Celebrating the Spirit 2025 at Cuneo Mansion & Gardens exceeded all expectations, with sunny skies, lively games, exciting auctions and a record-breaking paddle raiser.
As guests arrived and checked in, many paused to take photos in the beautiful, historic entryway of the mansion. Participant volunteers then guided them to the ballroom and tent, where everyone enjoyed appetizers, cocktails and games before dinner. The evening’s program officially began with a fun game of Heads or Tails, followed by welcoming remarks from Board Chair Joe Milburn and Honorary Gala Chairs John and Cheryl Durbin.
President & CEO Kathy Buresch took the stage to share exciting updates about the many projects at Lambs Farm, made possible by the ongoing support of our generous community. She highlighted the new Greenhouse and LF Studios program, two growing initiatives that were first presented at past galas and now provide meaningful new experiences for our participants.
The evening continued as we honored our 2025 award recipients. Gina Mork, Wynn Rosengarten and Bob Stein, Lambs Farm participants and emerging artists, received the Living Legacy Award. This award recognizes individuals who embody the vision of our co-founders by learning, growing, sharing and contributing to their community. We were proud to highlight these three courageous participants, who are exploring their creativity in ways like never before at LF Studios.
The Casanova Award, established in memory of Vince Casanova, holds a special place in our hearts. Vince was a longtime Board member and devoted supporter of Lambs Farm. This award honors his legacy by recognizing someone who shares his passion and dedication to our participants. Anne Mullen, this year’s recipient, is a hardworking volunteer and sister to Mike, a Lambs Farm commuter. She volunteers nearly full-time, navigating tax returns and federal and state benefit programs to ensure participants receive all the support they deserve. In addition to her office time, Anne also serves on the Lambs Farm Family Advisory Council. She goes above and beyond, and we are thankful for everything she does to support our mission.
Our final award of the evening, the Spirit of Giving Award, recognizes the remarkable generosity of individuals who have made a significant difference to Lambs Farm over time by donating their time, talent, leadership and resources. Lynn and Gwen Lyall, our 2025 recipients, continue to build on a family legacy that began in 1981 when Lynn’s sister, Laura, came to Lambs Farm. Their generous support over the years, even after Laura’s passing in 2018, has enabled important projects such as the renovation of the Green-Field Residence, weekend recreational programs, and most recently, the creation of a beautiful Greenhouse garden in loving memory of Laura and Lynn’s parents. They have also helped transform the surrounding area into a refreshed and inviting space for weddings, corporate picnics and other events. Their generosity, kindness and love for Lambs Farm has made a lasting impact.
After celebrating our award winners, announcing the Golden Ticket winner and wrapping up an exciting live auction, we moved on to another highlight of the evening: the paddle raiser. During this moment, we shared our exciting plans for the upcoming Farmyard renovation. These enhancements, including a brand-new barn, will lay the foundation for future developments that could triple the number of visiting families each year. This expansion will offer more meaningful opportunities for visitors to connect with our participants and the amazing work they do. The revitalized Farmyard will not only provide year-round job opportunities, but also shine a spotlight on the remarkable things happening for people with disabilities here at Lambs Farm.
The generosity of our guests made this year’s gala our most successful yet. While we had much to celebrate, there’s even more to look forward to!