What a long, strange year this has been! In January of 2020 we could never have imagined all the twists and turns thrown at us because of the COVID-19 virus. Take a minute to recount our five favorite memories from 2020:
1. The House Is Ready
We began the year with great optimism! Our three-story, eight-bedroom house was built and paid for, and the task ahead of us was to interview foster care applicants to inhabit the home and begin caring for children in the foster care system. After several interviews we found an applicant that fit the bill and we put together a lease agreement.
2. A Foster Family For the House
Our foster care family has lived in the home since early March and we are very pleased to tell you that as of this writing, nearly 20 children have received care. Our foster family says it’s so rewarding “…knowing I’m helping, that they are protected, showing them that they can be safe. I take them to church and teach them that even when we aren’t with them, God loves them. They grow and become stronger in that belief. I teach them prayers and they learn to trust in God. As they become more comfortable they begin to feel more safe and secure.”
3. Sleep In Heavenly Peace
In mid-March, just before the COVID shutdowns began, the Sleep In Heavenly Peace (SIHP) organization showed up along with several volunteers and built ten beds! Sherilyn and Randy Lackey of LaGrange are SIHP volunteers and have assembled more than 200 beds in LaGrange County. We are so happy they were compelled to do so for The Farm Place.
4. Kings BBQ Fundraiser
We held a King’s BBQ Chicken fundraiser in September and it was a rousing success. Volunteers and board members met at the LaGrange County Courthouse to distribute the meals on a beautiful early autumn day. The people of LaGrange really showed up, and we raised nearly $3,700 toward our building project.
5. The Glow Golf Tournament
In October Lakeland High School senior Madison Keil organized a golf tournament to benefit The Farm. A standout golfer at Lakeland, Madison thought it would be fun to hold a “glow golf” tournament for her senior project. Dozens of players used glowing golf balls at Heron Creek Golf Club, and the tournament raised $2,500.
COVID forced us to re-think our meetings and we learned to do things differently, but we kept on meeting and planning whether in person or on conference calls. We planned fundraisers, reviewed building plans for the new barn and offices, and ordered soil tests for our eventual construction plans.
As the new year rolls around we are entering a new phase and can use your support. The plans for the new barn, offices, and meeting rooms will be ready just after the new year. This is the space we’ve been working toward, where children will experience animal companionship with their counselors, case managers, and families. If you’re trying to decide where to direct your tax-deductible year-end giving, we hope you’ll consider The Farm Place. We gladly accept monetary donations, and you can also purchase t-shirts or sweatshirts at our fundraisers. You can also purchase an inscribed brick paver to honor a loved one, a favorite pet, or even inscribe with a cherished scripture. The bricks will be used to pave the area around the new barn.
We thank you again for your continued support. See you in 2021!
Ready to Get Involved?
If you have questions or would like to learn more about how you can be a part of The Farm Place, we can help!