February 2012

Have you registered for our March 23 Trivia Playoff fundraiser?  The brochure has been posted to our website and you can even register online.  This year's theme is Spring!  Get your team of 3 together and join us for this fun evening -- all proceeds benefit The Arc and our programs to support individuals with developmental disabilities in Frederick County.

Another upcoming event is a new one:  a Show Choir Competition!   It will be held on Saturday, April 28 and will feature several show choirs from local schools.  Volunteers are needed for this event (and other volunteer opportunities are always available, too).

Have you been following Slava's cooking tips in our blog? 

Transitioning Youth and their Parents:  A new LEAP course is about to begin for the spring semester at FCC.  And a new support group has formed for parents of transitioning youth. This newly formed group focuses on educational support, connecting students to work and other adult resources, meeting deadlines to access benefits, brainstorming, sharing, and expanding parent knowledge of what is offered during and after high school for students with developmental disabilities.

Do you tweet?  Follow us on Twitter!  And please remember to "like" our Facebook page. Great ways to keep in touch with everything going on at The Arc.

January 2012

Now that the holiday season is over, it's time to THINK SPRING!   Our Trivia Playoff fundraiser will be held on Friday, March 23 and our theme this year is spring.  This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year and it is so much fun.  Please join us!

Have you been following Alyssa's adventures in our blog?

The January/February issue of The Link, our member newsletter, has been added to our website.    Members, please help us go green.  Send your email address to subscribers@arcfc.org so that we can begin sending your newsletter via html email.  The same great information you've been getting in the paper edition, but this will save paper and postage.

Don't forget to check our In-Kind Donation Wish List.  Let us know if you are able to donate any of the items listed.  Little things mean a lot!

December 2011

Our Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2011 (July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011) has been posted to our website. 

Mark your calendars!  Our Trivia Playoff fundraiser will be held on Friday, March 23, 2012.  Think Spring!

The most recent issue of The Link, our membership newsletter, has been added to our site.   In addition, The Fall/Winter 2011 Skills Educator/Respite Care Provider newsletter has just been posted. If you are looking for a flexible and rewarding job, please consider becoming a skills educator or respite care provider.

Accidentally on Purpose - (PDF) - Read the Frederick's Child Magazine article by Aaron Stephens, an Assistant Director at The Arc, as he shares how his personal and professional life merge through his work.  (Also for download on our Resources page)

And finally, all of us at The Arc of Frederick County wish you a very happy holiday season. Please remember The Arc in your end-of-year contributions. Donations by check, gifts to our endowment fund, and gifts in honor of someone are always very much appreciated. You can even make a secure donation online.  If you received our holiday mailing, you will notice the option to donate set amounts for specific needs.  Thanks to all of you for your generous support throughout the year.  It means so much.

November 2011

The newest Endowment Edition newsletter has been posted to our site. This newsletter shares some of the accomplishments of our Futures and Estate Planning services.

Read about Jennifer, Bradley, and John on our Stories page to see a little bit about how The Arc is helping to make a meaningful difference in their lives. 

Do you receive our monthly email updates?  It's a quick way to keep in touch with everything going on at The Arc.

The holiday season will be here before you know it.  When doing your holiday online shopping (or online shopping at any time of the year), consider using the GoodShop website, where you can shop at more than 900 top online retailers. You pay the same price as you normally would, but a donation goes to The Arc!  Just type in "The Arc of Frederick County" where it asks who you GoodShop for.

Finally, please remember The Arc of Frederick County in your workplace giving. We are a partner agency of the United Way of Frederick County and you can designate us on your employer’s United Way campaign form by writing in "The Arc of Frederick County".  In addition, The Arc of Frederick County participates in the Maryland Charity Campaign and Combined Federal Campaign. Maryland State Employees can designate #2450 on their giving forms and Federal employees can use #87793. Thank you for supporting The Arc.

October 2011

We invite you to The Arc of Frederick County's Sprout Film Festival on October 27.  You can purchase tickets in advance or at the door. 

