The Arc of Atlantic County to Host Annual Tribute Dinner “How The West Was Fun!” March 29

Feb. 28, 2012 - PRLog -- The Arc of Atlantic County and its board of directors will host their annual tribute dinner on Thursday, March 29, 2012 from 5:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. at the Carriage House, 25 S. Pitney Road, Galloway, NJ.  “How the West Was Fun!” is a country-western-themed event to raise funds for The Arc’s programs that help more than 700 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families each year throughout Atlantic County.  The Arc will pay tribute to three community partners who have made significant contributions to the agency and its mission:  Cape Bank Charitable Foundation, The Scoppa Family, and NJ District Kiwanis Clubs, Division One.  Tickets are $100 each and casual western attire (including jeans) is encouraged.

Guests will be entertained with a silent auction, complimentary wine and beer reception, hors d’ oeuvres, dinner, country-western music performed by the Kenny I. Orchestra, and a photo booth with western-themed props for added entertainment.  
The Arc asks the community to help by joining them at the event, sponsoring a ticket for an Arc service recipient to attend, becoming a sponsor, purchasing an ad in the program book, or donating auction items. All information is available at http://www.arcatlantic.org/events/TributeDinner.asp, or call Deborah Jewell at 609-485-0800 ext. 135.  

“We’re thrilled to be honoring three great partners of The Arc.  Each is deeply dedicated to our mission and ensuring a bright future for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Arc Chief Development Officer Deborah Jewell said.  “We also look forward to celebrating their efforts in such a fun way. Kenny I. is known for his great fiddling and renditions of popular country tunes, so we’re sure it’s going to be a honky-tonkin’ boot-stompin’ good time.”

About the Honorees
Cape Bank Charitable Foundation is being honored for their commitment to making our community a better place for everyone.  They selected The Arc of Atlantic County as one of five recipients of multi-year funding, which will help The Arc expand affordable and accessible housing for people with I/DD.  

The Scoppa Family raised more than $6,000 at The Arc’s 2011 Step Up for The Arc Walk in memory of their daughter Dina.  The Arc was a big part of Dina’s life, and the Scoppas show a generous commitment to The Arc’s programs and making sure more people like Dina can participate in their services.  

The NJ District Kiwanis Club, Division One has sponsored a local Aktion Club, a service club for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, for many years.  Their support allows Aktion Club members to serve their communities and learn leadership skills.  

About The Arc of Atlantic County
The Arc of Atlantic County was founded more than 50 years ago by parents determined to ensure the most full and independent lives possible for their children with intellectual and development disabilities.  Since that time, The Arc has become one of the largest agencies serving people with developmental disabilities in our region.  Today, The Arc of Atlantic County serves more than 700 people and their families through residential, recreation, case management, family support and vocational services.  The Arc employs more than 260 people with more than 180 of those full-time.  

The Arc’s name has changed several times over the years to reflect shifts in terminology.  The final name change occurred in 1993, when the agency’s name changed from the acronym ARC to the standalone phrase ‘The Arc’ as a result of objection from people with developmental disabilities across the country who didn’t want the word ‘retarded’ in the name of the agency that supported them (ARC stood for Association for Retarded Citizens).  The name of the agency is no longer an acronym and should be written as “The Arc of Atlantic County” or “The Arc”.

For more information on The Arc of Atlantic County, visit http://www.arcatlantic.org.

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The Arc of Atlantic County is a private nonprofit organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in Atlantic County, NJ.