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Winter 2015
The Arc Archives


Wow ... A lot has been happening at The Arc of Moore County!  As 2015 is coming to a close, we are busier than ever.  As you will read in this newsletter, we just held our annual meeting on November 2, at which we highlighted five new programs and recognized the creative folks behind these great additions!  We welcomed four new members to our Board of Directors and also installed our Aktion Club officers for the 2015-17 term.  

Also, we are hosting the 4th annual Christmas Movie and Snow Spectacular on Saturday, December 19 at the Sunrise Theater!  This year we will feature a winter festival in the green space next to the theater!  

I invite you to read about all of our good news and to support the individuals and families served by The Arc by considering to volunteer and/or making a year-end gift so that we may continue our mission of enhancing the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
 
My best,
Wendy

Please remember that The Arc is NOT an acronym!

4th Annual Christmas Movie and Snow Spectacular!

Back by popular demand!  You are invited to join us for the ultimate Christmas experience!  Starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19 at the Sunrise Theater, there will be festive Christmas carol singing and a visit from Santa, followed by the annual showing of the family favorite, "Elf."  

After the movie, everyone is invited to share in the Winter Wonderland which will be created in the green space adjacent to the theater.  There will be SNOW for sledding and playing, cookies and hot chocolate, a bouncy house, face painting, live entertainment and food trucks available to make it a fun, family afternoon!

All of this is available for $10 per person!
Tickets are available on our website
or you may pick them up at our office, 673  S. Bennett Street in Southern Pines.  

We can't wait to see you there!!

Also, look for The Arc in the Southern Pines Christmas Parade, Saturday December 5th!  Buddy the Elf will be there!


FIRST IN FAMILIES OPERATION SANTA!
 
Children's Wish Lists available!

Beverly Davis, Chapter Coordinator for FIF, along with volunteers from the FIF Management Team, are preparing for this year's Operation Santa by distributing wish lists to the community for children with disabilities.  

Please contact our office to help make a child's Christmas a little brighter by "adopting" them for the Christmas season.  Each child will have a list of a few items that they would like from Santa. Many children have specific needs due to their disability and many children list basic needs as their wish. Please consider helping if you can. The deadline for returning the items for families is Friday, December 4.

This year, families and donors are invited to share in a luncheon together on December 8, when the toy distribution will take place at the National Guard Armory in Southern Pines. Call 692-8272 or visit The Arc at 673 S. Bennett Street, to adopt a child!


FAMILY ADVISORY COMMITTEE FORMED
 
A Message for All Caregivers
 
A group has recently come under the auspices of The Arc of Moore County for families, caregivers or mentors of children and adults with developmental disabilities.  The group meets informally to discuss issues that impact the well-being of the person with a disability in their care and how to best address areas of concern. Members of the group also wish to continue supporting Special Olympics of Moore County by operating a concession stand at the Spring Games at Pinecrest High School athletic field.  We invite all who would like to join the group and welcome your feedback about topics you think could enhance the life of any child or adult with a developmental disability.  Anyone interested in finding out more may call Wendy Russell at The Arc office at 692-8272, Barb Childress at 695-0636 or Gerri Crutchfield at 281-3256.
 
ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

The Annual Meeting of The Arc of Moore County was held Monday, November 2, at Filly and Colt's Restaurant in Southern Pines. Seventy friends and members were in attendance for the buffet luncheon and were treated to a performance by Joyful Noise, one of five new programs supported by The Arc of Moore County. Led by Beverly Dunlop, this group of talented musicians sang a medley of show tunes highlighting several soloists in the group.


Following the performance, the meeting was called to order by 2014-15 President Vergil Shamberger.  Dave Hale, Nominations Committee chair, presented the slate of officers and incoming board members for the term of 2015-16. The slate was accepted by acclamation. Michelle Milligan will lead the organization as president for 2015-16 and Gerri Crutchfield will be vice president.

The new members are: Kassia Stubbs of Moore County Schools, Caroline Hendricks of St. Joseph of the Pines, Tom Stewart, owner of Old Sport & Gallery, and Melinda Smith of FirstHealth of the Carolinas. Returning board members are: Kathryn Galloway, Vergil and Joyce Shamberger, Dave Hale, Jay Pittard, Michael McCrann, Melinda Ransdell and Marcy Petti.


AKTION CLUB INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
2015-17 Term

During the Annual Meeting of The Arc of Moore County, The Aktion Club of Moore County (a service leadership program of Kiwanis International) also held its installation of officers for the 2015-17 term. Michael Cotten, Lt. Governor for the Carolinas District of Kiwanis International, was on hand to lead the installation.  The followi ng members were installed for the new term: DaJante Thomas, president; Willie Campbell, vice president; Linda Tyndall, secretary; Beulah Sturgis, treasurer; Brittany Greene, chaplain; and Roger Cole, sergeant at arms.  
 