The September/October issue of The Link is now available.  A copy is automatically sent to all members of The Arc.

Job hunting?  We are  looking for a full time Finance Supervisor and part time Job Coaches.  All of our current openings are always posted on our Volunteer and Employment page. And we also accept applications for Skills Educators and Respite Care providers, who are hired by indiviuals and families we support.

Have you been following Sarah's adventures in our blog? 

Don't forget that you can always donate online, right here from our website.  If you would like to make a donation in honor or in memory of someone, please note the person's name in the "Message to The Arc" box on Paypal's "review your donation" page.  Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who participated in our 20th Annual Captain's Choice Golf Tournament.  With your help, we raised over $10,000! 

September 2011

There is still time to register for our Captain's Choice Golf Scramble on September 19.  This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year and we'd love for you to join us on the course.  If you want to support this event, but just can't pull a team together for the day, we are also still accepting sponsors and ads. 

Two other upcoming events to note:  The Arc is hosting a Sprout Film Festival on October 27.  Tickets are available to purchase online or by calling The Arc.  Also, we have added SibShops for the fall. 

It's back to school time!  Did you know that The Arc can help with Educational Advocacy? Our highly-trained staff partner with families & schools to promote effective education for each child.  In addition, we provide assistance for Transitioning Youth students as they plan for life after they leave the school system.

Are you a fan of The Arc on Facebook?  If not, you've been missing out on regular updates and stories, including a wonderful show of support from local volunteers as they renovate the house of a family served by The Arc.  You can watch the videos of the Extreme Home Renovation for Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3.  Updated September 6:  Coming Home video - the family returns to their renovated home for the first time.  "Like" us on Facebook to be part of our growing fanbase.  And speaking of social media, don't foget to follow us on Twitter, too.

August 2011

Are you the next Rory McIlroy or Michelle Wie?  Or do you just enjoy a day on the golf course while taking advantage of the mulligans?  If so, please join us for our Captain's Choice Golf Scramble on September 19.  You'll enjoy a wonderful game of golf, great food, prizes, and the opportunity to support The Arc.

The Summer 2011 Skills Educator/Respite Care Provider newsletter has just been posted. If you are looking for a flexible and rewarding job, please consider becoming a skills educator or respite care provider.

One of the benefits of becoming a member of The Arc is receiving our bi-monthly newsletter, The Link.  Members receive the newsletter automatically, but our website visitors can also download the June/July edition.

Speaking of membership, a Membership Meeting will be held on Monday, August 8 at 7:00 pm.  At this meeting, all current members will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws, as already approved by the Board of Directors. So that we have enough chairs and written materials, please RSVP by calling 301-663-0909 x16 by August 4.

July 2011

There are many exciting events in the next few months!  Please join us - there's something for everyone!

• We are hosting an inclusive  “Princess Party” with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on July 19.  It’s a magical evening filled with princess crafts, games and party food! Princess costumes encouraged! All girls under age 16 are invited; sisters, cousins, nieces, welcome!

• Our newest fundraiser, an all-you-can-eat Crab Feast, will be held on July 30 at Utica Park, just outside Frederick.  You can purchase your tickets online.  All proceeds benefit The Arc's Real World Weekends program.

• Fore!  Our 20th Annual Captain's Choice Golf Scramble will be held on September 19 at Hollow Creek Golf Club.  For the first time, you can register online at our website, or as always, feel free to download the brochure and send your registration in the mail.

• A new event is the Sprout Film Festival, which takes place on October 27 at Holiday Cinemas.  Stay tuned for more information!

Do you tweet?  Follow us on Twitter!  And please remember to "like" our Facebook page. Great ways to keep in touch with everything going on at The Arc.

Our wish list is constantly updated with items needed by individuals and families we support. 

June 2011

Crab Feast tickets are available!   You may purchase online or by contacting our office at 301-663-0909 x40.  The Crab Feast will be held on July 30 at Utica Park, right off Rt. 15 north of Frederick.  Invite your friends to this new and tasty fundraiser!

