Archived News/Press

Richmond not-for-profit partners with long-time community supporter

The Greater Richmond ARC, which has been serving individuals with disabilities and their families for 55 years, recently partnered with BB&T in its philanthropic and team-building effort called the “BB&T Lighthouse Project.” Area BB&T employees hosted a Buz & Ned’s barbecue luncheon for approximately 260 ARC Day Support and ARC Industrial Services clients on Wednesday, September 16 at ARC’s Westwood Avenue headquarters in north Richmond.

Each region in the BB&T footprint was given a budget to ensure their project has a meaningful impact on the community. Teams within the Central Virginia region voted on the project they wished to support, and they chose the Greater Richmond ARC (formerly known as the Association for Retarded Citizens) because of its community-focused services. After a series of discussions between BB&T and ARC staff, it was determined that a client and staff picnic would be most beneficial, and a lot of fun for everyone involved. Read More

By Marshall W. Butler, Jr., Times-Dispatch Guest Columnist

Even in the toughest of economic times, we need to remember those with special needs. Our organization, the Greater Richmond ARC (formerly the Association for Retarded Citizens), annually serves more than 1,400 area indi viduals with developmental disabilities and their families. Yet there are almost 2,000 Richmonders with similar disabilities whose needs remain unmet.

With this in mind, we are opening the Greater Richmond ARCenter next spring at 3600 Saunders Ave. on Richmond's Northside. Our new facility will increase our capacity to serve by 20 percent, allowing us to provide therapeutic care and other critical services to more individuals with developmental disabilities who need it most.

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By Wesley P. Hester Times-Dispatch Staff Writer
Published: August 13, 2009

Reluctantly at first, Krystal Alexander rode a horse for the first time this week at Camp Baker.

"I was so scared, I couldn't put my leg over the horse," said Alexander, 18, of Richmond, who has cerebral palsy.

"But you did it, didn't you?" added counselor Erin Mulry, who came from Wales this summer for the opportunity to work at the camp for children and teenagers with disabilities.

"Yeah, and I wasn't really scared, either," said Alexander, changing her tune slightly as she recalled her ride atop Joey, the veteran Camp Baker horse from a neighboring farm.

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By Louis Llovio, Times-Dispatch Staff writer

A nondescript warehouse in North Richmond could house temporarily some of the city's most sensitive corporate documents.

No, the warehouse is not a super-secret facility keeping corporate secrets. It's the home of the Greater Richmond ARC.

The nonprofit group, which provides employment and care for individuals with developmental disabilities, is trying a new venture -- a scanning service.

A team of four employees at the warehouse on Westwood Avenue takes companies' paper records and digitizes them. There, files are separated, staples are removed, and individual items are catalogued.

The papers then are scanned and downloaded onto a disc or a removable hard drive. Quality-control checks are conducted throughout the process to make sure the images are clear and readable and that nothing was missed.

Once a company has reviewed the documents and approved the work, ARC destroys the papers. Read More

The Greater Richmond ARC recently received CARF(Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities www.carf.org ) certification in five categories of employment services through 2012:

-Employment Services: Community Employment Services: Job Development
-Employment Services: Community Employment Services: Job Supports
-Employment Services: Community Employment Services: Job-Site Training
-Employment Services: Employee Development Services
-Employment Services: Organizational Employment Services Read More

The Greater Richmond ARC (formerly the Association for Retarded Citizens) held its annual fundraising dinner and wine tasting events this Spring to benefit its Ladybug Fund, which supports therapy services for familie who can not afford them otherwise through its Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) program.

More than 500 people attended the two Spring events, raising a record $133,000 to benefit the ARC. Among the more notable donations was a handmade, platinum diamond band from Stevens Jewelers that netted $4,500 in a raffle.

(PHOTO)Event sponsors Rob and Elizabeth Hazelton enjoy the ARC evening with Ladybug Fund co-founder and Board Chair Thom Horsey (middle.) Read More

Demolition of the former Carrier warehouse at 3600 Saunders Avenue in north Richmond is underway to make way for the new ARCenter.

