On Oct. 26, Aaron's Acres invited community members to its new facility located at 121 Walnut Hill Road in Millersville. The event included tours of the building and remarks from the nonprofit's leadership as it launched the next phase of its "Creating One Community, Together" campaign to fund the transition to Aaron's Acres' first permanent home in nearly three decades.

It was an emotional day for executive director Risa Paskoff. "I still cry when I drive up. When the elevator was getting installed, I cried," said Paskoff. "The support from the community made this possible. Everyone has believed in us."

The capital campaign has raised $4.5 million of its $5,650,000 goal, which is the minimum amount needed to complete renovations and an expansion project to offer its various enrichment programs in one centralized location. Board members and donors gave remarks during a ceremonial groundbreaking to celebrate the campaign's milestone.

"While this event is about a building and an accomplishment in a campaign, what we're really celebrating is what this building will make possible," Paskoff told attendees. "We're celebrating the experiences, opportunities and friendships that will happen here for years to come."

Since 1998, Aaron's Acres has offered a wide variety of recreational programs and social opportunities for individuals with disabilities throughout Lancaster County and six other counties in central Pennsylvania. Despite operating without its own dedicated campus for 28 years, the organization has continued to expand its roster of programs and forge partnerships to offer activities at local parks, community pools and churches. Board meetings took place at a nearby hotel and later a rented office space; sports activities and camp programs constantly changed locations. Aaron's Acres began the search for a permanent, centralized location 10 years ago.

"We were just like nomads. We were all over the place," said Paskoff. "It helped us create so many great partnerships and relationships, but for kids with or without disabilities, it's important to have a place you can always go to have consistency, security and safety."

Consistency is not the only thing Aaron's Acres' new home has to offer. Renovations have equipped the facility with specialized amenities to meet the unique needs of its participants: a second elevator makes the lower level more accessible for wheelchair users, and one of the building's restrooms is outfitted with an adult changing table. The lower level also features several sensory-friendly rooms as well as designated spaces for art and music classes. Further renovations will include the addition of kitchen and laundry areas and an outdoor pool to host Aaron's Acres' camp programs.

"You can think of this building as a community center, but our needs come first," Paskoff said. "So we're going to have all of those accommodations - everything our families need to be able to walk in and say 'OK, I can breathe.'"

For more information, visit https://aaronsacres.org.