newsletternewsletter

June 2017

Michael DeLoach enjoys his time riding and participating at the Family Farm Festival.

Thank You for Making Us Shine!Thank You for Making Us Shine!It was a very special night for many, especially those with special needs. Tim Tebow was in town and he was greeted by many of his very special fans. Holding their signs “Thank you Tim Tebow from: Princess Sarah”, “Thank you for Making Us Shine”, “We love you” . . . He is an amazing young man who has touched, and continues to touch the lives of many through his strong Christian faith.

Tim is the son of missionaries, after moving back to Florida as a child Tim decided to return to the Philippines as a teenager spreading God’s word, and doing the Lord’s work, by serving the needy. He carried that calling with him to the University of Florida. In addition to playing footballfor the Florida Gators, Tim also devoted himself to charity raising money for pediatric cancer patients and disadvantaged children.

Many know Tim Tebow as a two-time National Champion, first round NFL draft pick, and Heisman Trophy winner. Tim played three years in the NFL for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and New England Patriots. He was the first quarterback featured in ESPN’s “Year of the Quarterback” series. Tim is currently putting his NFL career on hold and has signed to play professional baseball with the New York Mets.

Tim is a college football analyst for the SEC network; he contributes to a variety of ESPN platforms including Sports Center, ESPN radio and the networks Heisman Trophy coverage. He has released “Through My Eyes” which was named the #1 sports book . . . continued on page 5

Who is Tim Tebow?Who is Tim Tebow?

for Making Us Shine!Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You forforforfor Making Us Shine!for Making Us Shine!for Making Us Shine!forforfor Making Us Shine!for Making Us Shine! Making Us Shine! Making Us Shine! Making Us Shine! Making Us Shine!for Making Us Shine! Making Us Shine! Making Us Shine!for Making Us Shine!

Tim made Sarah and Trish’s day!

Just one of the guys! Looks like everyone is shining.

Tim is the son of missionaries, after moving back to Florida as a child Tim decided to return to the Philippines as a teenager spreading God’s word, and doing the Lord’s work, by serving the needy. He carried that calling with him to the University of Florida. In addition to playing footballfor the Florida Gators, Tim also devoted himself to charity raising money for pediatric cancer patients and disadvantaged children.

Many know Tim Tebow as a two-time National Champion, first round NFL draft pick, and Heisman Trophy winner. Tim played three years in the NFL for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and New England Patriots. He was the first quarterback featured in ESPN’s “Year of the Quarterback” series. Tim is currently putting his NFL career on hold and has signed to play professional baseball with the New York Mets.

Tim is a college football analyst for the SEC network; he contributes to a variety of ESPN platforms including Sports Center, ESPN radio and the networks Heisman Trophy coverage. He has released “Through My Eyes” which was named the #1 sports book . . . continued on page 5

day-programVentures’Ventures’

Ventures’ Expands Volunteerism

Last year, Ventures’ participants spent a portion of their time volunteering for local non-profits in the Hagerstown area. This year, we have made new community contacts and have expanded volunteer opportunities for the participants who wish to take part. Our participants care about the community and love meeting new people, building relationships and helping where they can to make a difference.

In addition to continuing our already existing community volunteer opportunities, Helping Hands, Busy Bees, Recycling, Flower & Garden and Top Mops crews spent time volunteering at new places including: Washington County Habitat for Humanity’s Restore stocking shelves and greeting customers Aspiring to Serve, Inc. of Hagerstown light landscaping tasks Humane Society of Berkeley County, WV socializing with cats Clear Spring Library assisting the librarian in tidying up books and other items in the children’s sectionIn addition, Top Mops crew continues to receive, sort and distribute clothing to those in need via Star’s Closet of Hope. Closet of Hope is now located in downtown Hagerstown.

Our pilot Community Learning Service (CLS) group is exploring new opportunities to volunteer as well.

Welcome New Participants!