Looking for summer recreation ideas?  Download a compiled list of Summer Recreation activities that has been posted to our "Services" page.

Do you receive our monthly email updates?  It's a quick way to keep in touch with everything going on at The Arc.

The May/June issue of The Link, our member newsletter, has been added to our website.   Members, please help us go green.  Send your email address to subscribers@arcfc.org so that we can begin sending your newsletter via html email.  The same great information you've been getting in the paper edition, but this will save paper and postage.

Speaking of membership, our annual Membership Meeting will be held on Monday, June 13 at 6:30 pm.  At this meeting, all current members will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed Board of Directors for Fiscal Year 2012.  So that we have enough chairs and written materials, please RSVP by calling 301-663-0909 x16 by June 9.

May 2011

Several exciting events will be happening in the upcoming weeks.  There will be a Town Hall Meeting on May 5, a Volunteer Appreciation Reception on May 26, and a Membership Meeting on June 13.   Be sure to check our Events page for details on these and other upcoming activities.

Speaking of upcoming events, our 20th Annual Captain's Choice Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, September 19. 

Our Blog has a new chapter!  We will take you on a journey to show how The Arc, FCC, and Frederick County Public Schools partner to offer the Leadership Enrichment Achievement Program at FCC to serve as an entry point to the world of higher education.

The Spring 2011 Skills Educator/Respite Care Provider newsletter has just been posted. If you are looking for a flexible and rewarding job, please consider becoming a skills educator or respite care provider.

We're looking for new members for our Advisory Committee.  The Advisory Committee works on projects to raise awareness about The Arc.  For details about the Advisory Committee and other volunteer opportunities, please visit our Volunteer page. 

Attention Transitioning Youth Students!  The Arc is excited to announce that Edinboro University student Erin Kiernan will be doing an internship at The Arc this summer to work with transitioning youth students.  Read more about it and download the flyer on our website's Transitioning Youth page.

April 2011

Updated April 5 - Our Trivia Playoff was a success!

What's new with Bradley?  Find out on our Blog!

We're looking for new members to join our Advisory Committee.  The Advisory Committee works on projects to raise awareness about The Arc.  Parents of individuals with developmental disabilities and other interested community members are encouraged to apply.  More information about this committee (and other volunteer opportunities) can be found on our Volunteer page. 

Speaking of volunteers, hold the date for our Volunteer Appreciation Night on May 26.

"Taking the Plunge into College"  (PDF) - Read the Frederick's Child Magazine article about our successful LEAP at FCC.  (Also for download on our Resources page)

The most recent issue of The Link, our membership newsletter, has been added to our site.

If you received a tax refund this year, please consider donating part of it to The Arc. You may send donations with a credit card or PayPal through our website, call us at 301-663-0909 x33 to donate with a credit card by phone, or of course, you may send a check to our office. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law, and all donations help individuals with developmental disabilities in Frederick County.  Thank you!

March 2011

Question:  Where can you have a great time, win fabulous prizes, AND support The Arc at the same time?

Answer:  At The Arc's Trivia Playoff fundraiser!  It's not too late to join the fun... send in your registration today! 

The Arc of Frederick County is pleased to share with you some of the stories of the people we support.  Read about how John was able to move into his own apartment in our new Stories section.

Do you receive our monthly email updates?  It's a quick way to keep in touch with everything going on at The Arc. 

Don't forget to check our In-Kind Donation Wish List on our Donate page.  Please let us know if you are able to donate any of the items listed.  Little things mean a lot!

We will be participating in the Frederick County Transition Fair on April 1.  Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors receiving special education and 504 services from all Frederick County High Schools and their families should attend.  Contact The Arc for more information.

February 2011

Lots of exciting updates this month!

Check out our Volunteer Opportunities.  We have an immediate need for help at our front desk.   

The Arc of Frederick County has a blog!  Our blog will be a place where you can get a glimpse into the lives of people we serve and learn how your support helps people become active, contributing members of the Frederick County community.  

