inside:
page 2: Letter from the President and CEO
page 4: 60K Challenge
page 5: Farmyard News
page 6: Pet Center Appearance
Helping people with developmental disabilities lead productive, happy lives and connecting with the human spirit in us all.
www.lambsfarm.org
It has been over a year since the COVID-19 pandemic took the world by storm. It has been a long road, but we are finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel as cases decline and vaccinations become more accessible.
As the state of Illinois slowly reopens and lifts certain restrictions, we are taking gradual steps towards normalcy while keeping Participants, guests and staff safe and healthy.
After receiving both rounds of the Pfizer vaccine earlier this year, some
Participants are returning to Lambs Industries, our businesses and groundskeeping. Though they are not able to interact with the public for safety reasons, they are back doing what they love and working with staff to set new goals.
Participant bakers at the Sugar Maple Country Store quickly picked up the impressive skill of cookie decorating during their first week back on the job. They learned how to fill in the designs with icing to help staff keep up with the high cookie demand. We are so happy to have them back in the bakery and couldn’t be more proud of them for taking on a new challenge with a positive attitude.
We are so excited to announce that we will be hosting our annual Lambs Farm Golf Day in memory of Jack Stein on Tuesday, July 13 at ThunderHawk Golf Club in Beach Park, Illinois.
Golf Day features both a morning and afternoon tee time, challenging course competitions, breakfast, lunch, cocktail reception, awards and more!
Sponsorship opportunities are available on our website along with individual rounds and foursome registration.
We hope to see you and your friends on the links for a great day of golf!
For more information, please contact Mary McGonigel at 847.990.3733 or at mmcgonigel@lambsfarm.org.
Throughout my many years at Lambs Farm, I have written numerous articles, letters and other pieces. Typically, these articles predominantly focused on new additions to the many areas we have worked on, to improve upon and enhance those things we have already put in place or new opportunities that have come our way. This year, however, is much different than what we have experienced in the past.
Beginning in March 2020, we have concentrated on keeping those Participants who had to remain in a Lambs Farm facility during this period safe and healthy. Staff has done a wonderful job of keeping them occupied with a variety of things. Although many of those Participants who went home to their families have remained there for now, we anticipate they will be returning in the near future as well.
In an attempt to regain some semblance of normalcy, we are gradually opening our businesses in an effort to allow those Participants who have jobs there continue to do so. However, in those jobs, for safety reasons, they will not be allowed to interact with our customers in any way.
Other areas coming soon are: Annual Golf Day – Tuesday, July 13th at Thunderhawk; a new event this year: Dogwood Day – Saturday, August 7th. Bring your dog out for a fun day of vendors, demonstrations, a scavenger hunt and more; and our 60th Anniversary on the Farm event - September 18th & 19th – details coming soon!
I always have and continue to believe that my most important responsibility is to assure that, at all costs, we continue to pursue the vision of our CoFounders by providing the programming and support necessary for people with developmental disabilities to live their lives as independently as possible. With a truly dedicated and creative staff, our Participants are assured an expanding array of options to create their individual lifestyles. Despite the events of the past year or so, we endeavor to regain and maintain a vibrant living and working community of people leading full, meaningful lives.
We remain grateful for your belief in our mission and your investment in the lives of the men and women we serve. With your support, we will continue to resolve to protect and further the legacy of our Co-Founders. Please consider a gift to Lambs Farm today.
Sincerely,
Dianne M. Yaconetti President and CEO
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It’s safe to say that things are looking up, but we wouldn’t be where we are today without our amazing staff. They continue to give Participants all the necessary tools to stay busy, happy and fulfilled as they wait to return to a life without pandemic restrictions.
Residential manager, Kelly Czyzowicz, knows how much Participants enjoy being outside and playing cornhole. She took it upon herself to build and paint a special Lambs Farm set for them to use all summer long.
Green-Field staff also wanted to break up the monotony of being at home for residents who live in our immediate care facility. They met for a brainstorm session and landed on the great idea of Spirit Week. Each day had a specific theme and activities that went with it. Participants had so much fun playing games at Field Day, taking part in a Crazy Hair Day contest, having a dance party for 80s Day, going on a treasure hunt on Pirate Day and getting facials and relaxing on Pajama Day.
After needing to cancel nearly every event in 2020, we put together a detailed plan to bring back Bunny Brunch, a special family tradition. In an effort to keep everyone safe and comfortable, the Magnolia Cafe & Bakery staggered seating times to avoid crowds and served guests a plated meal of their choice. After brunch, families headed to the Visitors Center to get a goody bag, pick out a gift and meet the Easter Bunny.
