Albany Advocacy Resource Center to host several holiday events

ALBANY — The Albany Advocacy Resources will be conducting a variety of holiday-centric events for its clients through the holiday season.

On Tuesday, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 30 at 315 Philema Road will host a Christmas party from 6:30-9 p.m., during which the VFW will open its doors to about 150 adults with disabilities from Albany ARC so they can enjoy party snacks, dancing and fellowship with the members of the VFW.

On Wednesday, Pfizer will donate Angel Tree gifts at 10 a.m. at the west end of Procter & Gamble. The Albany Pfizer plant employees have adopted several families from the annual ARC’s Angel Tree Christmas gift-giving program, and employees from Albany ARC will pick up presents at Pfizer.

The ARC Child Development Center Christmas party with Deerfield-Windsor School will take place on Thursday at the 2200 Stuart Ave. center. Children from the Deerfield-Windsor Lower Campus have adopted children with disabilities from the Angel Tree program, and the Deerfield students will attend the party while dropping off their presents for the students in the Albany ARC Child Development Center.

Friday will mark the Adult Day Carolers Tour beginning at 10 a.m., during which adults with disabilities will sing carols at Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church, at 2200 Dawson Road, and other sites in the community “to share their love of music and joy of community inclusion.”

After the Christmas Day holiday, on Dec. 27, a New Year’s party is planned from 5:30-8 p.m. at the The Bindery at Oakland at 445 Oakland Parkway. The Albany ARC and staff from The Bindery will host a party for more than 175 adults with disabilities who will enjoy party food, dancing and a special glow party.

Albany ARC officials said the agency is making sure people with disabilities are included in all types of holiday events, including parties, gifts and caroling.

“At Albany ARC, we believe that people of all abilities should experience the same opportunities, rights and freedoms as inclusive members of the community,” a news release sent by Eddie McCarty, director of media and public relations at the organization, said.

The month’s events started for the ARC with “A Birthday Party for Jesus” on Saturday at First Free Will Baptist Church. The church hosted a special luncheon for adults with disabilities from the ARC’s residential program, and at least one gift was provided for every individual in attendance.

For additional information, contact the ARC at (229) 888-6852.