No joke -- The Arc's Trivia Playoff will be held on Friday, April 1!  The brochure is available to download from our Events page.  And new this year -- you can register online!

The January/February issue of The Link, our member newsletter, has been added to our website.    Members, please help us go green.  Send your email address to subscribers@arcfc.org so that we can begin sending your newsletter via html email.  The same great information you've been getting in the paper edition, but this will save paper and postage. 

A special issue of the Endowment Edition (PDF) was published.  Learn about how our Endowment helps families with futures and estate planning. 

And finally, please remember those Maryland citizens who are on the state's Waiting List for services.  You can help. Just mark the Developmental Disabilities Administration Tax Check off box on your 2010 State Personal Income Tax form and 100% of your donation will go to support the Developmental Disabiilities Administration’s (DDA) Waiting List Equity Fund.

January 2011

Happy New Year!  We've updated our Accomplishments page to review some of our important and meaningful activities of 2010.  We look forward to another excellent year.

Mark your calendars!  The 26th Annual Trivia Playoff will be held on Friday, April 1.   More information will be posted to our Events page as it becomes available. 

Our Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2010 (7/1/09-6/30/10) has been posted to our website.  If you would like to receive a copy in the mail, contact Kendra at 301-663-0909 x16.

December 2010

Updated December 21:  If you make an online donation of $25 or more through December 31 we will send you a complimentary 2011 calendar as a token of our appreciation.  The calendar features a painting by a talented woman who receives support through The Arc.  While supplies last!

Updated December 9:  Our Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2010 (7/1/09 - 6/30/10) has been posted to our website. 

The November/December issue of The Link has been posted to our website.  As always, Arc members receive the newsletter automatically.  It's easy to become a member of The Arc.

Our Support Groups listing has been updated.   If you or someone you know is interested in attending one of our Support Groups, please contact The Arc for details for the time, date, and place. 

Our 2nd Annual Festival of Holidays was a huge success!  Thanks to everyone who attended! 

When doing your holiday online shopping (or online shopping at any time of the year), consider using the GoodShop website, where you can shop at more than 900 top online retailers. You pay the same price as you normally would, but a donation goes to The Arc!  Just type in "The Arc of Frederick County" where it asks who you GoodShop for. 

And finally, all of us at The Arc of Frederick County wish you a very happy holiday season. Please remember The Arc in your end-of-year contributions. Donations by check, gifts to our endowment fund, and gifts in honor of someone are always very much appreciated. You can even make a secure donation online. Thanks to all of you for your generous support throughout the year.  It means so much.

November 2010

Have you ordered your ticket for the Festival of Holidays?  This year's event will be held on Sunday, November 28 at the Weinberg Center in downtown Frederick.  Tickets are only $20 and can be ordered by calling our office at 301-663-0909 or by clicking on the Events page to order online.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Visit The Arc to do some holiday shopping.  From November 15 - December 21, The Arc will have a "holiday shoppe" with items for sale that were hand made by people with developmental disabilities in Bethlehem.  Authentic olive wood products and embroidery make thoughtful gifts.  See the Events page for details. 

The Fall 2010 Skills Educator/Respite Care Provider newsletter has just been posted. If you are looking for a flexible and rewarding job, please consider becoming a skills educator or respite care provider.

Finally, please remember The Arc of Frederick County in your workplace giving. We are a partner agency of the United Way of Frederick County and you can designate us on your employer’s United Way campaign form (#05).  In addition, The Arc of Frederick County participates in the Maryland Charity Campaign and Combined Federal Campaign. Maryland State Employees can designate #2450 on their giving forms and Federal employees can use #87793. Thank you for supporting The Arc.

October 2010

Last month's 19th Annual Captain's Choice Golf Scramble was a success!  It was a beautiful day for golf, and over $12,000 was raised for The Arc.  All proceeds directly benefit individuals with developmental disabilities in Frederick County.  A big thanks to all the players, sponsors, donors, and volunteers who made this possible. 

