Saturday, December 8, 2012

ROC the Day for The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming on 12/12/12

ROC the Day is an epic 24-hour online event that is an opportunity for you to support not-for-profit organizations like The Arc doing great work in the nine-county Greater Rochester area.


To ROC the Day for The Arc, vist us on the ROC the Day Web site between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12:

www.roctheday.org/TheArcofLivingstonWyoming

Need a reminder? Visit www.roctheday.org right now so you won't forget to ROC the Day!


Friday, December 7, 2012

Santa Spreads Holiday Cheer at Hilltop

Christmas came early today at The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming's Hilltop Industries program in Livingston County. 

Santa Claus visited Hilltop, which provides jobs for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, and delivered gifts to every worker. 

Assisting Santa were members of the Morrow family, a group of "elves" who have been distributing gifts at Hilltop every Christmas for well over a decade.  One of the sisters, Cheryl Morrow, has worked at Hilltop for almost 30 years. 

This year, Cheryl and about 20 family members personally purchased and wrapped more than 480 presents. 

Santa delivered each gift with a smile and a hearty, "Ho, Ho, Ho," spreading good cheer to Cheryl's peers, many of whom spend all year anticipating this special holiday tradition.




Thursday, December 6, 2012

December 18 Blood Drive in Memory of Partick Wilcox


The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming and the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive in memory of Patrick Wilcox from noon until 5pm Tuesday, December 18th at The Arc's Lehman Building (KidStart), 5871 Groveland Station Road in Groveland.

"Patrick was a true inspiration who never allowed his disability to interfere with his dreams," says The Arc's Jevon Cassidy, who was Patrick's Service Coordinator. "Although Patrick relied on caregivers to assist him with everyday living due to his accident in high school that left him facing life as a quadriplegic, he was admirably motivated. He never allowed any setbacks to get in his way, although there were certainly many."

Patrick was a full-time student at SUNY Brockport striving to get his Master's Degree in History, with a goal of becoming a professor at this very same college. Patrick initially received his Associate’s Degree at Genesee Community College, where he graduated Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.98. In pursuit of this dream, Patrick traveled to Knoxville University in Tennessee and Niagara University as a guest speaker on the Vietnam War.

Patrick took part in a variety of community activities. He was a committed member of the Grange, Knights of Columbus, a founding member of the Education Club at Genesee Community College, and a lecturer at masses at his Catholic church. Patrick was an avid collector of frog-related memorabilia, which filled his bedroom. To Patrick, FROG stood for "Fully Rely On God," which was his personal philosophy.

Patrick passed away fighting his everyday battle, but continued to give back to the community, even in his passing. He donated his body for others who might benefit.

Those inspired by Partick's life may arrange an appointment to give blood by calling Arc Administrative Assistant Mary Tuso at 585-658-2828 or visiting www.redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Hilltop's Pedraza, Sen. Gallivan Mark International Disabilities Day

In a ceremony attended by representatives from human services agencies and health providers throughout Wyoming County, State Senator Patrick Gallivan proclaimed Monday, December 3rd as New York's first "International Day of Persons with Disabilities."

Wyoming County Board of Supervisor Chairman
Doug Berwanger, Arc Board Treasurer Lyle Lehman,
Barney Pedraza, Arc Executive Director
Chris Peterson, and State Senator Patrick Gallivan
Accepting a signed copy of the proclamation on behalf of The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming was Hilltop Industries' Barney Pedraza, who is best known to Mount Morris shoppers as the always-helpful jack-of-all-trades at the program's Finders Keepers thrift shop.

What customers might not know is that Barney's can-do attitude extends to the world of athletics, where it has taken him to great heights on the ski slopes. In February, Barney will represent the United States during the Special Olympics World Games in South Korea, where he'll participate in various slalom events.

Sen. Gallivan congratulated Barney after sharing inspiring anecdotes about people in his own life who have faced physical or intellectual challenges with bravery, including his closest childhood friend and sister-in-law. He noted that New York's recognition of an International Day of Persons with Disabilities is part of a larger shift of community inclusion for those with varied abilities.

"We've come a long, long way," Sen. Gallivan said.

Representatives from all attending agencies