To serve more people and serve them in the community settings that are best for them, ARC has purchased four acres of land at 3600 Saunders Avenue, close to Interstates 64 and 95, Powhite Parkway, and Laburnum Avenue. The Greater Richmond ARCenter will have 24,000 square feet of open, flexible spaces that can change as the needs of our families change. Read More

Ladybug '09 Sponsored by BB&T & Virginia Oral & Facial Surgery

For the ninth year, the Greater Richmond ARC, in partnership with Featured Wineries, Select Restaurants and Community Sponsors, is raising funds to help young children with developmental disabilities and delays to achieve to their fullest potential. Together, we can ensure that Ladybug Fund scholarships are available for ANY family who needs ARC's Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS). No family should be turned away from specialized pediatric rehabilitation when it can give them the best possible start to leading a fulfilling life.
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The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) recently awarded their top prize, the "Award of Excellence," in their annual "Best in Virginia" marketing competition to Rodney Shelton, Michael Foley, Douglas Payne and Tracy Tierney for their work in promoting the Greater Richmond ARC's workforce, ARC Industrial Services. By designing, developing and implementing a highly-effective marketing and earned media placement strategy throughout 2008, the team was able to effectively promote a program that employs over 200 people in central Virginia with a variety of developmental disabilities. Judges from IABC chapters across the U.S. awarded 68 out of a possible 70 points to the team for "marketing communications excellence."

Photo: Doug Payne and Rodney Shelton accept "Best in Virginia - Award of Excellence" on behalf of the Greater Richmond ARC.

On December 9, 2008, the Greater Richmond ARC hosted a holiday party for the children who participate in the organization's Infant and Child Development Services program, along with their parents and siblings, at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Richmond.

More than 175 people attended.

Forrest White, Trinity's director of youth ministry, thought the event may have had its largest turnout since the church first started hosting the event back in 2001. First Books-Greater Richmond donated a $500 gift card that supplied new books for the children, along with the local alumni chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha, which donated 50 brand new children's books for the event. Trinity provided the venue, food and games. "The partnership of these groups is extraordinary and we are proud to be able to host this event for our families," said Lisa Cox, ARC's ICDS director.

(Reprinted from the Richmond Times-Dispatch article by Bill Lohmann)

Here’s the holiday spirit come to life:

Java Berrow walking up to a home with someone’s
dinner, knocking on the door and cheerfully announcing,“Meals on Wheels!”

“I like helping people who don’t get out to get their food,” Berrow said. Here’s another thing: Berrow’s good work is not limited to the holidays. She delivers meals four days a week to the homebound as part of a small army of volunteers from The Greater Richmond ARC, a not-for-profit agency that helps people with developmental disabilities lead fulfilling lives. Read More

(From the Richmond Times-Disptach, Sunday, July 27, 2008)

The Comcast Foundation recently presented the Greater Richmond ARC a check for $11,100. The money will provide support for ARC's Day Support services. On Hand were (from left) Henry Pearl, area vice president for Comcast; Demis Stewart, executive vice president of ARC; Marshall Butler, president of ARC; and Ken Dye, director of government and community affairs for Comcast.

The First Lady of Virginia, Anne Holton, recently paid a visit to the Greater Richmond ARC’s headquarters on Westwood Avenue to tour the facility and learn more about the services ARC provides over 1,300 area residents and their families. Mrs. Holton, a former juvenile and domestic relations district court judge in the City of Richmond and daughter of former Governor Linwood Holton, toured the Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) offices as well as After School & Day Support Services and ARC Industrial Services. Read More

For the eighth year, the Greater Richmond ARC, in
partnership with featured wineries, select Richmond restaurants and community sponsors, raised funds through the Ladybug Fund winetasting events to help young children with developmental disabilities and delays achieve to their fullest potential. Over $96,000 was raised at this year’s events, ensuring scholarships will be available for ANY family who needs ARC’s Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS). No family should be turned away from specialized pediatric rehabilitation when it can give them the best possible start to leading a fulfilling life. Read More

More than 300 volunteers from the Richmond area joined together on Saturday, May 3, 2008 for “Comcast Cares Day” to help revitalize the facilities of the Greater Richmond ARC’s Westwood Avenue headquarters. Together on this day - Comcast’s annual, nationwide day of service – Comcast employees and their families and friends, along with representatives from the ARC and members of the local community, all pitched in on a number of projects to help support renovations currently underway on the ARC building, including cleaning, painting, landscaping and carpentry work. Volunteers also helped to install furniture donated by Comcast. Read More

(From Richmond.com “Community Spotlight” April 24, 2008)

The Greater Richmond ARC has come up with a new name for one of its longstanding, most important programs.