The Aktion Club of Moore County is co-sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of the Sandhills and the Seven Lakes Kiwanis Club. The club is entering its 21st year of service.

Pictured from left, Beulah Sturgis, Brittany Greene, DaJante Thomas, Willie Campbell. 

Arc PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS RECOGNIZED

At the Annual Meeting, Wendy introduced the directors of five new programs that are supported by or are partnering with The Arc.  

Karen O'Hanley has organized Personal Ponies at Lucky Seven Farm for the past two years and 
with the help of volunteers has been providing the one-on-one experience with participants that assist wit h walking, grooming and learning more about the ponies at her farm.  It has been a very popul ar program and will continue in the spring.

  Anyone interested in volunteering for the program should contact Karen at kejohanley@gmail.com.  There will be several volunteer training sessions before the start of the spring  program.    

Nicole Benbow of Pinehurst Parks and Recreation has introduced many new, inclusive programs to the lineup of Pinehurst Recreation. The Rec-ing Crew, Day Trippers, and Fun Fridays are just a sampling of new activities made available to residents. 
Nicole also led a partnership with Pinehurst Parks and Recreation and The Arc and others to co-host the Prom and m ost recently the Halloween Party and Costume Contest. (see pictures below.)  This partnership has  ope ned new opportunities for activities for adults with disabilities in our area. 


Beverly Dunlop, technical director of Joyful Noise, wears many hats as a teacher, churc h choir   dire ctor, and leader of Joyful Noise. 
 Mondays are devoted to Joyful Noise when members have practice in Wellard Hall at Sandhills Community College.  This group has proven to be a crowd favorite with offers to perform throughout the community, especially during the holidays. Please look for email notices as to dates and times of their performances.

 Beverly has led the group for several years and has developed a great reputation of excellence in the community. 



Edna McNeill has been working with The Arc in many capacities for years.  She has created very innovative activities for young adults with disabilities in the area and is always looking for new ideas.
The Book Club started  two years ago and has grown from monthly meetings to occasional outings related to the current reading selection. The group has been to the theater and on weekend outings and has hosted noted authors to make each reading selection come alive.

Ruth Howson is the director of ArcFIT, a nutrition education and exercise program offered to adults and their caregivers, support staff or friends.  ArcFIT was developed in conjunction with a program based on a variety of nutrition and fitness curriculums and other educational materials. 
 
   Ruth wor ked with the group in regular meetings but also met with them during the week for additional exercise.  Participants lost a total of over 150 pounds during the sessions but, more importantly, received information on living a healthier lifestyle including better food choices and portion control.

The program is expected to continue in the spring.
Anyone that is interested for volunteering for any of the above programs, please email Susan Holmes, arcmooresh@embarqmail.com.
HALLOWEEN FUN!
Annual Halloween Party and Costume Contest

Thanks to our newly formed partnership with Pinehurst Parks and Recreation, the very anticipated Halloween Party and Costume Contest took place on Thursday, October 29, at The Fair Barn in Pinehurst. More than 150 attendees enjoyed a BBQ dinner from Jordan's Catering along with dancing to the music provided by DJ Almond Joy. 
At the end of the evening, the most exciting part of the event was the announcement of the costume contest winners!  Pictured below are the winners!
 



UNITED WAY DAY OF CARING
Northern Moore Family Resource Center's HOPE Academy

On Friday, October 30, Wendy Russell and Susan Holmes participated in the United Way of Moore County's Day of Caring.  On this day, volunteers from the community assisted in completing various projects for partner agencies of the United Way.  

Northern Moore Resource Center recently opened the HOPE Academy, a preschool for children of low-income families to better prepare the children for kindergarten.  Still partially under construction, the preschool needed help with completing classroom projects such as assembling a reading loft and completing other smaller tasks.  

The Day of Caring is a great opportunity for the community to experience the good work of the partner agencies of the United Way and to spread the word of how their United Way contributions are being used to assist in Moore County.
Wendy and Laura Douglass assembling a paper towel dispenser.
Susan with Fran and Kellie completing felt chains for preschool use
 
As you can see, The Arc of Moore County is continuing to grow and offer more activities and programming for the people we serve. Please keep us in mind when considering your year-end gifts and please join us for the Christmas Movie and Snow Spectacular on December 19!
Sincerely,

 
Wendy Russell, Executive Director
The Arc of Moore County

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