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2015 Volume 3
Winter
Harvesting The Spirit 2015
Downtown on the Farm
inside:
page 2:
Letter from
the President
and CEO
page 4:
Beauty and
The Beast Review
It was an impeccable autumn evening
as 300 guests celebrated the mission of
Lambs Farm at the 2015 Annual Benefit:
Harvesting the Spirit Downtown on The
Farm held in Union Station’s Great Hall
November 7th.
page 5:
Wellness Center
Happenings
our mission:
Helping people with
developmental disabilities
lead productive, happy lives
and connecting with the
human spirit in us all.
www.lambsfarm.org
Guests were able to participate in
silent and live auctions, enjoy a
gourmet dining experience and be
treated to a special performance
from the cast of Beauty and
The Beast. Most importantly,
they were able to experience
first hand the importance
their contributions make to
the Men and Women of
Lambs Farm.
Each year, a
Participant is
honored with the Living Legacy Award at
the Annual Benefit. This award recognizes
a Participant who embodies the vision
of our Co-Founders that given the
opportunity, people with developmental
disabilities can become contributing
members of society. Laura Collins is this
year’s recipient and was honored with the
award for exceeding the personification
of a productive, contributing member of
her community. “I used to ridicule myself
because I never used to feel proud. I am
not that way now thanks to my family and
Lambs Farm,” Collins mentioned. “Thank
you for giving me the chance and I’m very
proud to be one of Lambs residents.”
Another special individual is recognized
each year with the Casanova Award,
which was established in memory of
Vince Casanova, long-time Board Member
(Continued on page 3)
Share the
mission of
Lambs Farm
The 2015-2016 Gift Catalog
is now available! Choose
from several new delightful
delectables including Coconut
Dream Bars, Carmelitas
and Tre Biscotti. Traditional
favorites are still available
such as our Famous Butter
Cookies and English Toffee.
Share the mission of Lambs
Farm while giving great
gifts to those on your list as
well as colleagues, business
partners, customers and
more, while making a
difference in the lives of
those with developmental
disabilities. Each product is
carefully made, packaged
and shipped by the men and
women of Lambs Farm.
Orders can be customized
with your business or
greeting cards. Simply send
us your gift list when placing
your order and we’ll ensure
everyone receives a gift with
a personal note from you.
For larger orders please call
our Sales Manager, Amy
Barry at 847.990.3797 or
email her at awb@lambsfarm.
org. You may place your
order by calling 847.362.4636
Mondays – Fridays from
9am – 5pm, or order online
anytime at
www.lambsfarm.org.
From the
President and CEO’s desk...
It takes many
people to
effectively
run a human
services
organization;
good people
who put
compassion
before personal gain for no reason
other than they simply believe in
the organization’s mission. For
most of us at Lambs Farm, reward
comes in the form of a smile from
a Participant who after months
of trying finally learns that new
skill, or sitting down to a dinner
that was made with the help of a
few residents, or the joy of seeing
a Participant appreciate the
connection between good nutrition
and regular exercise and how we
look and feel. Sometimes, it is
only the experience of watching
the determination and courage in
the eyes of the men and women
we serve as they face each daily
challenge.
another person had taken over his
body. Rather than cower in front
of three separate live audiences
comprised of scores of people he
did not know, he couldn’t wait for
the show to begin. His own parents
could not believe the transformation.
After the show’s performances
ended, he continued for weeks to
walk around the Farm clutching the
script – until it was so worn that staff
had to give him a new one.
But, every once in a while,
something happens that really puts
it all into perspective; that makes
it all worth the continual, arduous
effort to not only do everything
the best we can, but to do it better
than most. Well, one of those
“somethings” happened recently
when one Participant surprisingly
decided to try out for a part in the
cast of Beauty and the Beast, this
year’s musical production put on
as part of our Fine Arts Program.
This is a person whose shyness is
legendary – who would turn around
to face the wall and sometimes even
cry if a person unfamiliar to him
entered his residence or place of
work. So, he did try out and the Fine
Arts staff was delighted to give him
a role. That’s when it all started.
