A huge Christmas tree in the middle of a town that does not exist yet — the future Grove City campus, imagined the way we dream it. Every ornament on this tree is a real donation, hung by a real neighbor.
The tree starts bare. It only fills up one way — a donation. And it stands all year: every ornament stays for good.
You’ve explored the greenhouse — all three beds read. The harvest from beds like these travels to local food banks and farmers markets.
At the Farmers Market · Pack a Food-Bank Box
A full box — fresh from the stalls.
That’s a full box, packed and ready to go to a local food bank.
It’s a small picture of what the Stynchula Foundation does every season: food grown in its greenhouses and gardens travels to local food banks and farmers markets — feeding neighbors and supporting families on the spectrum.
2 ornaments hanging on the tree so far.
The star at the top is still waiting for its Star Sponsor.
Tip: click or tap an ornament to see who hung it and any message they left.
Resources from the Stynchula Foundation — the same guidance you’ll find on our Spectrum pages.
Three beds, three chapters of the work Trey loved — and the greenhouse continues today under head gardener Dave Stynchula.
You’ve explored the greenhouse — all three beds read.
Many individuals on the spectrum may face challenges in social interactions, such as difficulty understanding social cues or maintaining conversations. They might also exhibit repetitive behaviors or have specific interests that they are passionate about. However, it’s essential to recognize that these traits can also come with strengths, such as heightened focus, attention to detail, and unique problem-solving abilities.
Look for limited eye contact, lack of back-and-forth communication such as sharing sounds and gestures, minimal response to name, and delayed speech development. The signs of the spectrum can vary greatly in terms of age and intensity — some infants display clues in their first months while others show more obvious behaviors around the ages of 2 or 3. Not all children on the spectrum exhibit every sign, which is why seeking professional evaluation is essential.
The Spectrum is characterized by social communication challenges and restricted, repetitive behaviors. It typically begins in early childhood and can persist throughout a person’s life, impacting daily functioning. Sensory issues are common, involving heightened or diminished sensitivities to sounds, lights, touch, tastes, smells, and pain. No two people on the spectrum are alike — signs can appear at different ages and with different intensity.
The M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers™, from Autism Speaks) is a free screening questionnaire for toddlers, usually between 16 and 30 months old. A parent or caregiver answers a short set of questions — it takes just a few minutes to complete. It is not a diagnosis. The M-CHAT helps show whether your child would benefit from a closer look; if the results suggest a higher likelihood of the spectrum, share them with your child’s doctor.
The CDC’s guidance is simple: if you are concerned about your child’s development, act early — don’t wait. Early support makes a real difference, and you do not need a diagnosis to begin. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developmental screening at 9, 18, and 30 months, and screening specifically for the spectrum at 18 and 24 months — or at any age when a concern comes up.
The same traits that bring challenges often carry real strengths. Many people on the spectrum are known for deep focus — the ability to concentrate fully on an interest or task; an eye for detail — noticing patterns, errors, and small changes that others miss; and being honest & loyal — straightforward honesty, loyalty to friends and family, and a strong sense of fairness.
Read “What is the Spectrum?” in full · Read “Signs of the Spectrum” in full
Trey helped bring this greenhouse to life, seed by seed — pressing soil, tucking in seedlings, and starting the season’s first rows.
The planting and upkeep continue year-round. The greenhouse holds a carefully curated selection of plants, from vibrant flowering specimens to hardy perennials and exotic varieties — every corner designed to inspire, and every plant tended so it can reach its full potential.
Day after day, Trey watered and tended the beds — the steady, patient work that keeps a greenhouse alive.
The greenhouse he inspired continues today under the guidance of head gardener Dave Stynchula — nurturing relationships while tending plants and flowers, and supporting families on the spectrum. Growing conditions are kept optimal year-round, and the greenhouse serves as an educational space where visitors can learn about sustainable gardening practices, seasonal planting, soil health, and pest management.
When the vegetables came in, Trey enjoyed the best part: gathering fresh food that would feed our community.
That mission continues — the Foundation supplies fresh food through its greenhouse programs to local food banks and farmers markets across Central Ohio. And on Trey’s watch, seedlings became flowers: the transformation he loved most, and the one that still greets every visitor.
Can’t do the 3D tour? Walk the town this way. Every stop below is a place in the square above — and the tour above visits them all in 3D.
the heart of the future campus, where neighbors gather and the Giving Tree stands.
the welcome to a campus that does not exist yet: 10 acres in Grove City, imagined the way we dream it.
every ornament is a real donation, hung by a real neighbor, and it stays for good.
where trainees grow fresh food for local food banks and farmers markets.
growing rows that feed the market, the food banks, and the education programs.
where the harvest is shared with the whole community.
five learning stops:
Ready to visit in 3D? Open the tour above — or hang your ornament below and join the tree.
Choose a donation amount. Every tier hangs a different ornament on the tree, in the colors of the spectrum — bigger and brighter as gifts grow.
Choose your ornament's shape and color, and add your name and a short message if you'd like. Watch it swing onto the tree — that is your spot.
Check out as usual. Once your gift is complete, your ornament joins the tree for real — and stays there for good, for every visitor to see.
Every ornament helps build the Grove City campus: greenhouses, an education center, a farmers market, and room to serve three times as many families. Goal: $800,000. Pick a gift, design your ornament, and watch it swing onto the tree.
The tree glows softly tonight, waiting. One $35,000 gift lights every light on the tree — and from that night on, the tree is lit in your name, credited right by the tree for everyone who visits. That is why lighting the tree sits above even the star: the star crowns the tree, but the light shines for every ornament on it.
Light the TreeThe first Star Sponsor lights the star at the very top of the tree. Star Sponsors who follow become Starlight Sponsors — a halo of light around the star, and a place on the Starlight plaque.
Become the Star SponsorChoose a donation above to design your ornament.
First name + last initial shows best. Leave the box unchecked to give anonymously — or write “in honor of” or “in memory of” in your message below.
Messages appear after a quick review.
The ornament will show the recipient's name on the tree.
Your ornament joins the tree once your donation is complete — and stays there for good. New ornaments are added in a daily batch, so yours will appear within a day of your gift.
2 ornaments on the tree so far:
Dedicated to Friends of the Stynchula Foundation.
The tree and town on this page are a drawing of a real plan: 10 acres in Grove City, Ohio — greenhouses, an education center, a farmers market pavilion, and room to serve three times as many families on the spectrum. Every ornament is a step toward it.
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Yes — the Stynchula Foundation is a nonprofit organization, and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Do I get a receipt?
Yes — your order confirmation email is your receipt. Keep it for your records.
Is my name public forever?
Only if you choose to share it. Check “Show my name on the tree” and it appears as first name + last initial; leave it unchecked to give anonymously. Every ornament stays on the tree for good — and if you ever want a name changed or removed, contact us and we’ll take care of it.
Can a company or classroom hang one together?
Yes — put the company or classroom name in the display-name field when you hang your ornament.
Who do I contact for a major gift?
For the Star ($25,000), Light the Tree ($35,000), or any larger gift, reach us through the Contact page or call (614) 348-4483.
Are names and messages reviewed before they appear?
Yes — every name and message is reviewed before it appears on the tree.