Making a DifferenceMaking a Difference

Star’s BIGGEST Event of the Year! Star’s BIGGEST Event of the Year!The date has been set! Star’s Dash 4 Disabilities 5K cross-country run/walk will be Saturday, September 24, on Star’s beautiful 145 acre campus near Hagerstown, MD. The 5K cross-country portion will begin at 10:00 a.m.Online registration is available at imathlete.com just search Dash 4 Disabilities and complete the registration form. Same-day registration for event begins at 8:45 a.m. If you register for the Sensory Trail Fun-Walk, which is perfect for individuals with wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, and young children and even your furry four legged friends... you can enjoy your walking adventure between 9 and 11a.m., after you check-in or complete same-day registration.

Awards for the 5K will be given in multiple age categories in men, women, and youth divisions.

Star would like to thank Resley Tire’s for their generous supportand their Title Sponsorship for this amazing event! We would also like to thank the businesses and individuals who have already stepped up as sponsors. These early sponsorships and those to follow are a blessing - touching the lives of so many, making a difference and helping individuals with special needs and developmental disabilities to be able to live their lives to the best of their abilities. Star wouldn’t be able to touch these lives without your support. YOU ROCK!!

Get yourself ready and lace up those sneakers, Saturday, September 24, will be here before you know it. Join us at Star Community for a fun, exciting, and exhilarating event. The Dash 4 Disabilities is PERFECT for family and Friends! And the best part - YOU will be in the lives of some very special people.

New this year is the opportunity for participants to help make this year’s Dash a great fundraiser for Star. Here’s how: Go to the imathlete.com to register for 5K run/walk or Fun Walk. Then, go the extra mile and set up your own fundraiser page on the site. You will be able to state why you are going to participate, add a photo, and set a goal you would like to personally raise to benefit Star by encouraging your family, friends and associates to be a sponsor. Individuals supporting your effort can go to the website and make their donation. You can also share your fundraising page on your social media sites.

CommunityCommunityJune 2016

A message from the Executive DirectorA message from the Executive DirectorDo you enjoy being around positive people? I do! Positive people bring an encouragement that penetrates the soul, and most often times positive people are the most thankful. When I find myself trodding down the path of discouragement, I count my blessings and discouragement seems to dissipate.

I realize my actions, my words, and my demeanor either expresses thanksgiving or ingratitude, and hopefully I choose to demonstrate thankfulness. I have the answer for when you are discouraged, are in need of a blessing, and need a reason to be thankful. Come visit Star. It will be your picker-upper!

Enjoy our 145 scenic acres. Stroll along our sensory trail enjoying peace and tranquility while enjoying all the aromas and beauty of nature. Then be greeted by our day participants with their simplistic warm smiles, sincere and honest conversations, genuine hugs, and laughter that will renew your soul.

Travel down the lane, get out of your vehicle, and walk to the therapeutic animal farm. Enjoy our miniature animals; they are quite therapeutic. Friendly and docile, pet the mini- moos, the pot-bellied pigs, the miniature horses, the goats, the rabbits, the miniature donkey, and then holler-out to the alpacas as they will not come to you.

When visiting, be sure you packed a lunch. We have picnic tables at our sensory trail so that you can enjoy lunch overlooking the valley. If you prefer, let us know ahead of time and we will make arrangements for you to eat at our pavilion and pond.

Our warm and friendly staff will gladly answer any questions you have as well as, direct you to all public areas you can enjoy on Star’s 145 acres. Do not hesitate to give me a call if you would like a private tour,my number is 301-791-0011 ext. 304.

Dallas Hopkins

Star participant and resident Isaiah lends a hand at our therapeutic farm feeding and grooming the new pot-belly pigs.

Josh enjoys grooming Angelo, Star’s miniature donkey.

If you are looking for a summer adventure for your children or grandchildren, Star’s Summer Equestrian Adventures is exactly what you are looking for.

Summer Equestrian Adventures is loads of fun! Your child will enjoy a theme week, learning how to ride and care for a horse, take part in equine demonstrations, go on trail rides, play games, arts and crafts as well as water activities, just to name a few. What more can you ask for? A fabulous week of fun and adventure.

The Equestrian Adventures last for five weeks beginning June 20, and the last week begins August 1. For more information call 301-791-6222 or send an email to Ginny at: glreed@starcommunityinc.org.

Looking for a Summer Adventure?Looking for a Summer Adventure?