This story is about only one of the
many quality of life programs that
Lambs Farm offers, and every one
of them provides life-enriching
- perhaps even life-changing opportunities for our Participants.
Although many of the programs
do not qualify for government
funding, we are committed to doing
everything in our power to preserve
them. We see it as an investment
in the men and women we serve
- one we hope you will continue
to support. That, after all, is really
what the legacy of Lambs Farm
has always been – to provide our
Participants every opportunity to
enjoy lives that are meaningful to
them. Now, more than ever, your
support will ensure that they will do
just that. Please consider a gift to
Lambs Farm today.
He learned his lines, the words
to the songs, and the animation
required when singing them. He
stood on that stage, in an actual
theater in a nearby suburb, so
proud and confident – it was like
2
He was even more excited when
asked to join members of the cast
to perform at our Annual Benefit in
front of more than 300 people he
had never met. Today, when faced
with a visitor unfamiliar to him, he
now happily greets the person and
introduces his fellow housemates or
co-workers. Is it a miracle? Maybe it
is. Or, perhaps he was just waiting
for the right opportunity to become
the person he was meant to be.
Whatever it is, it may not have
happened had we not had a Fine
Arts Program.
Sincerely,
Dianne M. Yaconetti
President and CEO
(continued from cover)
and champion
of Lambs Farm
and the men and
women it serves.
The recipient
of the award is
chosen based
upon their belief
in the mission of
Lambs Farm and
commitment to
its fulfillment in
their own unique
way.
in continuing
to assure our
Participants the
ability to discover
new interests,
employ personal
imagination and
creativity, and
celebrate who
they are as they
continue to grow.
MBX Solutions
assists at
Community
Tent Sale
“Lambs Farm is
always looking for
new things to do
Laura with her Living Legacy award
This year’s
and how we can
recipient is Jeanne
make the lives we
Curtin. Longtime employee at
serve better,” Vice Chairman of the
Jewel-Osco in Libertyville, Curtin
Board of Directors Arie Zoller said.
has volunteered her time with
“I support Lambs Farm because I
Lambs Farm since
believe in the idea that
2002.
people should be given
the right to reach their
Jeanne and another
full potential and that’s
Participant started
what Lambs Farm does,”
the ever so popular
Zoller added.
Elvis Club, hosting
over 150 meetings
Harvesting the Spirit
with membership of
2015 raised over
nearly 50 Participants
$300,000. Thank you
(read more on
to all who attended and
page 5). Curtin has
supported the mission
made a significant
of Lambs Farm! A
contribution to the
special thank you to our
fulfillment of the
major sponsors: Alper
mission of Lambs
Services, BMO Harris
Farm in her own
Bank, Chicago Tribune,
unique way by
The Denton Family,
personifying the
Discover Financial
belief that people
Services, Joan Golder,
with developmental
Rose and Roberta
disabilities are just
Kapoun, Klaff Family
Jeanne Curtin after accepting
like everyone else.
Foundation,
The Sheahan
her Award
“Happiness is pretty
Family and the Smoler
simple: something to
Family.
love, something to do, something
to look forward too,” Curtin said.
“We’re successful because we love
.
Elvis, we meet to do activities and
we always look forward to the
next month. That gives all of us
happiness.”
The Fall Community Tent
Sale at Lambs Farm was
held over the September
11th weekend and hosted
almost 50 vendors from the
surrounding communities. A
plethora of items to please
almost everyone could most
certainly be found during the
Tent Sale.
What made this event more
special was volunteers
from MBX Solutions.
Last year, MBX Solutions
launched MBX Cares which
encourages their employees
to be involved in charitable
causes. MBX chose Lambs
Farm because they want
to have a consistent effort
with selected charities. This
is the second year they have
volunteered at Lambs Farm.