The Easter Bunny met with each family separately and posed behind a protective shield. Children sat on a bench to take a socially distanced photo and most were smiling from ear to ear after finally being reunited with their favorite bunny.
It may have looked a bit different, but we are so grateful that we were able to bring back a fun and memorable event for our guests.
It may take a while before life can fully return to what it was before COVID-19, but we are headed in the right direction and will continue to do what is best for the men and women of Lambs Farm.
Get your engines ready! Lambs Farm’s 9th Annual Champion Car Show is on Sunday, June 6 from 10am to 3pm. All makes and models of cars and trucks welcome! Admission is free to visitors!
This year, you can participate in-person, virtually or both. In-person event highlights:
• Pre-register by June 1 on www.lambsfarm.org for $15 or on the day of the event for $20
• Gates open at 9:00am
• Registration is from 9:00am to 11:00am
• Judging will take place from 11:00am to 1:00pm
• Visitors can check out our beer and food tent
• Live music from the band Unscheduled Tour at 11:00am
• Awards announced at 2:15pm
• Cars from the 60s will receive a special treat in honor of our 60th anniversary
If you’d like to participate virtually, registration is due by June 1 and is $10. Email a photo of your car to kmcmeins@lambsfarm. org and tell us why your car is special to you. Visit our Facebook page on Sunday, June 6 and vote for your favorite using the Facebook “Like” button. The top five cars will be announced on June 7 and will be mailed a trophy.
In April, we celebrated Volunteer Appreciation month.
Lambs Farm would not be what it is today without our volunteers. Since the Pet Shop opened its doors on State Street in 1961, volunteers have made a big impact and continue to do so every day. They are an integral part of our special events, play a key role in our businesses, make a difference in the lives of our Participants and have helped us grow in ways we never thought possible. Volunteers are the heart of Lambs Farm, and we have so much love for them and everything they do.
Here are just a few of the wonderful volunteers who have dedicated their time to Lambs Farm:
2021 is a special year because it marks our 60th anniversary! In honor of this big milestone, we decided to create a virtual 60K Challenge in lieu of our traditional Fun & Fit Family Day to celebrate with our supporters all around the country.
The challenge starts on June 1 and runs through June 30. This gives registrants one month to walk, run or bike 60 kilometers. It may sound daunting, but you’ll be surprised how easily you can do this on your own or with your family and friends. The best part is that you will be supporting over 200 Lambs Farm Participants while staying active and healthy.
Here’s the breakdown:
• 1.25 mile run, walk or bike every day for 30 days
• 3.1 mile run, walk or bike 3 days a week for 4 weeks
• 9.3 miles a week
• 37.3 miles total
When you sign up for the 60K Challenge, you have the opportunity to participate for free when you use our referral program. For every three friends you refer, you will earn $10 back on your registration. In addition to earning money back, you can also fundraise and earn free swag when you become a Lambs Farm Champion. Swag prizes vary based on the amount of money raised.
All proceeds from our 60K Challenge help support the programs that make such a difference in the lives of the remarkable men and women of Lambs Farm. As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we are reflecting on their experiences as they continue to grow socially, vocationally, and athletically, while instilling feelings of self-worth, belonging and a sense of community.
We hope you join us for the 60K Challenge! Registration is available at https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Libertyville/LambsFarmFunFit.
If you would like to increase your brand awareness and become a sponsor, please contact Special Events Coordinator Kathy McMeins at 847.990.3749 or by email kmcmeins@lambsfarm.org.
Lori is ready to participate in the 60K Challenge!
The Farmyard opened for the 2021 season on Saturday, April 3. It was a beautiful weekend to welcome guests back to visit over 300 animals, including several baby goats and lambs who recently joined the Lambs Farm family.
Guests can now support their favorite new and old Farmyard friends with our sponsorship program. A one-time contribution provides necessary support for animals that call Lambs Farm home and will help cover the cost of food, veterinary care and enrichment during the 2021 season. Sponsorship levels vary by animal and range from $10 to $200 and include benefits. Sponsorships can be purchased online at www.lambsfarm.org or at the Farmyard.
We continue to require guests to book their visits online using our reservation system for family visits, in-person field trips and birthday parties. This method continues to help staff safely manage crowds as we remain in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan. As the season goes on, we will reassess COVID-19 guidelines to determine when we will be able to open our mini train and carousel and increase capacity limits.
In the meantime, we are still offering virtual field trips through our Meet the Herd service which is available on our website. Teachers can create their own customizable educational experience with the help of our knowledgeable Animal Keepers.
