The Arc Fox Cities and NAMI Fox Valley are so pleased to share that we have not only met our fundraising goal of $999,211, but we’ve exceeded it… raising a total of $1,094,572 for “The Flight to Building Opportunities”! The additional monies raised were targeted for our HVAC system which needed immediate repair. We asked and you generously responded. Thank you for supporting our agencies and our community with your generosity! Together, we are successfully helping people reach new heights.
We are also pleased to share that, in addition to The Arc and NAMI, four additional nonprofits have found a home at 211 E. Franklin Street: Fox Valley Sibling Support Network, Prevent Suicide–Fox Cities, CASA Fox Cities and the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin. Sharing space and other resources with these agencies has allowed the Franklin Street building to become a non-profit campus – living and serving the Fox Valley from a centrally-located, visible, accessible building.
As was the dream, the agencies are sharing common space and saving operational costs in various ways:
• Shared phone and data services
• Shared Building Manager, Financial Administrator and Facilities Upkeep
• Rental income for building owners and low cost of designated and shared space for tenants
• Increased agency endowments/savings as part of the sale of existing buildings
• Future fund for capital costs and preventive maintenance (roof, elevator, etc.)
• Reduced utility costs with new, efficient boilers and HVAC system
• Ample room for all agencies to hold programming on site
• Opportunities for collaboration among agencies
• Shared training among tenant agencies
• Shared events (i.e. all building Volunteer Appreciation Event)
• Convenient access to Valley Transit bus terminal, the Library and Downtown Appleton business
• Handicap accessible facility with elevator
• Growing number of people served and volunteers engaged for all agencies
This very successful collaborative project is a model for nonprofits everywhere. In the short time we have been in our new home, we have experienced cost savings, inter-agency referrals, increased services for our consumers, greater accessibility for those who need us, and a shared vision for continued growth in the future.
We greatly appreciate the support of all our friends and donors. Every donation, from $2.11 to $200,211, helped make this possible. Our deepest thanks to all of you.
The Arc Fox Cities’ hosted their 11th Annual Children’s Tea Party and Fashion Show
(Appleton, WI) On March 8, 2014 The Arc Fox Cities’ wrapped up their 11th Annual Children’s Tea Party and Fashion Show Fundraiser. A crowd of over 200 gathered at Bridgewood Resort in Neenah, WI on Saturday to get their first taste of spring as they watched 25 children with and without disabilities model the latest fashions by Kohl’s of Darboy. This event, emceed by Kathryn Bracho from WBAY TV 2 included a fashion show, tea style luncheon, and entertainment from Blake Welhouse of Appleton Rock School. Proceeds from the event benefited The Arc Fox Cities’ Programming.
The Arc Fox Cities, Inc. provides programs and services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Their mission is to Utilize Advocacy, Respect and Concern to empower all people with disabilities to have the opportunity to choose and realize their goal of a full life and a secure future.
For more information please go to www.arcfoxcities.com.
Contact: Lori Sabourin 211 E. Franklin St. Suite A [email protected]
Hello Arc Friends! We have an exciting new opportunity for February and March. We are Prepping For Prom!
Do you like to dance? The Arc hosts a dance each month and April is our Prom. Even if you don’t plan to attend and are still interested in learning different dances this is will be the perfect opportunity. We will be learning different dances like the Cha Cha Slide, Macarena and the Electric Slide. AND a bunch of other dances! You can come learn a couple different ones at each of our dance classes. Even if you can’t make it every week you will leave each class with the ability to do a different dance. Best part of Prepping For Prom? It is free!
Prepping For Prom is a project that is being completed for a Girl Scout Gold Award by Sophia Szymonski. And a huge thanks goes out to her for picking The Arc to be her project site. It will enable The Arc to offer these classes again in the future!
