arc of moore logo
Spring 2016
The Arc Archives


Happy New Year!  After a busy holiday season, The Arc now looks forward to providing more services, social and recreational activities and other enriching experiences for our members and the people we serve in 2016.  

Our volunteers and staff have a heightened energy and we are full of new ideas for supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.  As you will read below, our new board president, Michelle Milligan, has outlined a vision for strengthening The Arc's impact in our community. We invite you to join us in our efforts! Thank you for your support!
All the best,
Wendy Russell, executive director

Please remember that The Arc is NOT an acronym!
 
Christmas Movie and Snow fundraiser a Spectacular success!

A sold-out crowd of more than 400 people filled the Sunrise Theater and the winter wonderland in the green space on Dec. 19 in downtown Southern Pines. Kids of all ages enjoyed the festivities that included a holiday sing-along, the movie "Elf" and  snow sledding and play activities, bouncy house, tattooing, food trucks and more!  It was a perfect sunny, chilly Saturday in downtown Southern Pines for this annual not-to-be missed event!  

We wish to thank all of our sponsors, especially Marquee sponsor SandhillsKids.com,  The Pilot, Digital Document Solutions, First Bank, Life 103.1, St. Joseph of the Pines, Thomas, Judy and Tucker, ConnectNC, Lee Electrical, Premier Plumbing, Poyner Spruill, LLP, FirstHealth, Dental Derby, Whistle Stop Press, Thrivent Financial, Tarheel Auction, Play Escape, Aging Outreach Services, Crockett, Oldham, Pope and Donadio, Boles Funeral Home, Sarvis Management, and friends of The Arc.

We would also like to thank the staff and volunteers of the Sunrise Theater. Girl Scout troops 681 and 1325 and the Venture Crew 223 were a big help with the sledding and bouncy house supervision. Thanks also to the Miss Noel pageant winners who helped us lead the carol singing before the show. We especially thank our friend Buddy the Elf, also known as Sam Elson, and his elves, Brittany Greene, Christopher Powierski, and Joey Ransdell for their assistance. And, of course, the star of the day, SANTA!

We were fortunate to have The Dawg Wagon and Stacks Cheddar food trucks and Kona Ice on hand for families to enjoy while the kids played in the snow. Kids enjoyed free  cookies and hot chocolate furnished by St. Joseph of the Pines and sponsored by Play Escape.  

Please visit our Facebook page as well as our website to view all the fun from the
day.




  

FIF's "Charlie's Angels" from left, Beulah Warren, Pat Tibbs and Cathy Baldwin
OPERATION SANTA brightens holiday
for more than 50 kids!

Beverly Davis, First In Families coordinator, along with FIF advisory management team members and community donors, were able to grant wishes for more than 50 children with developmental disabilities by helping families provide Christmas gifts for their children.

On Dec. 8, the National Guard Armory was filled with large gift bags full of toys and clothes donated by members of the community and Toys For Tots. First In Families, a family support program of The Arc, provided a free holiday luncheon for all volunteers and families that attended the give-away. 

 

Recognizing that families face unique challenges when raising children with disabilities, First In Families offers resources and supports that traditional services cannot provide. The program is guided by a volunteer "management team" consisting of individuals or family members of individuals with disabilities and others from the community. For more information, email Beverly at arcmoorebm@embarqmail.com.

  
AKTION CLUB SUPPORTS LOCAL MLK CELEBRATION
Southern Pines March

The Aktion Club of Moore County participated in the Martin Luther King Jr. March in Southern Pines on Monday, Jan. 18.

Aktion club Vice President Willie Campbell and member Sam Elson carry banner in parade.
More than 15 Aktion Club members and support staff marched over a mile and a half to celebrate the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. The event was sponsored by the West Southern Pines Civic Club.

Aktion members were honored to celebrate Dr. King's legacy of equal rights and inclusion for all. The next Aktion club meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 16 at Monarch Creative Arts and Community Center where members will learn more about the upcoming primary election and the importance of the right to vote.