Plans are well underway for our Festival of Holidays, to be held on November 28 at the Weinberg Center.   We are taking a trip down memory lane with the theme of "Holidays Past."    Call our office to reserve your tickets today.  It's a lovely way to start off the holiday season!

The September/October issue of The Link is now available.  A copy is automatically sent to all members of The Arc. 

Keep up to date on Arc news by joining us on Twitter and Facebook.  Share with your friends, too!

September 2010

Lots of fun events are coming up!  We will have an activity table at the Kids Block at Frederick's In the Street festival on Saturday, September 11.  Also, last year's inaugural Festival of Holidays was a big success so mark your calendar's for this year's event.  It will be held on Sunday, November 28 at the Weinberg Center.  And don't forget our 19th Annual Captain's Choice Golf Scramble is on September 13.  Lots of teams and sponsors have already registered.  Hope you can join us!

Want to volunteer?  New volunteer opportunities have been posted to our website.  A little something for everyone.

Are you a Facebook fan of The Arc of Frederick County?  If not, you're missing out on photos, videos, informative articles, and regular updates about our agency and the people we support.  It's free and easy to join. 

Finally, please remember The Arc of Frederick County in your workplace giving. We are a partner agency of the United Way of Frederick County and you can designate us on your employer’s United Way campaign form.  In addition, The Arc of Frederick County participates in the Maryland Charity Campaign. Maryland State Employees can designate #2450 on their giving forms. Thank you for supporting The Arc.

August 2010

The July/August issue of The Link has been posted to our website.  As always, Arc members receive the newsletter automatically.  It's easy to become a member of The Arc. 

We're hosting a Princess Party on August 17 for young girls with developmental disabilities and their sisters.  All the fun details can be found on our Events page. 

Are you the next Phil Mickelson or  Annika Sorenstam?  Or do you just enjoy a day on the golf course while taking advantage of the mulligans?  If so, please join us for our Captain's Choice Golf Scramble on September 13.  You'll enjoy a wonderful game of golf, great food, prizes, and the opportunity to support The Arc.

Want to help The Arc, but don’t quite know where to begin? Discover a variety of opportunities to donate or  volunteer.

July 2010

Gift cards are needed!  Several families we support need a little bit of help paying for gas and groceries.  Next time you're at a local gas station, grocery store, or discount store, please consider picking up a gift card and send it to The Arc.  Every little bit helps!  (on our Donate page, it's under the section for "In-Kind Donations")

The brochure for our Captain's Choice Golf Tournament has been posted to our Events page.  You can download the brochure for all the information on this fun-filled event.  Looking forward to seeing you on the course on September 13!

New dates have been added for our popular Sibshops! 

The Summer Skills Education Newsletter has been posted to our website, along with information about new training opportunities.

Congratulations to our Executive Director, Joanna Pierson, for her successful year of leadership as the President of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD).  Her one-year volunteer term concluded on June 30. 

June 2010

You can now become a member of The Arc by joining online!  It's never been easier to show your support for the work we do supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.  Just choose the level of membership and use your PayPal account if you have one or a major credit card.  Of course, you can still use a check by printing out the form and mailing it to our office.  Our members make a difference!  Thank you for your support!

One of the benefits of becoming a member of The Arc is receiving our bi-monthly newsletter, The Link.  Members receive the newsletter automatically, but our website visitors can also download the May/June edition. 

Do you tweet?  Follow us on Twitter!  And please remember to "like" our Facebook page. 

Watch NBC Channel 25 for a PSA (a Public Service Announcement, for those not in the biz), featuring The Arc of Frederick County and two other local Arc chapters. Thanks to Wolf Furniture for donating the airtime!  You can also view the PSA on our Facebook page. 

Save the date!  Our 19th Annual Captain's Choice Golf Scramble will be held on Monday, September 13.  More information will be posted soon.

May 2010

Several new One-Page Brochures have been added to our Services page.  You can download or view online to learn more about our Employment Supports, the popular Music Class, our innovative Real World Weekends, and more. 

The Arc of Frederick County has been providing support to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families since 1958 -- that's 52 years!  Our agency timeline has been updated to reflect some recent accomplishments. 

