THOMAS CONNELLY: AARC to host spring fundraiser

If you’re looking for a fun-filled time for the whole family in the Good Life City this Friday evening, downtown Albany is the place to be. Albany Advocacy Resource Center will hold its annual spring fundraiser, which this year is called “Spring Night in the Garden,” at the Pretoria Fields Brewery, 120 Pine Ave. The purpose of this event will be to raise money for this local nonprofit organization. Pretoria Fields is generously donating proceeds from each pint sold that evening to AARC.

The event, which will start at 4 p.m. and continue to 8 p.m., will feature yard games, arts and crafts, a foam flower-making center, and a seed bomb station hosted by Farmer Fredo of Flint River Fresh. There will be no entrance charge to attend the function. For those with hunger cravings, food may be purchased from food trucks near the building.

During a portion of the function, a silent auction will take place, as will music.

There are many worthwhile items to be purchased. For instance, some of the prizes include a private quail hunt from Ricasha Farms, landscape rejuvenation or installation from FHG Landscape Management, six free sprays from Mosquito Authority, one-year-quarterly pest control service from Adams Exterminators, a YETI Cooler Tundra 35 from Finnicum Motors, and a gift certificate – six person rental from Kayak Attack Adventures.

Other prizes include two accent chairs from Railway Freight, and a cut and color from Lee Tucker at Salon Volume. Original paintings and artwork by Suzanne Unger and Rusty Cage Designs will be available, as well as two one-hour massages by Wren Chiropractic and Sports Injury, and two one-year subscriptions of SOWEGA Living Magazine, will be part of the auction. Additionally, artwork from individuals in ARC’s Adult Day program will be on display as well as available for purchase.

Albany ARC is the foremost nonprofit provider of services in the southwest portion of the state for persons with disabilities. This organization, founded more than 50 years ago, offers more than a dozen programs ranging from education and health care to residential and family support services. Among this list are adult day/independent living program, Kids’ Corner Child Development Center, Vocational Services, Autism Parent Support Group, SOURCE, Mental Health program, Special Olympics, Project ARC, ICWP (Independent Care Waiver Program), residential, DLDI (Dougherty Leadership Development Institute), and High School High-Tech.

Kids’ Corner is designed to provide early intervention learning activities to infants up to 4 years old. The adult day/independent living program is intended to deal with the needs of individuals 21 years and older. The vocational services program works to assist ARC clients in their pursuit to obtain and retain meaningful integrated, employment. The residential program aids ARC clients by providing support and services that enable each person to lead a productive, fulfilling life wherever they live.

With United Way support, Albany ARC can offer a Special Olympics program throughout the year that provides sports training and athletic competition in many Olympic type sports for persons with intellectual disabilities.

High School/High-Tech is a Dougherty County School System curriculum-based program that provides graduation credit to students who participate in it. At the same time, it focuses on increasing graduation test scores to assist the students in their pursuit of advancing academically. DLDI is a program that integrates individuals with disabilities with non-disabled individuals into the leadership community. This enables members of the former group to have more control over their lives.

Albany ARC, previously directed for four decades by the powerhouse Annette Bowling and currently under the leadership of Sonny Slate and Deanna Julian, serves more than 800 individuals from offices in more than 30 counties throughout the state. The imprint of this organization is felt throughout southwest Georgia.

Music for Friday’s event will be provided once again by local oncologist Dr. José Tongol and his band, the Yo Yos. Dr. Tongol, a real rags-to-riches story who loves to lend his talents for the betterment of the community, and his band will perform a limited set from 6-7 p.m. They will play Top 40 hits ranging from the 1970s to today. At last year’s fundraiser, Tongol and the Yo Yos performed songs of yesteryear by groups such as the Beatles, the Eagles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, America and the Rolling Stones. He also sang more current tunes by REM, Bon Jovi and others.

For more information, contact Erin Freeman. She is the director of development and communications for Albany ARC and can be reached at (229) 888-6852.

Thomas Connelly is a public affairs specialist with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.