Following the award presentations,
guests were invited to directly
support the lives of Lambs Farm
Participants by engaging in a
Paddle Raiser. Generous
support of our guests assist us
3
10th Annual
Barn Burner
BBQ at Lambs
Farm
The haze over the main parking
lot at Lambs Farm on October
17th was filled with the aroma
of barbeques from almost 40
teams competing for Grand
Champion at the 10th Annual
Barn Burner BBQ.
Sponsored by KCBS (Kansas
City Barbeque Society) teams
compete for having the best
chicken, brisket, pork and ribs.
Congratulations to this year’s
grand champion, Yellow River
BBQ, and all of the other
teams who competed.
In 2014, KCBS announced
their mission to feed the
homeless and hungry in
America. During the Barn
Burner competition at Lambs
Farm, teams generously
offered to cook additional
meat which was then
donated to the residents of
Lambs Farm. The extra meat
is purchased and donated
by KCBS. This year, Lambs
Farm received 186 pounds of
cooked pork butt from our
competitors.
The cast of Beauty and The Beast with special guest Billy Corgan of The Smashing
Pumpkins, pictured top middle
Beauty and The Beast: Wrap Up
Lambs Farm
Participant Theatre
performed Beauty
& The Beast
September 19 and
20 at the Gorton
Community Center
in Lake Forest.
Many months
of studying,
rehearsing
lines, learning
songs, costume
changes and
choreographed
dances paid off for
this cast and crew.
Co-Directors Janine Neumann and
Alison Zieroff spent numerous
months preparing for this
weekend. “I was so proud of the
cast this year. They really stepped
up by memorizing their lines and
knowing when to enter and exit
the stage,” Neumann
mentioned. “We had a lot
of new faces in the cast
this year and they really
showed their amazing
abilities on stage. I could
not be more proud of
the things they have
accomplished this year,”
Neumann added.
Veteran cast member
Michele Hendrickson
played Belle in
4
this year’s
performance. “My
favorite part of
performing was
being able to
dance,” Michele
said.
Family and friends
were highly
entertained by the
wonderful musical.
Hats off to all
those involved as
the Participant
Theatre has added
another successful
play to their repertoire.
Save the date for next year’s
performances:
September 24 & 25, 2016.
Elvis Club
Celebrates 150th
Meeting
Lambs Farm Special Olympics Basketball Team The Wrecking Crew playing during half time
Wellness Center Happenings
Chef Klaus – September 16th, the
Wellness Center bleachers filled
to watch Chef Klaus Mandl from
Sysco Foods expertly demonstrate
how to cook a heart healthy
meal that is not only good for
your body but delicious too!
Participants were able to try the
salad he prepared topped with
pan seared fish. What’s a meal
without dessert? Chef Klaus
made fluffy waffles topped with
strawberries for all to enjoy.
Jim B gives the “Ok” to Chef Klaus’ Salad
The Lambs Farm “Elvis
Club” originated from the
brainstorming of Participant
Betsy Brake and Volunteer
Jeanne Curtin in November
2002. The first Wednesday
of every month, Elvis
fans meet in the Wellness
Center and participate
in an activity and enjoy
a snack. Such activities
include listening to Elvis
Songs, watching Elvis
movies and making an
Elvis themed craft.
In 2012, in celebration
of its 10th anniversary,
the Club had an Elvis
impersonator come
perform. Curtin explained
it was such a memorable
experience because the
performer came up to
every Participant to shake
their hand, have them sing
in the microphone with
him and made a point to
recognize everyone. Curtin A
said, “it was a moment they
would never forget.”
The Elvis Club recently
celebrated their 150th
meeting. Since their first
gathering in 2002, two
trips to Graceland have
been taken and countless
memories have been made.
Wrecking Crew plays at United
Center – One of our Special
Olympics Basketball teams, The
Wrecking Crew, was a part of the
Chicago Bulls half time show on
October 14.
The Wrecking Crew played a six
minute scrimmage during
half-time of the Chicago Bulls
pre-season game. “The
Participants loved having a big
crowd cheer them on,” Coach
Ginny Luptak said. “What a
wonderful experience for our
Participants.”
