Lincoln came to Adams County in 1863 to dedicate a national cemetery and deliver his famous Gettysburg Address.
Past ornaments have featured Gen. Robert E. Lee, Pennsylvania Hall at Gettysburg College and the Adams County Courthouse, said Teresa Eshelman, administrative assistant at Easter Seals in Chambersburg.
Eshelman said another Easter Seals site in Pennsylvania sold an "ornament of hope" to raise money, so the local branch modified the idea to suit its needs.
"We felt since we're close to Gettysburg (Pa.), why not do a Civli War ornament?" she said.
Civil War Artist Dale Gallon, of Gettysburg, creates the Easter Seals ornaments, which are produced in conjunction with the Charleston Mint.
The ornaments are 24-karat gold plated over brass and are limited-edition collector's items with a signed and numbered statement, including a brief narrative about Lincoln. Each ornament costs $16.
"We appreciate (Gallon's) generosity and willingness to share his talents in support of children and adults who are striving to achieve greater independence," said Easter Seals President Robert S. Hoover.
Funds raised through the ornament sale will be used to continue Easter Seals services of physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, developmental therapy, audiology, equipment loans, sign language classes, deaf interpreter services, car seat loans, Kids on the Block educational puppet programs and support for polio survivors.
Easter Seals is the regional coordinator of a free program that allows any Pennsylvania resident to borrow equipment from an inventory of more than 1,500 pieces for several weeks to see if it helps them live more independently and comfortably.
Eshelman said Easter Seals expects to sell about 800 of the ornaments to people locally and across the country.
"We have a number of people from all over the United States who order them. The Civil War buffs order each year to add to their collections," she said.
Ornaments are available at the Easter Seals treatment centers at 18 N. Oller Ave., Waynesboro, Pa., and 55 Hamilton Road, Chambersburg, and the following retail stores: The Olympia Candy Kitchen, Chambersburg; The Olde Village Barn, Waynesboro; The Beary Patch, Waynesboro; The Country Corner Gallery and Frame Shop, Greencastle, Pa.
A limited number of previous years' ornaments are also on sale at the treatment centers.
For more information about the ornaments or to place an order, contact Easter Seals at 717-264-7578 or 717-762-5315.
