Arc Community Celebrates 30 Years of Friendship

Alaina Bundy, Ana Quinlan, Bree Pool and Tracey Ponder.
Ricardo Foster and parents Yolanda and Marvette Franklin (right to left) Ricardo started his journey as a student in The Arc Jacksonville’s High School High Tech program. After his graduation, The Arc Jacksonville’s Employment Services team place him in a job at Wolfson Children’s Hospital Autism Center as a Rehab Tech. He just celebrated his third work anniversary and is excelling in the role. Ricardo was honored at Dinner with Bill & Friends by Kari Bates, CEO of The Arc Jax.
Bree Poole & Tracey Ponder (right to left); The Arc Jacksonville staff members who volunteer at Dinner with Bill & Friends

The Arc Jacksonville held its 30th annual ‘Dinner with Bill & Friends,’ fundraising event recently to celebrate with the community and clients who are served by the organization. This year, more than $290,000 was raised as a result of the donations and support from nearly 500 people who were in attendance at the Arc Village Community center location on the Southside. Held in memory of Bill Sackter, an early ambassador for people with intellectual and developmental differences, Bill spent much of his life in an institution and when he eventually moved into the community, he spoke often of the need we all have for “a good friend, a good job and a good home.”

Festivities included a cocktail reception, live music, tours of the locations community center and apartments, in addition to dinner and a program. The Arc of the United States was founded in the 1950s by parents of people with developmental disabilities. Locally, The Arc of Jacksonville was founded in 1965 by a group of local parents and citizens who shared a common vision offering a full range of education, employment and advocacy services to achieve their full potential. The Arc currently serves more than 500 individuals a day.

For more info visit: www.arcjacksonville.org

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