The Wrecking Crew on half court
with Benny the Bull
(Continued on page 6)
5
Ryne Sandberg
Visits Lambs Farm
Participants were in for a
special treat when Major
League Baseball Hall of
Fame player Ryne Sandberg
visited Lambs Farm with
his wife Margaret on
September 29. Participants
warmly welcomed Ryne and
Margaret as they toured the
Lambs Farm campus. It was
a special day for not only
our Participants but for
Ryne and Margaret.
Participants with Noodles after his performance
Wellness Center Happenings
(Continued from page 5)
Participant and
Staff Holiday
Party
On December 6, Lambs
Farm Participants and
Staff attended the annual
Holiday Party organized
by one of our Lambs Farm
Family Members and Board
Members, Karen Lieberman.
This marks Karen’s 25th year
putting this yearly party
together and we are very
grateful for it! Thank you for
your hard work, Karen!
6
Noodles the Wonder Dog –
Noodles the Wonder Dog is a
rescue pup from the Anti Cruelty
Society. Noodles’ owners have
spent many days, weeks and
months working with him to be
the dog he is today. Noodles
made a special visit to Lambs
Farm on October 5th to perform
several tricks for our Participants.
Afterwards, Participants were able
to meet and pet Noodles.
Noodles making a basket
Floor Hockey Team wins Bronze
Medal – The Special Olympics
Floor Hockey team competed in
the State tournament November
14 at Northeastern Illniois
Univeristy. They lost their first
game but were able to come
together and win their second
game earning them a Bronze
Medal. “Although I almost
twisted my ankle, I was happy
to score a goal in the game!”
Brayanna Laconte said. Team
member Laura Collins added, “I
am happy we were able to do
this together as a team.”
The Floor Hockey team with their Bronze medals
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 May 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015.
$25,000 to $49,999
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Smutney
Fred B. Snite Foundation
$10,000 to $24,999
Anonymous
Mr. Ashoke Dutt
Exclusive Woodworking
Mrs. Gloria A. Harer
Dr. & Mrs. Patrick J. Murphy
Schaumburg Toyota
Charles & M.R. Shapiro
Foundation, Inc.
The Edward S. Sprague
Foundation
Mrs. Lita Zemel
$5,000 to $9,999
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew J. Agers,
Jr.
Carol Lavin Bernick Family
Foundation
Discover Financial Services
Mrs. Verlyn J. O’Halloran
Michael and Audrey Sepe
Mr. & Mrs. Philip Wernick
$2,500 to $4,999
Abbott Laboratories
Mr. Jeffery K. Benham
BMO Harris Bank
The Braeside Foundation
Harry F. Chaddick and Elaine
Chaddick Foundation, Inc.
DLA Piper LLP (US)
Downsview Kitchens & Fine
Custom Cabinetry
Ms. Martha Fox
Mrs. Fern Frank
Ms. Laurie Hernandez & Mr.
Mark Stavropoulos
Keller Williams Success Realty
Kroeschell, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Ron Krupp
Mr. & Mrs. H. M. Kurzman
Mrs. Miriam Lazar
Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Levy
Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Lyall, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Vern McCain
The McShane Companies
Plante Moran
Edward & Karen Rogan
Law Office of Earl J. Roloff
Mr. & Mrs. Cy Rosengarten
Mr. Robert N. Savoie
Mrs. Susan Siebers
Mrs. Susan Sprowl
Mrs. Christine Stegman
The Trustmark Foundation
UL
Uline
Mr. & Mrs. Kent Verner
Vernon Township
Mr. & Mrs. Willard T. Walker
Mr. & Mrs. Warren Wiegand, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Willix
Ms. Dianne M. Yaconetti
Mr. Sheldon O. Zisook
$1,000 to $2,499
Abt Electronics
Adovate Condell Child &
Adult DayCenter
Alper Services, LLC
Mr. & Mrs. John Arnold
Barrington Area United Way, Inc.
Mr. Paul Bonadies
Bramco Construction Company
Brightstar Us, Inc.