Your kids will love you for it! :)

2016

Daily activities include: themed weeks, learn to ride and care for a horse, equine demonstrations, trail rides

(weather permitting), games, water activities and crafts

Star’s equestrian center is certified by the

Professional Association

of Therapeutic Horsemanship

International (PATH)

and by the

Certified Horseman Association (CHA)

PATH certified instructors

and

We strive to enhance quality of life by attending to

the mind, body, and

spirit of each rider, volunteer, and participant through equine

activities.13674 Greencastle Pike - Hagerstown, MD 21740

For more information call 301-791-6222 or email: glreed@starcommunityinc.org

June 20 - 24June 27 - July 1July 11 - 15July 18 - 22August 1 - 5

Equine activities for challenged ridersHorses for Heroes, services for veteransHorseback riding for all - abled and disabledPublic awareness and educationField trips including the Therapeutic Farm animals

Pictures from previous Summer Equestrian Adventures camp weeks.

Star’s BIGGEST Event of the Year!The date has been set! Star’s Dash 4 Disabilities 5K cross-country run/walk will be Saturday, September 24, on Star’s beautiful 145 acre campus near Hagerstown, MD. The 5K cross-country portion will begin at 10:00 a.m.Online registration is available at imathlete.com just search Dash 4 Disabilities and complete the registration form. Same-day registration for event begins at 8:45 a.m. If you register for the Sensory Trail Fun-Walk, which is perfect for individuals with wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, and young children and even your furry four legged friends... you can enjoy your walking adventure between 9 and 11a.m., after you check-in or complete same-day registration.

Awards for the 5K will be given in multiple age categories in men, women, and youth divisions.

Star would like to thank Resley Tire’s for their generous supportand their Title Sponsorship for this amazing event! We would also like to thank the businesses and individuals who have already stepped up as sponsors. These early sponsorships and those to follow are a blessing - touching the lives of so many, making a difference and helping individuals with special needs and developmental disabilities to be able to live their lives to the best of their abilities. Star wouldn’t be able to touch these lives without your support. YOU ROCK!!

Get yourself ready and lace up those sneakers, Saturday, September 24, will be here before you know it. Join us at Star Community for a fun, exciting, and exhilarating event. The Dash 4 Disabilities is PERFECT for family and Friends! And the best part - YOU will be in the lives of some very special people.

Giving BackGiving Back

Ventures Day ProgramOne thing that can be said of Ventures’ participants is they are loving and caring individuals who enjoy being involved in their community. This is evident by the creative ways they find to help others while making new friends and community connections.

Our Helping Hands, Busy Bees, Recycling, and Flower andGarden Crews took turns this past winter volunteering at “Women of Worth,” a non-profit thrift store. Our crew members helped stock shelves and complete light cleaning tasks.

Our Flower and Garden Crew volunteers at the KOA campground doing weeding and mulching. Members of the Top Mops also volunteer at the campground near Williamsport. This crew performs light cleaning tasks in an arts and crafts building, and helps in the office.

At Christmas time the Flower and Garden Crew members delivered poinsettias to three nursing homes Francis Murphy, Williamsport Nursing Home, and Julia Manor, as well as the KOA campground.

The Top Mops Crew continues to distribute clothing to those in need via Star’s “Closet of Hope.” Additionally, they have formed a friendship with a senior citizen whom they visit regularly and twice a month they visit and clean the Washington County Air Unit and Station 25.

Star’s Recycling Crew participated in a coat drive this winter, collecting more than 200 coats for the Salvation Army. One of the crew members led a project to make and send cards to ill children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and later collected toys and other needed items for them. The Recycling Crew also participated in collecting shoes for the Hagerstown Community Free Clinic.

Members of the Creative Design and Assembly Crew collected items for a giving tree and delivered them to Greencastle Antrim Primary School. They also made and delivered Christmas cards to NMS Healthcare of Hagerstown, Williamsport Nursing Home, and Charlottes’ Place in Maugansville. Ventures’ participants helped deliver cookies to the Maugansville Fire Department, which serves as the responders for emergencies at Star. (continued on next page)

Empowering LivesEmpowering Lives

Courtney and Ashley lending a helping hand.

Karen assists Danny during Star’s “Paint with Me” workshop.

(continued from page 4) They also delivered a planter to the owner of Your Country Store, a small market near Star where our participants like to shop. The store always allows Star to put up flyers for events and is supportive of our individuals.

Ventures Has Talent!Ventures Has Talent! Friday, April 15, marked the first-ever Ventures’ Talent Show. The show was developed and organized by Danelle DeLoach, a parent of one of our participants. With some help from Ventures’ staff and participants, the event was a smashing success.