Guests can also sign up for our summer Yoga on the Farm classes with Blue Sky Yoga on June 23, July 21 and August 18. Goats, chickens, tortoises, sheep and pigs will join you in our large pasture where there is plenty of room for social distancing. Registration is available on www.lambsfarm.org/events/.
Though life is still a little crazy, Participants are doing big things! Here are just a few of their recent accomplishments:
In 1961, Co-Founders Bob Terese and Corinne Owen were determined to start a business where adults with developmental disabilities could thrive. They ultimately decided on a pet shop due to the unconditional love and forgiving nature of animals.
Now 60 years later, we believe our Co-Founders would be proud knowing we are still carrying out their vision, as Lambs Farm Participants continue to find meaningful work in what is now our Dogwood Garden & Pet Center and help thousands of people find their best friend with four paws!
We are celebrating this milestone and the very special connection between mankind and dogs at our new event: DOGwood Day - 1 Day of Puppy Love on Saturday, August 7, from 10am to 4pm.
Families can bring their dogs to watch demonstrations, participate in contests, shop vendor booths, take part in a scavenger hunt, eat at the food tent and stop by the bone bar for a special treat!
For more information, please visit www.lambsfarm.org/events.
In April, the Dogwood Garden & Pet Center staff and puppies were invited to Alpha Media’s studio to be the stars of “Wet Nose Wednesday”, a weekly segment that features local animal shelters.
Pet Center manager, Jenna, and Medusa, a Shepherd/Boxer mix, made their big radio debut on 102.3XLC and 95 WIIL ROCK. Jenna explained Lambs Farm’s history, the adoption process and our partnership with Wright Way Rescue as Medusa stayed curled up in her arms.
After their interviews, both stations highlighted Medusa on Facebook Live. She was seen by thousands of viewers and one happy couple instantly fell in love with her perky ears and calm demeanor. They filled out an application, made their reservation and brought Medusa home just two days later.
Jenna and Medusa had such a great time with the Alpha Media staff and will be back in the studio soon to help another adoptable puppy find their forever home. In the meantime, be sure to visit our website to see our current rescue animals who are waiting to be adopted and adored.
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 January 2021 - April 2021.
$50,000 and above
Anonymous
$10,000 to $24,999
Mr. Jeffery K. Benham
The Coleman Foundation, Inc.
Ms. Martha Fox
Mr. & Mrs. David P. Glover
Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Liner
Schultz Family Private Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Philip Wernick
Mr. & Mrs. James P. Zils
$5,000 to $9,999
Mrs. Catherine Alvary
Anonymous
Ms. M. Victoria Greene
Benedict K. Hutson and Margaret P. Hutson Family Foundation
Mrs. Miriam Lazar
Mints Family
New Trier Township
Mr. & Mrs. Eric P. Olson
The Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Duf Sundheim
Mr. & Mrs. Willard T. Walker
Mr. & Mrs. Robert N. Zaun
Mr. Sheldon O. Zisook
$2,500 to $4,999
Aileen S. Andrew Foundation
Anonymous
Mr. & Mrs. Walt Bazarnik
Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Fick
Mr. & Mrs. William R. Jacobs
Mr. & Mrs. Kennen H. Kim
Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Kimble
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Koss
Mr. & Mrs. Ron Krupp
Mrs. Marlene Pomerance
Ms. Susan Siebers
Ms. Eiko Terao
Mr. & Mrs. Peter S. West
Mrs. Lita Zemel
$1,000 to $2,499
Mr. Rick Bertolozzi
Mrs. Electra Carlson
Comcast NBC Universal Matching Gift Program
Dr. Richard Davison
Mrs. Arpita Dutt
Dutt Family Fund
Mrs. Rona Farber
First Centennial Mortgage Corporation
Mr. Douglas A. Fisher
Mrs. Joan Fuller
The John and Elizabeth Gescheidle Family Fund
Mrs. Rose Gordon
Mr. & Mrs. David Grady
Mrs. Virginia C. Horsch
Mr. & Mrs. Mark J. Johnson
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Karpek
Dr. & Mrs. Melvin P. Katz
Mr. & Mrs. Gideon Kishony
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Koehler
Lawyers Inc. P.C.
