August is a very busy month as we harvest the ripe tomatoes and prepare our tomatoes for freezing. The Spaghetti Dinner is a fundraiser complete with laughter, food, and friends. All of the ingredients in the spaghetti sauce we serve are from our garden: tomatoes, green peppers, garlic, onions, and basil. The tomato plants we planted from seed and tended all summer are turned into a wonderful, rich sauce. We celebrate the bounty of our garden at our annual dinner.

At the end of our summer programs we take our three-wheeled bikes to the beach at Lake Baw Beese. Some participants bring their own three-wheeled or two-wheeled bikes for the three-mile ride. Following the ride we meet at a local ice cream store and enjoy cooling off with ice cream. The trail bike ride is the culmination of our summer riding program held during our summer hangtime program, which includes gardening, softball, and bike riding.

SPARC celebrates Christmas in a fun, welcoming and joyful environment every Holiday season at the SPARC annual Christmas Party. Attendees decorate cookies that are both enjoyed immediately and taken home to share. There is also pizza, soda and games! We also have craft stations to make gifts for friends and family and wrap the presents ourselves. And of course, there is Christmas music!

In the midst of the cold Michigan winter, SPARC hosts a wonderful ball to combat the winter cold. People from all around Hillsdale County come to the event dressed in their formal attire. The night is filled with dancing, pictures and laughter. Artwork from the SPARC participants is on display throughout the gym. Attendees get their pictures taken, with props, and get to take their pictures home that night!