Ventures would like to welcome two new additions to the program. Lisa and Laura joined the program during April. Lisa, who hails from the greater Baltimore area, splits her time between the Flower & Garden and Helping Hands crews. She is acclimating quickly to Ventures and forming new relationships with her staff and peers. Lisa became a Star resident, residing at Smithfield 711. Laura spends her days with the Creative Design and Assembly crew. A long-time resident at Star, Laura knows many people at Ventures and seems very excited and happy to be a part of the day program.

Ventures would like to welcome two new additions to the program. Lisa and Laura joined the program during April. Lisa, who hails from the greater Baltimore area, splits her time between the Flower & Garden and Helping Hands crews. She is acclimating quickly to Ventures and forming new relationships with her staff and peers. Lisa became a Star resident, residing at Smithfield 711. Laura spends her days with the Creative Design and Assembly crew. A long-time resident at Star, Laura knows many people at Ventures and seems very excited and happy to be a part of the day program.

Lisa Laura

Sandy loves volunteering at the Humane Society!

Laura

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programCONGRATULATIONS Linda Lisberger!

Linda received the MACS Achievement Award 2017 and attended the ceremony at the BWI Marriott in Linthicum, Maryland. Linda came to Star in September 1992. At that time Star was known as the Anita Lynne Home. Linda is a happy, fun-loving woman who likes giving staff the names she chooses for them. One of Linda’s biggest successes this year was meeting Alan and his wife, owners of the local Desert Rose Cafe. Linda was taken with Alan from the beginning and over the past year the two have developed a great friendship. The last time Linda visited Desert Rose Cafe Alan proposed to her asking Linda to be the Desert Rose Cafe Queen! She got a huge, plastic diamond ring and a veil made from toilet paper. They had a great time!

Linda continues to be a joy to all who know her. We are so proud of the progress she has made andcontinues to make. She is a blessing to Star Community and all that know her. Peer Advocacy Group

The residential program has started a Peer Advocacy group to give Star residents the opportunity to advocate for their peers. The group consists of three individuals residing at Star Bernie Wachter, Isaiah Jump and Rob Starkey. The members will attend meetings at each residential home over the year to discuss activities, individual interests, and vacation opportunities.

So far this year, the group has come up with two initiatives. They would like to see each home on Star’s property have a vegetable garden. Bernie has a garden at his home that he is very proud of. He has offered to help each house get their garden started. The group has also expressed an interest in starting a walking club on the sensory trail. At the end of the year, the group willtake their recommendations to the residential director to discuss implementation of their ideas.

Linda receiving her award.

Bernie tending to his garden.

Peer Advocacy Group members: Bernie, Rob and Isaiah.

the sensory trail. At the end of the year, the group willtake their recommendations to the residential director to discuss implementation of their ideas.

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Equestrian CenterEquestrian CenterEquestrian CenterEquestrian Centerprogramsprograms

Family Farm Festival

It was a busy morning, volunteers were busy putting signs up and bringing horses from the fields to the stable to feed. These last-minute details went smoothly as we got ready for Star’s Equestrian Center Family Farm Festival. The riders, volunteers and staff looked forward to welcoming the public to the center allowing them to promote the amazing programs Star has available.

As cars began to arrive folks were excited to see the beautiful horse drawn wagon, ready to give them a free ride. The premier activity at the festival was the Horse Show! The horse show had classes for all of our participants challenged, recreational and veterans. It was a great time for ALL!

Elliot Shull had a memorable time riding his beautiful black steed while holding the American flag as the American Anthem played. Unified drills, made up of challenged riders, volunteers, staff members and a group of Horses for Heroes veterans entertained spectators.

Additional activities included information tables showcasing each program that Star’s Equestrian Center has available, children’s games, learn to groom a pony station (which was endlessly busy), demonstrations by local equine enthusiasts and a veterinarian. Free food and refreshments were available for all to enjoy. The Family Farm Festival welcomed approximately 400 guests. A great festival put together by a team of staff and volunteers. We are eagerly looking forward to Star’s Fall Family Farm Festival.

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Celebration

Fun, FREE, & Fantastic way

for you, your family & friends to ring in

the Holiday Season Charles Dickens’ style!