The previously named Civitan Vocational Services will now be known as ARC Industrial Services, a program that provides opportunities for individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities to work in a variety of capacities at either ARC's production facility on Westwood Avenue, or on-site at various businesses throughout the area.
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On April 5, 2008, young artists from the Greater Richmond ARC gave their time and talent to create a unique work of art with Richmond artist Robert Walz. Parents, friends and volunteers supported the children creatively, emotionally and physically while the artists busily went to work. Read More

The Infant and Child Development Services' annual Holiday Party was held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Forest Hill Avenue on December 11th. This year marked one of the biggest and best parties ever with 79 children and 68 adults in attendance. Most of the children receive therapy from ARC, and this year they brought along many of their siblings to help celebrate. Of course, Santa Claus made an appearance and distributed books and holiday cheer to every boy and girl. Read More

Since 2003, ARC has been steadily growing its business with Madison, Virginia-based Plow & Hearth, a division of 1800Flowers.com. Plow & Hearth is a $30 million a year national catalog, retail, and Internet company that specializes in high quality gardening, home and leisure products.

The ARC/Plow & Hearth relationship began in early 2003 with ARC providing fulfillment work for its long-time client, Virginia Box/Pratt Industries. Pratt’s client, Plow & Hearth, lacked a reliable workforce and adequate storage facilities at its Madison headquarters, so Pratt subcontracted ARC to pack, box and return ship Plow & Hearth products, warehousing the surplus material until it was needed. However, distribution also a presented a problem once the product was shipped back to Plow & Hearth’s rural headquarters north of Charlottesville, and company officials began to search for possible solutions. Read More

Lisa Cox, Director of Infant and Child Development Services for the Greater Richmond ARC, was among 40 Richmond area residents under age 40 selected by Style Weekly magazine as the top area young professionals for 2007. The annual competition draws a large number of nominations each year, and judges make their selections from a diverse group of people in a variety of professions.

According to Style Weekly's Editor, Jason Roop, "These are some of Richmond’s most remarkable young men and women. They’re inspiring and serving others, changing our community for the better and exuding an enthusiasm about Richmond’s present and future that you just might catch." Read More

“A Place for Everything and Everything in It’s Place” sounds so organized and peaceful. We can all see the benefits. But it can be a tough rule for busy families to follow. And sometimes it feels downright impossible if that family has a member with special needs.

Children and adults with special needs often struggle with skills necessary for being organized: sequential reasoning, short- or long-term memory, and reading, for example. But there’s a simple tool that can help everyone in the family, regardless of needs, abilities, or age: labels.

Julie Morgenstern, author of the book Organizing From the Inside Out: The Foolproof System for Organizing Your Home, Your Office, and Your Life, says that her “secret weapon” is the model of a kindergarten classroom. Read More

The Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR) recently won national recognition for its employment of individuals with developmental disabilities at a conference sponsored by NISH, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create employment opportunities for people with severe disabilities by securing Federal contracts through the AbilityOne Program, formerly known as the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Program.

The DSCR received the award at the NISH National Training and Achievement Conference in May in Grapevine, Texas. Locally, the DSCR works in conjunction with the Greater Richmond ARC to provide employment for 70 individuals with developmental disabilities. For their outstanding support of an AbilityOne-producing nonprofit agency, the DSCR received the 2006 NISH Government Award for Local Federal Customer Support-Military Category award.
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The Greater Richmond ARC is pleased to announce Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) physical therapist Anne Boyce Wilkins was recently awarded a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia. Anne received her Master of Science degree from VCU/MCV and Bachelor of Science from William & Mary. She is a Richmond native and a graduate of St. Catherine’s School.

Anne said of her recent studies, “The degree will benefit my clients by providing more intensive research-based courses that will, in turn, lead to more research-based treatment protocols.” As a result, ICDS clients will be receiving the latest, state-of-the-art options for treatment based on their specific conditions.

Congrats, Dr. Wilkins!

Paula Jones, a long-time client of the Day Support services of the Greater Richmond ARC, has been recognized by Meals on Wheels as a valuable long-time volunteer, helping to deliver meals to those in need for the past six years. Paula says that in addition to delivering meals to Meals on Wheels clients, she enjoys seeing the friendly volunteer faces she knows. She also confesses she really loves the yummy snacks and being around the entire Meals on Wheels staff. Paula visits the organization two to three times per week along with other ARC clients and coordinators.

When the Greater Richmond ARC went searching for a new director of Camp Baker Services, they felt extremely fortunate to find Francis (“Fran”) Fitzgerald, a native New Yorker with extensive not-for-profit experience.

ARC President Marshall Butler said what made Francis (“Fran”) Fitzgerald really stand out were his credentials. Fitzgerald has more than 25 years of successful managerial and executive experience in the not-for-profit sector. Read More

The Greater Richmond ARC has been know for more than 50 years as a place where lives are changed for the better through work programs, individual therapy sessions and camp experiences.

Occasionally, Cupid comes calling.