Sophia is a Senior at Neenah High School. She has been dancing for the past 12 years. She is on the Neenah Dance Team and the Studio Y competition team. Sophia has experience in contemporary, lyrical, ballet, pointe, hip-hop and tap dancing. You might recognize Sophia from some fun Arc events as well. She has been involved with YARC and as a counselor at Camp Onaway for our week long camp!
Please join in the fun and call The Arc to sign up today!
This program runs on Sundays February 9th, 16th, 23rd and March 2nd and 9th from 1:30-2:30pm. Come for one week or come for all weeks! We will be playing the songs at our Prom so you can show off the moves you learn 🙂
Green Bay Packers Community Service Award presented by Humana, Inc.
(Appleton, WI) Ellen Sauer, The Arc Fox Cities’ Special Olympics Track coach for over 30 years, has been awarded the Green Bay Packers Community Quarterback Award. This award, presented by Humana, Inc. is designed to honor volunteers who exemplify leadership, dedication, creativity, and a commitment to improving the communities in which they live through volunteerism.
Ellen was one of ten chosen out of numerous statewide nominees. Ellen is a teacher at Ferber Elementary School in Appleton, WI and has lived in the Fox Cities the majority of her life. She is an active member of the volunteer community and has coached The Arc’s Track and Field team for over 30 years. She has grown the program from 10 track athletes to more than 60 this past year. She not only gets the athletes involved, she also reaches out to students in her school to volunteer during the season. Ellen is a leader because she leads by example. She is humble, generous, passionate, caring and persistent. She is everything to her athletes. She is a teacher, a friend, a family member, a caregiver, a fan, a supporter, a helping hand and most importantly a COACH!
The honor of this award includes a generous grant of $4,000 to The Arc Fox Cities, Inc. In addition, Ellen will be honored at a luncheon at Lambeau Field and will receive two tickets, provided by Humana, for the December 22, 2013 contest between The Green Bay Packers and The Pittsburgh Steelers at Lambeau Field.
The Arc Fox Cities, Inc. provides programs and services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Their mission is to Utilize Advocacy, Respect and Concern to empower all people with disabilities to have the opportunity to choose and realize their goal of a full life and a secure future.
It’s time for Monday night football! The Packers are taking on the Bears! Who do you think will bring home a win?! Our office is rooting for the Packers 🙂
Want to make a quick and easy Packer snack? Here is a yummy recipe to test out.
This past weekend the SOAR group (ages 16-26) spent the weekend up at Lu-Wi-Somo for a fun filled weekend of camp! Friday we spent the night playing games by the camp fire to get to know each other before telling scary stories! We also tried out our singing skills by the fire we sang lots of silly songs and we hope that some of the campers can share them with friends and family 🙂
Saturday was jam packed with fun. We took the campers out on a nature hike to collect nature items to create their nature houses. Our campers also got the opportunity to go horse back riding. We took a nice leisurely trail ride but man was it a hot one outside! It reached 91 degrees so after our horseback adventures we went down to the lake front for a nice refreshing dip at the lake. Nothing beats the heat like an afternoon swim!
Saturday night our campers got to participate in one of The Arc staff members favorite summer activities— Pudgy Pie making! We got to mix and match different goodies to make our own grilled sandwiches right on our campfire. (Some burnt like a crisp, but we finally got the hang of it!!) We spent the evening telling stories around the fire, making S’mores with all of our new friends. Luckily the storms didn’t hit us so we could stay up late enjoying the great outdoors. After a long day of fun in the sun it was not a surprise that most of our campers were ready to head to bed early.
Sunday morning came around all too quick and our weekend was coming to an end… 🙁
We spent the morning playing all kinds of fun games planned by our volunteers Liz and Amber! They really made sure our campers had a fun weekend. (Thanks ladies for all your planning!) Then we had to pack up and head back home- some of the campers were reluctant and some were excited to leave. No worries though next years’ camp will be here before we know it!
Thanks to all the parents, campers, volunteers and Camp Lu-Wi-Somo we had a fantastic weekend! We couldn’t have done it without you.