Raise money for The Arc of Frederick County every time you search the internet!  It's easy -- just go to www.GoodSearch.com and type "The Arc of Frederick County" in the box that asks you what charity to GoodSearch for.  We get a penny per search each time you use it, at no cost to you.  Watch the donations add up fast!  We've also posted a link on our Donations page.

The Spring 2010 Skills Educator/Respite Care Provider newsletter has just been posted. If you are looking for a flexible and rewarding job, please consider becoming a skills educator or respite care provider.

April 2010

On May 14 & 15, The Arc will be hosting two informative training sessions on the topic of relationships and sexuality for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Details can be found on our Events page.

A big THANK YOU to all of the players, sponsors, donors, and volunteers at this year's Trivia Playoff. This event raised over $8,000! All proceeds help support individuals with developmental disabilities in Frederick County. See you next year!

The most recent issue of The Link, our membership newsletter, has been added to our site.

Summer is just around the corner. Our popular list of summer camps(PDF) has been updated for 2010.  It is also available on our "Services" page.  Note that The Arc of Frederick County does not endorse any of the camps, we merely provide a compiled list for the convenience of families looking for this information.

If you received a tax refund this year, please consider donating part of it to The Arc. You may send donations with a credit card or PayPal through our website, call us at 301-663-0909 x33 to donate with a credit card by phone, or of course, you may send a check to our office. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law, and all donations help individuals with developmental disabilities in Frederick County.  Thank you!

March 2010

Question:  Where can you have a great time, win fabulous prizes, AND support The Arc at the same time?
Answer:  At The Arc's Trivia Playoff fundraiser!  It's not too late to join the fun... send in your registration today! 

We love our volunteers!  We are thrilled that several dedicated volunteers answered our call for front desk coverage.  There are still several time slots available, as well as a need for backup coverage.  Please see our Volunteer page for these opportunties and other ways you can volunteer. 

PayPal is here!  By request, we now accept PayPal for online donations.  You can use your regular PayPal account, or if you prefer, just use your credit card --no need to create an account.  Thank you for your generous support!

February 2010

Please join us as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of our Trivia Playoff fundraiser on Friday, March 26.  The brochure and registration form have been posted to our website. 

Some people we support are looking for household items as they move into new homes in the community. And our Parents' Day Out program could use a few new toys.  Please see our "Donate" page for our current wish list.   

The January/February issue of The Link is now available.  A copy is automatically sent to all members of The Arc. 

Also just posted:  The winter edition of our skills educator/respite care provider newsletter. 

Become a fan of The Arc of Frederick County on Facebook!  You can now stay in touch and receive updates for The Arc of Frederick County by joining us on Facebook. If you currently have a profile on Facebook, visit our page and become a fan!  If you don't have an account but are interested, you can sign up here -- the process is quick, easy, and free.

January 2010

Happy New Year!  We hope all of our members and supporters had a wonderful holiday season.  Those of you who were able to join us at our "Festival of Holidays" would agree that it was a fun and delicious way to start off the season.  If you missed it, you can read the recap -- and hope you can join us next year. 

We've updated our Accomplishments page to review some of our important and meaningful activities of 2009.  We look forward to another excellent year.

Do you know a child who has a brother or sister with a developmental disability?  Our popular Sibshops celebrate the contributions made by siblings.  New 2010 dates just announced.

Also just announced -- the 25th annual Trivia Playoff will be Friday, March 26.  Mark your calendars now!

Our Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2009 (7/1/08-6/30/09) has been posted to our website.  If you would like to receive a copy in the mail, contact Kendra at 301-663-0909 x16.

December 2009

Updated December 14:  Our Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2009 (7/1/08-6/30/09) has been posted to our website. 

It's not too late to join us for the "Festival of Holidays" on December 6.  Download the brochure for all the details.