Melvin Cary Jackson, an employee at the Jefferson Hotel’s T.J. Lounge, began working with ARC employment counselors when he moved to Richmond from Tidewater, Virginia, in the late 1990s. A hard-working, affable man with an infectious smile and gentle demeanor, Melvin was looking for companionship once he’d settled into his new digs, so he asked his former ARC job coach, Stephanie Crabtree, if she knew any single women in the area.

As a matter of fact, Crabtree did know someone whom Melvin might find interesting -- and who might also be interested in Melvin. She gave Melvin a phone number and told him to call her the next day.
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The Summer Institute on Leadership and Public Service at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond recently sent a group of rising public and private high school seniors from across central Virginia to volunteer at the Greater Richmond ARC’s After School program at its Westwood Avenue headquarters.

The intensive five-week program helps young people develop leadership skills and teaches them how to create positive, lasting change in our community. In its eighth year, the program has inspired rising high school seniors in the areas of community service, leadership and civic responsibility.
Read More

Gwaltney Fleming, Inc., a Richmond-based architectural, design and general contracting firm, successfully completed the ARCspace renovation project this past spring at ARC’s Westwood Avenue headquarters. The rennovation provided ARC’s main lobby and Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) offices and therapy rooms a much-needed makeover.

The completed project, valued at more than $130,000, has been donated at no cost by Gwaltney Fleming and several area subcontractors including: Acorn Sign Graphics, Atlas Carpet, B&L Floorcovering, Capital Interiors, Citywide Decorators, picture framing by Custom Framing Made Simple, Dominion Interior Supply Co., Dunlap & Partners, Hix Heating & Air Conditioning, JCF painting, JL Minter Electrical Contractor, Inc., Lee’s Carpets, Markel Corporation, MP Barden & Sons, Inc., Mohawk Carpets, Patcraft Commercial Carpet, Shaw Contract Group. A heartfelt “thank you” goes out to all the area companies that contributed to the project.

Thanks to your kind generosity, the Greater Richmond ARC raised more than $143,000 through the Ladybug Fund winetasting events held this past spring. These funds support young children with developmental disabilities in ARC’s Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS). Please feel free to email us with your comments or suggestions at Ladybug@RichmondARC.org and save the date for next year’s Ladybug Winetasting and Silent Auction:
April 27, 2008 at Plant Zero.

The Greater Richmond ARC’s Camp Baker Services received a helping hand over the winter when more than 200 Philip Morris USA employees from all over the country volunteered to perform a variety of clean-up, light carpentry and remodeling services at the Chesterfield County camp for the develop-mentally disabled. Read More

The Greater Richmond ARC's "What is ARC?" media campaign ended 2006 by placing in three prestigious regional communications competitions. The ARC campaign won honors respectively in the Richmond Ad Club's "Richmond Show" for Public Service Print in an Outdoor Campaign, the Public Relations Society of America's 2006 "Virginia Public Relations Awards" for for Creative Tactics, and the International Association of Business Communicators' "Best in Virginia" awards for Economic, Social and Environmental Development Communications.

It was truly a collaborative effort between ARC and our ad agency, Neathawk Dubuque & Packett, and goes a long way in bringing our organization to the forefront of the Greater Richmond community. The campaign has also significantly increased annual giving and inquiries for ARC services two years in a row.

Pictured: ARC award winners Dr. Joe & April Niamtu, ARC honorary Spokescouple and parents of two children with special needs: Joey, 6, and Evan, 4.

Read the Richmond Times-Dispatch article on the latest award below.

Times-Dispatch business writer Bob Rayner covers the 2006 "Best in Virginia" awards sponsored by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)- Richmond Chapter. ARC and its ad agency, ND&P received silver honors in the category of "Economic, Social and Environmental Development" for the Dr. Joe & April Niamtu media awareness campaign launched in 2006.

In commemoration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) and Dominion Resources, Inc. co-hosted the first annual Disability Employment Champions Awards Breakfast on October 24, 2006 at Virginia Crossings Resort in Glen Allen, Virginia. The statewide event was the culmination of a series of local events held by DRS throughout the Commonwealth to honor individuals and organizations in public, private, and non-profit sectors that have helped further DRS’s mission to empower individuals with disabilities to maximize their employment, independence and full inclusion into society. As the first winner of the new award, Governor Timothy M. Kaine was among nine awardees honored at the breakfast for “championing” the employment of people with disabilities. Read More

ARC is pleased to announce that Dr. Colleen Kraft, the Walter E. Bundy Professor and Chair of the Division of Community Pediatrics at Virginia Commonwealth University, has joined ARC as the new Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) medical director. Dr. Kraft practices pediatrics with Pediatric and Adolescent Health Partners, P.C., where her interest is in caring for children with special healthcare needs. She is also the Medical Director at Medical Home Plus, Inc., a 501(c )3 non-profit organization that connects families to community resources. Read More

The annual ARC golf tournament benefiting the Infant and Child Development Services of the Greater Richmond ARC has a new name: “A Round of Good,” which is fitting since it also set a new record in terms of attendees and funds raised: 29 teams and $17,000.

