Aaron's Acres

The Campaign for a Permanent Home for Aaron's Acres

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Established in 1998 by a group of Lancaster County parents, Aaron’s Acres serves over 300 individuals with complex needs across six Central PA counties. Supported by 350+ volunteers and funded primarily by donations and events, our work is highlighted by a summer camp serving over 100 participants.

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To provide all children and young adults with disabilities the opportunity to participate in the most innovative and unique social and recreational programs in an atmosphere of acceptance that embraces the individual and family.

The Aaron's Acres Difference

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Comprehensive, personalized recreational programs for individuals with disabilities

Committed to responding to the needs expressed by our families

Person-centered and family-focused approach to programming

1:1 or 1:2 staff to participant ratio for ages 5-21

1:4 staff to participant ratio for ages 22-40

On-site nurses and professional staff supervision

Completely independent local organization

No one is turned away due to a specific disability or a family’s financial limitations

“The feeling of being ‘typical’, ‘ordinary,’ and ‘just like everyone else’ is rarely achieved in the lives of a special needs family. Most of the time it is only felt when in the presence of family- and that is what Aaron’s Acres has been to us.“

Michael

Father of Elizabeth

“Our son is judged on his struggles, which are too difficult for most programs to even consider. But Aaron’s Acres celebrates our son, they treat him with respect, and they support all of his needs. He gets to experience all the fun times just like every other kid.”

Michelle

Mother of Summer Camper

“Like any other 11-year-old, my client wants to experience new things. He frequently expresses excitement about Aaron’s Acres and the pool. In the pool, he can let loose, spend time with his friends, and above all move with freedom, without the fear of fracturing his bones. The pool lets him explore his imagination, exercise his muscles and joints, and feel like he is a part of the group.“

Private Nurse

“Most parents look forward to high school graduation as a milestone. For parents with special needs children, it comes with dread. With the end of school, the services stop, and over time that network of families and friends slowly erodes. Aaron’s Acres starting a year-round program would help fill this gap. Their program would be beneficial to not only the adult disabled individual but the family as well.“

Brett

Father of Colin

The Campaign for a Permanent Home for Aaron's Acres

This $5.5 million project will create a place where individuals with disabilities and their families feel like they belong, where they can embrace possibilities beyond disabilities.

With your support, a successful campaign will position Aaron’s Acres to pledge never to turn away a participant due to challenges created by disability or financial limitations.

The project will be funded through a (minimum) $4 million campaign along with Aaron’s Acres’ resources and wise borrowing.

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With a Dedicated Facility, We Can Offer:

Daily or weekly programs adapted to the needs of those with varying abilities
Parent-child classes that strengthen connections and provide new experiences
Opportunities for social interaction in a safe, supportive environment
Engagement in community service projects so participants can give back and help others
Educational sessions for families; respite and connections for parents and caregivers

Prepared for the Future

Aaron’s Acres has built a strong financial foundation, and our leadership has developed an operating plan that will allow the organization to grow and thrive in our new building.

Increased services to the young adult community will position us to expand existing streams of program revenue, to apply for new funding from area foundations, business, and individuals, and to pursue new grant opportunities. This campaign will also add funding to our permanent endowment fund which will help support programming and operations in perpetuity.

Spaces for Everyone

Increased Flexibility

Currently our program staff spend hours finding and leasing venues for our programs, often having to work around each site’s schedule. Our 12,000-square-foot building will enable us to devote that staff time to actual programs scheduled around what works best for our families: young adults on weekdays, kids (5—21) after school and evenings, everyone on weekends.

We will be able to provide afterschool care for those who have aged out of traditional programs (typically after age 12).

Inclusive Activity Spaces

The former sanctuary will become our large recreational space, while classrooms and an upgraded kitchen will offer flexible program spaces. Young adults will have their own hangout space in the lower level — a rarity for this population. Parents will have their own lounge and there will be plenty of room for our staff.

Staffing Up

Our new location will provide students at Millersville University and other local institutions with a variety of opportunities to work with us. Having one permanent, easily accessible location will help attract and retain staff. With ongoing programs and consistent schedules throughout the year, we will be able to offer employment and other options for those seeking more hands-on and paid learning experiences.

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Our Own Pool at Last

Pool activities are a highlight for our participants while providing the benefits of aquatic therapy.

In the swimming pool individual challenges fade away and all you see are children and young adults having fun. The large flat acreage next to the building offers the perfect spot to build an accessible swimming pool, pool house, and outdoor pavilion.

An Accessible Pool

A 25-by-20-yard pool will feature a sloped "zero-entry" end that gets deeper gradually as well as a lift to transfer an individual using a wheelchair into and out of the water.

Healing Waters

Aquatic therapy can benefit our participants, helping us address their physical, sensory, and cognitive challenges. Water's buoyancy allows kids with developmental disabilities to move more easily, enhancing their motor skills.

Outdoor Program Necessities

A 15-by-20-foot pool house with changing spaces and accessible bathrooms and a connected 60-by-25-foot pavilion will offer a shady site during programs throughout the year for our many participants who face physical and medical challenges.

Pool Economics

After two decades of searching, we are committed to building our own accessible pool to provide participants with the water fitness and swim lessons they deserve. To balance this significant investment, we plan to generate revenue by renting the facility to groups with similar needs.

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With your support, Aaron’s Acres can double our number of participants over the next 10 years, and will finally have a place to call home within this community!

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Other Ways To Support

Certain aspects of our renovation and construction projects could be divided into smaller tasks that can be completed with donated materials, labor, or equipment. If you are interested in helping out, please reach out to Kate Mullen at katemullen@aaronsacres.org or 717-917-6101 x5.

Donor(s) may choose to make their campaign gifts payable over a period of up to five years with the completion of a written pledge form. In some instances, a longer pledge payment schedule may be offered to donors who request it in order to secure major naming opportunities.

Aaron’s Acres supporters may own stocks, bonds, or mutual funds that have appreciated beyond their original cost and may consider making their campaign gift with these appreciated securities. Often, such a gift represents a tax efficient way to support the campaign.

By supporting Aaron’s Acres with a QCD, donors age 70½ years or older can avoid reporting the IRA distribution as taxable income. If you are age 73 or older and must take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), a QCD gift can satisfy your RMD without increasing your taxable income.

In addition to current gifts that will support the campaign, planned estate gifts are very important to Aaron’s Acres. There are a number of options for creating a planned gift either currently or through your estate, including charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, outright bequests, and gifts of life insurance.

Some supporters may choose to participate in this campaign through Gifts-in-kind. Supporters interested in donating materials, labor, equipment, furniture, and technology should contact us to discuss specific items needed and the campaign value that will be assigned.

Donors may hold other assets that could represent an opportunity to support Aaron’s Acres Creating One Community, Together Capital Campaign. We would be pleased to speak with you to discuss these and other options.

For further information about any of these ways to give or named gift opportunities, please contact Kate Mullen, Director of Development and Community Relations, at katemullen@aaronsacres.org or 717-917-6101 x5

Additional Resources

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