Mrs. Electra Carlson
Mr. & Mrs. Todd Chermak
Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Curran
Dahl & Bonadies
Dr. Richard Davison
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Earhart
Eriksen Armstrong Corp
Ms. Barbara Euman
Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Fick
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas A. Fisher
Mrs. Joan Fuller
Mr. & Mrs. Robert V. Gattuso
Golder Family Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. David Grady
Mr. & Mrs. David Greenspahn
John G. Harty Ltd.
Mrs. Diana J. Healy
Mrs. Donna L. Herula
Mr. & Mrs. Edmund A. Horsch
Dr. Elizabeth A. Hull
International Decorators, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. William R. Jacobs
Mrs. Joan Johnson
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Karpek
Dr. & Mrs. Melvin P. Katz
Mr. Kennen H. and Dr. Yeun S. Kim
Mr. & Mrs. Gideon Kishony
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Koehler
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Koss
Mrs. Patricia M. Kurschner
Labor Temps
Lake Forest Bank & Trust Co.
Mr. Mark D. Lavin
Lawyers Inc. P.C.
Mac Sales Group, Inc.
Marcus & Millichap
Mariani Landscape
Maron Electric Company
Mesirow Financial
Mr. & Mrs. Bryan Mork
Mr. James W. Norris
Mr. Chaitanya Patel
Pharmakon Pharmacy
Ms. Rosalie Piazza
Mr. & Mrs. John Piccione
Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert Pomerance
Precision Steel Warehouse, Inc.
Purcell Murray Co.
Ravine Park Partners, LLC
Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Reilly
Mr. Eric A. Rothner
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Schuh
Schultz & Chez, LLP
Mrs. Susan Stein
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Strauss
Dr. & Mrs. Richard L. Sturm
Sub-Zero Group Midwest
Ms. Dorothy Sully
Sysco Chicago, Inc.
Temco Contracting, LLC
Ms. Eiko Terao
Tribune Direct
Tukaiz
United Stationers Charitable
Foundation
Mr. Frank Varada
Mrs. Mary G. Wagener
Ms. Ruth Wittenberg
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Wyllie
Mr. & Mrs. Robert
N. Zaun
Mr. & Mrs. James
P. Zils
BEQUESTS
Eugene W.
Rueckoldt
Charitable
Remainder Trust
Estate of Ralph
and Barbara
Holstein
Melvin G. Magee
Trust
Daisy D. Patt
Charitable Trust
Simko Charitable
Remainder Trust
Tributes and memorials:
The decision to honor and remember friends and loved ones with a gift to Lambs Farm is always considered a very special honor to us.
Below, we list the names of those individuals who have been honored or remembered with a gift received from May 1, 2015 to
August 31, 2015.
In Honor Of:
The Benham Family
Marjorie Biederman
Agnes Brake
Elizabeth Brake
Ardene Breitkreutz
Virgil Breitkreutz
Ian Copeland
James E. Dahl
Mr. & Mrs. D. Daun
Kevin Donohue
Doug Durbin
John Durbin
Thomas Durbin
Fern S. Frank
Michael Frank
Laura Frankiewicz
Ann Fuller
Lukas Herbstman
Katherine Higley
Leslie Irwin
Roberta Kapoun
Carolyn Katz
Susan Koehler
Jon Lazar
The Levy Family
John Levy
Elizabeth Lewis
Michael Nathenson
Abbey Parker
Hillary Peck
Jack Perlin
Lila Perlin
Tim Polacci
Michael J. Reilly
Dean Rosset
Carol Rosset Shkurkin
Gene Rudd
Milton Rudo
Rachel Sachnoff
Nancy Sauseda
Stephanie Scialabba
Caryl L. Slavin
Eli Spector
Richard Stein
Sarita Still
Marci Sturm
David Sundheim
Andy Wernick
In Memory Of:
Gershon Berg
Dewey Broberg
Janet Burrus
Daniel Caporusso
Amparo Cerbo
Robert S. Cohn