The fundraiser was held September 25 at Richmond Country Club in Manakin-Sabot. Major sponsors included The Haskins Family, Haynes Jeep, The Greater Richmond New Car Dealers’ Association, Coca Cola, Dominion Youth Services, Uptown Color, Graphics Gallery and Mulligan’s Golf Shop.
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CARF (founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) announced in August 2006 that the Greater Richmond ARC has been accredited for a period of three years for its employment services in the areas of community employment, job development, job supports, job-site training, employee development services and organizational employment services. The accreditation will extend through June 2009. The achievement is an indication of ARC’s dedication ad commitment to improving the quality of the lives of those ARC serves. Read More

A record number of summer campers attended Camp Baker in 2006. Some highlights of the ’06 summer camp season include a record number of residential and day campers at Camp Baker – 429 up from 386 in summer ’05 and from 305 in summer ’04.
Camp Baker also offered 2-week sessions for first time – one for children & adolescents, one for adults. However, the adult session was better attended, and staff is currently assessing whether youth session should be offered later in the summer to accommodate younger campers.

Staff also took a one-week mid-summer break for first time while another group leased the camp. Counselors who have worked other summers recommend keeping this model because it significantly decreased “battle fatigue” and improved accident/injury avoidance.

Davison Chapman, 3, gripped his walker tight and stomped his tiny feet in time to “We are the dinosaurs,” a children’s song by the Laurie Berkner band. He and his mother, Blake Chapman, were singing one of his favorite tunes on a sunny Tuesday afternoon on the playground of Trinity United Methodist Church in Richmond’s west end.

“He loves to stand in his walker and sing and dance along,” said his father, Keith Chapman, director of clinical engineering at MCV Hospitals in Richmond. Chapman smiled broadly as he watched his son clap at the end of the song.
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The two spring Ladybug events – a wine dinner held Sunday, March 19th at Old Original Bookbinder’s Restaurant and the Ladybug Winetasting & Silent Auction held at Plant Zero on May 13th – raised more than $123,000. The silent auction, directed by ARC Board Member Don Stevens, brought in just over $28,000, more than double the 2005 amount.

A heartfelt “thank you” goes out to Featured Wineries, Select Restaurants and Community Sponsors and all who supported the Ladybug Fund events in 2006. Your kind generosity and support helps young children with developmental disabilities and delays achieve to their fullest potential.

Save the date: The 2007 Ladybug Winetasting & Silent Auction held at Plant Zero on Saturday, April 28, 2007.

Times-Dispatch Business columnist Bob Rayner covers ARCspace '06 champion Brendan Gwaltney Fleming, president of Gwaltney Fleming, Inc. Her interior architectural firm was named in the April 2006 issue of Working Mother magazine as one of the Top 25 best places in the U.S. to work.

Times-Dispatch Business columnist Bob Rayner covers Dr. Joe & April Niamtu, ARC parents, long-time ARC advocates, and now honorary ARC spokespeople.

Dr. Joe and April Niamtu, longtime ARC advocates and parents of ICDS graduates Joey and Evan Niamtu, were named as honorary ARC Spokescouple at the annual Ladybug Fund wine dinner held at the Old Original Bookbinder's Restaurant on Sunday March 19th.

The Niamtus will appear in an ARC TV commercial that will begin airing In April on WWBT Channel 12 and selected Comcast Cable channels. The TV spot is designed to raise awareness of ARC and its four core service areas: Infant & Child Development Services, After School & Day Support, Civitan Vocational Services and Camp Baker in Chesterfield County (to view TV spot, click the TV link in the left-hand margin of this Web page).

Photo: Dr. Joe, Evan, Joey and April Niamtu enjoy some family time at home.

Download a copy of the Richmond Times-Dispatch article on the Niamtus below. Read More

On Sunday, March 19th, the Ladybug Fund wine dinner was held at Old Original Bookbinder's Restaurant. A record 178 guest attended this year's dinner, the first of two annual Ladybug fundraising events held each March and May. Dr. Joe & April Niamtu, ARC parents and newly-named honorary ARC spokespeople, presented the first annual Ladybug Award to the ICDS "Power Moms," a.k.a. Karen Manning Horsey, Carol Finberg, Elizabeth Hazelton, Fran McDermott, Cindy Weinstock and Vicki Beatty. The Power Moms were honored for their meritorious service to children with special needs and their families.