Our November 4 Town Hall Meeting was a huge success!  Over 300 people turned out to support people with developmental disabilities and the agencies that support them.  And the Board of Public Works responded by not making additional cuts.  Please thank Governor O'Malley for compassionately responding to the pleas of thousands of people across the state.  By working together we can accomplish great things!

The November/December issue of the Link has been posted.  A copy is automatically mailed to all members.

The Fall 2009 Skills Educator/Respite Care Provider newsletter has just been posted. If you are looking for a flexible and rewarding job, please consider becoming a skills educator or respite care provider.

And finally, all of us at The Arc of Frederick County wish you a very happy holiday season. Please remember The Arc in your end-of-year contributions. Donations by check, gifts to our endowment fund, and gifts in honor of someone are always very much appreciated. You can even make a secure donation online. Thanks to all of you for your generous support throughout the year.  It means so much.

November 2009

The Arc is hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, November 4 to discuss the Waiting List crises and Underfunding of Community Programs.  We anticipate a large turnout.  A recap will be posted on our website and in our member newsletter, The Link.  

Our helpful One-Page Brochures have been updated and revised. 

Begin your holidays with us!  Join us at our new event, "A Festival of Holidays" on December 6.  The afternoon will be filled with delicious food & drink, music, photography and centerpiece contests, and more!  Download the brochure here. 

Due to budget cuts, we have reluctantly had to begin using voice mail for our staff.  Please note each person's extension on our Staff Directory page.  In addition, we are looking for volunteers to assist at our front desk by answering the occasional "operator" call and greeting lobby visitors.  If you would like to volunteer a few hours, please contact Karla at 301-663-0909 x40 or email her at KRobeson@arcfc.org. 

October 2009

Lots of exciting events are coming up!  See the Events page for details on a new Music Class, Special Needs Planning and Wills & Estate trainings, as well as our ongoing activities. 

The September/October issue of the Link has been posted.  A copy is automatically mailed to all members.

Job hunting?  A rare opportunity is now available to apply for a Support Coordinator position. In addition, individuals we support are looking to hire skills educators and respite care providers. Visit our Volunteer and Employment page for all the openings.

Last month's Captain's Choice Golf Scramble was a big success!  Thanks to all of our players and sponsors. 

A big congratulations to our Executive Director, Joanna Pierson, for celebrating 30 years at The Arc!   We are also very proud of her recent election as President of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Way to go, Joanna!

September 2009

Everyone is getting ready to tee off for our Captain's Choice Golf Scramble on September 14. There is still room for more players and sponsors. Nothing like spending a beautiful September morning on the golf course, while raising money for The Arc at the same time. Please join us!  Contact Karla at 301-663-0909 for more information.

Another upcoming event is a Yard Sale on Saturday, September 12.  The Arc is joining forces with the other United Way agencies at the PNC bank on Thomas Johnson Drive.  Donations are needed!  This looks like it will be a fun way to raise money for The Arc and find a few bargains, too. 

Welcome to our Board of Directors for Fiscal Year 2010.  We look forward to a successful year.

Finally, please remember The Arc of Frederick County in your workplace giving. We are a partner agency of the United Way of Frederick County and you can designate us on your employer’s United Way campaign form. In addition, The Arc of Frederick County participates in the Maryland Charity Campaign. Maryland State Employees can designate #2450 on their giving forms. Thank you for supporting The Arc.

August 2009

Like to golf? Like to have fun? Want to support The Arc? Then please join us for our annual Captain's Choice Golf Scramble! The brochure is now available to download.

Want to know about other ways help The Arc, but don’t quite know where to begin? Discover a variety of opportunities to donate or volunteer.

The most recent issue of The Link, our membership newsletter, has been added to our site.

July 2009

Fore! The registration form for our Captain's Choice Golf Scramble is now online. This event is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year -- hope you can join us!

The Summer 2009 Skills Educator/Respite Care Provider newsletter has just been posted. If you are looking for a flexible and rewarding job, please consider becoming a skills educator or respite care provider.

June 2009

In addition to our ongoing Daytime Parents' Support Group, we are are excited to begin hosting an Evening Parents' Support Group.  Check our Events page for details.

