business with one exception; the 12 employees had developmental disabilities. When they opened the store’s doors for the first time, they planted the seeds of an idea that grew into the exemplary organization where over 280 adults with developmental disabilities continue to thrive today. We know Bob and Corrine would be proud to see our participants continue to work, learn and grow at the Dogwood Garden & Pet Center.

Guests and their pups will receive free admission at this special event. We will have fun games, an obstacle and agility course, demonstrations, canine crafts, treats, vendors and more.

If you are interesed in becoming a Dogwood Day sponsor, please use the QR code to view our opportunities!

Sweet Kirk with his new family

Thanks to our friends at Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, kids can become “Vet for a Day!”

Lambs Farm volunteer Gretchen with her adorable kitten, Maverick

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A look at some fun crafts and enrichment for your pup

Splash pads and sprinkles provided for puppy pool parties

Donor Salute Lambs Farm is grateful for the support we receive from our many friends. Listed below are the names of those especially generous individuals, foundations and corporations whose gifts of $1,000 or more were received from Janauary - April 2024. $50,000 and above Mr. & Mrs. Warren Aldridge Anonymous The Lyall Family Charitable Fund $25,000 to $49,999 Packaging Corporation of America $10,000 to $24,999 Benedict K. Hutson and Margaret P. Hutson Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Liner Mr. Robert N. Savoie Mr. & Mrs. James P. Zils $5,000 to $9,999 Abbott Laboratories Mr. Robert Carone Cisco Dutt Family Fund Mr. Donald P. Maves New Trier Township The Reichert Foundation Mr. & Mrs. John G. Schreiber Mrs. Gertrude Smutney Mr. & Mrs. Philip Wernick Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. Mr. Sheldon O. Zisook $2,500 to $4,999 AbbVie Abt Electronics Alera Group American Place Casino Anonymous Mr. Gerald H. Elbin Dr. Shari B. Glynn and Dr. John Glynn William & Susan Jacobs Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Kimble Mr. Ron Krupp Mr. Steven E. Scott

Bequests $1,000 to $2,499 Allen B. Frake Trust Allstate PAC Estate of Raymond W. Pettinger Mr. & Mrs. Lee Barbakoff Ms. Michelle Benham Mr. & Mrs. Timothy P. Douglass Facebook Fundraisers Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Fick Paula Graham Mr. Douglas A. Fisher Bela Igyarto Mrs. Joan Fuller Dan Kummer Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Gabuzzi Robbie Levensbaum Mr. Richard Green Lisa Lichtenstein Dr. Richard A. Hirth and Bob Neiman Dr. JoAnn S. Hirth Regina Niedzwiedzka Mrs. Virginia C. Horsch Jackie Schumacher Mr. & Mrs. Mark J. Johnson Dr. Melvin P. Katz Mr. & Mrs. Kennen H. Kim Mr. & Mrs. Richard Koehler Ms. Janice L. Leclerc Mints Family Mr. & Mrs. Mark Moore Mr. & Mrs. Bryan Mork Capt. Michael Moyer Northwestern Memorial Healthcare Mr. Chaitanya Patel Ms. Rosalie Piazza Mr. & Mrs. Phillip L. Stern Takeda Ms. Eiko Terao Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Thill Mr. & Mrs. Jerry G. Thompson Van Heest Family Donor Advised Fund, a Donor Advised Fund of Renaissance Charitable Foundation Keith Waitt Mr. & Mrs. Ken Walti Mr. & Mrs. Timothy White Mr. & Mrs. Richard Willix Ms. Ruth Wittenberg

Tributes and Memorials We are always especially honored by the decision to honor and remember friends and loved ones with a gift to Lambs Farm. Below, we list the names of those individuals who have been honored or remembered with a gift received from January - April 2024.

In Honor Of

Phyllis Berk Carolyn Cleary Ian Copeland Paula Graham Tony Green Baby Esther Hess Lawrence Holstein Bela Igyarto Joshua Johnson Lori Katz Dan Kummer Robbie Levensbaum Lisa Lichtenstein Greg Moyer Robert E. Neiman Regina Niedzwiedzka Ryan Rademaker Bruce P. Redwanc Genevieve Rozema Jackie Schumacher David B. Schwartz Joyce Shannon Susan Siebers Sarita Still Daniel M. Sultan Martha Torrence

In Memory Of

Gloria Benham Lois E. Bock Betsy Brake Jeffrey K. Breuer Jacqui Duclos Philip Einhorn Kaitlin Englehart Robert Eyre Lucille K. Flynn Gertrude E. Fredrich Jan Froberg Frank Froncek Irene Froncek Janie Froncek Bernard G. Gardner Robert L. Grottke Bob Hansen Jennifer Hart Dorothy J. Hoffner Helga Larsen Meezie Lazar Dolores Lewandowski Norbert Lewandowski Laura Lyall Leslie Lyall Virginia A. Lyall Irene Macewich Michael C. Martino Marilyn D. Mints Thomas M. Mints, Jr. Dorothy Murphy

John “Jay” B. Murphy, Jr. John B. Murphy Katherine M. Murphy Michael F. Murphy Marc Nachtman Elinor M. Newman Howard Newman James W. Norris Paul Norris Paula O’Connor Corinne Owen Carolyn Page Dennis Page Dennis Pulchinski Frank Redwanc Stella Redwanc Grace Reinholds Shadow Rosenmutter Mary T. Rowan James Vernon Santos Steven Shelley Brett Shuster Barbara M. Silet Susan Stein Bob Terese Mary Ruth Terese Monica Toppel Leo Wernick Trudy Wernick Patrick White

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Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Libertyville, IL Permit No. 171

14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville, IL 60048

Change service requested

Upcoming Events Dogwood Day Sunday, August 4 | 10am to 1pm Lambs Farm Spoil your pup and celebrate the special connection between humans and dogs!

Summertime Craft Fest Saturday, August 10 | 10am to 4pm Sunday, August 11 | 10am to 4pm Camp Big Timber Join us at Camp Big Timber in Elgin to stock up on your favorite Lambs Farm products.

Fall on the Farm Saturday, September 14 | 10am to 4pm Lambs Farm Enjoy a day of family fun with fall crafts, games, tractors, barrel trains and Farmyard friends.

Trick or Treat on the Farm

Breakfast with Santa

Saturday, October 26 | 10am to 5pm Lambs Farm Celebrate Halloween at the Farmyard!

Saturday, December 7 Sunday, December 8 Saturday, December 14 Sunday, December 15 Magnolia Cafe & Visitors Center Santa is making his annual trek to Lambs Farm!

A Holiday Happening Craft Show Saturday, November 2 | 10am to 4pm Sunday, November 3 | 11am to 4pm College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn Stop by our booth to pick up something for everyone on your holiday list.

Hannah’s Hallmark Bingo Thursday, November 14 | 6pm to 8pm Magnolia Cafe & Bakery Test your Hallmark knowledge with the one and only Hannah B. from 102.3!

14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville, IL 60048

p: 847.362.4636

f: 847.362.0742

www.lambsfarm.org