The second spring Ladybug fundraising event, the Ladybug Winetasting & Silent Auction, will be held at Plant Zero on May 13th. 600 guests are expected this year, so please hurry and order your tickets ($75 per person) by calling 358-1874. Together, we can ensure that Ladybug Fund scholarships are available for ANY family who needs ARC's Infant and Child Development Services.

Photo - ARC "Power Moms" honored: Vicki Beatty, Karen Manning Horsey, Elizabeth Hazelton, Carol Finberg, Cindy Weinstock and Fran McDermott.

Gwaltney Fleming, a Richmond architectural, design and general contracting firm, will renovate at no cost key areas of the Greater Richmond ARC's headquarters on Westwood Avenue. These include the organization's lobby and Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) offices.

In particular, ARC is interested in updating its ICDS offices to provide a friendly, supportive atmosphere for both children and their families, many of whom are working for the first time with a development disability. ICDS, an important part of the Greater Richmond ARC, provided specialized services for approximately 370 children and their families in 2005.

Photo: ICDS Director Lisa Cox and Gwaltney Fleming Lead Architect Asli Uluaydin hold samples of carpet and tile that will be used in the ARCspace '06 pro bono remodeling project. Read More

The ARC's Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) is currently offering "Write On! Right Away", an eight-week program that teaches handwriting skills to children from pre-Kindergarten through the 5th grade. Using the popular program, "Handwriting Without Tears," children participate in a weekly 1 ½ hour group session. The program is adapted for each child according to their specific handwriting skills. Read More

Richmond Times-Dispatch Metro columnist Mark Holmberg covers Geraladine Byrd Story, longtime ARC Board member and advocate and now a Richmond YWCA Outstanding Woman of the Year award recipient.

The Greater Richmond ARC honored the Loyal Order of The Moose, Richmond-Manchester Lodge #699, during a ceremony at the Lodge's February meeting. The Richmond-Manchester Moose Lodge #699 donated a total of $8,700 to ARC's Camp Baker in Chesterfield County in 2005, mostly through Bingo proceeds. Pat Robson, ARC Board member, presented the award after giving a presentation to Manchester Moose leadership on ARC and Camp Baker. The award reads, in part, "With Deep Gratitude and Affection for Your Many Years of Loyal Support."

Pictured (L to R): Buck Walden, Manchester Moose Governor; Pat Robson, Greater Richmond ARC Board of Directors; Ray Chalkley, Manchester Moose Administrator

Richmond, VA – February 21, 2006 – Ten area women have been selected as the 2006 Outstanding Women by the YWCA of Richmond. This year's winners are Jo B. Kennedy, Paula Paster Gulak, Nancy Wright Beasley, Dr. Jo Lynne DeMary, Delores L. McQuinn, Aradhana Bela Sood, M.D., Lynne B. Hughes, Anne B. Holton, Martha Franck Rollins, and Geraldine Byrd Story.

Pictured: ARC Board member Mrs. Geraldine Story (right) the recipient of the YWCA Outstanding Women Award for Community Volunteerism. Her sister, LaVerne Byrd-Smith (left)was a past honoree in the area of Communications. Read More

In late 2005 the ARC Westwood Avenue After School staff began calling various nonprofit organizations in the Richmond area to determine the viability of volunteer opportunities for the older children in our program.

They soon discovered one of the best places the children could help others also happened to be right around the corner: the Richmond SPCA on Hermitage Road. Read More

Times-Dispatch Business writer Carol Hazard covers ARCspace '06, an extreme makeover pro bono project headed by award-winning interior architectural firm Gwaltney Fleming, Inc.

Virginia House of Delegates Republicans today committed to improving mental health services by continuing their efforts to restructure the delivery of mental health services in Virginia. Delegates Phillip A. Hamilton (R-Newport News), Del. R. Steven Landes (R- Weyers Cave), Del. Samuel A. Nixon (R-Chesterfield) and Delegate Vincent F. Callahan, Jr. (R-Fairfax) made the announcement at a press conference at the Patrick Henry building adjacent to the Capitol.

"Virginia has long struggled with finding the right balance between the need for and funding of community and facility care for individuals with mental disabilities in Virginia," Delegate Hamilton said.

