Friends of The Arc Auxiliary

• November 2009 Newsletter
• http://www.paddc.org/

The Friends of The Arc Auxiliary was formed in 2005 to promote The Arc of Northeastern Pennsylvania and also to support The Arc’s many programs and services. Their volunteer hours are endless: sponsoring a variety of fund raising events; meeting with members of the community and discussing the vital role The Arc plays in the community. Their mission also includes educating school-aged children on the importance of inclusion and recognizing the difference you can make in someone’s life through friendship. The Auxiliary’s purpose will continually evolve to meet the on-going needs of The Arc. We encourage the community to join this worthwhile cause.

A year at a glance… 2009 and ongoing…

The Auxiliary begins the new year with a membership drive. We are always looking to expand our membership and get more people involved with all the wonderful happenings.

In March, the Auxiliary received a $10,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (www.paddc.org) to be used by the Education Committee for educating 20 - 3rd grade classrooms in local school districts. This was an exciting development since education is such a high priority to the Auxiliary!

Also in March, some of the Auxiliary members helped the Arc Responds Committee by manning the kitchen at their annual benefit basketball game.

In April, the Spring flower sale is a colorful (and fragrant) event. For a few days, The Arc Board room is filled to the brim with gorgeous spring flowers. The orders have been taken weeks in advance and the Auxiliary gals accept delivery, sort the orders and are on hand to help when folks arrive to pick up their flowers. This is a nice fund raiser for The Arc and of course the flowers arrive just in time for holiday celebrations.

Also at the beginning of April, the Auxiliary held their annual Ice Cream Social for the consumers. They provided the baked goods as well as the ice cream and toppings and served it all to some very happy folks in The Arc Adult Day program!

On April 19th, the annual tea and reading took place at Glen Oak Country Club. Janet Lowe did a fine job as usual with the amusing reading and a good time of fellowship was had by everyone who attended the function.

In May, The Education Committee reported that a reading to a third grade class at the Kennedy School in Scranton had been a wonderful success for the launching of the new reading program. The Auxiliary is most excited about the future of this program to begin early education of children as to what developmental disabilities are and how it will help these children relate to people with disabilities.

In June, the First Annual Meeting was held and the board welcomed new Board members, Jeanne Gardier, Michele McDade and Betsy Youngblood. Past Board member Ann Hoffman was also welcomed back to the Board of Directors.

In September, many Auxiliary members were on hand to help out at the annual Arc in the Park event held by the Recreation Department. Along with donating many gift baskets for the raffle and manning the basket tent, they also helped out at the bake sale.

In October many Auxiliary members showed up to help out and support the team when The Arc Responds committee held their annual softball game against the Scranton firemen. Also, the Education Committee began the reading of “Our Friend Mikayla” in area schools – More details below…

In November, the Auxiliary honored past President Carol Burke for her hard work in helping Eileen Rempe to form the Friends of Arc Auxiliary. The luncheon, held at the Radisson Hotel, was wonderful.

In December the Poinsettias were Absolutely GORGEOUS!!! Also in December, the ladies worked very hard on putting together a Christmas Tree exhibit for the Trolley Museum show held on December 3rd. Their tree won “People’s Choice!” The theme this year was “The Joy of Giving.” The ladies made their tree’s message - the Joy of Giving on a Budget. The tree was adorned with little ideas for making a better holiday, such as “Visit with a lonely neighbor.” We have a few artists whose talent is amazing. Speaking of which, Maron Bielovitz, the Auxiliary Secretary, had her first Art show opening on November 6th. What beautiful work she does. Also, Maron recently put together the Auxiliary’s first newsletter. Extraordinary gifts all in one beautiful bunch!!

This is just a brief account of some of the highlights of the year for a very busy group of gals. Keep in mind that these talented ladies not only donate their time and talents but they also go out and solicit donations from others as well as making and donating numerous gift baskets for raffles throughout the year.

The Board has been able to accomplish many goals thus far this year. The two most important roles of The Friends of The Arc Auxiliary have always been raising awareness as well as raising funds for The Arc. The Auxiliary has certainly done a fine job of raising funds through the various functions and activities they have held through the few years they have been in existence! Now, armed with a great group of ladies with a background in education, the other goal is becoming a reality as well.

Another goal for this year has been to get more of the supporting members involved with the many aspects of work being done by The Friends of The Arc Auxiliary. Their greatest hope is that you will want to be an active part of the excitement!

The Education Committee Review…

On October 16, 2009 the Arc Education Committee and six education majors from Marywood University read “Our Friend Mikayla” to four third grade classrooms in the Jefferson Elementary School in the North Pocono School District. The word “disability” was defined and discussed, and the children were informed that “Our Friend Mikayla” was written and illustrated by a third grade class in Nazareth, Pa. in which Mikayla was a fully included student.

Following the book reading, the children completed and discussed a work sheet based on the book, and offered their opinions and concerns about having a child with a disability in their own classroom. The children were attentive and well-behaved and appeared to really enjoy the book.

When the work sheet was completed, all the children received a sticker and then were informed that they were each going to receive their own copy of “Our Friend Mikayla”. They were asked to read the book to a friend or family member and interview the person when the book was finished.

The Arc Education Committee returned to Jefferson Elementary School on October 26th to discuss the assignment that the children were given and to further discuss the topic of “disability” with the children.

The committee also visited Kennedy, Willard and Prescott Elementary Schools in Scranton and Moscow Elementary School for a total of nearly 500 students!