Adult Agricultural Option for Residential Needs | | | |
Hello AACORN Friends,
Sometimes impact shows up in big milestones—and sometimes it appears in the quietest, most unexpected moments. Recently, Cheryl Pinto—an AACORN supporter and aunt to longtime participant Tom—shared a simple but meaningful moment with us. After receiving a handwritten thank-you card and AACORN sticker in the mail, she noticed the sticker sitting on her kitchen counter and was struck by how much it looked like the Tree of Life metal sculpture on her wall. The connection stopped her in her tracks, and she even took a photo to share the moment with us. Cheryl said it felt so meaningful to see AACORN’s mission reflected in something she already held dear. Moments like this remind us that AACORN’s impact reaches far beyond our farm—it lives in homes, hearts, and everyday moments of connection.
What’s Inside This Newsletter
Get a sneak peek at a new product in the works, learn about the routine tasks we perform this month, learn about winter animal care, help us celebrate the generous donors who supported AACORN in December, and more. Even when participants pitch in to help clean and replenish supplies, they are learning, connecting, and sharing life with their AACORN friends.
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Join Us in Our Mission – Share Your AACORN Impact Story
Cheryl’s story is a beautiful example of the many ways AACORN makes a difference—and we know there are so many more stories like it.
We invite you to share a moment, memory, or reflection about how AACORN has impacted you, your family, or someone you care about. Stories can come from participants themselves, family members, friends, or supporters. No story is too small—sometimes the simplest moments say the most. Use the button below to share your story today.
Your stories help us show donors, partners, and our wider community why AACORN matters—and how their support truly makes a difference.
With Gratitude,
Mary Pickett
| | Cheryl's Tree of Life Sculpture - with the AACORN Logo nestled in the branches. | | | AACORN's program has suffered closures due to the snow and cold, just as schools, churches, and some businesses have. But in the short time they have been in session, participants and staff have been excitedly developing a new product: Bath Bombs. They can also be used as shower "steamers" for those who prefer showers to baths. The process is described below. | | Using their gloved hands, participants carefully mixed together baking soda and citric acid, watching the dry ingredients come together befoer adding fragrant essential oils and witch hazel. The room quickly filled with a refreshing aroma as lavender, mint, and eucalyptus blended into a soothing scent experience. Once the mixture was ready, they sprinkled dried lavender buds into the bottom of each mold. They pressed the mixture firmly into the molds and the bath bombs were set aside to rest and harden for over 24 hours. This activity was a great opportunity for everyone to practice following steps, working together, and exploring a possible new product. Plus, they all got to take a finished bomb home, test how they work, and share their feedback. Above left: Jesse mixes dry ingredients. Above midle: Program Manager Sam measuring oil to add while Noah waits to mix. Above right: two finished bath bombs. | | Kailyn & MaryLee carefully measure and add ingredients to a soup jar mix. After Christmas sales, all jar mix stock needs replenishing. | | Alex T adds bottles to the recycling machine at Meijer. When people donate bags of bottles and cans, we enjoy this outing! | | Nick R concentrates hard on sorting coins. When we pick up full coin jars, all of the coins and bills need to go to the bank. First they have to be sorted, counted, and the coins placed in wrappers. A very important task! | | Tom enjoys keeping busy! He is cheerfully helping to vacuum in the activities building. Property Manager Autumn waits with the rug to roll it back. Keeping the building spic and span is a routine but vital job. | | |
DID YOU KNOW? AACORN coin jars can be found in restaurants and businesses all over the greater Kalamazoo area. The average annual coin jar collection since 2018 is $3,045! We also accept donations of clean Ball jars in good condition, pint or quart size AND bags of returnable bottles and cans. We can help with your household purging!
Contact Sam to arrange for a drop off: sam.meyers@aacorncommunity.org
| | Property Manager Autumn reports that the new year began with several hoof-related health concerns with our equines and goats. Kody Harris, our farrier, diagnosed and treated mini donkey Harper with laminitis, and goats Peaches and Nick received hoof trimming and treatment for puncture wounds and hoof rot. All of these animals are now healed and comfortable. | | The bottom area of the big red barn is a cozy space for our animals, especially in the winter. Participant Brooke is shown petting two of our larger goats; mini donkey Harper is shown in the background on the left. | | Before the snow and deep cold came, there were some beautiful winter days when the animals enjoyed being out of doors. Program Manager Autumn is shown giving a tour to members of a soap-making class. She teaches this class bi-monthly. | | AACORN NIGHT AT KALAMAZOO WINGS | | |
Great fun was had at the Kalamazoo Wings hockey game Saturday afternoon, January 24. It was AACORN night, so information about AACORN was on the big screen and chuck-a-puck sales all came to our organization. What is a chuck-a-puck?? Foam pucks that are sold in bags for $10. At a break in the game, everyone with pucks throws them down on the ice. Several pucks are randomly selected from different areas on the ice, and the winners receive gift cards from businesses that sponsor KWings.