Pictured: Delegate Phillip Hamilton (R-Newport News) is flanked by House GOP members Del. Steven Landes (R-Weyers Cave) and Del. Samuel A. Nixon, Jr. (R-Chesterfield) Read More

ARC is gearing up for its 6th annual Ladybug Fund winetasting events. The Ladybug Fund Sponsors' Wine Dinner will be held at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, March 19th at The Old Original Bookbinder's (2306 E. Cary St.) and the Ladybug Fund Winetasting & Silent Auction will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, May 13th at Plant Zero (Zero E. Fourth Street).

Tickets for the wine dinner are $150 per person; tickets for the winetasting are $75 per person. Reserve yours now! Call 358-1874. Sponsorship opportunities are still available - contact Kim Jeremiah at kim.jeremiah@RichmondARC.org or Ladybug@RichmondARC.org Read More

Jacqueline Allen and Pamela Linsey, two Greater Richmond ARC crew leaders working at the Defense Supply Center-Richmond (DSCR), were recently invited to perform the honors of raising and lowering the American flag each day at the large military base in Chesterfield County.

"ARC is a great organization of professional people who do a wonderful job," said Bruce Butcher, base public safety office chief. "ARC and DSCR are already partners in several ventures on base." Butcher said the flag detail partnership is an excellent match and that DSCR is happy to entrust the patriotic responsibility to ARC employees. Read More

The Greater Richmond ARC and Trinity United Methodist Church hosted a holiday party for children in ARC's Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) program at the Church located at 903 Forest Avenue on Tuesday, December 13th.

This year's party was particularly exciting because of the amount of donations collected: over 300 new books and $170 in cash contributions.

"Because of the growth of the party over the past few years, we would be unable to love our kids this way without the help of Trinity United Methodist Church, their youth group and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. We are so grateful to celebrate with our children through the community's generosity," said Lisa Cox, Director of ARC's Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) program. Read More

The Knights of Columbus, Bishop Ireton Council #6189 recently built on their long standing relationship with the Greater Richmond ARC through significant contributions to Camp Baker in 2005. The Knights of Columbus, Bishop Ireton Council #6189's total contributions to Camp Baker totaled $10,150 for the year. Grand Knight Gene Zimmerman says the Knights raised most of the funds through Bingo games, organized by club member Bobby Brodzinski. Mr. Zimmerman presented the $10,500 check to Marshall Butler, president of the Greater Richmond ARC. In return, Mr. Butler presented a plaque to Mr. Zimmerman in recognition of the work that the Knights of Columbus have done in support of people with disabilities. Read More

$500 million initiative builds on efforts to boost community-based & institutional care

Governor Mark R. Warner announced Tuesday, December 6, proposals that will take the next significant steps to help Virginians seeking treatment in the Commonwealth's mental health and mental retardation care system. The initiative begins long overdue improvements to the state's system of residential treatment, and continues investing in the Commonwealth's network of community-based mental health services.

(Pictured: Greater Richmond ARC clients Paula Jones and Marco Inniss with Governor Warner at the State Capitol). Read More

Marshall Butler, longtime head of The Greater Richmond ARC, discusses how his 27-year tenure as ARC president has taught him to run ARC like a for-profit business so that the organization can continue to grow.

Civitan Vocational Services has undertaken a "down time" jewelry-making project that is proving to be not only rewarding for program participants, but potentially profitable.

In between paying Civitan contract projects, program participants are stringing multi-colored beads and sterling silver blocks bearing various letter combinations to make a beautiful customized bracelets and necklaces for men and women. Depending on preferred color schemes and letter combinations, the jewelry can be customized for area businesses, organizations and schools/universities. The most popular versions so far are purple-beaded bracelets bearing the sterling silver "A" "R" "C" initials. Read More

Camp Baker's Emergency Respite Program enters its second year serving children and adults who are in immediate need of respite care. 27 children and adults have been served in 2005 as of October 1.

Dozens of individuals with disabilities have used Camp Baker for respite when their parents or caregivers have needed us in emergency situations. We have also provided emergency respite care to many awaiting permanent placement in a home or facility. Read More

Thrirteen ARC personal computers and monitors, recently retired from service after an IT upgrade, were donated to Potter's Digital Wheel, an outreach ministry of Sherbourne United Methodist Church in Chesterfield County. Cindy Ray, a spokesperson for Potter's Digital Wheel, was thrilled with the donation. Read More

Columnist Dave Clinger explores what -- and who -- The Greater Richomnd ARC really is, and how it differentiates itself from other service organizations.

The Greater Richmond ARC literally took their winning contest slogan "Always Responding with Compassion" to the streets on Saturday, October 1 in Richmond.