Aktion Club is a community service organization for adults with disabilities and is sponsored by The Arc, Kiwanis Club of the Sandhills and Kiwanis Club of Seven Lakes.
THE Arc's BOOK CLUB ANNOUNCES 2016 SCHEDULE
 
Edna McNeill, coordinator of The Arc's Book Club, has developed a list of books and activities related to chosen selections for 2016.  Some of the highlights of future Book Club meetings and outings include a chance to win tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters in Fayetteville, a visit to Weymouth Woods, cooking and art lessons and learning how to start a scrapbook. 
Harriett Tubman, aka Joyce Shamberger, was the special guest at the Feb. 1 meeting of The Arc's Book Club. The club is observing February as Black History Month.

The Book Club meets on the first Monday of each month.  The location is generally at Pizza Cafe in Olmstead Village in Pinehurst, although many meetings this year will be held off site for additional enriching experiences.

Please contact The Arc at 910-692-8272 for more information on the list of activities for the Book Club.
THE Arc RECEIVES GRANT FUNDING
Projects to assist single mothers and children

The Arc recently received grant funding through the Moore Women's Giving Circle (an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation) to assist single mothers and their children with special needs who have extraordinary needs in Moore County. First In Families, a family support program of The Arc, may provide assistance through resourcing and leveraging of program funds, however, very often
families experience needs which exceed the limitations of the program. 

Whether the need involves home improvements, assistive technology or equipment, this grant will empower and change the lives of several families that need a one-time assist to make the home life of a child with disabilities a bit easier to manage.
I/DD INNOVATIONS LISTENING SESSIONS
Local session scheduled

NC Innovations Waiver Changes Listening Sessions are scheduled for February and March. The local session for Moore County will be held March 2 from 5:30-8PM in the Monroe Auditorium at FirstHealth Conference Center, 9305 Hwy. 211 in Pinehurst.
The Division of Mental Health (DMH), Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services (DD/SAS) and the Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) will be facilitating the sessions.
 
The Innovations waiver is a Medicaid program to specifically assist individuals with developmental disabilities with one-on-one habilitative care and equipment. The public is encouraged to attend and give input into the structure and availability of waiver services. 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ESTABLISHES 2016 GOALS
New committee strategy

Michelle Milligan, The Arc of Moore County board chair, has prioritized increased public awareness of The Arc in our community as the organization's primary goal in 2016.  The board's focus will involve more community members in the formation of working committees.  These committees will be focused on social and recreational programming and volunteers, public awareness, fundraising, and finance/budget.  

The board invites interested community members to consider volunteering a few hours a year on one or more of these committees. New ideas and suggestions are welcome!
For more information or to volunteer, contact Wendy Russell at arcmoorewr@embarqmail.com.
MARCH IS DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH
Revealing the Faces of Developmental Disabilities

March is national Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and this year The Arc of the United States is calling on chapters and members to help Reveal the Faces of Intellectual and Developmental Disability by sharing personal stories.

The Arc works year round to promote and protect the rights of people with I/DD to live and work as important and productive members of society. The Arc has fought for legislation to remove barriers to inclusion and while there has been success, we must keep fighting. Members of The Arc, friends and supporters are invited to sign up for The Arc's national e-lists to stay informed on critical public policy issues and to take action when it counts to influence how the lifeline programs we rely on - Medicaid, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and more - are protected. Visit www.thearc.org to learn more.

Please contact The Arc of Moore County to share your story and help us spread the word of the importance of standing up for rights of individuals with I/DD.  We would like to highlight several stories throughout the month of March, so let us hear from you!
MANY WAYS TO GIVE
Monthly donations made easy!

If you are one that occasionally stops for a cup of coffee from a local coffee shop, just consider what the cost of that cup could bring to The Arc. With just a monthly ongoing donation of $5-$10, you would be giving an annual donation of $60-$120! 

Each hour of respite provided to families cost The Arc an average of $20.  While some of that cost is reimbursed, there is still a significant amount that is absorbed by the organization. Other services provided by The Arc include family support, Aktion Club for adults, The Arc Book Club and the Joyful Noise choir.

Every dollar counts!  Please consider a recurring donation!  You may make your donation through Pay Pal via The Arc of Moore County website here, or you may donate through Go Fund Me organization here.
The Arc of Moore County is a proud partner agency of


The Arc of Moore County is Nationally Accredited by