December 2Saturday

Volunteer Opportunities!

and bestselling religion book of 2011. Tim’s newest book “Shaken: Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life’s Storms” was released in October. No matter how busy Tim may be, he is very active in a variety of philanthropic activities through his Tim Tebow Foundation.

It was in 2010, that Tim’s vision took shape to form the Tim Tebow Foundation. The foundation was created “to bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hours of need.” The foundation fulfills this mission every day by making dreams come true for children with life threatening illnesses, building Timmy’s Playrooms in children’s hospitals, providing life changing surgeries to children in the Philippines through Tebow Cure Hospital, sponsoring “Nite to Shine”, a nationwide prom for people with special needs, providingcare for orphans in four countries and adoption aid for families who choose to adopt an international child with special needs.

cited-timtebow.com/about-tim-tebow/

As stated earlier, an amazing man that has touched the lives of amazing people that we see, and know. Making them SHINE brighter and smile bigger, and instilling in them how very special they are to the world around them.

Thank you Tim Tebow!Thank you Tim Tebow!

Congratulations to Michael for winning two medals

a Bronze & Silver for his skills playing bocce at the

Special Olympics in Towson, Maryland.

at the Special Olympics!

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Community, Inc.

A great way to show you careabout individuals with special needs.

Your NON-attendance will help Star toInspire HOPE, Ensure WELL-BEING, and Promote MEANINGFUL LIFE CHOICES

and OPPORTUNITIES that are too often out of reach for these very special

individuals.

Don’t Miss It! JUNE 33 !

Kris is sporting a Sombrero while out for dinner!

Tom & Dianna posing for a pic at a Suns game.

Susan is all smiles while enjoying her time on Star’s Sensory Trail.

YOU DIDN’T MISS IT!YOU DIDN’T MISS IT!There’s still time not to come to our Fourth Annual Phantom

Ball and Rodeo. Just send your donation for your non-existent tickets in the enclosed envelope and mark your check for the

“Phantom Ball”.

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ImpactImpactRecently, while vacationing in Corinth, Mississippi, where I was the administrator in a Christian schoolin the 1980’s, I was in contact with a former student. This student was a senior in high school and could not read, so my mission was to teach this young man how to read. Yes, this young man learned to read his senior year, went on to college, and he is the Emergency Management Directorin Alcorn County, Mississippi. He took me on a tour of his facility, and he was excited to tell me abouthis job. I am so proud of this man, as he is helping to save lives, making a difference in the lives of nearly 40,000 people. He said, “Mr. Hopkins, I owe much of my success to you, for you taught me how to read.” One does not always know the influence he or she is exerting in the life of an individual.

Why do I mention this incident? Each day staff engage and interact in mutual benefiting ways with individuals with special needs. Staff benefit from the individuals’ unconditional love, their compassion, and their propensity to please. Staff use their influence well to assist individuals with special needs to advance in skill levels, socialization, community integration, independence, and giving back to their community. You see, staff view their work here as a journey. On this journey, they dedicate themselves to what gives their life meaning and purpose, bettering the lives of those with special needs.

As a friend of Star, let me encourage you to impact the life of one who has special needs. Volunteera day at Star, enjoy a picnic on Star’s sensory trail interacting with our day program participants, visitone of our group homes and have supper, arrange a time to speak to our individuals about your job,entertain us by playing your instrument or singing. Come to our Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration, December 2, and congratulate our special needs individuals as they perform in song and do publicspeaking. Star would be honored and pleased to have you participate in some manner with our residents and participants. Just give me a call at 301-791-0011 ext. 304 and arrange a date and time.You would be a blessing to Star.

Finally, send a card, letter, or make a call and let that special person know how he or she made a difference in your life.

Best Regards,

Dallas Hopkins - Executive Director

Finally, send a card, letter, or make a call and let that special person know how he or she made a

- Dr. Temple Grandin

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Community, Inc. 13757 Broadfording Church RoadHagerstown, MD 21740

You cannot be all things to all people. Be unique. Be different.

Give to others what you want yourself. And do what you were made to do.

- anonymous

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