2020: Take A Peak at our Exceptional Year Ahead!

Dear Sunflower Hill Community of Supporters,

Greetings and Happy New Year from all of us at Sunflower Hill! As we kick-off this momentous year, we reflect back on all that was achieved in 2019. Please enjoy our Year in Review . Thank you for giving so enthusiastically to this organization. All that we accomplish each day would not be possible without YOU, our incredible volunteers, dedicated Board of Directors (both past and present), community

partners, committee members, generous donors, and staff.

As Sunflower Hill supporters, we know you'll share our excitement for the changes and transformation that 2020 will bring! From the opening of Sunflower Hill at Irby Ranch, to a new spin on our Annual Gala, and so much more - 2020 will be a pivotal year in the history of Sunflower Hill!

Sunflower Hill at Irby Ranch Opens in 2020

The construction of Sunflower Hill at Irby Ranch is the realization of the vision of its Founder, Susan Houghton, Founding Board Members, and the Board Members, partners, supporters and staff who have brought life to the idea of developing independent living communities where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can thrive and lead meaningful and purposeful lives. Construction is moving forward and is scheduled to be completed in June of this year! The progress is stunning! We know that many of you are anxiously awaiting news of the application process - we hope to share that with you very soon. We are excited to meet our residents and develop a robust roster of programs and activities that will inspire each person in the community!

Annual Gala (Formerly Moonlight in the Vines) Re-imagined

We have re-imagined our Annual Gala (formerly Moonlight in the Vines) to be more inclusive of the community we serve. Mark your calendars for Friday, October 23, 2020, when we will hold the first Sunflower Showcase at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore! This will be a visual and performing arts event showcasing talented adults with developmental disabilities in the Tri-Valley. We hope to have some exciting news to share about our headliner soon! This fundraiser will provide critical funds to support the mission and vision of Sunflower Hill. For information about sponsoring this amazing night, please contact us.

A New Path for Sunflower Run

Taking a new spin on last year's Sunflower Run, we are excited to announce that we have been chosen by The Alameda County Fairgrounds as the beneficiary of their inaugural, Sun's OUT Fun's OUT 5K Run on Saturday, June 20, 2020. This fun run/walk is for athletes of all abilities and takes place on the first Saturday that the Alameda County Fair is open. Race registration will include entry to the Fair on the day of the run. Race participants will follow an inspirational course on the grounds of the Alameda County Fair, including a unique experience of running the historic 1-mile race track! If you're interested in sponsoring this event, please contact us. 100% of sponsorship proceeds benefit the mission and vision of Sunflower Hill.

Sunflower Hill Programs Grow and Innovate

2020 will be a time of innovation and growth for our Sunflower Hill Programs. Our Programs Team continues to refine and develop a person-centered curriculum for the Garden and Stable Cafe programs, ensuring an environment and experience that equips each person to be successful. Our Garden program will use the garden setting as a medium for educational, therapeutic, and life skills training; offering adults with developmental disabilities opportunities to thrive, while our Vocational Coach will teach transferable life and job skills to both our Garden Technicians and Interns.

Our Stable Cafe program will continue to develop vocational skills in a diner setting, focusing on clear roles and responsibilities for participants as well as establishing best practices and training for support coaches. We plan to incorporate assistive devices and other improvements to make the experience more accessible to a diverse group of participants. We have also implemented a reservation system for our breakfast at Stable Cafe. We hope you'll consider making a reservation and joining us for the best pancakes in town!

Expanded Giving Options

Your support of Sunflower Hill in this milestone year will enable us to continue to offer our innovative programs and research and develop our next residential communities. The need for these programs and communities is very real. We hope you will consider one of the many ways to support Sunflower Hill and our mission of creating places and spaces where adults with developmental disabilities thrive! In addition to one-time giving, you can increase your impact by choosing one of these ways to give . Your gift makes a difference, and we thank you!

With your support in 2020, Sunflower Hill will continue to expand its reach and further its mission of creating inclusive environments for adults with developmental disabilities to live, work, learn and realize their dignified place in the community.

Thank you for your continued support!

Edie Nehls, Executive Director

Sunflower Hill

Upcoming Events

March 1: CHEF Giving

March 15: Breakfast at the Stable Cafe

April 4: Spring Garden Festival (Details Coming Soon!)

April 25: Sip & Paint (Details Coming Soon!)

June 20: Sun's OUT Fun's OUT Run

October 23: Sunflower Showcase (Details Coming Soon!)

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