Vehe Farm Foundation—What We Are All About
Our Purpose
The Foundation was created in 2000 by the Village of Deer Park to provide volunteer stewardship services to Vehe Farm and to support the Village's vision for Vehe Farm, which is:
To provide the public with a visual and interactive experience featuring the essence of the original prairie, history of local farming, community recreation, and a restored centennial barn and outbuildings serving as a community and cultural center.
Our Board Membership
Our Board members are residents of Deer Park and area community leaders; this includes two Deer Park Village trustees (a requirement of our By-laws). Current Foundation Board members are: Tom Benjamin, Teri Bridge, Eway McLaughlin, Jim Peterson, Maureen Pratscher, Kent Smith, Howard Thrun, John Wagner, and Pat Winkelman.
Our Organization's Values
The Foundation is an all volunteer organization. Our Board members donate thousands of hours each year in support of Deer Park and Vehe Farm. Because we are an integral resource to the Village in its visioning and stewardship initiatives for Vehe Farm, it's important that we act with the highest regard for residents and conduct ourselves in a positive, constructive and civil manner. We pride ourselves in the partnerships we have created with other area organizations in providing services to the Village and Vehe Farm.
A Non-Profit Organization
The Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization. Donations made to the Foundation are tax deductible to the donors and enable us to fund Vehe Farm activities and programming. Also, our non-profit status is important to our ability to seek grants for eligible Vehe Farm initiatives.
Volunteers Are Welcome
Volunteerism is very rewarding. One makes new friends, develops new skills, adds value to one's own community and serves as an example to young people.
The Foundation encourages you to join us in providing stewardship services to Vehe Farm. As an individual, as a member of a partner organization, as a student doing community service work, as a professional or company... you are important to us. Volunteering can be at any level of commitment... one afternoon helping with prairie restoration, taking on a specific project or activity, or serving as a member of our Board. We encourage you to take a few minutes to talk with us by calling 847-331-0967. We truly would like to talk with you. Each of us has a contribution to make in life. Perhaps Vehe Farm is yours.
Village Funding of the Foundation
Each year the Village approves that portion of the Foundation's budget that is funded by Village dollars. For fiscal 2009, this amounts to $9,400. These dollars are budgeted for insurance, professional fees, grant research/application, communications, operations and prairie and wetland restoration materials.
Foundation Goals
The Village/Foundation's relationship is defined by a multi-year Agreement, which includes goals set for the Foundation. The following are the more critical goals for fiscal year 2009:
- Recommend a five to ten year strategic plan for Vehe Farm's continued operations as Deer Park's community center and park.
- Recommend a plan for the restoration of the outbuildings for public use.
- Recommend a plan for installing handicapped accessible paths within the barnyard area and making the prairie paths handicapped accessible.
- Continue ongoing prairie and wetland restoration maintenance.
- Develop a plan for publicizing Vehe Farm's educational, recreational and historical value to the community.
- Publicize and expand Vehe Farm partnerships with area organizations and encourage community volunteerism through the Vehe Farm/Foundation's website.
- Establish a Leave No Child Inside program specific to Vehe Farm.
Our Accomplishments
It's important for any organization to reflect on its past performance and to communicate accomplishments to the public it serves. View a short summary of our contributions to Deer Park, Vehe Farm, and the broader area.
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