Mr. Donald P. Maves
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Moore
Mr. Chaitanya Patel
Ms. Rosalie Piazza
Mr. & Mrs. John Piccione
Richard and Marianne Reinisch Foundation
Ms. Lynne Remington and Mr. Geoffrey Goldberg
Mr. Douglas J. Seipel
Mr. & Mrs. Edward P. Showtis
Dr. & Mrs. Richard L. Sturm
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Thill
Mr. & Mrs. Kent Verner
Samuel Weinstein Family Foundation
Mr. Gordon E. White
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Willix
Ms. Ruth Wittenberg
Mrs. Lita Zemel
Bequests
Sanford A. Ramaras Estate
Facebook Fundraisers
Kristen Anderson
Martha Fox
Mary Kristin Fox
Larry Greenstein
Miranda Jansen
Abbie Lee
Lisa Lichtenstein
Pam Pajack
Rita Pampel
Terrie O’Day
Paul Serbin
Richard Willix
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 2021 - April 2021.
In Honor Of
Kristen Anderson
Michelle Benham
Elaine M. Bock
Kathy Buresch
Brennan Casey
Kevin Donohue
Victoria Farkas
Martha Fox
Mary Kristin Fox
Ann Fuller
Beverly Marie Garcia
Robert V. Gattuso
Paula Graham
Larry Greenstein
Miranda Jansen
Karyn Krupp
Abby Lee
Robbie Levensbaum
Lisa Lichtenstein
Mark McCleneghan
Ruth I. Moyer
Brian W. Napier
Michael Nathenson
Terrie O’Day
Pam Pajack
Rita Pampel
Stephanie Scialabba
Paul Serbin
Emma Siefken
Sarita Still
Gina Taylor
Alison Walker
Andrew I. Wernick
Rich Willix
Gregory L. Zaun
Lita Zemel
Jon Zils
Kelsie Zipprich
In Memory Of
Edna Adams
Alan O. Amos
Alice Jackson Barry
Patsy Jo Beall
George Beatovic
Gloria Benham
Elizabeth “Betsy” Brake
Stella Brando
Gerald Brzezinski
Joshua Burnett
Robert Cairo
Thomas A. Cerwin
Edwar Dohanos
Frank Froncek
Irene Froncek
Janie Froncek
Herbert Gelb
Paul J. Gerlach
Margot C. Goode
Howard M. Greenstein
Sarah Hake
Gloria A. Harer
Rosemary Hauck
R. Shawn Heaviland
Daniel High
Allan Hirshfield
Katherine M. Johnson
Donna Kaminski
Roberta Kapoun
Nancy Kimble
Robert W. Kimble
William “Billy” Klass
Dolores Lewandowski
Norbert Lewandowski
Elaine Looft
Mark Mahoney, Jr.
Michael C. Martino
Stephen Mazzoni
Ivy Mileski
John Joseph Miller
Marilyn D. Mints
Thomas M. Mints, Jr.
Marian Mirsky
Betty Moran
Katherine M. Murphy
Linus Noble
Paula O’Connor
Dennis O’Keefe
Sarah Onley
Dennis Page
Jan Pomerantz
Jill E. Preston
Esthela Ramirez
Tobie Reisman
Sandra Richter
Beverly M. Roitman
Patricia Salani
Karen Sarasin
William Schade
Lenore Sexton
Elizabeth Siefken
Barbara M. Silet
William Silet
Holly G. Stephenson
David Sundheim
Bob Terese
Mary Ruth Terese
Joe Wargo
Lou Zemel
60th Anniversary 60K Challenge
June 1 - June 30
Virtual
Celebrate our 60th anniversary by participating in our 60K Challenge! Run, walk or bike 60 kilometers in the month of June.
9th Annual Champion Car Show
Sunday, June 6
Lambs Farm/Virtual
Families can view antique and classic cars and enjoy food and beverages at Lambs Farm’s Champion Car Show. Free admission for visitors. Virtual option is also available. Virtual voting will take place on Facebook.
Father’s Day Brunch
Sunday, June 20 | 9am-Noon
Magnolia Cafe & Bakery
Dad can enjoy the day dedicated to him by choosing from hearty entrees or breakfast favorites. Don’t forget about dessert - we have plenty of goodies prepared straight from our bakery! Call 847.362.5050 for reservations.
36th Annual Lambs Farm Golf Day in memory of Jack Stein
Tuesday, July 13
ThunderHawk Golf Club
Join us at the beautifulThunderHawk Golf Club for a fun day of golf to benefit the men and women of Lambs Farm. Call 847.990.3733 for more information.
DOGwood Day at Lambs Farm
Saturday, August 7 | 10am to 4pm
Lambs Farm
You can spend the day spoiling your special four-legged friend! Families can watch demonstrations, participate in contests, possibly meet their pups siblings, shop vendor booths and take part in a scavenger hunt.
60th Anniversary on the Farm
Saturday, September 18 | 10am - 4pm
Sunday, September 19 | 10am - 4pm
Lambs Farm
Join us for a weekend full of family fun as we celebrate our 60th anniversary!