Ivan Decker
David W. Denton
Edith Duell
Jerome Feldman
Karola Frankenthal Epstein
Frank Froncek
Irene Froncek
Eileen Ganz
Muriel Doris Gerber
Janis Hofflander
Albert Jasourowski
Florence Kane
Janet L. King
Patricia Kyser
Sylvia E. Lemanski
John Lewis
Cathy Jo Lodge
Mary Mahoney
Ray Mahoney
Anneliese Mayer
Jack McDowell
Lois Motzenbecker
Jill Moyer
Amy Neiberger
Brandon O’Connor
Leonardo Ricaborda
Soledad Ricaborda
Linda Rosemeyer
Jerry Rubin
Myron E. Rubnitz
Joseph J. Ryan
Dolores J. Scanlon
Joyce Schachner
Etta Schiller
Helen Schumacher
Edna Shepard
Susie Sladoje
Aniceta Soledad
Cirilo Soledad
Teresita R. Soledad
Paul Steen
Jack Stein
Larita Stephanak
Mary Stowe
Victoria Sunderland
George M. Sundheim
Sally Sundheim
Anthony Travaglio
Cole Van Dorn
Fred Weteska
Richard Wippman
Andrew J. Wyllie
7
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Libertyville, IL
Permit No. 171
Change service requested
Upcoming Events
Sweets for Sweetie
Easter Brunch
Father’s Day Brunch
Saturday, February 13
Magnolia Cafe & Bakery
Our cafe will be transformed into a boutique
with delicious items that are perfect gifts for
mom & dad, husband & wife, and even friends &
siblings for Valentine’s Day!
Sunday, March 27
Magnolia Cafe & Bakery
Easter brunch features hand carved meats,
breakfast classics, fresh fruit and vegetables and
a fabulous dessert table!
Sunday, June 19
Magnolia Cafe & Bakery
Seatings are at 10am, 12pm and 2pm. $24.95,
$10.95 for ages 2-12 and 23 months and younger
eat free. Call 847.362.5050 for reservations.
Saturday, June 25
Lambs Farm
Enjoy a brisk run or walk starting at Lambs Farm
then proceeding around Old School Forest
Preserve and help us to raise money for the Men
& Women of Lambs Farm. Sponsor booths and
fun, family activities open during and after the
race. Call 847.990.3749 for more information.
From 10am – 1pm you can decorate heartshaped sugar cookies, have it beautifully
packaged, and hand craft your own Valentine
card to be included for just $3!
Bunny Brunch
Friday & Saturday, March 25 & 26
Magnolia Cafe & Bakery and Visitors Center
Join us for a delicious buffet then take a walk
over to the Bunny Patch! At the Bunny Patch
kids can enjoy Spring crafts, activities and a
take a photo with the Easter bunny! Some of
our Farmyard friends will also be available for
petting and learning.
Seatings are at 9am, 10:30am and 12 pm. $16.95,
$7.95 for 23 months and younger with activities.
Call 847.362.5050 for reservations.
Popcorn Days
Friday & Saturday, May 5 & 6
Chicagoland Area
Grab some friends and help Lambs Farm
raise money during its annual Popcorn Days
fundraiser. Call 847.990.3865 for more
information.
Mother’s Day Brunch
Sunday, May 8
Magnolia Cafe & Bakery
Lambs Farm Champion Car Show
3rd Annual
Fun & Fit Family Day
5K Run/2 Mile Walk
32nd Annual Lambs Farm Golf Day
in memory of Jack Stein
Tuesday, July 12
ThunderHawk Golf Club
Grab your friends and clubs, and head over to
ThunderHawk for a great day on the links while
benefiting Lambs Farm. Call 847.990.3733 for
more information.
Sunday, June 5
Lambs Farm
Proud of your hot rod or motorcycle? Show it off !
All makes and models of cars, trucks and bikes
are welcome to compete. Call 847.990.4749 for
more information.
14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville, IL 60048
p: 847.362.4636
f: 847.362.0742
www.lambsfarm.org