Sometimes the little things aren’t so little at all.

A dozen Devereux California residents spent weeks growing potted succulent plants, decorating the pots and building the crates that were on display at tables during Goleta’s Dam Dinner Saturday night.

Jose, a 38-year-old resident at Devereaux, painted the pots, and he and his friend Alfredo helped make the ribbons that adorn the pots. (Devereux requested that Noozhawk not use the residents’ last names.)

“It’s fun,” said Jose. “It’s about working together.”

The adults from Devereaux have intellectual and developmental disabilities and cognitive challenges. It took the group about six weeks to make the 50 arrangements. They delivered them on Friday to Stow House, next to the Goleta Dam Dinner at Lake Lose Carneros.

The adults potted the soil, selected the plants, and added whimsical elements such as painted rocks, ribbons and wooden cutouts.

Some attendees of the Dam Dinner were able to take the arrangements home. The materials for the succulents were purchased and donated by Fuel Depot at Point Market.

The residents were part of the Greenhouse pre-vocational program, where they are involved in every aspect of the greenhouse, which helps them create job and life skills and also increases their independence.

Devereux California offers services including residential and day treatment programs, community-based group homes, supported living services, respite care and an adult day program.

“Adult day program participants are thrilled to once again create 50 succulent arrangements for the annual Goleta Dam Dinner,” said Indra Strong, marketing and admissions manager. “The adults who participate in our Greenhouse program lovingly take care of every step of the arrangement process.”

Kelly Hoover, community relations manager for the city of Goleta, helps put the Goleta Dam dinner on every year.

“It’s just so very special,” Hoover said. “It brings so many people joy at the dam dinner, to see the succulents on the table, and to hear the story behind it, it’s just very heartfelt.”

Hoover said “the magic of the dam dinner is that it is very simple.”

“The succulents decorate the table and add a lot to the event,” Hoover said. “They fit in perfectly with the beautiful scenery at Lake Los Carneros, and they make such a big difference.”

Jose, who delivered his work to the Stow House, enjoys his role in participating in the event.

“I feel people come together,” he said.

(Check back on Monday for a full report on Goleta’s Dam Dinner.)