Among the highlights were: Busy Bees Crew who made their own “spaghetti hat” costumes and sang a song composed by the crew and Whitney, one of their crew leaders. Whitney also accompanied Kristen G. on guitar as Kristen read a poem she wrote. Other individuals sang or danced to songs of their choosing, including Stephanie L. who signed and performed interpretive dance.

A great way for you to make a difference in the lives of the PEOPLE

with special needs & developmental disabilities that Star Community serves.

If you did not receive our special invitation in the mail, or want another one for a friend, Call 301-791-0011, ext. 308

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with special needs & developmental disabilities

Surround yourself with people who make you SMILE more.

It is time for the -

Chris, Michael, and Sarah fashionably wear their handmade “spaghetti hats” while preforming at the talent show.

NOT

Kristen getting ready for a busy day. Behind Kristen, Linda is waiting for her bus so that she can go to Star’s Ventures’ day program.

Star Community would like to welcometheir two newest residents, Thomas “Tommy” Alderton and Kristen Gresalfi.

Tommy resides at Star Farm and attends the ARC day program. Prior to coming to Star, Tommy lived at home with his mother and father. He enjoys bowling, listening togospel music, and playing video games. Tommy is also very talented when it comes to reading maps.

Kristen resides at Hope and attends Star’sVentures day program. An avid poet Kristen has been featured in the Hagerstown Magazine. She also attends Hagerstown Community College in pursuit of an associate degree. Her goal is to become a disability advocate. Currently, Kristen is interning with Star Community’s development department as a requirement for her degree. Kristen wrote a poem about her transition to Star Community’s residential program.

Both have transitioned very well, and we are thrilled to have them as part of the residential program!

A Warm Welcome Residential

Over the Moon

I might as well have beenthe cow

the cow that jumped overthe moon.

The moon being theconglomerate

of negativity that has accumulated.

Considering employment ofany kind

One plagues my body,the other, the mind

Well today I jumped overthe moon

Through a different view.

In retrospectI am a successful prospectAn asteroid hit that moonMaking the employment

barrier go KABOOM!

The cow always needshis spoon

To make the nursery rhyme completeSo before I miss another beat

I have to thank Star Community

For helping me by giving me the

internship opportunity!

I would be amissIf I didn’t address

The Mrs. that will be myhands

if mine should falterThanks to the shoot for the

star mentality - I have gone far!

-Kristen GresalfiTommy smiles for the camera before heading out to do some site seeing.

Live life out loud !Live life out loud !

Omitted in Star’s Annual Reportpublished in March was a donationfrom Jim & Kathy Benson in memory

of Robert L. Morris.

A Special Thank You

Meet Lane FortneyMeet Lane FortneyEquestrian Center

When asked what he’d like his job to be, Lane answered“Anything that helps people.” Since first grade Lane has been a person to help others smile or laugh when they were sad.

Everything Lane does is inherently compassionate and kind. One example is how he wanted to wear an Olaf costume to make people smile. Since buying the Disney movie costume,Olaf has been part of a town Christmas tree lighting, trick-or-treating, and a few children’s birthday parties.

Lane has personally accomplished what was once thought to be the impossible learning to spell and read. Other accomplishments have been both physical and social.

For 13 years Lane has been taking therapeutic riding lessons at Star’s Equestrian Center. When Lane first came to Star he was timid and quiet, but very curious. He caught on quickly to the importance of routine, how to work safely with and around horses, and to pay attention and follow directions.

Over the years Lane has ridden many different horses. He haslearned to understand each horse’s personality. Lane has grown so much through his time at Star. He is an independent rider well versed with the posture needed to be successful. Lane is involved in various types of riding classes, which helps to prepare him for Star horse shows and Special Olympics.

Keeping busy isn’t a problem for Lane. He has played AYSO soccer for 13 years, and plays Special Olympics basketball, bowling and track, just to name a few.

Through Lane’s work exploration he is working for a neighbor caring for their dog in the afternoons. He has also volunteered in nursing homes, helping patients do arts and crafts as well as playing games. Currently, Lane is volunteering at the Council on Aging helping patients to have fun. He also serves as a church greeter, cleans the office of the Dewey McDonald Foundation and serves at a facility that provides clothes and food for people who are in need. Lane also enjoys helping young soccer players learn soccer skills, and he enjoys going on field trips with his father’s science class.

One of Lane’s co-workers remarked “The girls and I love to get his view on things. He treats everyone who comes in here so caring and kindly. We feel like we learn something from him everyday. ”

Lane works hard and his devotion shines bright in whatever it is he is doing.

2016 MAC Award WinnerCongratulations Lane!

Community, Inc. 13757 Broadfording Church RoadHagerstown, MD 21740

301-791-0011

starcommunityinc.org