Above left: A few of the parents and supporters; Above right: Executive Director Mary Pickett and participant Elliot S. Bottom left: the chuck-a-puck experience; Bottom right: Guess what the theme for the game was? Tom is flanked by Star Wars characters. This is a popular event for our participants, their families, and supporters. Over $2,000 was raised to support AACORN. Thanks to all who came! Join us next year!
| | Thank You, December Donors! | | |
BEIM Foundation
Bui Family Foundation
Dr. Joe Goundation
Fletcher Foundation
Gary Sisters Foundation
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Gull Lake Area Rotary Club
Jim Gilmore, Jr Foundation
Plante Moran (PM Cares)
Sawyer Family Fund
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*Denotes monthly donors
Pat & Allen Ade
Ronald Anderson
Constance Ashcraft
Joe & Irene Atkinson
*Dwayne & Shelly Bagley
Gwen Bagley
Jerry Bagley
James Bailey
Ron & Penny Baird
Gary & Diane Baumbach
Bill & Ashley Beck
Betsy Bennett
Kim Berggren
David & Joy Best
David & Sue Bibbee
Chuck & Mary Ann Birch
Barbara Bonney
Betty Bonney
Michelle & Steve Bosch
Rob & Stevie Brinkerhof
Bob & Mary Butler
Robert & Ann Cardwell
Mary Caroll
Kathleen Carr
Ann Chapleau
*Matt & Crystal Dunne
*Liz Farner
Dorin & Eileen Fera
Nicole Finn
*Michelle Feifowicz
Sally Foster
Dennis & Mary Frailing
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Bonnie Frederickson
Suzy Gonzalez
*Michael Graham
*Phyllis Hill
Mary Hoffnagle
Marty Hooper
David Joque & Lisa Kasmer
James Joque & Elizabeth Zentner
*Jean Joque
Kelly Joque
Bill & Janice Kleinsteker
Paul & Deb Koestner
Polly Kragt
Rhoda & Ora Mast
Prudence McCabe
*Pat & Bill McKinney
*Luke McLogan
Todd Miller
Michelle Miller-Adams
Steve Murphy
Tracy Newell
Joel & Florence Orosz
Ann & Don Parfet
Sue Parsons
*Mary Pickett
*Catherine & Matthew Pinto
*Cheryl Pinto & Dan Martin
*Rebekah Poxson
Nick & Carol Pratt
Laura Probyn
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John & Micki Rastoskey
Nick Reid
Mark & Nancy Reile
Nancy Richardson
Stephen & Karen Rinn
Dr. Christoper & Mary Lou Rohwer
Bill & Lorraine Root
Thomas Rupp
*Cindy Semark
Doug Semark
Ron Sergeant
*ToniSergeant
Steve & Bridget Shirley
Karl & Janice Sievertsen
Grace Tiffany
Judy Timan
Laura Town
Jeanne Trompeter & Mark Cardwell
Ross & Jodi Tsapyak
Henry & Martha Upjohn
*David VanHorn
Adelia VanMeter
Bo & Mel VanPeenan
Thomas Wanty
Julie Wheat
John & Mary Whyte
Sandra Wiederhold-VanDeWeert
Sabrina Witbeck
Douglas & Margie Wood
| | ANNUAL AACORN JIGSAW PUZZLE CONTEST | | |
Our fourth annual puzzle contest is coming in March
Sunday March 22, 2026 at AACORN Farm 11:30 am & 1:30 pm
Lunch included!
11:30 ~ teams of two 1:30 ~ teams of four
Registration required. Visit our website our use the button below to register your team.
www.aacorncommunity.org
| | Ready to make a recurring donation or one-time gift? Get set up in just a few minutes. | | | Interested in volunteering at AACORN, or behind the scenes? Let us know! | | | | | |
