Hiram – “A Night of Wishes…..Farmers with Autism Making Their Dreams Come True”…. will benefit the participants (farmers) attending Hiram Farm. Hiram Farm Living and Learning Community (Hiram Farm), a non-profit agricultural community for adults with autism, is hosting its 5th annual Spring Gala on Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 6:30 to 9:30 PM at the home of Tom Chema, President of Hiram College. Attendees will be shuttled to the event from Hiram Christian Church, Hiram Municipal Lot and Hiram College (watch for signs). The semi-formal event will include an open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, and wine auction to complete the evening’s program which is Hiram Farm’s largest fundraising event of the year.
Hiram Farm, located on a 120 acre organic farm in Hiram, OH, provides the farmers with a wide variety of work that provides them with a source of income. Facilities on the farm include vegetable gardens, a wonderful barn and workshop, heated greenhouses, livestock shelters, a pavilion, a farmhouse which includes offices and meeting space, a weaving room, a ceramic studio, and an art gallery full of beautiful art and crafts from the farmers. The farm is currently raising funds to bring functional restrooms (versus portalets) and water and sewer lines in from the street to the farm grounds. The estimated cost for this project is $75,000 and the farm welcomes any donation for this improvement for the quality of life for all that work on or visit the farm.
Hiram Farm continues to be an integral part of the Hiram community and welcomes Hiram College students to participate in Work Study Programs and Campus Day (a day of volunteerism for freshman students). The farm also welcomes various educational and therapeutic facilities and local volunteer groups (including students from Kent State University) and out of state volunteers (church mission groups).
While many individuals with autism find the typical work environment confusing, irritating, boring, or even frightening, the farm provides a wide variety of activities that can be adjusted to suit the needs of many individuals. Hiram Farm provides the adult with autism with a program that is structured, consistent, supportive, accommodating, calming, comforting and, most of all, predictable. The program, which currently serves 23 farmers with 16 staff members, opened in June 2009 and will be celebrating its fifth anniversary in June 2014.
The public is invited to attend this wonderful event. Reservations and payment are requested by April 15, 2014 with a $55.00 single reservation. Please mail check with names of attendees to: Hiram Farm, PO Box 157, Hiram, OH 44234 or use the PayPal button on Hiram Farm’s website www.hiramfarm.org For more information, call 330/569-3441. Donations are also welcomed.