The Richmond ARC chapter joined other statewide groups in a march from Mayo Island to the State Capitol grounds to publicize the need for additional funds for those with mental retardation and other related developmental disabilities. The event was organized and hosted by the Virginia State ARC. Read More

The Knights of Columbus, Bishop Ireton Council recently built on their long standing relationship with ARC through its significant contributions to Camp Baker. Grand Knight Gene Zimmerman says the Knights raise their funds through Bingo games, organized by club member Bobby Brodzinski.

"We really depend on this organization and others, like the Manchester-Richmond Moose Lodge. They truly are long-time supporters," said Demis Stewart, ARC Executive Vice President. "We extended summer camp an extra week in 2005 because of the volume of applicants. We wouldn't have the resources to serve these additional families with out their help." Other's who support the camp's scholarship program include St. Paul's Church Home, Hon Industries and the Innsbrook Rotary Club.

The Sixth Annual Greater Richmond ARC Golf Tournament benefiting the Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) program was held at Richmond Country Club in Manakin-Sabot. The weather was perfect for a fall golf outing and players were enjoyed a day of friendly competition and fun. A record 29 teams participated with a number of corporate sponsors, hole sponsors and team sponsors pitching in to make this year's tournament a success. Read More

Campers from around Virginia enjoyed the 45th session of summer camp held at Camp Baker in Chesterfield County. The 2005 session was highlighted by fun-filled, rewarding camp activities and good times were enjoyed by 386 campers of all ages. Read More

New in 2005, a employee committee of Kraft Foods selected Camp Baker as the recipient of a Kraft Cares Grant. The grant, which supported the Camp's summer food program, was awarded to promote a healthy lifestyle for campers.

Said Kraft spokesman Larry Campbell, "At Kraft, we believe we have the responsibility and the commitment to give back in support of the communities where we live and do business. Sharing our resources in this way has been part of our heritage. And, we're pleased to be able to support the excellent work done by The Greater Richmond ARC on behalf of children with special needs."

Raymond Hall, Chief of Installation Management/Chief Engineer at the Defense Supply Center-Richmond (DSCR), was selected for a National Industries for the Severely Disabled (NISH)-East Region "Outstanding JWOD Service Award-2005." The award was presented to Ray by William Smith (NISH East Region) and Marshall Butler, President of The Greater Richmond ARC and staff on July 11, 2005. Read More

Times-Dispatch business columnist and writer Bob Rayner covers the successful conclusion of the "What Is ARC?" online contest, part of ARC's public awareness campaign. During the three-week contest, ARC received approximately 150 unique entries. Rick Wilkinson of Richmond is the contest winner with "Always Responding with Compassion."

The Times-Dispatch covers the end of a very successful contest designed to raise awareness of the Greater Richmond ARC. Richmonders were invited to submit their own "What is ARC?" entries and the results were gratifying -- and compassionate.

Presented by The Market at Tobacco Row, ARC's Annual Ladybug Dinner and Winetasting raised over $100,000 for The Greater Richmond ARC's Infant and Child Development Services' Ladybug Fund this spring. The Fund helps pay for tuition for children who need ICDS services, but whose families have trouble paying for them. Read More

Business columnist and writer Bob Rayner of the Richmond Times-Dispatch covers the launch of ARC's first-ever awareness campaign designed to raise ARC's profile in Greater Richmond. "What Is ARC?" is the campaign theme and features an online contest.

Times-Dispatch Business columnist Bob Rayner covers the launch of the Greater Richmond ARC's first-ever advertising/awreness campaign.

The 5th Annual Greater Richmodn ARC Ladybug Fund Winetasting & Silent Auction held at Tredegar Ironworks is featured in the Sunday Flair section of the Richmond Times-Dispatch by Flair editor Susan Boisseau.

Times-Dispatch Flair Columnist Susan Boisseau covers the annual ARC Ladybug Fund Winetasting & Silent Auction held at Tredegar Ironworks. The two spring events -- a wine dinner and a winetasting and silent auction -- raised more thena $100,000 for the ARC infant intervention program.

Melvin Jackson, an employee at The Jefferson Hotel's T.J.'s Restaurant in Richmond, was honored with an "Excellence of Service" award by the Governor's Commission on Hospitality & Tourism at a ceremony held in March in downtown Richmond. Read More

This past spring, ARC undertook two very important new projects: an identity makeover and the launch of its first-ever public awareness campaign. The new logo reflects the marketing name change from the Richmond Area ARC to The Greater Richmond ARC. We're looking to staff, volunteers, board members and friends of ARC to tell the Greater Richmond community that, in partnership with families, we serve individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities that cover the lifespan. The public name change also reflects the growing community we serve. Read More