The May/June edition of our newsletter, The Link has been posted. Don't forget that you can automatically receive a copy of The Link by joining The Arc.

The Spring 2009 edition of our Skills Education newsletter has been posted.  And click here for more information about becoming a Skills Educator or Respite Care Provider. 

May 2009

New seminars about Futures & Estate Planning will be offered in June.

The Spanish section of our website has been greatly expanded!    Upcoming events, Spanish-language resources, and more details about our services are now posted. 

Are you a member of The Arc?  If not, please visit our membership page, download an informative brochure, and consider joining as a member.  Everyone who joins with a minimum $25 donation will receive a magnet!

Join The Arc of Frederick County on Facebook!  You can now stay in touch and receive updates for The Arc of Frederick County by joining us on Facebook.  If you currently have a profile on Facebook, visit our page and become a fan!  If you don't have an account but are interested, you can sign up here -- the process is quick, easy, and free.

April 2009

Thanks to everyone who helped make our 24th Annual Trivia Playoff a great success!  We couldn't have done it without the wonderful support of all the donors, players, and volunteers.  Peace, love, and The Arc!

The March/April issue of the Link has been posted.  A copy is automatically mailed to all members.

Calling all artists and art lovers!  Empowered Through Art, an art competition for people with developmental disabilities, is soliciting, judging, and recognizing the works of local artists.  Check our Events page for more details.

If you received a tax refund this year, please consider donating part of it to The Arc. You may send donations with a credit card through our website, call us at 301-663-0909 to donate by phone, or send a check to our office. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law, and all donations help individuals with developmental disabilities in Frederick County.  Thank you!

March 2009

Question:  Where can you have a groovy time, win far-out prizes, AND support The Arc at the same time?
Answer:  At The Arc's Trivia Playoff fundraiser!  It's not too late to join the fun... send in your registration today.  Peace, man!

In addition to our Trivia Playoff, upcoming events include Wills & Trusts seminars (March 24 & 28) and An Evening of Autism Awareness at the downtown Frederick library on April 15.  Everyone is invited!

We have just posted our new Spanish/English brochure on our website. 

Our Summer Camp Guide (pdf) has been updated for 2009. As always, we encourage parents and guardians to contacts the camps directly for more information, but we hope our list is a good starting point.  It's also available for download on our Resources page.

February 2009

Dig out your tie-dye t-shirts and put some Janis Joplin or CCR on the turntable... it's time for the 24th annual Trivia Playoff.  The brochure and registration form are now posted on our website. 

The January/February issue of the Link has been posted.  A copy is automatically mailed to all members. 

Our Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report has been posted to our website. Everyone who donated during FY 2008 (July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008) should receive a copy in the mail in December. If you did not get a copy and would like one, please contact our office at 301-663-0909 and we will be happy to send one to you. Thanks for helping us make FY 2008 a very successful year.

January 2009

Welcome to The Arc of Frederick County's updated website!  We hope all of our visitors find the website helpful and easy to use.

We are proud of the work we do.  A few examples of the support we provided last year have been posted to our Recent Accomplishments page.  Thank you for helping us make 2008 a meaningful year for so many individuals with developmental disabilities.

Do you have questions about wills, letters of intent, or special needs trusts?  Based on popular demand, we are hosting additional Wills and Trusts seminars in conjunction with Frederick Community College.  Details can be found on our Events page.  

And mark your calendars for Friday, March 27.  Our Trivia Playoff is back!  More details will be posted on the Events page as they become available. 

December 2008

Dates have been added for our popular Parents' Day Out program. Volunteers are needed!

The November/December edition of our newsletter, The Link has been posted. Don't forget that you can automatically receive a copy of The Link by joining The Arc.

All of us at The Arc of Frederick County wish you a very happy holiday season. Please remember The Arc in your end-of-year contributions. Donations by check, gifts to our endowment fund, and gifts in honor of someone are always very much appreciated. You can even make a secure donation online . Thanks to all of you for your generous support throughout the year.

November 2008