The Arc of Whatcom County General News
The Arc of Whatcom County
Greetings!
BIKING FOR DISABILITIES
Cross Country Trip Raised Funds, Awareness

Speaker Ryan Dodge and Arc member
Speaker Ryan Dodge and Arc member

This summer, Ryan Dodge bicycled 4,000 miles in 67 days in order to raise funds and awareness for people with disabilities. Dodge and 90 other members of the fraternity Pi Kappa Phi cycled from San Francisco or Seattle to Washington, DC, stopping at Arc chapters along the route to meet with a fascinating and diverse group of people.

The nineteen year old Dodge is the son of The Arc's new Executive Director Corinne Clarke. Please join us at the Dan Godwin Community Center following the Board of Director's meeting on Saturday, September 25 at 10 am where he will share tales of his adventures. The meeting lasts until 11:30 and light snacks will be served.

Ryan is also the Keynote speaker and DJ for this year's Down syndrome Outreach Buddy Walk. The seventh annual Buddy Walk travels through Fairhaven on Saturday, October 2 from 11am to 2pm, and features music, food and games. Come out and have some fun!
7th ANNUAL BUDDY WALK
Down syndrome Outreach Needs Walkers, Volunteers

2009 Buddy Walk

The 7th Annual Buddy Walk is coming up on October 2nd, and we need your help!

The Arc's Down syndrome Outreach is a self-directed volunteer program, and the Buddy Walk is their largest event of the year. We're looking for additional volunteers to help prepare for the event, both in the next several weeks and on the day of the Walk. If you're interested in volunteering, please contact Makenna Padgett by calling (360) 715-0170 x205 or by emailing makennap@arcwhatcom.org.

Featuring food, games, music and more, the Buddy Walk has been promoting acceptance and awareness of people with Down syndrome since 1995. Buddy Walks are held across the country, from Bellingham to Washington, DC. This year's walk begins at the Fairhaven Village Green and winds through downtown Fairhaven. Events, including music by DJ Ryan Dodge, begin at 11 am and continue until 2.
A NEW LOOK FOR THE ARC
New Website Is More Up-to-Date, Easier to Navigate

The Arc of Whatcom County's website has undergone a thorough reworking. Out with the old, in with the new! We're hard at work making sure that you get the news and information you need, and this new design makes understanding where to go and what to read that much easier. Visit www.arcwhatcom.org and see what you think!

New features include:
WHATCOM TAKING ACTION
Community Meeting Open to All

This Friday, September 17, Whatcom Taking Action is holding a Community Meeting sponsored by Peace Health St. Joseph Medical Center, St. Luke's Foundation, The Arc of Whatcom County and the Whatcom Community Foundation.  Everyone is invited!  Learn about successful model programs in other Washington communities and hear updates from community action groups. Pope's Kids Place of Centralia and Children's Village of Yakima will be on hand to talk about the community efforts that helped them.

Taking Action began in 2008, and helps coordinate the growth of services offered by support agencies in Whatcom County. The group identifies service gaps and shares new ideas from families and programs focusing on the needs of children and youth with special health care needs.

The meeting begins at 11:30 am at the St. Luke's Community Health Education Center at 3333 Squalicum Parkway and is a brown bag luncheon. Visit the Taking Action website for more information.
ABOUT US
The Arc of Whatcom County provides information and referrals, educational programs, and funding for people with developmental disabilities, their families and the organizations that serve them.

To become a member of The Arc, visit our website!

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ken Larson
President
Katie Edson
Vice President
Hilde Schaaf
Vice President
Maureen Monroe
Secretary
Patty Reimers
Treasurer
Melissa Bartell
Director
Joyce Pedlow
Director
Jennifer Schouten
Director
Matthew Shellenberger
Director
Dale Whipple
Director

To reach any Director:
(360) 715-0170
boardofdirectors@arcwhatcom.org

STAFF

Corinne F. Clarke
Executive Director
Maureen Godwin
Assistant Executive Director
Beverly Porter
Parent Coalition Coordinator
Andrew Cole
Office Administrator
Amy McKinley
Public Outreach & Fund Development
Jan Carlson
Bookkeeper
Makenna Padgett

Assistant Volunteer Coordinator
Terri Hansen
Inclusion Advocate
Sonja Hellinga
Administrative Support
Justin Vanderwoude

Receptionist

To reach any staff member:
(360) 715-0170
admin@arcwhatcom.org